I own none of the characters of Angel
"Angel can you hand me the scissors please?" Cordy asked me. She was at the kitchen sink giving Chloe a bath while I was holding Zoey.
"Why?" I asked in a panicked voice. "Is something wrong? What do you want to cut off of her?"
"Relax Angel. I want to cut the hospital band off of her."
"No!" I practically shouted causing Zoey to jump in my arms. "If you cut the hospital band off of her leg then I won't be able to tell the girls apart and if I don't know who they are then they will never know who they are. What will happen if I start calling Chloe Zoey or Zoey Chloe? I will switch their identities and screw them up for life. You can't cut the band off. We can't risk it."
"Angel come over here please." She requested with a smile. I walked over next to Cordy and watched as she lifted Chloe's leg out of the water. "Look at her toe." I bent down and saw that Chloe's big toe had nail polish on it.
"Isn't she a little young for that Cor?" Still holding Chloe with one hand she reached out with the other and slapped me, playfully of course.
"I painted her big toe so we can cut the band off and be able to tell the girls apart dumbass."
"What if the polish wears off?"
"I'll paint it everyday." She held out her hand, palm up. "Scissors" I slowly placed the scissors in her hand.
"Be careful. Don't hurt her."
"Aww you're so cute when you're being over protective." I stood over her shoulder and watched as she cut the hospital band from Chloe's leg. "Towel." She demanded when the band was free. I reached over and placed the towel in my free arm. "Here she comes." Cordy lifted and placed a wet and squirming Chloe in my arm and then took Zoey from me.
"All right kiddo. Let's get you dressed." Poor thing; her lips were chattering she was so cold. I headed to the living room where we had their pajamas already for them. I settled myself on the floor and laid my oldest screaming daughter in front of me. Over the past couple of weeks I have become a pro at quickly dressing or changing my crying girls. Cordy and I discovered right away that neither of them liked to be naked, something I hoped they maintained for a very long time.
When Connor was born I thought it was rough but I realized that one was nothing compared to two. Chloe and Zoey weren't bad babies but we have been unable to get them on the same schedule. When we would get one baby fed and settled the other would need attention. It was the worse at night. So far neither of us have gotten much sleep. Cordy was nursing so I wasn't much help in the feeding department. She was trying to pump her breast milk so I could help feed them but she wasn't getting that much yet. Cordelia has taken motherhood in stride. She was amazing with the girls and I was so proud of her. It was like she was born to be a mom.
So far we haven't seen much of the girl's personalities. They did what all babies do; eat, poop, sleep and cry. I was assured that soon their personalities would soon develop and I hoped so because I was terrified that I would mix them up. As far as their looks went they both had a head full of dark hair and dark brown eyes. I was convinced that they looked just like Cordy and she said that they looked like me. Regardless of who they looked like my daughters were beautiful.
"Don't you two look comfy?" Cordy said with a grin when she came into the living room. Chloe and I had just settled on the couch together. I have discovered that the girls loved to lay on my chest and sleep and that's what Chloe was doing right now.
"She was tired. Her bath wore her out." I told her.
"You would use any excuse to cuddle with your girls."
"Damn right." I'm not afraid to admit it. I loved the cuddle time with my girls. I loved the feeling of their tiny bodies lying on top of my chest, sleeping soundly. Sometimes when they were fussy and couldn't sleep putting them on my chest was the only thing that would calm them down. Cordy said it was the sound of my heartbeat that put them to sleep.
"Have room for one more?" Cordy asked holding a freshly bathed and dressed Zoey.
"Of course." She placed Zoey on my chest and I kissed her head.
"Hey princess." She sighed and settled into my chest and within a few minutes she joined her sister in sleep.
"Hey gorgeous. Smile." I looked up at Cordy who was holding a camera. I flashed her smile and she snapped a picture. "This is a great picture." She sat on the edge of the couch beside me and showed me the picture.
"Yeah it's great." I agreed.
"Do you have any idea how lucky we are?" She asked wistfully looking at the girls.
"Yes I do." She turned to me with tears in her eyes.
"Angel, I'm so happy."
"I know sweetheart."
"I have everything that I have always wanted; two beautiful children and a man that loves me."
"Oh Cordelia, I love you more than you'll ever know." She leaned forward and we shared a gentle kiss.
--
"Angel you need to leave now." Cordy snapped. "Leaving my parents waiting at the airport will piss them off and that is really not a good thing."
"Can I at least finish changing Zoey's diaper?" Cordy has been on edge all day. Her parents called us yesterday and informed us that they were coming for a visit.
