The sound of the waves crashing against the sand, the laughter of those nearby and the hum of activity was soothing. Buffy closed her eyes and laid her head against Willows shoulder, just wanting to listen to calm.
She had officially informed College that she would not be returning in the fall, she had managed to complete the last semester despite her tiredness, mood-swings and ever growing belly. At first she tried to keep it quiet, not wanting others to gossip but eventually she had to say as she began to show before the end of exams.
At first she had felt a little embarrassed by the situation as one of the girls who shared only one class with overtly spoke about how her life was ruined and that she would never be caught dead being pregnant at nineteen. Thankfully, most others congratulated her, including Professor Walsh, who had inspired confidence within her.
Feeling that little flutter before being kicked in the ribs, she frowned and ran her hand over the bump lovingly before prodding softly "Hey, stop that" she looked down to the bump and prodded again when she got another kick as an answer. Willow only giggled and looked down at her belly.
Buffy looked down to the sand where she was wriggling her toes and sighed sadly. Recently her emotions were on overdrive and she cried about the silliest and smallest of things. Right now, it was over just enjoying the beach and feeling happy about it.
She heard the nearing of heavy panting and then a wet tongue slap her face, she shrieked and curled into her friend, as Willow began to swat her arms around to push the puppy away from them "HEY!!!"
A loud whistled broke the air then they heard "Nina, heel" they looked around to see Lindsay stroll up beside them and pull his new dog back from them, attaching her leash and rubbing her head playfully "Sorry Darlin', think shes missed you"
Buffy let out a laugh and wiped the drool off her face "Well, I've missed her too" she reached over and let Nina lick at her hand before scratching at her ear "You're a good girl, aren't you" the puppy barked excitedly then ran in circles before sitting at Lindsays feet.
"Lunch is served ladies…" he nodded back to the house then extended his hand out to help Buffy raise carefully to her feet. His arm went to the bottom of her back to help steady her when she miss-stepped on the sand and he chuckled "let's just get back in one piece, last thing I want is that asshole ridin' me about it"
Following the direction he nodded at, she was faced with Angel standing by the outdoor grill, flipping some burgers one last time before setting them onto the plates in a bun "I heard that, asshole" he turned to the side to glare at Lindsay then laughed.
As Buffy slid into the bench as best as she could, Angel came over and sat her plate down then leaned down to kiss her soundly. She smiled up at him and then accepted another kiss that soon turned steamy.
"Angel, no wonder you two are in your predicament, if you cant leave the poor girl alone for five minutes to eat"
They pulled apart and had the decency to look embarrassed, Buffy felt her cheeks flush and tried to hide behind her hand as she looked over to Angel's mom who had just arrived with his dad. Elena smirked at them, loving the fact she could tease them about this.
"Mom, Dad" he nodded for them to take a seat, Elena smiled up at her son then winked at Buffy before she took a deep breath and looked out over the beach. They stayed in a concrete jungle, the only time they saw the beach was when they went on vacation. It was beautiful here.
"Honey, I am so glad that you two decided to move here, it is just beautiful! And to think my little grandchild will see this everyday" She wiped a tear away from her eye quickly then smiled kindly at Joyce who had shared the same sentiments.
Angel looked around the large table to see both his parents, her parents and their friends come together just to share the day. He knew he loved Buffy but when she had dropped the bomb on him that they hadn't been as careful as they thought, he was rightfully so, terrified.
Six months earlier
As he took another step back, Buffy felt the bile rise in her throat. The burning sensation grew and she choked out "Angel?" again.
He shook his head then ran his fingers roughly over his hair "How?"
Irritated, she rolled her eyes and folded her arms in front of her chest "Oh I don't know, the birds and the bees?! Angel, we've not exactly been celibate here" she wanted to blush as she replayed all the times that they had been far from celibate but she managed to keep her annoyed look.
Angel scoffed "I don't need a lecture on sex, Buff. In case you hadn't noticed, we've been going through boxes and boxes of condoms" he raised his eyebrow at her, normally he would make a crass joke but right now he was terrified.
