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?

23. Chapter 23

Chapter 23

"Okay everyone let's go and have breakfast before it gets any later. Since all of the tables are in the gym now we will have to get our breakfast in the kitchen and then take it to the gym. Ladies and Connor we can serve up the kid's food and then take it in on the cart." "What about Vicky Mommy I have to serve her just like Connor does Toby." Kathleen reminded her Mother. "We can get Toby's old puppy dish and serve her in that okay?" "Okay I think I know where it is." Kathleen went running downstairs and found the dish on the shelf next to the large container of dry dog food for Toby. She ran back upstairs and asked Connie to clean it for her.

"Okay here it is all nice and clean and dry. Now I've already made up some food for her along with a container of warm milk that you can pour into her dish once she finishes her food. When you get into the gym you will see that Mr. Sanchez has another present for Vicky that she may or may not like." "Thank you Mrs. Sanchez." Kathleen said as she put Vicky's dish of food and milk on the cart also. Connor pushed the cart into the gym with all of the kids and dogs following him. The adults then started to serve themselves and went into the gym. When Connor came to the children's table they saw a miniature high chair that was made a little different. Mr. Sanchez was standing by the table where Kathleen usually sat. As the children's plates were placed on the table they all sat down and Mr. Sanchez picked up Vicky and placed her in her highchair and Kathleen placed her food dish in front of her. "Thank you Mr. Sanchez it's pretty and it matches the table." Since she was a puppy Vicky dug in right away as though she was starving to death. Before Kathleen even finished with the breakfast prayer Vicky was done with her breakfast. The adults were all looking at the newest member of the family in her high chair.

"Did you make that Joaquin?" "Yes Mrs. Martin. When Mr. Martin told me about the puppy I thought Kathleen would enjoy having this highchair for her puppy until she was big enough to sit at the table like Toby." "Well it's very cute, did you thank Mr. Sanchez Kathleen?" "Yes Mommy." Kathleen poured the warm milk into the dish and by the time she was done Vicky had the milk all over her high chair and her face. Toby was done with his food also so he went over to Vicky and stood up on his back legs and while balancing himself against the highchair he picked Vicky up by her neck and lifted her out of the highchair and then to the floor. Toby cleaned her face then led her out to the back through their private door. Everyone had been watching as Toby took care of his future wife.

"I never would have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself." Joe said. "You could make a lot of money off of your dog Connor if you knew the right people." Joe said in between bites of his breakfast.

"Toby has been trained for police work Mr. Chase. He will be my partner when we go to work at the Los Angeles Police Department. He also knows how to fight Demons and Vampires. We all consider him a gift from God and I would never even think of exploiting him. As you can see he has a special affinity for Kathleen and in fact saved her life when she was a baby. One of the reasons that he is so well trained and seems to be intelligent beyond his normal capabilities is because Kathleen, Dad and I can communicate with him in his mind. We speak to him not by words but by pictures that we give him and he can do the same by putting pictures in his mind and we see the picture."

"I take it then that Vicky is meant to be his future wife." "Yes but that won't be for another 18 to 24 months. We want to give her a chance to grow first so that she will be nice and strong to produce a litter of pups." Angel answered Joe this time. Angel was quickly forming an opinion of the man, and it wasn't a good one.

"If everyone is done we need to clean up in here so we can prepare the tables for our Christmas dinner and all of our guests." Everyone picked up their own plates and cups and the table was cleared in just a few minutes. Kathleen and her gang all ran out to the back to look for Vicky and Toby but they weren't there. They all followed Kathleen as she ran back in. "Daddy, Daddy I can't find Vicky." Angel got down on one knee and put his hands on his daughter's shoulders.

"Calm down Kathleen. Take a deep breath, can you smell her?" Kathleen did as she was told. She took a deep breath then started up the stairs to the second floor and ran to Connors room and opened the door carefully. Next to the bed she saw Toby and Vicky curled up together on his bed. She closed the door almost all of the way then tiptoed down the hallway. Angel was at the stairs waiting for her. "She's sleeping with Toby in his bed. I guess she's like Nicky and Mike and has to take a lot of naps." "That's correct and do you know why?" "Because she is still a baby and needs to sleep and eat mostly. I was really scared for a minute. I thought she had got out somehow and I had lost her forever." "This is a good lesson for you Kathleen. Always remember to stop and think about your situation. Use all of the abilities that you were born with. What should you have done when you couldn't find Vicky?" "I should have tried to find her scent and follow it just like I did now." "That's correct. What do you think Vicky will do when she is looking for you?" "She'll start smelling around to see where I went." "Yes that' correct, you are like Connor and me. We can smell things that others can't and to us that scent is just as good as our vision. Don't forget that Kathleen." "Okay Daddy I won't forget again. I promise." "Okay Princes I know you will do your best because I know that your word is your bond." Angel gave his daughter a kiss then let her go and play with the others.

Many times Angel had seen his daughter work at correcting something she was doing wrong once it was pointed out to her. If Kathleen said she would take care of something she gave it her all to make sure that whatever it was was taken cared of to her Mommy or Daddy's satisfaction. Kathleen was very persistent and would keep at it until it was done correctly. They quickly found out that Kathleen's word was her bond.

"Take the other children upstairs to your room now and I'll be up after I check with Mommy to see if she needs me to do something." "Okay Daddy. Junior and I will take care of them." Since she had the Price boys with her they all went to the elevator and piled in to go to the 3rd floor. When they arrived the first thing Kathleen and Junior did was to pull the gate closed that would prevent the boys from trying to go down the stairs by themselves. Now that this was closed they could run up and down the hallway and play hide and seek in the other rooms that weren't occupied. Cordelia and the rest had been working on cleaning up and painting the other rooms on the floor. So there were at least five other rooms that they could play hide and seek in. None of the other children could figure out why Kathleen always won at this game and she didn't offer any information. After a while they wouldn't let her be the Seeker.

Out in the back the men were busy helping Joaquin monitor the turkeys and ham. Helping involved handing him a beer or opening the cover while Joaquin basted the turkeys. Connor was kept busy by keeping the fires fed.

They women were busy inside preparing the mounds of food that would be needed to feed everyone. Supper was going to be served by 3 o'clock and they expected Gunn and Cylindia to arrive with his bus load of kids at 1 o'clock. Dr. Martin had set the time for them to come so that Fred would have time to look them over and choose the one that would become a lawyer for Angel Investigations.

Toby had come downstairs with Vicky and was in the fenced in area of the garden. From experience he knew how rough the small children could be so he kept Vicky away from them. When she was hungry Toby went over to Connor and gave him a picture of Vicky eating, for today Toby was Vicky's babysitter.

By 1 o'clock they saw not one but two buses pull up to the back and start unloading everyone. In all they had brought 53 people including Mrs. Benton. Gunn had made a deal with a local tourist service to transport everyone to the Hyperion and to pick them up later in the day. All of the adults were outside to greet everyone. They saw a mixture of races, sexes, and ages in the group. The smallest one seemed to be 2 years old and the oldest appeared to be 18. The 18 year old boy was carrying the 2 year old girl in his arms and had her bundled up so much that she looked like she could hardly move. They both had olive toned skin and it was hard to tell what their race was. Besides this child there were at least 6 other small children in the group. They quickly threw off their coats and went running to see Kathleen and her group who had come down when they heard the buses pull up. Kathleen led everyone to the elevators and they all crammed in and went to the third floor to play.

When Toby heard all of the children he had decided to wait for them to leave and go upstairs. He was careful around small children now since Nicky had bit his ear. He was afraid that something might happen to Vicky. As soon as they left he guided Vicky outside to their play area.

Vicky was hungry again so Toby led her over to Connor who was in the gym and showing everyone where they could find drinks. Toby came over and sat down in front of him which got his attention right away. "What's wrong Toby is it getting a little crowded for you?" Connor looked into Toby's mind and he got a picture of Vicky eating this morning. "Oh I guess it's time for Vicky to eat again. I guess I'll feed her this time since Kathleen is busy taking care of all of the children upstairs.

Connor went into the kitchen and warmed up some food for Vicky who ate it in just a few minutes. When she was done she went back to Toby who was sitting patiently under the kitchen table. He took her out to their play area again where she would be safe from all of the feet running around the hotel.

Connor came out and was walking out to the gym when his grandmother called him over to where she was talking to Fred and Wesley. "Did you need something Grandma?" "Yes, do you see that young man over there with the little girl in his arms?" "Yes." "Would you go and ask Cylindia or Gunn to come over here. Tell them that Fred has made her choice." "Already?" Connor asked. "Yes I just heard a voice in my head that said 'this one' when I saw him and asked him if he wanted to let the little girl go upstairs and play with the others." Fred said. Connor left then and told Gunn that his Grandmother wanted to speak to him.

"You wanted something Dr. Martin?" Gunn asked. "Yes Gunn, Fred has made her choice and it's that young man that is over by the chairs and holding a little girl in his lap. Can you tell us something about him?" "His name is Peter Kepa and the little girl is his daughter Leilani Kepa. They joined us just a few weeks ago. Peter heard about us on the streets from the other homeless kids. He told us that he used to work but he was having a problem with getting someone to take care of his daughter while he was working. He said that his wife couldn't take the responsibility of taking care of their daughter and left with someone else. When he started calling in sick because he couldn't find anyone to take care of his daughter he was fired then of course he lost his apartment." "How old is he?" Fred asked.

"He is 18 and his daughter is 2." "Wow he started early. I wonder how old the mother was." Fred said. "It happens that way sometimes Fred, people never think of the consequences when they have sex. With all of the information out there on sex, STDs, AIDs and teenage pregnancies teenage girls still choose to believe a boys interpretation of sex. Can you believe it that teenage boys are telling young girls that oral sex isn't really sex so you can't get all of the diseases out there that are transmitted by sex? I see them in our emergency rooms all of the time. They don't want to go to there family physicians so they come to the emergency rooms all over the United States.

Then when they find themselves with another human being on their hands as a direct result of their actions they either kill the baby before it's born or abandon the baby in one way or another as this little girls mother did. At least he has the courage to take responsibility for his actions unlike her mother. Well he is the one that St. Michael told Fred to choose." Cylindia said. She called over to Peter to join their group.

Peter picked up his daughter who was playing with an exercise ball and joined Cylindia. "Peter I want to introduce you to Dr. Martin, Wesley Wyndham Price, his wife Fred and Connor Martin." As Cylindia introduced him to each person he shook their hands.

"Peter would you come with Wesley and me over to his office. We have something that we would like to talk to you about. You are going to have to give us 100 percent of your attention so I would like for you to give your daughter to Cylindia so she can take her upstairs to play with the other children. You don't have to worry about them because there are two older children that are up there that are watching them." Dr. Martin said. Peter hesitated at first but then something told him that these people could be trusted. He gave Leilani to Cylindia then followed Dr. Martin and Wesley to his office. For the next hour he listened to their story and what he was being offered.

