I own none of the characters of Angel

Catherine's POV

"Come on. We have to get a good seat." I demanded.

"Catherine, sweetheart the ceremony doesn't for another two hours."

"I know that mom but we have to be close so I can get good pictures." I glanced at my watch as my mom and I made our way towards the front of the auditorium. "Where is everyone at? David needs our support." Mom reached out and grabbed my hand, stopping me.

"You and I are going to save the seats and then everyone else will be here before the ceremony starts. Sitting for two hours prior and then another two hours during won't be very comfortable for Ali and there will be more shade in the next hour so it will be easier for your dad to get in so just relax and let's find us some seats." Mom said calmly.

"Okay mom."

Today was David's graduation ceremony from nursing school and he was the class valedictorian and I was so proud of him. Since his father was MIA my family had become like family to him so they too, were very proud of him and excited to see him graduate.

"Is this close enough baby girl?" Mom asked me with a smirk. She had stopped at the front row.

"Yes smart ass. This will be fine as long as there are enough seats for all of us and one of those seats are on the end for Mrs. "I have to pee every five minutes." oh and are we out of direct sunlight? I don't want daddy bursting into flames during David's speech."

"Yeah we definitely don't want your dad bursting into flames ruining David's speech." Mom said with grin.

"Obviously." Mom and I counted out seats for Dad, Chase, Ali, Connor, Ciara and each of us.

"So things are going well between you and David?" Mom asked me once we settled in our seats.

"Perfect."

"Are you two… you know?"

"Mom!"

"What? Can't a girl be curious?"

"You're my mom." I felt my face turning red.

"You've always told me everything but if you're too embarrassed to talk to me I understand."

"It's not that. We're in public."

"Okay sweetheart. I understand." Mom smiled at me and then pretended to read the program.

"Yeah mom. We are." I whispered softly.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" She practically shrieked.

"Mom! Keep your voice down." I whispered.

"Sorry baby. I'm just so happy for you."

"Thanks mom."

"Are you two in love?"

"We have been together for almost a year. What do you think?"

"I'm not sure. That's why I'm asking."

"He is the best thing that has ever happened to me mom. He treats me like I'm a princess. He treats me like daddy treats you. Every time I see him or hear his voice I still get butterflies in my stomach. Every time we kiss my heart beats a million times a minute so to answer your question yeah mom, I love him. I love him so much."

"Oh baby." Mom had tears in her eyes.

"Is that you still feel about dad after all these years? Does your heart still beat like crazy whenever he kisses you? Do you still get butterflies in you stomach when you hear his voice?"

"Every time he kisses me I feel like it's the first time. In fact everything that you described about David is what I feel with your father even after all these years."

"So I guess that I'm really in love then huh?" I asked my mom.

"Yeah Catherine. You're in love."

"I thought so. I guess I just needed your confirmation."

"Sweetie, You've got great instincts like your dad and I. Follow them and your heart and you'll always be fine."

"Thanks mom."

Angel's POV

"The front row?...Okay…Tell her to relax. We are all here…We'll be there in a few minutes." I closed my cell phone. "Of course they are in the very front row. We better get moving because Catherine is on the verge of a heart attack." I explained to my son's and daughter in laws who were with me.

"I need a bathroom before we sit down." Ali said with a smile and Chase groaned.

"There is a bathroom over on the left. Come on. I'll go with you." Ciara said leading Ali to the bathroom.

"I never knew one person could pee so much." Chase said.

"When your mom was pregnant with you I never thought she would come out of the bathroom. She was either peeing or puking. It's all a part of pregnancy." I wisely told my son.

"And your job as her husband and the baby's father is to make sure that there is always a bathroom readily available and when there isn't one available it is your fault. Be prepared to take responsibility for that grievance error." Connor said wisely.

"Four more months." Chase mumbled.

"How is she feeling?" Connor asked his brother.

"She's good. Exhausted. Her classes are hard but she's hanging in there."

"Have you guys chose a name yet?" Connor continued to inquire.

"Yep."

"And you're not telling?"

"Nope."

"Come on. I'm you're brother. You can trust me."

"You're not going to get it out of him. Cordy has been hounding him since they found out the sex of the baby and Chase hasn't cracked yet and if he hasn't cracked under the pressure that his mother has been applying then he'll never crack."

"You'll just have to wait until she is born like everyone else to find out her name." Ali said rejoining to the group.

