This is rated T for a mature scene at the end. It's not at all graphic, though, so I do not give an M.
Chapter 16: Birthday Bash
*****Cordelia's House*****
Cordelia looked at the large group of people that were at her house. She had started the party earlier than a normal party as she wanted people to be able to enjoy swimming while the sun was out. Wearing a red bikini with a wrap skirt, she looked smokin' hot. Her hair was down—the way Xander liked it and combed without any of the curl she sometimes put in her hair. Willow wouldn't dare go swimming in front of classmates, but Cordelia was happy to see that she was wearing one of the new outfits Pepper had bought her. The skirt actually stopped above Willow's knees—not much higher than her knees. The top complemented it, and she had matching shoes. Her shorter haircut was super cute on her, and Cordelia was still shocked that Willow had been brave enough to cut it off after wearing it so long her entire life. Cordelia wasn't sure that she could do that herself.
"You look great, Willow," she said, flashing her a friendly smile.
Willow wasn't sure she would ever get used to Cordelia being genuinely nice to her, but she smiled and gave her thanks.
"Where's your other half?" Cordelia asked, not seeing Oz.
"He's setting up the band in your insanely large dining area," she said.
Oz and his band were providing the live music, so she decided those that wanted music or dancing could head to the dining area. She had catered food in the kitchen area, and some spread out on tables around the patio area where the swimmers were.
"It seems like the entire school is here," Willow said, looking at the group.
"Not everyone—just juniors and seniors," Cordelia said. "Unless they are, of course, dating a junior or senior."
Willow rolled her eyes but kept her smile. "You just have to exclude some, huh?"
Cordelia flashed her pearly whites. "Of course," she said. "If everyone comes, it's not nearly as special. We have to have some left out, so they can be green with envy."
Faith, the new slayer, came into the room, looking around for someone she recognized. Cordelia waved at her when their eyes connected and watched the new slayer come toward them. Willow frowned, not sure she wanted to deal with the brassy new slayer.
"Play nice," Cordelia said. "This one is the only other person alive who has an inkling of what life is really like for Buffy."
Willow so didn't agree with that, but she put a smile on her face and said hello to the slayer.
"Now this is some party," Faith said. "I thought it'd be lame since it started before the sun set."
"I wanted people to be able to swim," Cordelia said. Faith was wearing tight leather pants with her leather jacket and red top. The girl was so attractive, though, it probably didn't matter what she wore.
"I didn't bring a suit," Faith said.
"I have plenty," Cordelia said. "They are in the pool house spread out on the bed in case someone wants to swim."
Faith nodded. "Good to know," she said. She looked at Willow. "So where's B at?"
"B?" Willow asked in confusion.
"Buffy. I like to shorten names," she said with a grin.
"Does that mean I can call you F?" Willow said.
"You can, but my name is already one syllable. F sounds lame. B sounds cool," Faith said.
"She'll be here eventually," Willow said. "She's not a big fan of Cordelia's friends."
"You aren't either," Cordelia pointed out.
"No, but Oz was coming to set up the music," she said with a shrug.
"Where's your guy?" Faith asked Cordelia.
"He helped Oz unload, so he's probably wherever Oz is," Cordelia said.
"You don't keep him on a leash?" Faith asked with a smirk. "There's lots of half-naked girls running around."
"As if," Cordelia said with a toss of her hair. "Xander knows that I am all the woman he needs."
Faith snickered. "I bet," she said.
"Come on," Cordelia said. "I'll introduce you to some of the nicer senior boys."
"I'm all about making new friends," Faith said happily.
"I bet you are," Willow said softly.
Faith, though, heard her and gave her a saucy wink before following after Cordelia.
Willow was still half horrified about the comment Faith had made about Buffy and Angel. When she shared it with her mom and Tony the night before, Tony choked on the drink he had been drinking at the time. Of course, Tony thought it was hilarious and only a threat by her mother kept him from making a crack to Buffy about it.
Willow sighed. She loved Tony, but sometimes, he was worse than Xander.
******Natasha******
Since Willow and company were safe at Cordelia's birthday bash, she used her free time to meet up with Coulson at the apartment he had acquired.
"Good to see you again, Agent Romanoff," Coulson said as he stepped back to let her into his apartment.
"I see you have mastered the non-verbal invitation that's necessary for your survival in this town," Natasha said with a smile.
"Did you read my report? Already been attacked by a vampire when I tried to play hero across the street in that alley," he said.
"Yes, I did," she said.
"Would you like a coffee or something to drink?" Coulson asked.
She shook her head. "No, thanks," she said, looking at his place. "You've gotten this place looking lived in already." She stopped at looked at the painting. "Art?" she arched an eyebrow.
Coulson blushed. "Well, I stopped in the art gallery and met Joyce Summers. She sold me that piece," he said.
"You've already met the slayer's mother?" Natasha asked in surprise. "That's impressive. What was your impression?"
"A nice lady," he said. "She clearly knows what's going on and loves her daughter."
"Are you thinking of spending time with her?" Natasha asked.
"I considered it, but I don't want to make an enemy out of the slayer," he said. "Faith, the new one already saved my life once. I can't imagine the more experienced one being even more impressive."