Her face twisted as tears threatened to spill, she nodded carefully then sighed "I can think of one time where we might not have?" She went back to that night, where she had found out about his family and tragic past. Honestly, she didn't think about it until recently but that time went from passionate sex to what she would call making love and it felt different, the lack of barrier between them must have been a part of it too.
With a frown he searched his memory and came to it quickly, he knew the night she was talking about. He had been so broken at the thought of losing her that when she was back in his arms he didn't want to wait one moment longer. That night had been intense, not only had he realised his feelings for her but their encounter was one of the best times he could remember.
Shaking his head again he wanted to weep, not only for remembering that particular explosive orgasm that they had shared but also for the fact that he had never thought about children or even knew if he ever wanted any.
As he continued to look at the ground just in front of her feet, she felt ready to heave. The ticking clock on the wall was the only noise in the room, mocking them with each tick, tick, tick. Seeing that he didn't want to look at her, she let out a sob as she dropped the white stick and ran for the door.
Without saying anything, Angel just stood there like an idiot. He vaguely heard the front door slam, which shook him out of his trance. He walked over to the sofa and sat down carefully, he pulled out his phone and pressed the video call button. When the line connected he remained silent.
"Angel?" His mom shifted the screen around thinking that the connection was faulty but when he rapidly blinked and looked at her she froze "Is everything okay honey? Is Buffy okay?"
He shook his head, he wanted to calmly discuss their situation but his mind was muddled, he couldn't think straight. In a monotone voice he only whispered "Buffy's pregnant"
Elena's eyes went wide as she screeched and shook her feet with excitement. She couldn't believe her son was going to be a father "Honey! Congratulations, where is Buffy?" When she saw him remain as still as before, only shrugging lightly she bristled "Angel, tell me what is going on?"
Seeing him remain silent, the blank expression on his face riled her up "Do not tell me that you have ended things with her? I raised you better than that"
That snapped Angel out of it "No, mom… I don't know" when she quirked her eyebrow at him he continued "What if I'm not ready to be a father? What if I mess this kid up…" he sighed deeply "are you disappointed in me?"
Elena sighed too, although he was far from a child, he was still her baby "No, honey. I'm proud of you, I always have been and always will… being a parent is challenging but the most rewarding thing. You love Buffy don't you?"
Without question he nodded, yes he did. He loved her more than he thought he could love anyone else in this world. Their love was still new, whose to say that they weren't still in their honeymoon bubble that could burst at any time? "Yes, but…"
"No buts, Angel, you two created that life together and whether you stand the test of time or not, that child is yours and I won't have you disrespect Buffy or us like that" she watched as her sons eyes fell to the floor. She understood, when she told Colin about the twins he acted similarly, although they had been married for a year or so by then.
Elena gave him a moment then sighed, she knew he wasn't going to say much else, he was always one to brood in silence any chance that he could "Goodnight my Angel, get some rest…" she saw the barely there nod before she ended the call.
Oooooooooooooooo
By the time she got back to her dorm she had stopped crying, she slid into bed and let her hand rest over her flat stomach and sighed. She knew she had just given him life changing news but she thought she would have had more of a dialogue with him over it.
She was scared too, she was only weeks away from her nineteenth birthday, her life had only begun and she couldn't even legally drink in a bar yet. Once the baby was here, would she ever be able to hang out with Willow, go to The Bronze or even have some time on her own?
With a frown she powered off her phone and threw it on the table, not bothering with wanting to deal with anyone at the moment. Pulling the covers up to her neck, she snuggled into her bed and felt the sting of tears again, wiping harshly at her face she cursed once again that her life wasn't going smoothly as she thought it would have.
Due to the extreme tiredness that was suffocating her lately, she managed to fall asleep without reservation and despite having to wake up multiple times to pee during the night, she felt like she slept well. When she decided to switch her phone back on, the phone buzzed with multiple notifications.
There were missed calls and voicemails from her mom and Giles, Willow had left her a text or two and she had a message from Anya as well. She felt a sag in her shoulders when there was not a thing from Angel, she should be mad but really, she just felt so sad.