"Only if you hurry." Keeping my sigh to myself I finished diapering my daughter, snapped her onsey, and pulled her pants back up. I picked Zoey from the changing table and handed her to her mother.
"Relax babe. I'll make it to the airport in plenty of time."
"You can't risk it. I really want them to like you and if you are late picking them up it won't happen."
"All right, all right. I'm going." I kissed her cheek, Zoey's head and I went over to the swing and kissed Chloe and headed out the door.
On the drive to the airport I thought about my in-laws. I haven't met them yet but I have already formed an opinion of them I didn't like them. They managed to somehow get there fortune back and became the rich snobby people they were back in Sunnyvale and they practically abandoned her again. They never came to see her when she was in her coma, they couldn't be bothered to make it to our wedding, and I guess they couldn't fit meeting their granddaughters into their schedules until now when the girls were two months old.
I was very proud of myself when I got to the airport with ten minutes to spare. I checked the arrivals board and found that their flight arrived ten minutes early. Great, I knew that I would never hear the end of it. I checked the gate number and started to make my way to my in-laws when my cell phone rang. I didn't even have to look at the caller ID to know that it was my wife.
"Yes Cordelia." I answered.
"Where are you? They are waiting for you. I told you that you were going to be late." Cordy shouted.
"Relax babe. I'm here now. I'm actually early. It's not my fault that their flight came in early. I'm on my way to the gate right now."
"Don't tell me to relax."
"Look hon, I see them so I'm going to hang up now. I love you and I'll see you soon." Before she had a chance to respond I ended the call. Taking a deep breath in an attempt to calm my nervous heart I walked over to my in laws whom I recognized from the pictures that Cordy showed me.
"Mr. Mrs. Chase. I'm Angel. It's a pleasure to meet you." I said stretching out my hand.
"You're late." Mrs. Chase said crossing her arms across her chest.
"I do apologize for keeping you waiting. I honestly didn't expect your plane to be early. Isn't that an anomaly?" I said with a laugh but no one else laughed.
"You should have planned better."
"It's hard to plan when you have two newborns at home." I told them through gritted teeth.
"Well can we get out of here?" Mr. Chase asked.
"Of course we can."
At the baggage claim I discovered where Cordy learned to over pack. Her mother had at least a dozen suitcases. I had to get a cart to get all of the luggage out to the car and then I barely fit it all in the back of the SUV.
"Cordy is really excited to see you and for you to meet the girls." I said about ten minutes into our drive. I was desperate to break the silence.
"I would like to go to the hotel first to freshen up." It took everything I had not to roll my eyes.
"Of course you would." I said smartly and thankfully they didn't pick up on it.
We finished the remainder of the drive in uncomfortable silence. When we arrived at their hotel a bellboy took their luggage to their room while I waited in the lobby. Worried about Cordy I took out my cell and called her.
"Are you hanging in there?" I asked her when she answered. I was hopeful because I didn't hear any crying in the background.
"The girls are sleeping. Where are you?"
"In the hotel lobby. Your parents needed to freshen up."
"Sounds like mom and dad." She said with a laugh. "Thanks baby."
"For what?"
"For putting up with my parents. I know that they aren't the nicest people in the world."
"Can I say something without hurting your feelings?"
"Just say it."
"I can now see where you got your selfish bitchy attitude that you had when we first met."
"Hey, at least I got it honestly." I could tell that she was smiling.
"I love you Cordelia."
"I love you too Angel. I'll see you soon."
"I hope so." I smarted.
--
"Cordy we're here." I called as her parents and I walked into the house an hour and a half later and all I could hear was crying from one of the girls. "One of the twins must be hungry." I said sheepishly to Cordy's parents. "Follow me." We walked into the living room and found Cordy on the rocking chair nursing one of the girls while rocking the other screaming one in the bouncy seat with her foot. I immediately walked over and picked up Zoey. "Shhhh." I soothed her.
"Hi Mom. Hi dad." Cordy said with a huge smile. "I would get up right now but I'm a little busy. She should be done in a few minutes."
"Is there milk in the freezer?" I asked her and she nodded. I took a crying and starving Zoey in the kitchen with me and I quickly made her a bottle and then returned to the living room where Cordy was burping Chloe.
"How was your flight?" Cordy asked
"Long." Mr. Chase answered.
"Cordelia, dear, you really should have put yourself together when you have guests." Her mother said. Cordy was wearing a pair of shorts, one of my tee shirts, her hair was in a pony tail and she had no make up on. I personally thought she looked gorgeous.