"Nothing I could do to get you to change your mind?" Connor said with a wink.

Ali placed her hands protectively on her growing belly. "Not a thing."

"Come on guys. We better get a move on." I instructed my kids. It was becoming crowded so it was slow moving and by the time we got to our seats we only had five minutes until the graduation started.

"Where have you guys been?" Catherine demanded.

"It's crowded sweetheart. We couldn't push people down to get here faster. That would have just been rude." I said with a smile. Catherine just sent me a dirty look and huffed into her seat. I leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "You are just like your mother." I whispered as I sat down next to her.

"Thank you daddy. I'll take that as a compliment." She said smugly.

"You should." She sent me a small grin and then shared small talk with Ali and Ciara until the music started and then her focus was solely on the graduates or more accurately David. I looked over Catherine's head and smiled at Cordy. My little girl had no idea that her life was going to change tonight.

A couple weeks ago David came to the house one night when Catherine was spending the evening with at Chase and Ali's decorating the baby's nursery. At first I was surprised to see him at the house without Catherine by his side but when I smelled how nervous and scared he was I knew exactly why he was there and why she wasn't with him.

"David what brings you over this evening?" I asked as Cordy brought him into the living room.

"I…uhh…umm…I…" He stammered. I couldn't stop the smile that crossed my face and I guess that Cordy couldn't stop the slap that she gave me across my head. Luckily David was staring at the ground and missed it.

"David can I get you something to drink?" Cordy asked him.

"No thank you ma'am." He replied nervously.

"David is everything okay?" Cordy asked him gently.

"I…ummm…I…God…uhhh"

"Come on boy. Spit it out." I said.

"Angel!" That earned me another slap.

"Catherine and I have been together for almost a year and I want you both to know how much I love her."

"How much do you love her?" I asked him and Cordy glared at me.

"More than I could possibly put into words. I would give my life for her."

"That's an acceptable answer." I said.

"I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I want to marry Catherine and I am here to ask your permission for her hand in marriage. If you both will give me your blessing I will promise you both that I will spend the rest of my life loving her the way that she deserves to be loved. I will put her first in everything. I will love her with everything that I have. Do I have your blessing to ask your daughter's hand in marriage?"

"Of course you have our blessing David." Cordy answered and I nodded in agreement. "We have both seen how happy you make her."

"No matter how old my daughter is you should know that she will always be my little girl." I told him.

"I understand that sir." David said bravely.

"And if someone…anyone hurts my little girl there will be hell to pay."

"Angel." Cordy practically growled but I ignored her.

"Sir, I will never, ever hurt her."

"You better not." I turned vamp. "Because you know what I am capable of when I get mad and nothing makes me madder then my little girl hurting." I stared him down and to his benefit David never wavered from my menacing vampire gaze and he stared right back at me.

"Angel you're being ridiculous. Now knock it off." Cordelia demanded and I turned back.

"So we have an understanding young man?" I asked David.

"Yes sir. We do." He replied.

"Besides her mother, Catherine is the most precious creature in this world and you will treat her as such. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal." I smiled at him.

"You know it used it be all about me. I was the first one to hold her. I was the first man she loved. She once told me she was going to marry me. It's hard to let all of that go but I am confident that you will love her almost as much as I love her."

"Not almost. More."

"Not possible kid." I stuck my hand out and David took it. "Congratulations son. Welcome to the family." Cordy then pushed me out of the way and hugged David.

"They say that girls marry men just like their fathers and you are a wonderful man just like her father." She whispered to David but my super vampire hearing allowed me to hear every word. "Except for the times when he's an ass like today." That she said loud enough for me to hear. "I am so happy that you and Catherine found each other."

"Thank you. Catherine is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Can I show you her ring to get your opinion on it?" David asked Cordy nervously.

"Absolutely." Cordy clapped her hands like a child. David reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box and handed it to Cordy. She waved me over and she slowly opened it. "David it's gorgeous."

"Do you think she'll like it?"

"She'll love it." Cordy assured him and a look of relief passed over his face.

David stayed around for a few more minutes and then left because he was supposed to meet Catherine at Chase's house and he didn't want to be late. As soon as the door was shut Cordy laid into me.

"What the hell was that about?" She snapped.

"What are you talking about?" I asked innocently sitting on the couch.

"Why in the hell were you giving David such a hard time? I thought you liked him."

"I do. I like him a lot."

"So why did you give him so much shit?"