"It sounds like if I take you up on what you are offering my life has already been written out for me." "Yes in a way it has, but then that is how everyone here lives their lives. You are being given a one in a million chance Peter, but like everything else in life you can take one path or the other. It is up to you to make that choice. If you want to take time to think about it you can. If you take us up on what you are being offered you can move in tonight or tomorrow. We need your decision before you leave though so that another can be chosen if you chose to pass up on this opportunity." Dr. Martin stood up when she was finished talking. Peter stood up also and thanked them both. "I promise to give you my decision after dinner. If I decide to take you up on your offer then I will be here by 12 noon tomorrow with all that I have." Peter, Dr. Martin and Wesley left then to rejoin everyone.

Dr. Martin went to the kitchen to see if they needed help. "We're just about done Mom. We're just waiting for the turkeys and ham to be finished. Could you call Kathleen and tell her to see to it that everyone's hands are cleaned then bring them downstairs and into the gym?" Cordelia asked. "Sure I think I can do that." Dr. Martin went to the Lobby phone and called upstairs to Kathleen. When she answered she could barely hear her because of all of the noise from the children. "Okay Grandma we'll have them down there as soon as we can. Bye." Dr. Martin walked outside to the barbeque thinking; Cordelia is right she is going to be making babies like a regular bunny once she gets married. She is going to be a perfect mother.

Dr. Martin found all of the men from Angel Investigations and the Scooby gang all gathered around the barbeques. "When will the Turkey's and Ham be ready Joaquin?" "They are ready now Dr. Martin. I was just going to start bringing them in." "Okay I'll tell Connie and the rest."

When the men brought the Turkeys and Ham in and took the strings off that were holding them together the meat literally fell away from the bones. The rest of the men helped to bring the large containers of mashed potatoes, vegetables, salads, rolls, candied yams, and all of the other fixings that were usually served at Christmas. The tables that were being used to hold the food practically groaned under the weight of all of it. A few minutes later Kathleen and Junior brought all of the children down with them in the elevator. They all went running to their older brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers and started telling them all about the fun they had been having. The children were all told to take seats at the children's tables. It had been decided that the dogs were to eat by themselves today because of all of the children. Connor dished up a large bowl of turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy for Toby. Vicky was given rice and turkey. He let Kathleen know that he had taken care of Vicky along with Toby. After the children had been served the adults and older children from Gunn's group served themselves. When they were all seated Dr. Martin asked Angel if he wanted to lead them in a prayer of thanks.

Angel tapped on his glass and everyone quieted down. "Would everyone stand up and hold hands as we give thanks for today." Everyone including the children stood up and held hands. Angel gave a prayer of thanks giving then they all sat down and started eating. All of the older children in Gunn's group were fascinated by the fact that they were sitting down to have Christmas dinner with the legendary Angel. For as long as these children lived they would remember this day. Most of all they would remember the words that were on a plaque that was just today nailed under the 2nd story balcony. As they observed Angel and the other Vampires, which included David and Bobby, they knew then that these people truly believed in the words. Dr. Martin had given everyone the present of the picture and words that were set under the picture. It was a picture of a smiling Christ standing in a white robe with the clouds of heaven behind him. His arms were open wide. Under the picture the following words were printed.

"MY HEART IS OVERFLOWING WITH LOVE AND MERCY FOR YOU. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ASK. ASK AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN, SEEK AND YOU SHALL FIND. COME MY CHILDREN, MY ARMS ARE EAGER TO HOLD YOU AND WELCOME YOU INTO PARADISE."

They didn't know how but all of the smaller children were behaving relatively well so that the adults could have a peaceful dinner. Apparently they responded better to Kathleen and junior taking care of them. Dr. Martin was thinking that Kathleen and Junior were going to be two very tired children tonight.

"You know we are going to have to try to get to bed early tonight my dear." Giles told his wife. "Our tickets are for 1 P.M. tomorrow which means we have to be at the airport by 11." He was concerned about her health these days. She was developing dark circles under her eyes and she looked so tired. He brushed her hair out of her eyes and behind her ear. "When we are done here my dear, we shall go upstairs and take a nap okay?" "Okay. I am tired. I told Dr. Fernando last week that I wouldn't be able to volunteer at his hospital anymore. He saw how tired I was so he more or less forced me to let him perform some tests on me. He found that I was a little anemic and my blood sugar was high. So he has me on a diabetic diet and pills. He also talked to Hunter about me. Apparently they decided between them that my student is now going to be my doctor." She looked at him with a grin. "Isn't that a kick in the head?" "Do you have everything that you need for the next three weeks?" "Yes, we went to pick them up last Monday." "I haven't seen you test yourself. How often are you supposed to do it?" "Twice each day, I usually do it first thing in the morning then before Supper. Just to let you know when I haven't been a good girl and my blood sugar is high I'll be real tired. Do me a favor Giles and don't nag me about following my diet and questioning me about whether I have taken my pills or not, because I don't respond well to nagging okay?" "Okay I'll do my best to refrain from nagging." Giles smiled at her and gave her a kiss.

Everyone else in the Angel Investigation and Scooby group had taken seats among Gunn's kids. Dr. Martin had suggested this to everyone so that they could feel more comfortable with them. Peter was sitting next to Connor and Lou. Connor was kept busy answering all of his questions about himself and Angel Investigations. He introduced Peter to Lou. Peter was interested in the fact that Angel had just bought an estate on Kauai for there use whenever they needed to get away for a while. Although Connor was several years older than Peter they seemed to get along well because of Peter acting mature beyond his years. Connor found out a lot about Peter through their conversation.

Peter had graduated from high school when he was sixteen and had gone to community collage for awhile until his girlfriend had told him she was pregnant. He was going to school on a scholarship and they were living with her parents after they got married. More bad luck was coming his way though when her parents died in a car accident. They couldn't afford the mortgage so they sold it. His wife was an only child so she got what was left from the sale of the house. Her parents had just recently bought the house so there was very little left after the mortgage was paid off. It all turned out to be too much for his wife and she took $5,000 dollars of the $10,000 that they had left from the sale of the house and she left. Where she was now he didn't know. He had his daughter to take care of now and $5,000 to live on until he could find work. That was six months ago and he was broke now.

Peter was Hawaiian and although he was born in Los Angeles he knew his grandparents were still on the big island of Hawaii. He thought to himself 'If I join Angel Investigations maybe they would let me go to school at the University of Hawaii then I could live with my grandparents and they could take care of Leilani.'

When everyone was done and they started to clear the table Peter looked for Wesley. "Someone told me that you wanted to talk to me Peter." "Yes I wanted to tell you that I have made my decision and I would like to join Angel Investigation." "Okay I want you to go over to my office and take a seat on the couch. I'm going to go and get Angel and the rest of Angel Investigation and well go up to Angel's suite." "Why do I have to see everyone else?" "Because we all live together in this Hotel and we consider ourselves as family. Angel is the head of Angel Investigation but we all live together so we all decide whether you will join us or not. You've seen the Sanchez family?" "Yes." "Well when Cordelia wanted to hire them to cook and take care of our home we all talked to them and we all decided whether we wanted them to live with us or not. Have a seat I should be back after a few minutes."

It took Wesley 15 minutes to gather everyone up and they all went up to Angel's suite. When they were all sitting down Wesley introduced Peter to everyone and gave them what little information they had on him. "Connor I saw you talking to him at Dinner can you add anything that you now know about him?" Wesley asked then sat down. Connor got up and told everyone what Peter had told him about himself. "I also felt something else in Peter as I sat beside him at dinner. I believe Peter is empathic. Peter would you go and shake hands with my father?" Peter went over to Angel. Angel looked straight into Peter's eyes and held onto his hand for a moment. Angel concentrated on putting a wall around his mind and his feelings. It took Peter a moment but he was able to read Angel. When Angel let go of Peter's hand he thought he had been successful in blocking Peter from reading his mind. When Peter returned to his chair he gave no hint to what he had picked up from Angel.

"Well what do you think?" "Yes he is empathic but I think I was able to keep him from reading me." They all looked at Peter then. He just sat in his chair and didn't say anything. "Well now that you know all about Peter are there any questions that you have for him before we take a vote?" Wesley asked. Peter looked around the group. Then Dr. Martin stood up.

"Peter I've told you all about what we want you to do but you haven't told us what it is that you were going to collage for, would you tell us what it is that you wanted to do with your life if you had been able to continue to go to collage?"

"I hadn't decided yet on whether I wanted to be a lawyer or a medical doctor. My first year of school I was taking a full course load to get all of the regular stuff done so that I could concentrate on the courses I would need for either Law School or Medical School. When my wife left me though Leilani became the center of my universe and all thoughts of school took second place."

"Shell we take a vote on whether Peter will join us." Everyone had made their decision and said yes to Wesley's question. "Okay all those who do not want Peter to join us raise your hand." No one raised their hand. "All those in favor of Peter joining us raise your hand." Everyone raised their hand. Wesley turned to Peter and offered his hand. "Welcome to the family Peter Kepa." Peter stood up and shook his hand. Everyone else came over and shook his hand and welcomed Peter to the group then left.

As everyone started to leave they all heard Peter singing a little tune to himself. "Hey there Little Red Riding Hood." That was all he was able to say before Angel went to him and put his hand over his mouth. Angel had moved so fast that Peter hadn't seen him move towards him and he almost scared him to death. When he realized who it was he calmed down. Angel whispered to him. "Don't say anything more, she'll know what your song is about and who it came from then you will spoil my surprise." Angel lifted his hand. Connor and Wesley had seen what happened though. Peter was laughing so hard he had to run to the bathroom because he almost peed in his pants.

The rest went down to the gym while Fred and Cordelia took Peter upstairs to check on his daughter. They walked up the stairs so he could see the protective gate that went across the entrance to the stairs so they couldn't go wondering around unsupervised. Besides the stairs going down to the second floor they also had a gate going over the stair entrance to the fourth floor. Peter was concerned that it was so quiet up here. "Don't worry about them because it's time for their naps so Kathleen and Junior must have them all sleeping on the floor." "Who are Kathleen and Junior?" "Kathleen is Angels and my daughter and Junior is Connie and Joaquin's son. They usually take care of the smaller children which include Joyce who is Buffy and Spikes daughter when she's here. We have already started to prepare the rest of the rooms on this floor so that we can put the girls in one room and the boys in another. Kathleen is getting to big to have to share a room with Junior so she will be the first one that gets a room of her own. Now that she will have another girl in the Hotel she can share her room with her. That way your daughter doesn't have to get used to sleeping by herself. Do you think that you will move in tonight or tomorrow?"

"All of my things and Leilani's are at Mrs. Benton's so I'll be moving everything over here tomorrow." "Okay Peter I am sure that Gunn can help you move tomorrow." They went over to the kid's room as quietly as possible and peeked in. Just as she thought all of the little kids were sleeping on the floor where Kathleen and Junior had laid down some old quilts that Cordelia and Fred had bought at garage sales. After they lay down they put blankets over them. Junior and Kathleen were lying on their own beds. Cordelia closed the door again and they quietly made their way down to the first floor.