"Mom I have two infants. I'm lucky that I'm able to get a shower every day." Chloe let out a big burp. "Speaking of which, would you like to meet your oldest granddaughter?" Cordy stood up and took Chloe over to her mom.
"Cordelia where is your nanny?"
"We don't have a nanny." I answered
"We'll pay for one if you can't afford it sweetheart." Mr. Chase spoke.
"Daddy we can afford a nanny. We don't want one. Angel and I want to raise our children by ourselves. Now mom do you want to hold Chloe?"
"Will she vomit on me?" I saw the hurt flash across Cordy's face.
"She's a baby mom. She very well may spit up on you but don't worry, if she does. I'll replace your blouse." Cordy placed Chloe in her grandmother's arms. "Chloe can you say hello to your grandma?"
"Cordelia I don't like the term grandma. Grandma is for old women. The girls can call me Evelyn."
"Are you kidding me mom?"
"Why would I be kidding?" Cordy sighed.
"They don't have to call you grandma. How about nana, or nanny, or maw maw?"
"No. Evelyn will be fine."
"Okay mom. Whatever." Evelyn looked down at Chloe in her arms.
"She really is beautiful Cordelia. She reminds me of you when you were a baby." Zoey finished her bottle of breast milk and I placed her on my chest to burp her. Within a minute my youngest daughter was burping like a pro.
"Mr. Chase would like to hold Zoey?" I asked.
"Very much." He nodded eagerly and I brought her over to him.
"Hi. Zoey. I'm Grandpa John."
"Cordelia there are some bags of gifts in the hall for you." Her mom said.
"I'll get them hon." I knew how much Cordy loved presents so hopefully these gifts would cheer her up.
I brought her the bags and with a smile Cordy slowly went through them pulling out purses, shoes and fancy clothes. I was surprised when her smile faded.
"Thanks mom." Cordy said without enthusiasm.
"You don't like them dear?"
"I do mom. They are really nice."
"I'm glad." Again I had to try really hard to keep from rolling my eyes. Obviously Cordy didn't really like the gifts and her mother couldn't see it.
About an hour later we had just laid the girls down for a nap and Cordy and I were in the living room making small talk with her parents. They had wanted to go out to a fancy restaurant for dinner but we couldn't take the girls with us so they had settled on Cordy and I ordering Chinese food. By the end of the night we had agreed to go to the restaurant tomorrow night while Connor and Ashley came over to watch the girls.
--
"Angel do you have family besides your brother around?" Evelyn asked me the next night at dinner. As far as Cordy's parents are concerned Connor is my younger brother, not my son.
"No ma'am. My parents are dead."
"What happened to them?" She asked
"MOM!"
"Cordy its okay. It happened a long time ago." I said. A really long time ago. "They died in an accident along with my younger sister."
"How terrible for you and your brother." I chose not to comment.
"Cordelia where on earth did you come up with Chloe and Zoey's name?" Her mom inquired.
"We just looked through the baby name book and found them and liked them. Their middle names came from Angel's mother and sister." Cordy explained.
"My mother's name was Christine which is Zoey's middle name and my sister's middle name was Elizabeth which we gave to Chloe." I added.
"That's lovely." John said.
"Why aren't the girls named after me?" Evelyn asked.
"Probably because they're dead and you're not." Cordy snapped. I reached under the table and placed my hand on her thigh, squeezing it gently. "I'm sorry. That was rude. We wanted to honor Angel's mother and sister so we gave the girls part of their names. That's all."
"Angel what kind of business do you own?" John asked me changing the subject.
"A detective agency."
"Do you specialize in anything or do you just detect anything?"
"Well actually I'm a non-specialized detective." I answered.
"And you make your living from this?" Evelyn asked me.
"Mom it's not about making a living for us. It's about helping people."
"Well that's just ridiculous." She said and Cordy stormed away from the table in tears. Thankfully we had already paid the bill so I was able to follow her.
"Cordy." I found her sobbing outside of our car. I pulled her into my arms and held her tightly.
"They just don't get me." She cried into my chest.
"Cordelia why are you so upset?" Evelyn and John had obviously followed me outside.
"You really don't get it do you mom?
"Obviously not."
"Angel is not a non specialized private detective. He fights evil. Actually we fight evil. We help those who can't help themselves."
"What on earth are you talking about?" John asked.
"Oh my God. You two have lived in Sunnydale your entire life and you were oblivious to the fact that it sat right over a hellmouth."
"Cordelia are you drunk?" Evelyn asked. "What is a hellmouth?"