"Buffy Summers is everything she's reputed to be and more. She killed the man she loved to save this world," Natasha said. "Imagine having that strength of character at her age."
"You did," he said.
"That's because I was taken by the Russian government when I was five and raised to be the Black Widow," Natasha said. "I know no other life. To see an American girl—one that was raised entitled and spoiled—find that level of commitment after just two years is rare."
Coulson nodded. "It is," he agreed. "I look forward to meeting her."
"I think our first mission besides keeping the kids safe is trying to get a beat on this city," she said. "You are going to be teaching at the high school, right?"
"Yes," he said. "I'm the new history teacher."
"That's good," she said. "I will use the daytime hours to learn the city and figure out why the town isn't having a mass exodus of people with all the murders and disappearances. Why aren't the people scared in the daytime?"
"It is a strange thing," Coulson said. "However, I think some aren't as clueless as you'd think. The lady in the diner across the street told me to be careful at night. It was like a warning."
"Really? That's interesting," Natasha said. "Some have to know something—or at least have an idea that things aren't normal."
"The slayer would have saved the lives of many would-be victims the past two years," Coulson pointed out. "Faith saved mine, and I knew what was happening."
"But that's because you were told before you came," Natasha said. "What would you have thought if you hadn't been told vampires were real and then came upon the scene?"
Coulson considered the question. "Well, there was no denying that the girl was being attacked by a monster of some kind," he said. "She had to have known. Could terror keep a person from admitting what attacked them?"
"If someone offered you some kind of explanation rather than the truth, wouldn't the rational mind latch on to it?" she wondered. "For some, it could be the only way they stay sane."
"Only for the really weak-minded," he said. "I just think there has to be many that know the truth even if it's not a part of the public discourse."
Natasha nodded. "I agree," she said. "I will see who in the city government knows. Buffy told me that the principal of the school tried to pin the murder of the other slayer on her simply because he came into the library right after Buffy arrived and discovered her body. The cops were quick to follow the principal's lead."
"Hmmm. That's disturbing. It has to make you wonder if the principal has some type of agenda against the slayer," Coulson said. "I just have a hard time believing a principal of the school is completely in the dark. The report said he replaced the previous principal, who was eaten by students possessed by primal hyena spirits. That seemed preposterous, but my new boss, Principal Snyder did confirm the old principal was killed by students. Then he went on a five-minute rant about discipline."
Natasha grimaced. "I stopped disbelieving the kids after I watched one of them transform into an actual werewolf," she said. "However, I feel like I'm better off than you since I don't have to be with Willow all day at school."
"Miss Potts feels the schools is safe?" Coulson asked in surprise.
"No, but Willow refuses to have a bodyguard at school, and she says that she is in class with either Buffy or Oz or Xander all day long. I will be picking her up from school," Natasha said. "Pepper is buying her a car before she leaves town."
"Lucky girl," Coulson said.
"I'm not so sure," Natasha said. "I think Pepper might think she's the lucky one, and I might have to agree. Willow is pretty special. She's completely human without any physical skills, but she's willing to go with her best friend to fight monsters. The girl is brilliant, but she's not arrogant—a real sweetheart."
"I look forward to meeting her," he said. "I've read her profile. All of them seem special."
"They're not really—that's what makes what they do so extraordinary," she said. "Only Buffy is gifted although I have been told Willow is learning magic. I haven't seen any evidence of that yet."
"Magic is real," Coulson said, shaking his head. "Our lives have become very strange."
Natasha grinned. "I think this is just the beginning of the strange. School starts Monday. Are you ready?" she asked him.
"As one could ever be teaching at a school that is reputedly on a hellmouth," Coulson said with a rueful smile.
Natasha stood up. "Well, good luck. You have my number. Keep me posted," she said.
"I will," he said, walking her to the door. "Be safe."
"You, too," she said. "Oh, if you want to accidentally run into Joyce tonight, I happen to know she'll be having dinner with Tony and Pepper at the only Italian restaurant in town around seven."
Coulson smiled and shut the door behind. Now he had to figure out a week's worth of lesson plans. He looked at his watch. Only two hours until he'd need to leave for dinner since he wasn't going to pass up on Italian. No need to think there any other reason for his sudden hunger. Nope—none at all.
*****Cordelia's*****
Willow was very wigged out as Harmony was being nice to her. Buffy finally arrived, and she practically ran to her side. "You made it!" she exclaimed.
"Yeah," Buffy said. "Cordy would never let me hear the end of it if I didn't. Besides, I had to give her the birthday gift I got her."
"What did you get her?" Willow asked.
"A sword," Buffy asked.
"Really?" Willow replied in surprise. "That doesn't really seem like a Cordelia Chase gift."
"Did I hear someone same my name?" Cordelia said, coming up to them.
"Willow was just saying how she didn't think you'd like the gift I got you," Buffy said. "But I happen to think you'll love it."
"What is it?" Cordelia asked excitedly.
"You probably shouldn't open it in front of everyone else," Buffy said. "It's in a long red box, but it's not roses."
Cordelia's eyes lit up. "You got me a weapon?" she asked.