Dr. Martin and Giles had laid down for a nap also after the meeting in Angel's suite. The rest of the women were in the kitchen helping to put all of the food away and clean up the kitchen while the men were helping to clean up the barbeques after they cooled down. It was a little cold outside so they were being encouraged to finish the cleanup as soon as possible. By 6 o'clock the buses were back to take the kids back home. Peter waved good bye and said he would see them tomorrow. The Morgan group was leaving also. When the guests were all gone everyone just sat down at one of the tables to have some coffee.

"Man I am glad that's over. I think I'm ready to go to bed now and sleep for the next 12 hours." Angel said. "No you can't sleep for 12 hours because we have to take Mom and Giles to the airport tomorrow morning." Cordelia told her tired husband. "What's the matter Angel your age catching up to you?" "Yes it is. If you look real close you can see the wrinkles that are starting to show up at the corner of my eyes." Cordelia was having fun at her husband's expense.

All of the kids had come down stairs after their nap. It was time for Vicky's last meal of the day so Kathleen had come down to feed her puppy now that she had the time. While he was eating she had gone to sit on Angels lap. "My Daddy isn't getting old he's getting more and more handsome everyday and those are not old age wrinkles Mommy those are lines that show how wise he is." Kathleen said as she ran her finger over the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.

"Where did you hear that?" Cordelia asked. "That's what I heard Grandpa say they were when Grandma was showing me Grandpa's wrinkles." Giles and Dr. Martin started laughing. "Come on Grandma lets get you to bed so we can have the strength to go to Hawaii tomorrow. Then well be able to sleep as late as we want the next day. Goodnight everyone." Giles and Dr. Martin said as they went upstairs.

"I think I'll go upstairs also. Are you going to stay down here for awhile with Vicky Kathleen?" "No I think I'll go upstairs and play with our new Play Station 2." "Can I come and play also?" Connor asked. "No cause you always win. Why don't you go and play with the Xbox that you gave Lou for Christmas." Kathleen said. Connor stuck his bottom lip out and made out like he was crying. Kathleen just stood there with her arms folded across her chest. "Oh please, that worked on me when I was a little kid but it doesn't anymore." Connor jumped up and ran after his little sister as she ran screaming up the stairs. Poor little Vicky tried keeping up with them but she was having a hard time with the stairs so Toby picked her up by the back of her neck and carried her up to Connors room where Kathleen had run. Connor was tickling his sister mercilessly. Toby put Vicky on the bed and he jumped up also and they joined in.

The adults could hear them all of the way downstairs. "That's what Mom needs rest from." Angel said. Connor came down stairs as Cordelia went up. I'm going to have to keep Vicky with me at night Cordelia because she can't make it over the fence that they put over the entrance to the stairs. As soon as I can figure out a way for her to let herself out she'll have to sleep with me." "Okay Connor, did you explain it to Kathleen?" "Yes and she understands. Goodnight." Cordelia said goodnight then went upstairs.

When Angel, Wesley and Connor were the only ones at the table Connor cleared his throat. "So what was that display all about with Peter Dad?" Connor and Wesley moved closer to Angel. "Why would I tell you two when I stopped Peter from saying anything?" "Okay what if we try to guess at what it is with only two questions?" Wesley asked. "Okay I'll give you that." Angel said.

"Does it have to do anything with sex?" Connor asked. "Yes." Angel answered. Wesley and Connor put their heads together. "Does it have anything to do with the fact that you can turn into a wolf?" Wesley asked. "Yes." Wesley and Connor put there heads together again.

They both looked at Angel and Wesley said "You and Cordelia are going to play a sex game with you being a wolf and she is going to be little Red Riding Hood." Connor and Wesley started singing the song 'Hey There Little Red Riding Hood'. "Okay you got it but please don't tell Gunn, I was going to do it tonight but I think were both too tired right now. I'll have to save it for another night goodnight you two." Angel started for the stairs but stopped to make himself a glass of warm blood since he couldn't have any at Dinner. He made his way upstairs as soon as it was done. He found Cordelia already in bed and sleeping. The boys were sleeping also. They had a big day also with so many new kids to play with. Angel listened to the News and drank his blood. When the News was over he took a quilt out of the closet and the picture of his family and went outside. He turned the little book light on that Cordelia usually used to read the mysteries of the Rosary. Angel was starting to feel the cold so he wrapped the quilt around himself and sat down next to the light. For a while he just stared at the picture of his Mother and Sister and ran his hands over it. He started his Rosary then and held the picture against his chest.

As the sun started coming over the San Gabriel Mountains and touched his hand that was sticking out from under the quilt Angel woke up. He blinked at the sun light then realized that he must have fallen asleep while performing his penance. He looked at his watch. It was only 7 o'clock so he thought he would take a shower then fix breakfast for everyone and give Connie a break.

When Connie came into the kitchen at 8 o'clock she found Angel busy shredding potatoes. Coffee was brewing, bacon and sausages were on the grill and a couple of flats of eggs were on the side ready to be cooked. Fixings for any kind of omelet that anyone could think of was also sitting on the counter. Pancake batter was ready to go and Angel had several small frying pans on the stove.

"Good morning Connie. I'm giving you the morning off. I felt like cooking today so make yourself a cup of coffee and have a seat." Before all of the men and boys left last night Joaquin asked for help in bringing the dinning room table back in along with the children's table so Connie was able to just sit down. Lucinda came in next and was told to have a seat also. She protested at first then when Angel gave her a look that said I don't want to argue about this anymore so sit down, Lucinda sat down.

By 8:15 Cordelia came downstairs with the boys. She had hold of Nicky's hand and he held onto Mike's hand. Like a little chain they walked behind their mother. They were so proud of themselves.

"What's going on?" Cordelia asked Connie. "Angel said he felt like cooking this morning so he told us to go and sit down and he was giving me the morning off." Connie told Cordelia as she helped her bring the boys highchairs over and put the boys into them. Angel wanted to wait until everyone was down stairs before he started to make the individual breakfast orders. With the skill of a fast food restaurant chef Angel had everyone's order ready within minutes so that they were pretty much all eating at the same time.

Now that there weren't so many children around Vicky was allowed to stay with the children and play with them. Connor gave his sister a list of times that she had to feed Vicky and a new calendar that he had marked with the dates that she was to change to 3 meals a day then to 2 meals a day. "Today we'll work on simple commands that you can start giving her okay?" "Okay, can I go and change so we can play together?" "No not right now her little tummy is full and the way you two will play I think will just make her throw up all of her breakfast. Don't you have chores to do first before you can play?" "I have to make my bed and take my dirty clothes to the basement and clean my bathroom. Eww Mommy some of the boys peed on the side of the toilet and I had to clean it last night before I could use it. Why do boys have such a hard time of aiming for the toilet?" "I don't know honey all little boys seem to have that problem. We are going to be working on giving you a room for just girls so you won't have to put up with that anymore. Remember Leilani from yesterday?" "Yes I had to take her to the potty several times yesterday. She wears pull ups just in case she has an accident." "Well Leilani is going to come and live with us today and you can share the room with her for a while. That way then she won't be so afraid in a new place okay." "Okay Mommy I'll take care of her." "I know you will sweetheart."

"Do you want to go shopping for her furniture after we drop Mom and Giles off at the airport?" Angel asked. "I think that would be a good idea." Cordelia said. "Are you two all packed Mom?" Angel asked Dr. Martin as he started to pick up his and Cordelia's plates. "Yes were all packed and just waiting for you two. Giles brought our suitcases downstairs already and they're by the stairs." "Okay I'll pull the van up to the side and we can get on the road as soon as you are ready Cordelia." "Give me a few minutes to brush my teeth and comb my hair. I should be back down in 10 minutes." Cordelia said as she headed for the stairs.

"Connor, Lou and Tom did I hear you volunteer to clean the kitchen so Connie can get the morning off completely?" Angel asked. Lou got up and picked up plates also. "I think I heard them volunteer also Angel." Lou said with a big grin as she looked directly at Connor and Tom. They finally gave in and started picking up dishes.

With the kitchen clean up on the way Angel went to the back to get the van and was loading up the two vacationers within a few minutes and they were off to the airport.

Angel and Cordelia said their goodbyes to Dr. Martin and Giles at the security check then left to go shopping for Kathleen's new furniture. Angel was in seventh heaven. He was always happy whenever he was able to go shopping for his girls. He was having even more fun because he was able to shop for Leilani also. They picked up a bed for Kathleen that looked like you would find Sleeping Beauty in. "She is going to love this bedroom set and now she won't have to go into the bathroom to change anymore." Angel said as they were driving home. "I think you're the one that is enjoying it the most." "That's true I do love giving things to my girls." He reached over and held Cordelia's hand as he kissed it.

"Do you think the boys are old enough yet to have their own beds?" Angel asked. "Yes they are ready. As soon as we get Kathleen set up in her room we can go and buy a bed for them." "You don't want to get separate beds for them yet?" "No I don't think that we'll have to. The next one that will need his own room is Junior. By the time the boys are to big to share a bed Connie and I will have another bedroom fixed up for Junior then one of the boys can have his bed. Haven't you noticed how tall Junior is already? Connie says he takes after her brother who is 6 ft. tall. Before long poor Junior's feet will be hanging over the end of the bed."

Angel was pulling into the back when he saw Gunn's truck at the loading dock. Peter was their and unloading his and Leilani's things. As Angel approached the loading dock Gunn called out to him "You're just in time to help with the last box." Angel grabbed the last box and took it upstairs to Peter and Leilani's temporary room. Cordelia had already gone in ahead to see if he was being set up okay. She found Fred already their and showing him everything in the room and where everything was.

"You will only have to share your room with your daughter for a short time Peter. We are working on a new room for Kathleen and your daughter and as soon as they bring the furniture next week they can move in. So make yourself comfortable Peter. Where is Leilani?" "She's upstairs with the other children. Suzy Warren and Carolyn Ling are with them also. You should see Suzy Cordelia she can barely speak where you can understand her. The only ones that she plays with are my boys and yours. The others can't understand her so they don't play with her. Let's talk to Hunter and Mike and see what they think." Fred said. She looked worried. Cordelia was thinking the same thing that Fred was so she understood why she was worried. If Suzy continued to play with just the boys then the boys might refuse to improve their speech.

"Let me go upstairs and see what's going on and why Kathleen doesn't want to deal with Suzy. I'll let you know when I get done." Cordelia left then to go upstairs. Through the link they shared she called out to Angel to come up to the children's room.