As she lay contemplating life, the light knock on her door caused her to pause. She got up out of bed and made her way over, she didn't even look through the peephole to see who it was, as to be honest, she didn't even care at this point. When she opened the door her breath caught in her throat as she was faced with Angel.
Without saying a word, he stepped into her dorm and grabbed her gently as he swooped down to kiss her fiercely. They stumbled backwards until she reached the bed, he carefully laid her down and covered her with his mouth peppering kisses down her neck "I'm sorry"
She looked up to him and could see the genuine regret in his eyes "I'm sorry too" and that she was, she should have sorted out birth control but it didn't even cross her mind.
He shook his head and kissed her quickly "No, Buffy… I uh, didn't think this would happen" when she looked away he added "as soon as it has" he sat back on her tiny bed and pulled her up so she was sitting, he linked his fingers through hers and let out a ragged sigh "I'm not going to pretend that I'm over the moon… but I think we'll be okay?"
Buffy nodded, this was what she was worried about. Deep down she knew he loved her but he too was young, just starting out in life. He was on track to finish his degree come summer, but then what? Was he planning in staying out this way or was he heading back East? Not knowing the answer made her feel sick.
"Have you told anyone, else I mean?" He watched as she shimmied up the bed and laid her back against the soft headboard. When she nodded he nodded too "Oh"
Buffy smiled down at her hands "Giles was with me and he said he would always be there for me… my mom though, she uh, got mad, cried then cried some more as she thought about becoming a grandmother… she took it better than I thought she would" thinking back to Joyces reaction, it wasn't what she expected, after the immediate shock she was excited.
Angel nodded, it sounded like it went over well, thankfully for him, it didn't mean he would have to go on the run with her parents chasing him for knocking up their daughter. He motioned for her to move a little and he sat behind her, letting her rest against his chest. Before he could say anything else, Buffy's phone began to ring.
Seeing the video call from his mom of all people, he remained silent as she pressed the accept button. Elena came up on screen, looking worried, Buffy smile kindly at her "Hi"
Elena looked at her, her eyes observing everything about her face "Buffy, honey… are you okay?"
Buffy froze, had Angel told her? Was this pure coincidence? Clearing her throat she nodded quickly "…Why wouldn't I be?"
The older woman rolled her eyes and sat up straight "Angel told me, that you're pregnant…" she sighed "It also became clear that my idiot son didn't handle the announcement well, are you really okay?"
Before Buffy could say anything further, Angel tipped her phone so that he came into view. The shock on his mother's face lasted only moments before a shit-eating grin plastered her face "Oh, I'm sorry for interrupting! I guess I'll leave you two, to it"
Angel rested his head against Buffy's and smiled weakly, Buffy smiled too and replied "We'll be okay… thank you for calling" his mom waved at the pair then ended the call. Switching the phone onto silent, Buffy laid it down on the bedside table and snuggled into his embrace "Will we… be okay?"
His hand cupped her cheek as he smiled down to her, he ran his thumb over her lip and smiled wistfully "We will" he kissed her forehead then closed his eyes, wanting nothing more than for her to be in his arms.
He cleared his throat and smiled at everyone "Lets eat" he sat down beside Buffy and watched as she took a bite of her burger, and moaned in delight. Looking down at his own burger, he was about to take a bite but his phone began to ring.
Seeing the Caller ID flash up as Damien, he frowned. They had became civil enough in the past many months, enough to exchange numbers but never had they ever text or called each other "Just one moment" he slid out of the booth and made his way back into the house before answering.
"Angie, how are things?" Angel quirked his eyebrow but before he could answer, Damien spoke again. A pause came over the line before an even tone came out "So… Kate is back and she is pissed"
Closing his eyes, he huffed a thanks to his brother and ended the call. If this had been before their breakthrough Damien would never have said a thing, so he was grateful that he had been given the heads up.
After a pause he opened his eyes and looked out into the patio, he watched as Buffy laughed and felt his stomach turn.