"It's pure evil. Demons, vampires and anything else evil come to Sunnydale."
"There is no such thing as demons or vampires. It's just childhood stories." She said.
"Really? So those two vampires coming up behind you are just stories?" Cordy smarted. In one fluid movement Cordy and I moved her parents out of the way, pulled out the stakes that we always carried with us and turned those bastards into piles of dust. "Just a story huh?" Cordy said to her mom.
"Oh my God. You just killed those men." Evelyn said.
"How many human beings do you know turn to dust when you kill them?" I quietly asked them.
"I don't understand." John whispered.
"Do you remember when I was in high school there was someone or something that was terrorizing Sunnydale?" Cordy asked
"Cor please don't." I asked her. It was one thing that her parents knew that vampires existed but it was another for them to know that I used to be one.
"Vaguely." Evelyn answered.
"Probably because you were on one of your numerous trips. Anyways that thing that was terrorizing Sunnydale was a very evil vampire and that evil vampire was Angel."
"But Angel has been outside in the sun. I thought vampires couldn't go out in the sun" Evelyn said smugly.
"Angel is human now. It was his reward for saving the world, many times."
"Why are you telling these stories darling?" John asked her.
"You want a story daddy? I'll tell you a story. A young girl who was virtually abandoned by her parents moved to L.A. after graduation to start a new life. While there she met up with an old friend who was also a vampire who helped people. Since the young girl was poor and alone I think the vampire took pity on her and he hired her to work for him. He was assisted by a demon who received visions painful visions from The Powers That Be of people in trouble and the three of them would save those people in need." She took a break by taking a deep breath to calm her shaking voice before continuing.
"Before the vampire's demon assistant died saving the world he and the young girl shared a kiss and unbeknown to her his visions were passed along to her so she and the vampire could continue the good work. Although, countless lives were saved over the years those visions took their toll on the young woman, physically and emotionally. She no longer cared only about herself. She saw all of the pain and danger that was out there and she knew it was her mission to save these people. She cared for them and her friends more then she cared for herself. So much so that she kept how bad these visions really were from those she loved and they probably never would have found out if she didn't almost die because of them."
"Cor let's go home." I said softly.
"No! They need to hear this." She wiped the tears from her face. "She was given a choice; live the life of an actress with fame and fortune or die. Well obviously she didn't want to die so she chose the life of an actress, the life she thought that she wanted but she was wrong. It wasn't what she wanted; wasn't what she was meant to do so she found her way back to the vampire and she was given another option which she took. She became half demon so she could continue with her…with their mission."
"That cannot be true. You are a normal young woman." John said desperately. He reached out for her and using her demon powers she began to glow and stopped his hand in mid-air.
"Cordy. You know you can't glow in public." I chastised.
"How…I…Why…how could we not have known?" Evelyn asked.
"Maybe because you haven't been around mom. You and dad weren't at my graduation when a giant snake and multiple vampires attacked. To save our lives we had to blow the damn school up. I was supposedly made into a higher being, taken away from earth only to have an evil bitch overtake my body. She came back down to earth masquerading as me, slept with Connor, Angel's son not brother, so it could give birth to itself and destroy the world but Angel saved it. As it was in labor he risked his own life and killed it and we both ended up in a coma for months."
"We didn't know." John spoke.
"Yes you did." She shouted at her parents. "My friends called you when I was in a coma and you never came. When I woke up I called you and you never came. When I got married you never came. When I gave birth to your only grandchildren you waited two months to come and you act like you don't even want to be here. For God's sake you won't even let my girls call you grandma. Who does that? You brought me bags of wonderful fancy clothes, shoes and purses but that's not who I am anymore. I would have preferred gifts for Chloe or Zoey not myself. I've changed. You have no idea who I have become. I'm not the bitch who gets everything she wants anymore. You haven't been a part of my life for years and I have done just fine without you so you know what? I don't need you now." She reached out and grabbed my hand. "Angel let's go home."
"Cordelia." John called.
"Goodbye daddy. Goodbye mother." Cordy practically drug me to the car and then sat in silence staring out the window the entire ride home. I tried to talk to her but she wouldn't respond.
When we got home we fed and bathed the girls. She spent an extra few minutes with them when we put them in their cribs for the night. Instead of staying up and enjoying the peace and quiet that we had we went to bed. As soon as Cordy was changed she climbed into bed, into my arms and broke down sobbing.
"Angel I want my mom and dad." She cried over and over until she fell into a restless sleep.
Thanks for reading. Please review. I would really appreciate it.