Cordelia quietly opened the children's door and peeked in. She found all of the boys and Suzy playing together with their trucks and cars. What surprised her though was not what she and Fred were afraid of but the opposite was occurring. All of the boys were making Suzy say her words more clearly but the words were simpler and were words that they were learning and had mastered. Cordelia closed the door and went looking for Kathleen, Carolyn, and Joyce. She found them in the next room which was going to be the girl's new room.

She knocked on the door first. "Hello can I come in?" "Come in Mommy." Kathleen answered. "Well what are you girls doing?" "Just talking and getting to know each other. Carolyn was asking me what kind of teacher Aunt Fred was and I told her she made learning fun and especially math." "Can I ask you something?" "Sure Mommy." "Why don't you have Suzy over here also? I saw that she is playing with the boys instead of you girls?" Cordelia asked as she sat down at the kitchen table. Since it was going to be Kathleen's room they decided that it would be safe to give her a Microwave oven, refrigerator and stove even though the stove wasn't hooked up and wouldn't be until she was a little older.

"She didn't want to be with us Mommy because we couldn't understand her and we were always saying 'What, I can't understand you, and you have to speak more clearly'. Since she was doing pretty good with the boys and their smaller words, which they make her repeat also, I thought it would be better for her to be with them until she gets better with her words then I think she'll want to come and be with us and learn bigger words. She sat with us at Lunch and listened to Carolyn, Joyce and I talking so I think my plan is already starting to work. Don't you think so Carolyn?" "Yes I think your plan is very good and seems to be working." "Well I can see that you two have everything under control. Just to let you know you're Daddy and I went to the store to buy you a new bedroom set and a bedroom set for Leilani and a rollaway for Joyce when she is here. If you need anything just call me okay?" "Okay Mommy, thank you." When she opened the door she almost ran into Angel.

"How's it going?" "Very well, here I thought we had a problem up here but then I found that our daughter had everything under control. She is one smart little cookie. Come with me down to Fred and Wesley's room and I'll explain what I found." Cordelia put her arm through Angels and they went looking for Fred in her room. Cordelia spent the next 30 minutes telling everyone what she had seen and Kathleen had told her.

At supper they were able to all get together again. Everyone welcomed Peter and Leilani to the family. While they were sitting having coffee Peter cleared his throat. "Mr. Price and Mr. Martin I know that you would like me to stay here while I go to school but I would like to ask if I could go to the University of Hawaii. I still have my Grandparents over on the big island and they live close to the University. I would like to go and live with them while I go to school. Would it be possible for me to do this?"

"I'll leave this up to you Wesley. I've heard that it is a very hard school to get into and I think that you will know better then I if Peter can get in and when." Angel told him. Peter looked to Wesley then. "As far as your schooling goes Peter I think that the University of Hawaii is one of the top schools in the United States. The problem with it though is that they are always full and we may not be able to get you in even for the next school year that starts in the fall. If you can't make it for the next fall will you stay here and go to UCLA?" "Yes."

"Okay then that is settled for now. Connor would you start helping Peter to check into the school and find out what we need to do to get him into the school?" "Sure we can start tomorrow. First though we are going to start on getting some muscle on these skinny little arms. First thing in the morning at 7 o'clock I'll meet you at the gym and I'll put you through a series of exercises that will help you to build your muscles up. They're exercises I learned when I started going to school to join the Police Department. Hunter is going to help me teach the kids how to exercise also. Tomorrow afternoon we'll go and check into the University of Hawaii at the collage that I went to." "Isn't that dangerous for the kids to exercise on a full stomach?" Peter asked. "Heck no with the way they play all of the time this is going to be mild exercises. By the time you are out of breath they'll just be getting their second one. The day after tomorrow I'll start training you in the Martial Arts."

"Why do I have to go through so much exercising and Martial Arts?" Peter asked. Everyone just looked at Peter.

"Peter what has Gunn told you that we do here?" Wesley asked. "He said that you fight Demons and Vampires and help people that ask for it and that Mrs. Martin is a Seer that tells you where to go to help someone that is being attacked by Demons or Vampires." "Yes that is correct but did you know that you will have to learn to fight them also?" "No I didn't. I thought since I was going to be a lawyer I wouldn't be doing things like that."

Angel spoke up for the first time now. "Peter everyone in our group except for Dr. Martin has to train frequently to keep up their physical condition and their fighting skills. Even the women exercise frequently and practice the Martial Arts so that they can fight if they have to. The only time that they don't is when they are pregnant, but as soon as they can they get back into shape again. When you do finish with your schooling you most likely will be busy with your work as a lawyer but you will still need to keep in shape in case you find yourself in a battle to help protect your daughter, yourself or anyone else in the family. Do you understand this Peter?" "Yes Sir." "Do you still want to join us Peter?" "Yes Sir." "Then I will expect you to give 100 of yourself in these endeavors." "Yes Sir, I will do my very best." "That's all we ask Peter."

Leilani had been listening to everything that was going on at the main table. She didn't like it that Angel was showing anger at her Daddy. When he was done talking she got up and went to Angel and kicked his leg then started hitting his arm.

"You leave my Daddy alone. My Daddy works hard to take care of me and he loves me." She went running over to her father and Peter picked his daughter up. Everyone was trying to hide the fact that they were laughing at what just happened but they didn't know about what was going on in Kathleen's mind. As soon as Angel read the anger mounting in his daughters mind he told her to calm down and that Leilani was just a little girl.

"Leilani I want you to go and apologize to Mr. Martin. He was only telling me what I was going to be doing from now on because I was letting him know that I didn't think that I would want to do the work that I agreed to do. It was his right to talk to me the way he did just like I do with you when you don't want to pick up your toys and clothes in your room. Now go and apologize then I want you to get ready to go to bed. You've had a big day today and I think it's time for you to start to unwind. I'll be upstairs pretty soon and well watch television together for awhile okay?" "Okay Daddy, I love you Daddy." "I love you too sweetheart." Peter gave his daughter a big hug and a kiss then let her down.

Leilani went over to Angel with her head down. She put her hands behind her back and said. "I'm sorry I kicked you and hit you Mr. Martin please forgive me?" "I accept your apology Leilani. Do you want to shake hands as friends?" Leilani gave him her tiny little hand and he shook it gently. "Goodnight Mr. Martin." "Goodnight Leilani."

When she was out of ear shot everyone busted out laughing, everyone but Kathleen that is. She went over to her Daddy and checked his leg and arm for bruises. "Did she hurt you Daddy?" "No sweetheart. She's just a tiny little girl she couldn't possibly hurt me." "I was getting awfully angry when she was kicking you. I almost turned her into a frog." "I could see you were getting mad, but Kathleen you should never consider using magic against the other children. God gave you these gifts for a reason and hurting one of the other children isn't one of those reasons. I want you to promise me that you will never do anything to hurt one of the other children while using your magic okay?" "I promise Daddy. When are we going to spend time together like we used to Daddy? I miss spending time with you and Mommy. Connor has been teaching me how to play poker can we play that tonight? Just you, Mommy, Connor and me okay?" "What do you think Mommy and Connor do you think we can do that tonight?" "I think I have the time tonight but we have to include Lou in on our game. She's going to be your sister in-law at the end of next month so you have to get used to her being with us also." Cordelia told her daughter. "Okay, can you play with us tonight Lou?" "Yes I think I can take some time off of working on our wedding."

Everyone started to get up then and clean the table off for Connie and Lucinda. The rest of the night went more quietly since everyone was attending to their own families. Gunn and Cylindia took Carolyn and Suzy home to their siblings.

The next three weeks went by in what seemed like a whirlwind of activity. Dr. Martin and Giles came back with Dr. Martin looking a lot more rested. The dark circles under her eyes were gone and even Giles seemed well rested. They spent the first couple of days telling everyone how nice the new home in Kauai was. They brought presents home for everyone.

Dr. Martin had to open her office once again when she talked to Peter about his reservations about what he will be doing. Peter told her that he had always been a pacifist and found the thought of getting into physical fights went against his own beliefs. "I believe Angel knows some one that can help you with that Peter. If it's alright with you I am going to tell Angel what you said and ask him if his friend can help you."

After Dr. Martin talked to Angel and explained why Peter was reluctant to learn to fight he set up an appointment for Peter to meet with his friend who was a former Monk in Tibet. Angel often went to his friend's home to work out with him. These visits were especially important to Angel now that he was becoming more human and Angelus didn't always give him what he needed in the strength department.

By the time they returned home Peter understood better what Angel Investigations did and what roll God had assigned him. He hadn't been putting too much of himself into learning the Martial Arts but after talking to Angel's friend he gave it everything he had.

Two weeks before the wedding Peter received a letter from the University of Hawaii. Wesley handed the letter to Peter at the Supper table. Everyone was quiet while Peter opened it. He opened it and read it out loud.

"To: Mr. Peter Kepa

We have looked over your grades and the courses that you have taken and find your qualifications to join us at the University of Hawaii to be beyond acceptable. Unfortunately the courses that you need and have asked for are full and we will not have any openings for these classes until the Fall of 2007. We will send you information to sign up for your requested classes on line in the summer of 2007.

Yours truly,

Dean of Admissions"

Connor knew how much Peter had wanted to go to the University and he patted him on the back to let him know that he understood how he felt.

The next day Wesley, Peter, and Connor went to UCLA to sign Peter up for whatever classes he could get.

Everyone's focus was now on Connor and Lou's upcoming wedding. They had already decided to spend their Honeymoon at the new home in Kauai. Neither Lou nor Connor had a desire to go out to bars or nightclubs so Cordelia informed the caretakers of their time of arrival and what airline they were coming in on. She also gave them instructions as to how they were to be taken cared of while they were there.

All dresses including Lou's wedding dress and veil had been completed and delivered to the Hotel. The men's suits had been delivered also. During all of this the older children's clothes had been picked out. It had been decided that the younger children would go to the Morgan's where they had enough guards to protect them. Kathleen asked her mother and father if Carolyn could come also so she would have someone to keep her company so a dress was picked out for her also. Connor and Lou had discussed it and decided that the last week they would separate and wouldn't talk or see each other until they saw each other at the altar. Connor asked David and Marissa Morgan if he could stay with them for the week. Connor chose them because he wanted to talk to his brother Richard. Richard had let the men know that he was able to get the same reaction out of his girlfriend as Angel did; he just did it a little differently. Connor wanted to know what that difference was.

Connor made good on his word to go to confession before the wedding and his grandmother gave him a good physical to make sure that he was clean and didn't have any STD's that he could pass on to Lou.

As the wedding day approached both Connor and Lou were getting nervous. On the Saturday before the wedding and the day Connor moved in with the Morgan's the men gave Connor his bachelor party and the women gave Lou a party at the Hyperion.

The wedding was scheduled for Saturday, by Friday Lou was so nervous that she was vomiting her Super and she couldn't stop crying. "I don't know what is wrong with me Cordelia. I can't keep anything down and I can't stop crying." They were in Lou's bedroom and on her bed. Cordelia was rocking her while she was crying. "It's okay Lou you just have the pre-wedding day nerves. Everything will be alright." "I wish my Daddy was still here. I would feel so much better if he was here to hold me. I don't understand why I'm so nervous about tomorrow. You and I were plotting against Connor for so long I shouldn't be nervous about being with him."