"Marriage is a big step and I wanted to make sure he's ready to take it."

"Make sure he's ready to take it or make sure you're ready to take it?" I sighed and Cordy sat on my lap.

"I'll never be able to fully let her go Cor. She's my little girl." Cordy wrapped her arms around my neck.

"Baby you don't have to fully let her go. You're her father and you're always going to have a special place in her life. You're just no longer the most important man in her life anymore and Angel, you haven't been for awhile now." She said wisely.

"I know. It's…what about if she doesn't need me anymore?" I asked sadly.

"You are her daddy. She will always need you."

"Promise?" I looked at Cordy with tears in my eyes. I think that was my biggest fear.

"Yes baby I promise." I looked at her quizzically and she raised her eyebrows. "Have I ever broken a promise before?"

"No."

"And I'm not going to start now so trust me."

"I always do." Smiling she leaned forward and pressed her lips to mine making me forget all of my worries.

As I watched my soon to be son graduate from nursing school and give his valedictorian speech I felt a sense of pride swell through my body. David has had a rough life and I hated that he had to go through and struggle to pay for it all on his own because his dad had abandoned him. I couldn't imagine ever abandoning Catherine or Chase for any reason. This past semester David really struggled to pay for school and Cordy and I offered to help him out but David was a prideful man and he refused any help from us. I hated that he was so prideful and wouldn't accept any help from us but it also made me confident in knowing that David would always provide for Catherine and their family.

David and I have had a few conversations regarding his parents. He felt extremely guilty over the death of his mother. He felt that if he wasn't driving the car, if his reflexes were faster maybe the accident could have been avoided and it didn't help that his father blamed him. Since carrying guilt was something that I was an expert on I was able to relate well to what David was feeling. I tried to tell him that the accident wasn't his fault; he wasn't the one driving drunk but it didn't work. He still blamed himself. I decided that I needed to find David's father and have a conversation with him. Hopefully, I could convince him to talk to David and maybe it would help alleviate his guilt. Guilt was something that David did not need to live with for the rest of his life.

"Congratulations son." I said proudly after everyone else had offered their own congratulations.

"Thank you."

"I'm very proud of you." Surprising us all David embraced me.

"Thank you for being here." He whispered in my ear tearfully. "It means so much to me that you came."

"You're family. Where else would I be?" I whispered hugging him back.

Catherine's POV

"What are we doing here?" I asked David when he pulled in the beach parking lot. We had just left the restaurant where we enjoyed a celebratory dinner with my family.

"I want to go for a walk. Are you up for it?" He asked me with a smile.

"It's your day so whatever you want is fine with me." We got out of the car, I took off my heels, he took off his shoes and socks, rolled his pants up to mid-calf and then took my hand.

"Today was a great day wasn't it?" He asked about ten minutes into our walk.

"It sure was. I got some great pictures. I'm going to get them developed tomorrow and start making your scrapbook."

"You don't have to do that."

"Yes I do. I am so proud of you and I want to remember this day always."

"Oh I think you will." He said with a grin.

"What is that supposed to mean? This is your day." David stopped walking, turned to face me and took both of my hands in his.

"Catherine I love you."

"Oh God are you breaking up with me?" I felt tears fill my eyes.

"Cat why would I bring you for a nice romantic walk on the beach to break up with you?"

"I…I don't know." I sniffed as a tear slipped from my eye. David gently wiped it away.

"Catherine I love you." I opened my mouth to say speak but he put a finger in front of my lips. "Woman will you let me speak?" I nodded. "Let me try this again. Catherine I love you. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. You have made my life complete. I can't think of tomorrow or my future without thinking of you." I watched in shock as he dropped down on one knee. "I want my future to be with you." He pulled a box out of his pocket and opened it. "Catherine Suzanne Angel will you marry me?"

I kinda figured that a proposal was coming soon. We had been together for almost a year but I was still shocked to see the man I loved down on one knee holding a ring asking me to marry him. "So now you decide not to talk? That's a first." David said with a smirk. "So Cat…will you marry me?" I could only nod. "I'm sorry sweetheart. I didn't hear you." David was milking this and loving every minute of it and I knew that as soon as my brain could focus again he was going to pay for this.

"Yes David. A million times yes. I'll marry you." I cried through my tears. David slipped the ring on my left finger, jumped to his feet, wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me into the air while kissing me. "I love you." I cried over and over in between kisses.