Angel walked into Lou's room with a glass in his hand. Cordelia looked up at him. "Is that what I think it is?" "If your thinking that it's some Royal Crown then you guessed right." Cordelia got up so Angel could sit down next to Lou. "Here Lou drink this and it will help to calm your nerves." Lou took the glass and downed the drink in one gulp. She gave the glass back to Angel when she was done and leaned on his chest as he put his arm around her.

"I know I'm not your Father Lou but will my arm do?" "Thank you. Do you mind if I call you Dad like Connor does?" "Not at all in fact I believe it's customary." Lou reached up to him and threw her arms around Angel. He pulled her into his arms and rocked her until she finally closed her eyes and went to sleep. When he was sure she was in a deep sleep he stood up and picked her up in his arms while Cordelia pulled her shoes off and pulled the covers off while Angel laid his future daughter in-law in bed. They both gave her a kiss then left.

The next day was W day and Cordelia went to make sure that Lou was up. She had brought up some breakfast for Lou since she had vomited all of her food from Supper. "I don't have time for breakfast Cordy." "Sit here and eat your breakfast little girl or you'll end up fainting while Fr. Barris is pronouncing you and Connor husband and wife." At the thought of that Lou looked at the food and started eating. The wedding was at 2:30 P.M. and Lou had a lot to do. Cordelia had paid a beautician to do her hair and nails. Some one was coming at 12 noon to do her makeup then she had to get dressed and arrive at the church by 2 o'clock.

Cordelia sat while having a cup of coffee and kept Lou company while she ate. Of course it was more of to make sure she ate everything. When she was done Cordelia said "Okay girl go and take your bath and wash your hair with the shampoo I gave you. The beautician will be here in 90 minutes." Cordelia left then to go and make sure that her family was getting ready.

By 1:30 Lou was dressed and making her way down the stairs. Connie was helping her with her veil as she walked down. The photographer that Cordelia had hired was at the bottom of the stairs and taking pictures of Lou as she walked down. The photographer took the still photos while his assistant took the movies. Angel was going to give Lou away so Cordelia told him to walk up to her and take her hand and lead her down the rest of the stairs. He led her outside to the front where a white stretch limo was waiting for them. They all loaded up and took off for the church.

At exactly 2 o'clock they arrived at the church. Lou went into a small room that was at the entrance to wait for Angel to come and get her. Fred was going to be her maid of honor and Connor had asked both Richard and Tom to be his Best Man or Men in this case.

At approximately 2:30 Angel came for her. "This is it little girl. Are you ready?" "Yes Dad, I've been ready from the moment I first saw Connor." Angel offered her his arm and they walked over to the entrance of the church. Father Barris was walking in first along with the usual entourage. After reaching the altar he turned and stood at the top of the stairs to the altar. The wedding march music began and everyone stood up for the entrance of the bride. Angel was beaming with pride as he led his future daughter in-law down the isle. Everyone turned to watch Angel and Lou walk down the isle and up to the altar. Camera lights were flashing as they walked. Angel saw Cordelia and his Mom crying already. At the front he saw Kathleen standing by her brother. She had walked down the isle first spreading flowers on either side of the isle.

Angel stood in front of Father Barris with Lou. "Who gives this woman in Holy Matrimony?" "I do." Angel said then he reached for Connors hand and put Lou's hand in Connors. He stepped back then and joined Cordelia.

Father began with telling everyone "Today will be the first time, for me at least, to perform three of the Church's Sacraments in one day. Louise D'Chambeau will be receiving the sacraments of Baptism, First Holy Communion, and the Sacrament of Matrimony. Let us begin then in the Mass that will join these two young people for as long as they live." The mass and ceremony was long since Lou was being baptized also. When it came time for the Baptism both Dr. Martin and Giles came up to stand with Lou as her God Parents. Fred and Cordelia were both needed to assist Lou to the Baptismal Font. Before Fr. Barris baptized her he looked to the crowd "I apologize for the delay, I have just been warned not to mess up her hair or makeup." That got a laugh out of the assembly and he proceeded to baptize Lou.

After returning to Connors side they proceeded with the Mass. When it came for the time of the blessing of the wedding rings Connor turned and called Toby with a whistle. One of his police officer friends was in the back with Toby. When he heard Connor he gave Toby a basket with a green velvet cushion in it and the two wedding rings. Everyone turned to watch Toby walk up the isle and stand between Lou and Connor with the basket. Father blessed the rings then proceeded with the ceremony. After the marriage rites were read and Fr. Barris said "You may kiss the bride." Connor carefully took Lou in his arms and kissed her until Fr. Barris touched his arm. He let her go then and Fr. Barris pointed them to the assembly.

"I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Connor and Louise Martin."

Everyone stood and clapped. Connor led Lou over to Angel and Cordelia then to Dr. Martin and Giles. The men kissed Lou and shook Connors hand in congratulations. The women just kissed each other and Connor. Connor led Lou down the isle to the entrance where two lines of Police Officers, dressed in their finest, were lined up. After that they continued standing for Angel, Cordelia and his Grandparents. Other people filed out of the church and were throwing rice at the newlyweds as they entered the limousine. Angel and Cordelia got into the Limo also. Dr. Martin and Giles said they would ride with Wesley, Fred and Kathleen.

It was a long and tiring day as they all made it back to the Hyperion after leaving the reception hall at the downtown Hotel. Cordelia had reserved a Honeymoon suite at the same hotel. The day before she had told both Lou and Connor to pack a small bag that would contain the clothes they would travel to Hawaii in. "Why do we have to go someplace else?" Lou asked. "Because my dear you don't want to be were there are so many people that have super hearing. You and Connor are going to want privacy and not having to worry about what kind of noise your making. And you know how Gunn likes to tease."

Several days before Angel had gone to the Morgan's and had a long talk with Connor about how to treat Lou since she was a Virgin. Connor had been with other girls but none of them were Virgins so he told him how careful he had to be with her. Connor had turned three shades of red when Angel started to talk to him about his first time with Lou. In the mean time Dr. Martin was talking to Lou about what she had to expect and what to do in the morning. Needless to say Lou took it a lot better than Connor took his talk with his Dad. Lou was the personification of innocence and that was why she was actually interested in everything Dr. Martin told her. She didn't have any friends her own age so she didn't have any preconceived notions about what sex was going to be like.

Kathleen promised Connor that she would take care of Toby and she would bring Toby's bed up to her room so he could sleep together with Vicky. The week before Connor had fixed the gate for the stairs so that it had a little door on it for Vicky to crawl through. As soon as she took care of the dog's supper her mother made her a sandwich, with chips and milk. When she was done she lay on her couch with Joyce and Leilani and watched television for awhile. Kathleen was so tired after such a big day that she fell asleep on the couch. When Angel came to check on the girls he found them sound asleep.

"My poor little girl you've had a big day." Angel picked up his daughter and took most of her clothes off then put her in her bed. He put Joyce and Leilani to bed also. Toby came back with Vicky just as he put Kathleen to bed. He climbed into his bed and Vicky curled up next to him. Angel tucked Joyce and Leilani into bed then he went to the dogs and petted them. Before he left he turned the night light on in the bathroom then left while leaving the door open a little so Toby and Vicky could go outside if they had to.

Everyone was tired and went right to bed after awhile. Cordelia and Angel lay in bed after putting the boys to bed. They were getting too big for the crib now and could no longer lie side by side. "You know Angel we have to go shopping for beds for the boys tomorrow after we take Connor and Lou to the airport. Fred and Wesley want to put their boys upstairs tomorrow also. Fred, Connie and I finished a room for Junior last week. All we have to do is put furniture in it. Poor Juniors legs are getting too long for the child's bed."

"Let's go to sleep now and well make like Bunnies later in the night." Angel said with a smile.

In the Honeymoon suite Connor had lifted Lou up in his arms and carried her over the threshold of the suite. After giving the bellboy a tip and putting Lou down Connor started to kiss his wife. Lou had received a lot of instruction from Cordelia and she knew exactly what to do.

Lou pushed Connor away "Cool your engines my boy I want to take a bath first." Lou picked up her veil and wound it around her arm to get control of it. She took Connors hand and led him over to stand by the bed. She went over to the kitchen table and pushed it to the side and left one chair for her to use. Connor was going to be given a show like Cordelia had given to Angel on their wedding night. Cordelia had shown the famous video tape to Lou and explained to her what she was doing and why. She even gave her the music tape with the strip tease music on it that Angel had played for her.

Connor watched his new wife perform for him under the single soft light that shown over where the kitchen table used to be.

Lou started with her veil and threw it over another chair. One by one she lifted her legs up to the chair and slowly undid the straps on her shoes. She started with her right leg first and slowly pulled back all of her skirts until the top of her nylon was exposed at which time she unsnapped each garter and slowly rolled the nylon down. She continued to undress like this until it came time to pull her dress down. She went over to Connor and turned around so he could unzip her. As she turned around and felt Connor start to pull at the zipper she felt it go down then she heard a thud as Connor fell to the floor. He had become so excited at helping his new wife take her clothes off that he passed out.

"Connor what's wrong?" Lou stepped out of her gown then ran to the bathroom and grabbed a wash cloth that she ran in the cold water then came back and started wiping his face and neck. She loosened his top shirt button and lightly slapped his face. Connor started to wake up and looked at Lou. Without warning he grabbed her and started kissing her lips then went down her neck and chest. She still had her corset on so he quickly undid the laces and pulled it off of her then picked her up and laid her on the bed as he quickly pulled his own clothes off.

Lou sat up. "Wait Connor I want to take a shower first so I can be nice and sweet smelling for you." She lifted his arm up and smelled him. "You could use a shower too." Connor quickly pulled her into the bathroom and turned the shower on. It was a large glass enclosed shower that was in the middle of the bathroom. As they bathed each other Connor was starting to get hard as Lou bathed him. As they finished bathing and stood under the water Connor started to put his hand between her legs and play with her. She tensed up as he touched her and let out a gasp. "Are you all right?" "Yes go ahead." Instead Connor turned off the water and they walked out of the shower and wiped themselves down. Lou had worn a towel over her hair so that it wouldn't get wet. Connor took it off and took the pins out of her hair so that it would fall down over her shoulders. Connor liked long hair on a woman like his father did so Lou had let hers continue to grow instead of cutting it like she almost did once until he stopped her.

Connor pulled her hair back and took it out of its bun that the beautician had put it in so the veil could be hung on it. He picked her up in his arms then. As they left the bathroom Lou turned the lights off. Connor gently laid her on the bed and went to turn the one light off that was on by the kitchen. He then opened the drapes that looked out of the city. Lou could see his erection was hard and that he could hardly wait to get back to her. She got up and pulled the blankets and sheet down then lay down again and waited for him. Connor came back to the bed at the end and slowly crawled up the bed until he reached her legs. He laid a trail of kisses up her body until he reached the top of her legs then stopped to play with her a little. Lou was heading to her first orgasm with just him touching her between her legs. Connor pulled back though and let her cool down then started again except he put his finger up inside of her to slowly stretch her vagina a little. He felt her hymen break and felt a small amount of blood on his finger. Angel had told him this would happen though so he continued to slowly move his finger in and out of her. This got her juices flowing so that he could easily move his finger in and out of her and he added a second finger. Once again as she almost reached that orgasm he pulled back and started to kiss her lips then down her neck and then to her breasts. He sucked hard on them and left his saliva all over them.

Lou wanted him now so she grabbed onto his erection and she guided him into her. He went slowly at first to make sure he didn't cause her too much pain. Angel had told him that if he did it right she would enjoy her first time just as much as he would. Connor remembered everything Angel had told him and he was able to bring them both to that mountain peak at the same time.

Since Lou healed fast just like Connor did they were able to have intercourse four times before they fell asleep in each others arms, exhausted from their love making. Before they fell asleep Lou said "Connor?" "Yes." "I'm glad we waited." "Me too, go to sleep now so we can get ready to go to the airport on time." He pulled her closer to his chest then and they both fell into an exhausted sleep, it was a good exhausted sleep though that was created by love.

The next morning Angel and Cordelia were at the Hotel by 11. They stopped at the Hotel Lobby phone and called up to the Honeymoon suite. Connor turned over so fast to answer the phone that he pulled the covers with him as he stood up. Unfortunately Lou had been sleeping partially on top of the covers and as Connor got up from the bed Lou went flying over the side of the bed.

"What happened?" Angel heard the loud thud and an 'OWW!' coming through the phone. "It's okay Lou just had a little accident. Where are you?" Connor asked.

"We're down in the Lobby. We thought we would have Lunch with the newlyweds before we took you to the airport." "Okay we'll be down as soon as possible." Connor hung up then and jumped on the bed and looked down on the floor at his wife. "I'm sorry are you hurt?" "No just my pride. Who was on the phone?" "Angel and Cordelia are downstairs in the Lobby waiting for us so get up, lets take a shower before we pack up to leave."

It only took Connor and Lou 30 minutes to take a shower, dress, pack what little they had and head downstairs. As they came out of the elevator they saw Cordelia and Angel sitting in the Lobby. Lou was carrying her bridle gown and Connors suit so she was having a bit of difficulty seeing where she was going. Cordelia and Angel stood up as they approached them. Angel went to Lou and took the gown and suit from her. "Let's go Mr. and Mrs. Martin." Angel said. "Okay Mr. and Mrs. Martin." Connor said. They all laughed as they went to the front and Angel gave the valet his ticket for the van. Lou's wedding gown and Connors suit was given the back seat all too them selves. Cordelia promised Lou that she would have the gown and suit cleaned and placed in their closet. When Lou suggested that she have it packed since she wouldn't be using it again Cordelia told them how every once in a while Angel would pull out her wedding gown and his suit and they would dress up in them again and they would dance for two hours or more in the Lobby at night as they did on their wedding day.

"I didn't know Dad was such a romantic." "Oh yes, you should have seen what he did when………….uh, I think I'll tell you about that some other time when we don't have so many ears listening in on us." Cordelia said after she caught herself. She noticed how Angel and Connor just looked at each other and grinned.

When they reached the Airport Angel let the rest off along with the luggage they had brought with them. As soon as he parked the van he rejoined them. Connor and Lou had left their luggage and received their tickets already by the time he joined them. They were all hungry for lunch since no one had eaten yet. They found a ritzy restaurant and settled in for the next hour and had a nice relaxing lunch. When they were done eating Connor and Angel took a couple of seats at the bar so they could talk and also leave the women to talk without them around. Cordelia had told Angel to do this before they picked up the newlyweds. "Lou might have something to ask me that she would be too embarrassed to ask in front of you so go and have a beer while we talk for awhile."

Thirty minutes later Cordelia and Lou got up to go to the ladies room. She told Angel to pay the bill so they could leave when they returned.

At the security line Cordelia and Angel said goodbye to Connor and Lou then left. They knew it would take an hour just for them to make their way through the line. As they walked back to the van Angel heard his wife blowing her nose and noticed her wiping her face. He didn't say anything about it he just put his arm around her shoulder as they walked back to the van.

They spent the rest of their afternoon shopping for the furniture they would need for all of the children. They knew that the Sunnydale gang was leaving that evening so they returned home as soon as they were done purchasing the kids furniture.

After Supper they all gathered at the back to say goodbye. "You're certainly leaving with a lot more then what you came with." Cordelia said to Buffy. "Not really because everything including the boys was packaged differently." When it came time for Giles and Dr. Martin to say goodbye Dr. Martin told Buffy "If you should need help Buffy don't hesitate to call us okay. After all you're taking care of twin boys now and they're a lot different then little girls." "Thank you Mom I'll keep you in mind but my neighbor has had lots of experience with twin boys. She has two sets of them." They all loaded up then. Willow and Tara had there own car so they all took off at the same time. Xander, Anya, and Dawn had left in the morning since they all had to either get back to work or school. Dawn was going to be graduating this year so she didn't want to miss any school.

Everyone filed back into the lobby. They all went to the dinning room table and Connie brought out some coffee for all of them. "Come and sit down with us for awhile Connie and Joaquin." Angel told them when he saw that the kitchen was cleaned and Grandma Lucinda had apparently gone upstairs already.

For a while when Cordelia's parents were staying at the hotel the kids would yell out 'Grandma' and three women would answer. That's when the kids started calling Lucinda Sanchez, Grandma Lucinda and Mrs. Chase, Grandma Chase. The only one that remained just Grandma was Dr. Martin.

When Joaquin sat down and poured himself some coffee he cleared his throat. Everyone looked at him. "Mr. Martin didn't you say at one time that you wanted to breed Aunt Bee to Santana?" "Yes I did why? Is she in season?" "Yes Vince told me that she was just starting." "Okay thanks for telling me. Well Aunt Bee's Mistress shall we set up a date for the 'GREAT SANTANA' to beguile the sweet Aunt Bee?" Cordelia just looked at Dr. Martin and Fred and grinned. "What am I going to do with him Mom? He even thinks of Santana as Tarzans great steed." Cordelia stood up and pounded her chest like Tarzan and in the deepest voice she could produce said "Come great Santana my mighty steed let us go and kill the great King of the Jungle." Then she gave the great Tarzan yell. Everyone started cracking up. Even Angel was laughing.

Cordelia sat down. "Yes let's breed her now. Mom do you think it would be okay for Kathleen to see Santana mount her?" "Yes I think it will be okay. Kathleen is a very smart girl. She'll have some questions for you but I think you can handle it. What about Joaquin Connie? Do you want him to watch?" "Oh he has seen many animals do it already. He stayed with my brother on his farm for awhile and they have a few cattle and pigs." "Okay then I'll call the vet and have him come out and check her to see if she is okay. He should be able to give us a good idea as to when Aunt Bee will be ready." Cordelia said.

They spent the next hour just talking small talk and discussing what was going to happen next with Peter and his schooling since he couldn't get into the University of Hawaii yet.

"Peter and I are going over to UCLA tomorrow to just get him signed in, pick up books and generally check out the area. I am also going to start teaching him about Wolfram & Hart. Peter is going to need a car so I think well go and look for a good used one." Wesley told everyone. As soon as he said he was going to go look at a car Angel held his hand up. "Can I come, can I come?"

"I don't know, has he been a good boy today Cordelia?" Wesley asked. Cordelia looked at Angel and his excitement at getting to shop for a car. "Well he hasn't been very entertaining lately. But I guess it's to be expected since he is getting older. Yeah he can go." Angel looked at Peter when he started whistling the song of 'Hey their little Red Riding Hood'. As soon as Peter saw 'the look' from Angel he shut up.

"When are you going to go looking for the car?" Angel asked. "Tomorrow evening after Supper I think. Well be busy with UCLA for the day." "Okay then lets go see Santana and Aunt Bee tomorrow. Fred do you want to come? You can exercise Opie for Connor." "Whoopee, yes I'll come." Fred was so excited she forgot she had classes with the kids tomorrow. As this crossed her mind she drooped down to the table again.

"I forgot Angel classes are in session for the kids and me." "We can go Saturday also. Maybe this will be the time for you and Wesley to go and get the horse or horses that he promised you over a year ago." Cordelia suggested.

Wesley gave Cordelia a dirty look then put his hands over his eyes. "Yes maybe we can. Do you think we could do that my dear?" Fred looked at her husband. "I guess we can do that but we have to go shopping for a horse with Angel since they have to except him also." "Can we do that on Saturday before we go riding Angel?" "Sure, it's about time anyway. Cordelia and I would like to take a couple of weeks off during the summer and go on a long trip by horseback. We would like for you and Wesley to come with us and that means we have to go ridding every weekend and build up our muscles and the horses as well. Aunt Bee will be okay as long as we don't get into anything dangerous where she could fall. Well have to stop at least twice during the day so I can get out of the sun for awhile anyway. I've been experimenting with my problem of 4 hour limits. I've found that if I get under cover for at least 2 hours I can last in the sun for another 4 hours. So it's up to you two to get your horses so that we can start to toughen them up along with our backsides and legs."

They all started to get up then and go to their own rooms. Everyone said goodnight after taking their cups into the kitchen and putting them in the dishwasher.

Angel was feeling pretty good tonight so he thought his little surprise for Cordelia could take place tonight. "Why don't we let Nicky and Mike sleep on the floor up in the boy's room so we can have some Mommy and Daddy time?" "I think they'll like that after all they are going to be sleeping up here pretty soon anyway. Why don't you get them ready for bed and I'll start fixing a place for them on the floor okay?" "Okay I'll bring them up in a few minutes."

The boys had just started wearing training pants so Cordelia put a plastic liner down on the floor first then a couple of quilts. By the time she was done Angel came up with the boys. After getting them settled down Cordelia sat down in the rocker and read all of the boys a story. Angel went downstairs and got ready for his surprise for Cordelia.

In 20 minutes the boys were sleeping and the story had ended. Cordelia covered them up then closed the door. Junior was next door with the girls and playing a card game so she knocked on the door. "Come in Mommy." Kathleen said. "You can stay up for only 30 minutes more then I want you kids to go to sleep. You have school tomorrow." They all said okay and promised to go to bed soon. Cordelia closed the door and went back to the second floor.

Cordelia opened her bedroom door. The room was dark so she just slipped into the bathroom to take a shower. She found a red cape and a short little red dress along with a basket with some rolls and chunks of meat. Cordelia became excited because she knew what tonight's entertainment was going to be. After taking a shower she fixed up her hair and makeup then got dressed and went into the bedroom. When she came out the Red Riding Hood song came on. She danced around the room as though she was Little Red Riding Hood skipping along through the woods.