"I love you too." He told me softly placing my feet back.

"I can't see my ring." I complained holding my hand in front of my face.

"Here you go." David reached into his pocket and pulled out a small flashlight. "I figured that you would want to see it."

I anxiously grabbed the flashlight out of his hands and examined my ring. It was gorgeous. We had never discussed engagement rings before and I couldn't help be amazed that he had found the perfect one for me. It was gold with a big square diamond in the middle accented with two smaller square diamonds. I loved it.

"Do you like it?" David whispered nervously.

"It's perfect. I love it."

"Really?" He was so cute when he was nervous. "Because if you don't like it we can exchange it. They told me that we can…" This time I was the one who stopped him from talking. I leaned forward and kissed him silent.

"I love it and I'm going to wear it forever." I promised him.

"Come on we need to celebrate." David said with an ornery glint in his eye. We linked hands and raced back to the car.

As soon as we got into the car I dug my phone out of my purse and called my mom. I couldn't wait a second longer to tell her my or our news. My parent's phone didn't ring one full time before it was answered but the normal "Hello" was not what I got.

"Give me the damn phone Angel." Mom said.

"She's my daughter. I want to talk to her." Dad said.

"She's calling me. Not you."

"You don't know that." Dad snapped. "She could be calling me."

"Give me the damn phone." Mom shouted and I had to pull the phone away from my ear. When I brought the phone back to my ear they were still arguing.

"Hello." I said but they ignored me. "I'm going to hang up if you two don't stop it." That finally shut them up. "I want to talk to both of you so why don't one of you go and get the other extension."

"Angel go get the other extension." Mom demanded.

"I already have this one. You go get the other extension. Cordy don't you dare start glowing. You know you can't use your demon powers for selfish reasons." I couldn't help myself. I started giggling.

"Catherine don't you dare say a word until I pick up the extension." Mom had given up.

"You are so bad." I told dad.

"It's so much fun though." He said with a laugh.

"You do realize that you are in so much trouble."

"Oh it's worth it."

"We'll see about that." Mom chimed in.

"Don't kill him yet mom. I have something to tell you."

"Yes?" She said. I knew they knew because they never fought over who is going to talk to me when I called.

"David and I got engaged tonight."

"Congrats sweetheart." Dad said in a choked voice.

"Thank you daddy."

"How was it baby?" Mom asked.

"I have dreamed up a thousand proposal scenarios and never once did tonight's ever come into my dreams but tonight's proposal was more perfect than I ever dreamed of. I am so happy." I reached across the car and took David's hand. "We are both so happy."

"I want details Catherine." Mom demanded.

"Tomorrow mommy. I promise."

"Catherine I want you to plan whatever kind of wedding that you want. Money is no object. I want you're wedding to be everything you have ever dreamed of." Dad told me softly.

"Daddy…I…thank you." I felt tears fill my eyes.

"Don't thank me sweetheart. You deserve it."

"I love you both so much." I told them tearfully.

"We love you too Catherine. Enjoy your night." Mom said.

"I'll see you guys tomorrow. We have a wedding to plan." After I hung up my phone I turned to my fiancé. "They knew about tonight didn't they?" I asked him.

"Yeah they knew. I had to get their blessing before I asked you to marry me."

"You asked their blessing?" David nodded. "That is so sweet."

"I had to do it right."

"Oh my God. What did my dad do?"

"He was actually pretty cool aside from the fact that he showed me his vampire side."

"WHAT? He vamped out on you? Why? Did he hurt you?"

"No Cat. He didn't hurt me. He was just reminding me of what would happen if I would hurt you which I will never do."

"I never thought you would."

"It was weird seeing your dad like that. His eyes all yellow and his forehead all smushed up together; it looks painful and his teeth. They look sharp as hell."

"Trust me they are and don't worry you'll never have first hand knowledge of those teeth. I will never let him hurt you."

"I'll never hurt you so I'm not worried about seeing that side of your dad again."

"And even though I don't have some psycho insane vampire threatening me I want you to know that I will never hurt you either."

"I know that Cat."

"I love you David; so much."

"And I love you my sweet Catherine."

That night David and I celebrated our engagement with champagne and amazing love making. I had never felt so happy and content before lying in his arms listening to his heartbeat. I never thought that I would ever be this happy and know that it has happened I still couldn't believe that all of my dreams have finally come true.

Thanks for reading. Reviews are encouraged and appreciated.