All through this Angel was in the bed. He had changed to a wolf just before Cordelia had come in. It was difficult but he successfully crawled into an old fashioned cotton nightgown and by positioning the bonnet just right he was able to get it on his head. He then pulled the sheets up and held onto it with his mouth. What was going through his mind when he was doing all of this was 'I'm going to stake myself if Gunn comes in right now. I think I would prefer death to all of the teasing he would do for the rest of his existence'. He just kept saying to himself 'It's all for Cordy, it's all for Cordy, it's all for Cordy'.

"Mmmmm what do I have in my lovely basket for my Grandmother." Cordelia came over and sat on the side of the bed. She hadn't really looked towards the bed yet, mostly because it was dark in the room and there was only a small oil lamp on.

As she pulled out a piece of meat and lifted it up to give it to Angel she saw him with the bonnet, night gown and the sheets between his teeth. Angel dropped the sheet and took the piece of meat.

With out warning Cordelia fell backwards on the bed, laughing so hard that she fell off of the bed and onto the floor. Angel jumped down and of course the bonnet and the nightgown came with him. He started to lick her face all over. Cordelia couldn't stop laughing though. Every time she was able to open her eyes so she could see him again she would start laughing uncontrollably again. Finally Angel pulled away from her, slipped out of the nightgown and changed back to his human form.

Cordelia was still laughing but as he changed and checked himself she started to calm down and crawled over to him. She kneeled in front of him and said "I'm sorry Angel I know that I asked for this and you went through a lot of trouble to set this up but when I saw you sitting on the bed with the bonnet on and the night gown with the ruffles around the neck I just couldn't help my self."

To show how sorry she was she started kissing him all over. To encourage her to go further down he would pretend he was sniffling and rubbing his tears away. When she was done giving him the Cordelia special Angel just laid there for few minutes while his heart started to slow down. With out warning Angel grabbed his wife and had her little red outfit off of her in seconds. "Now I am going to show you what it is like for a big bad wolf to come after you and ravage you." He forced her to kneel while he entered her from the back and vigorously pumped her until they both came at the same time. After several more strokes they both collapsed on the floor.

After Cordelia regained her normal breathing pattern she said "I do like this game. We'll have to do it again before you get to old to do it". She didn't get any reply though all she heard was the soft rhythmic breathing coming from her husband. As she had done so many times before Cordelia reached for the sheet and blankets from the bed and covered Angel and herself. She turned to him and curled up against him for warmth. Right now and for a short time she knew he would radiate warmth but slowly become just moderately warm.

The next day they went downstairs early. Everyone else was up also. It was going to be a very busy day today for everyone. What they thought was a potential client came walking in with two other men. They all were dressed like they belonged to gangs. Gunn and Angel stood up as the men walked in as though they owned the place.

Without warning they pulled out some mean looking hardware and took aim at Gunn. Angel attempted to disarm them before they could fire but was too late. The first man fired several rounds into Gunn's upper torso and it literally spun him around. Since Cylindia was right next to him she caught several rounds as well. The intruder to the left saw Angel coming at him and shot several random shots at where he thought he saw him. Angel felt one of the bullets hit his head, another one hit his left shoulder and the third one hit the floor. As head injuries usually did Angel's injury started to bleed all over his face.

Tom jumped at the center man at the same time and gave him a flying kick to his head. Giles threw a knife at the third man; it hit him in his arm which forced him to drop his weapon and started running towards the front doors. Cordelia looked at Kathleen. "Lock the door Kathleen." Kathleen looked at the doors and they locked. She did the same to the back also. Toby ran after the man that tried to get out. He knocked the man down and stood over him. When the man tried to get away Toby let him know that it wasn't a good idea. He was such a large dog now that his very size scared the man senseless. Little Vicky came up to him and was tearing at his pants leg. He had to let her do it though because if he made any move Toby would explain to him once again why he shouldn't move. When all of the commotion died down Giles went to the phone and called 911. Before the police and ambulance came they removed Angel to the clinic.

Dr. Thompson had grabbed onto Hunter and pulled her down to the floor when the men started firing their guns. They were both up now and attending to Gunn and Cylindia. Peter had run to his daughter and the rest of the children to pull them to safety on the floor and under the tables. As soon as the gun fire stopped he went to the phone after Giles was done and called the head boy with Gunn's group. The young man he had called had taken the name of Phoenix. Phoenix was 21 years old and was second in command of the group. Everyone listened to him as though he was Gunn.

"Hello Phoenix?" "This is Phoenix." "Phoenix this is Peter there has been a hit on Gunn over at the Hotel. Three gang members came in here blasting and shot up Gunn pretty bad. They got Cylindia also. Get over here fast so you can identify them before the police and ambulance come." "We'll be there in 15 minutes." Peter hung up the phone and went to help with the children. His daughter, Leilani, was still crying so he picked her up. Fred was taking care of her boys and Connie had both Nicky and Mike along with Junior.

Dr. Martin was attending to Angel while Mike had his hands full trying to stop Gunn from bleeding to death. Hunter was taking care of Cylindia who had been hit in her left shoulder and arm.

"Tom can you help me put Gunn on the table so I can work on him?" Connie and Joaquin came over and cleared the table of all dishes and glasses. Gunn was such a tall man that it took Mike, Giles and Tom to pick him up and put him on the table. Just as they did this the ambulance, Paramedics and Police all arrived and came running through the front doors. While the Paramedics helped Mike to stabilize Gunn before they moved him another group of Paramedics came in and started attending to Cylindia. In the mean time Connie and Lucinda took the children up to the third floor so that they wouldn't have to see anymore or say something that the adults didn't want them to say. Kathleen was the only one to stay downstairs. When she saw the police approach the doors she took the locks off of both the back and front doors. When the police came in they started taking care of the three intruders. When it came time to pick up the man that the dogs had they were afraid to come forward.

Cordelia heard this going on. "Kathleen go and pull Toby and Vicky off of the man they have on the floor." Little Kathleen came in between the circle of big, tuff men and called to Toby. "Toby come. Vicky come." Toby relaxed and came over to her but Vicky was still chewing on the man's pant leg so Kathleen had to put a picture in her head for her to come. As soon as she came to Kathleen the officers cuffed the man and picked him up. The other two were also cuffed and had been taken to the police cars outside. The Detective in charge of the situation was talking to Giles and Wesley to find out what happened. There wasn't much to say other than that they came in uninvited and started shooting at Gunn who was the apparent target.

"I'm sorry Detective but you'll have to wait and speak to Charles Gunn when he comes out of surgery as to why those men wanted to kill him."

Phoenix came in as the paramedics were taking Gunn and Cylindia to the ambulance. Gunn was unconscious so he couldn't speak to him. He went over to the police car where he saw three men in the back. Phoenix looked carefully at them then went into the Hotel and headed straight for Peter. "What happened?" Peter proceeded to tell him what had happened. The Sergeant came over to see who the young man was.

"May I ask who you are?" "This is Phoenix officer he works with Charles Gunn." Peter told the Detective. Everyone in the L.A.P.D. knew Gunn and what he did. Many of the officers would hand out Gunn's business card to those kids on the streets that didn't seem to want to be part of the sub culture that ran the streets so they would point them in Gunn's direction.

"Do you know why those men that are in the back of the police car would attack Gunn?" "Yeah, they're mad at him for taking away so many of their potential gang members. They've been threatening him for a long time and I guess they thought today would be the day. They lose a lot of members to gang fights and they have to constantly recruit new ones." The Detective was taking everything down as Phoenix was talking.

"Okay Phoenix where can we reach you if we need to talk to you again?" "You can call Peter here and he'll know where I am." "Okay, thanks for your help." The Detective left then and all of the others, crime scene investigators, and police officers left also. Peter joined Wesley in the clinic.

Dr. Martin had just finished removing the bullet from Angels shoulder and was bandaging his head up. "How's he doing?" Peter asked Wesley. "So far he seems to be okay. The head wound has Dr. Martin worried more than the shoulder wound. Angel has had a lot of injuries to his head and he hasn't regained consciousness yet."

Dr. Martin told Giles to bring the gurney over so they could take Angel upstairs and put him in his own bed. Wesley and Giles pulled the bed over to Angel. Giles, Wesley and Peter got on one side of the bed and Joaquin, Cordelia and Tom got on the other. At Giles count of three they pulled Angel onto the gurney and took him upstairs. Everyone else left once they had him settled in. Cordelia and Kathleen stayed with Angel, along with Toby and Vicky. Mike and Nicky were upstairs in their room with the other boys and Leilani. Connie and Joaquin kept watch over them as they put them down for a nap. Both Mike and Hunter had gone to the hospital with the ambulance. Fred was waiting for Wesley to come out to the front where she was waiting for him in her van. Giles and Tom joined him. As soon as they were in Fred took off.

When they arrived they went straight to the surgical floor. Giles let the nurse at the nurse's station know that they were there for Charles Gunn and his wife Cylindia Gunn. The nurse went into surgery to inquire about there progress. She was told that Cylindia had already been taken to a room but her husband, Charles Gunn had just come out of surgery and was taken to the ICU. Hunter and Mike were in there with the Doctor that had operated on him. When they came out the nurse told them that he had visitors.

As Mike and Hunter approached Giles, Wesley and Fred all stood up. "How is he?" "He's in bad shape Wesley. One of the bullets hit his spine. They don't know if he'll walk again. They said it will be nothing short of a miracle if he walks again. They've removed the bullets and made the repairs to his spinal column but it's all up to him now. I also have to tell you that Cylindia was pregnant but she lost the baby." Hunter told them.

"Well we can't do anything here so we might as well go home for now. We can come back tonight to check on Cylindia. Mary will most likely want to come and check on them tonight anyway." Giles told everyone. "How is Angel doing?" Hunter asked.

"He had a bullet in his shoulder that Mary has already removed but the injury to his head is the one that has her worried. When we left he still hadn't regained consciousness. Mary said the longer he remains unconscious the worse things can be." They all left then and returned to the Hotel.

"Maybe we should contact Connor Wesley." Fred said. "I am going to wait until tomorrow before I call him. In the meantime I am going to call Morgan and ask if he can send Richard over here." Wesley said. "That's a good idea." Giles said.

As usual Dr. Martin stayed in her son's room during the night. She was tired and she knew it was because she hadn't been paying attention to her diet and was grabbing a bite here or there wherever she could and her sugar must be high. Since she hadn't eaten in a while nor had she taken any of her pills since the morning she got up and went to her room to check her sugar level and take her pills. After she took it she slapped her self. The meter read 245. I have got to get this under control. She wrote the number down on a card where she kept track of her readings and took her pill then went back down to Angel's room. When she went back in she found Angel sitting at the kitchen table with a glass of blood.

"How are you feeling?" "I have a bad headache and my shoulder hurts but that's about it. What happened after I was shot?" Dr. Martin brought him up to date.

"Did Wesley call Connor?" "No he wanted to wait until tomorrow. I guess he wanted to give you a chance to come around. He called Richard though and asked him to come and stay with us for awhile to help out with the business and any missions that Cordelia sends them on." "Good, I don't want to ruin Connors honeymoon unless absolutely necessary. I think I'll go back to bed now. You can go back to your bed now Mom." "Okay Angel, goodnight." She gave him a kiss on his forehead then left.

The next day Angel went to the hospital with his Mom, Giles, Wesley, Hunter and Mike. Cordelia was staying home to get Gunn and Cylindia's room ready for the men to bring up the hospital bed.

When they arrived at Gunn's hospital room they found Cylindia at his side. "Well it looks like it's finally your turn." Wesley said with a smile. Dr. Martin and Hunter gave him a kiss and hug while the men shook his hand gently.

"I knew I couldn't stay lucky forever. I bet you two can hardly wait to get me to the torture chamber." Wesley rubbed his hands together and gave an evil laugh.

They all laughed at him. "I'm sure you have already been told that I may never walk again." They could see Gunn's eyes starting to tear up as he said it. "What we have been told is that it's all up to you and how bad you want to walk again. When we get you home Gunn Mom and I will start working with you." Angel told him. "Why do you say Dr. Martin and you and not Wesley and you?" "I said Mom and I because we have to get your mind going in the right direction first. Tomorrow Mom and I will come back and start with you. Come up with your own scenario to start to get your spinal column to heal. Do it in the same way that I told you to imagine that you were clearing your sinuses. Do you understand what I'm talking about Cylindia?" "Yes I think so Angel I'll work with him as much as possible. Right now I think he needs to rest." "Okay Gunn we'll see you tomorrow." Angel said as he turned to leave.

As they were leaving they saw the detectives that came to the hotel yesterday. "Mr. Price I've been told that Mr. Gunn is awake now. Is he alone now?" "His wife is with him but that's all. My name is Dr. Martin may I ask who you are?" "I'm Detective Quinn Dr. Martin and I was at the hotel yesterday. My partner, Detective Marino, and I have been given control of the investigation." "I am Charles Gunn's family physician. I was busy with another patient at the time that you came to the Hotel. Gunn is resting right now Mr. Quinn you can go in and question him but don't push him to hard. It would be better if you could wait to speak to him tomorrow. He'll be better able to give you the information you need at that time." "I promise that we will only be in there a short time. May I ask what your name is sir I don't remember seeing you at the Hotel yesterday?" Quinn asked Angel when he saw the bandage on his head and the bulky bandage on his shoulder.

"I am Angel Martin. Gunn is an associate of mine and works with me at Angel Investigations." Quinn's eyes opened wide when Angel gave his name.

"You're thee Angel, your son is Connor Martin?" "Yes to both questions." Angel answered. "Sir I am Detective Quinn I was in with the group of Police Officers that went into Wolfram & Hart and rescued your wife and daughter." Quinn said in a low voice as he reached out to shake Angel's hand. Angel took his hand and Quinn shook it vigorously.

"Thank you for all of your help Detective Quinn. If you should ever need my help please don't hesitate to call me." Angel and the rest left then and returned to the Hotel.

For the next six months Angel, Dr. Martin and Wesley worked with Gunn. Angel, with Dr. Martins help taught him how to meditate and concentrate on getting his spinal column to heal. By their fourth session Gunn was able to move his toes and that's when they started putting him through sessions with a therapist. By the third month Gunn started to get his feeling back in his legs. All of his little jokes and jibes came back to Gunn now to haunt him. Everything that he had ever said to Angel and Wesley when they were laid up with injuries were now being used by his two victims as they helped him to walk back and forth to the bathroom or to do just about anything. The first time Gunn came down to join the rest at the dinning room table Angel and Wesley took the seats right across from him. They had cooked up this little torture session because Gunn was feeling pretty depressed. They had even made up a list of all the things he had teased them about so they would be sure to get everything in. By the time they were all done eating Gunn was in a lot better mood.

"Okay Angel and Wesley I think you've just about exhausted your list and it's time to put a stop to all of this." Dr. Martin told them. Wesley and Angel looked at each other. "Do you think we've cleared everything Angel?" "Yeah I guess so. Gunn might go and cry on Dr. Martins shoulder if we don't stop. Besides we still have up until the day he can finally walk on his own." Angel and Wesley got up then and they each gave a wicked laugh.

Connor and Lou were sitting next to Fred. Connor had been working with the L.A.P.D. for several months now so he leaned over and said "If they continue to tease you Gunn I can ask the guys to keep an eye on them. You know how they always say the police lay speed traps for people." Connor didn't say anything more and just let it go at that.

"Kathleen and Junior if you're done with your supper lets go up to 412 for your catechism lessons." "We're done Grandma." Kathleen said as she got up. They both got up and started clearing the children's table. Now that they were getting older both Connie and Cordelia had agreed on giving them chores to complete everyday. One of their chores was to set the children's table for each meal and to clean it. Junior was given the chore of taking everyone's trash out each day. Kathleen had to help Connie in the kitchen for at least one hour each day in preparation for Supper. Kathleen was tall enough to reach the stove safely and do things like stirring a pot of pudding. Little by little Connie gave her things to do that were teaching her how to cook. Kathleen especially liked to bake her Daddy's bread three times a week.

When they were done cleaning the table they went to their rooms to get their books and then made their way to 412. Dr. Martin filled her coffee cup then made her way upstairs. She had started these Catechism classes just recently. Kathleen would be 7 yrs. old this year and Junior had just turned 8. She was planning on them being ready for their First Holy Communion by Easter of next year. Besides getting Kathleen and Junior ready for their big day she was also giving Connor and Lou instructions so that they could receive Confirmation. Tom was receiving classes for his Baptism and First Holy Communion separately since he was an adult and going to school at the same time. He had finally passed his GED during the beginning of the school year and was now busy going to UCLA along with Peter.

At 8 P.M. Cordelia had a Vision which sent Angel, Connor, Lou and Tom off to La Puente in the San Gabriel valley. The visions the PTB were sending Cordelia were frequently sending the team there. Demons and Vampires had started to infiltrate the area more and more as the gang activity picked up. They were taking care of at least 2 each week which was putting a strain on Connor since he wasn't getting much sleep. Toby was doing okay since he didn't have to drive and was able to take a nap whenever they were traveling around the city.

They were able to clear things up early tonight and returned to the Hotel by 11. "How did it go? Is everyone alright?" Cordelia asked Angel as he came back in. "Everyone is okay, the victims are okay and I am going to take a soak in the whirlpool." "Why are your muscles hurting you?" "Yes." "Would you like me to give you a massage?" "Yes, pretty please." Angel said in a pleading tone. "Okay then come back out here and take your clothes off." Angel did as she said and by the time he had disrobed she had the sheet and towels down on the floor.

Angel slept a deep peaceful sleep that night. The next morning he awoke before his wife did. He just laid there thinking. He reached over and picked up the picture of his Mother and Sister and looked at it for awhile. As he had done so many times before since Wesley had given him the picture he ran his fingers over his mother's picture. Cordelia was watching him. She knew that Angel was in pain but not the physical kind. She reached for him and gave him a kiss. "Good morning." "Good morning my beloved." Angel answered her.

"Get up and get dressed Angel. I want to take you someplace and I don't want you to ask me any questions." Angel did as she said without questions. As they left their room Cordelia went over to Wesley and Fred's room and slipped a piece of paper under the door. She rejoined Angel and they went downstairs, to her van and took off. It was 9 o'clock when they reached Fr. Barris's church. Cordelia took Angels hand and led him to the small room that was to the side of the altar. It was the same room that Angel had spent 48 hours in while hugging the Blessed Sacrament to his chest. At that time Fr. Barris had given Angel his own private key to the church.

Cordelia knew that Angel always felt better when he was able to spend time here. There life had been so busy lately that he hadn't been able to get in any meditation time. Cordelia knew that for Angel it was essential. He frequently became depressed when he couldn't have his time.

For the next 5 hours Angel and Cordelia stayed in the room. Cordelia would only leave to use the bathroom at the entrance to the church. After 5 hours Angel finally stood up and whispered to Cordelia. "Let's go home." Angel was quiet during the ride home and Cordelia didn't try to coax him into a conversation.

They were both hungry when they returned since they had left without having breakfast or lunch before returning. After going to the bathroom Cordelia made sandwiches for them then they went upstairs to their own room. When Angel finished his sandwich he went to the phone and called upstairs to see if Dr. Martin was in her room.

"Hello." "Mom this is Angel can I come up to your room to talk to you?" "Sure Angel come up." "Let's go talk to Mom and Giles for a while Cordy." Cordelia followed Angel upstairs. Angel knocked on the door. Giles answered the door and let them in. "Come in Angel and Cordelia." "Giles, do you mind if I talk to Dr. Martin alone?" "No I have some work to do at the store anyway. I'll be back for Supper Mary." Giles left then and Angel and Cordelia came and took a seat at the kitchen table while Dr. Martin poured some coffee for them.

"What's all of the mystery about Angel?" "Cordelia and I have been at the church for the past 5 hours Mom. I guess Cordelia has finally figured out what I need when I start getting depressed. Mom I had a visitor while I was there. You can probably guess who it was." "Sr. Margaret?" "Yes and she has a warning for you. She said that you need to buckle down and control your Diabetes or it's going to get worse fast. She also had some other news that depending on who you are you may or may not consider it to be good news. She said that God has shortened the length of time that some of us will have left in this world. She wouldn't tell me who or how long we have before we start dieing only that everything will be okay and the young people will rise to the occasion. Then she left me after giving me her blessing."

"What brought this about Angel? I mean the depression." Dr. Martin asked.

Angel was quiet while he thought on what his answer would be. "I'm tired Mom. I'm tired of living." "I've been watching you Angel and I could see you becoming more and more depressed ever since Wesley gave you the picture of your Mother and sister." "Yes I believe your right. I frequently stare at it for an hour or more. Instead of meditating like I should be I stare at my mother's picture for hours on end." "I thought that, that must be it. Would you like to go back to your childhood Angel and spend some time with your Mother?" "Yes I would like that very much." "Okay then we'll start tonight after Supper."

When Angel and Cordelia left Dr. Martin received a call from her doctor.

"Hello this is Dr. Martin." "Dr. Martin hi this is Dr. Phillips. Can you and your husband come in tomorrow?" "This is about the blood tests you did last week isn't it?" "Yes it is." "Usually when we tell a patient to come in and see us means that we want to break bad news to the patient personally. So since I know the little game we play, please do me a favor and tell me the results now." "Okay Mary I won't delay it any longer. I think you have a good idea as to what it is. Mary your cancer has returned."

TBC………………………………………………………………………………