"How did you know that?" Willow asked. "Have I entered the Twilight Zone? Harmony is being nice to me, and now you suddenly like getting swords for your birthday!"
"It's a sword? I got my own sword?" Cordelia squealed, hugging Buffy excitedly.
"JARVIS helped me pick it out," Buffy said. "There's this website that sells real weapons at somewhat affordable prices. Since Tony bought me all those clothes, I used my dad's credit card."
Cordelia laughed. "A girl after my own heart," she said. "Now I wish these people would be gone already, so I can play with it."
Xander came up behind her in time to hear her comment. "Play with what? If it's me and my Johnson, I'll make them all leave," he said, giving her a leer. He wrapped his arms around her, kissing her neck, making her giggle.
Willow made gagging noises while Buffy snickered.
"No, doofus," Cordelia said. "Buffy got me a sword for my birthday, and I was saying that I wish I could play with it."
"That's awesome," Xander said. "What kind of sword?"
"It's a Celtic long sword," Buffy said. "It's got a roomy handle that will allow her to comfortably hold it, but it's not too heavy. However, the blade is strong and sharp. It shouldn't break easily, especially considering she doesn't have the power that a slayer has."
"Cool," Xander said.
"Now I feel like I should exchange the earrings I got you," Willow said with a sigh.
"Did your mother help you pick them out?" Cordelia asked. Willow nodded. "Then I'm sure I will love them." Pepper had impeccable taste.
"Where's Faith?" Buffy asked.
"I introduced her to some football players," Cordelia said. "They talked her into swimming."
"I bet," Buffy said. "Just an excuse to see her half-naked."
"I don't think she minds," Cordelia said with a grin.
"He's here!" someone shouted.
"I guess Tony's arrived," Cordelia said.
Tony was working the crowd, shaking hands and giving a few autographs. Several students asked him to take photos with him, which he was happy to do.
"Where's the birthday girl?" he asked. Then he spotted Cordelia and smiled at her. Cordelia and company walked toward him to greet him. He hugged her, wishing her happy birthday.
"Where's Mom?" Willow asked.
"She's outside with the gifts we brought," Tony said.
"Gifts?" Cordelia asked, her eyes lighting up.
Tony walked with her and Willow to the front of her house while Buffy and Xander trailed behind them. "I hate to tell you this, Cordy, but your pops is set to lose everything 'cause he's not paying his taxes," Tony said.
"What?" Cordelia exclaimed, stopping and looking at Tony in horror.
"I have meeting scheduled with him Tuesday to see if I can get him to see reason," Tony said. "In the meantime, this gift I got you is one hundred percent yours and bought with my money. It should be safe if the IRS comes a knocin'."
Cordelia opened her front door and saw Pepper standing in front of a new blue car with a red convertible next to it. Her eyes widened. "Oh, my God!" she exclaimed. "Tony, that's way too much!"
"I know," he said. "I couldn't help it. In case you were wondering, the red convertible is yours. I don't know how to buy cheap cars. It's a Mazda mx-5 Miata." He handed her a set of keys, and she hugged him.
"Thank you," she said softly.
"Be careful with this one," he said. "No running over vamps or demons in it."
"No way!" she said. She ran to check it out, reaching for Xander's hand.
"Mom?" Willow asked.
"Willow, I spoke to your parents, and they said I could get you a car since you are graduating this year," she said. "I didn't want to wait until graduation since Tony insisted on buying that ridiculous gift for Cordelia."
Willow looked at the sporty blue car in awe. "That's mine?" she asked.
Pepper nodded. "Yes, it's a Nissan 370Z," she said.
"I told her to get the Roadster version, but she didn't think you'd like a convertible," Tony said.
"They're not very safe," Pepper added.
Willow grinned. "I don't really have any opinion at all about cars, but this is beautiful," she said. "It's so sporty." She hugged her mom, who handed her the keys.
"Not much backseat room, but I bet it goes super-fast!" Buffy said eagerly.
More people were spilling out of the house, surrounding the cars, talking excitedly. More phones were out snapping photos.
Oz made his way outside. "What's going on?" he asked.
"Oz, Mom got me this car!" she exclaimed.
"Cool," he said.
"No room for making out in the backseat," Tony said smugly.
"Good thing I have a van," Oz said with a smirk.
Willow's face flushed as Pepper gave him a pointed frown. "So do you want to drive with me, Mom?" she asked.
Pepper smiled. "I would love to," she said, moving around to the passenger said of the car. Happy that Willow wanted to drive with her first and not Oz or Buffy.
Willow got in the car, admiring how beautiful and perfect the inside was. "It's so wonderful, Mom. I can't believe you got me something so expensive," Willow said.
"I missed a lot of birthdays and holidays," Pepper said. "And I'll admit, being with Tony has made me more wasteful than normal. That car he bought Cordelia is ridiculous."
Willow giggled. "True. But it is the exact kind of car she would love," Willow said. She put the key in the ignition and started it up. The engine was so quiet that she couldn't even it hear it.
"I am glad that Happy made sure you all learned how to drive and that you got your license over the summer," Pepper said.
"Me, too," Willow said. "Although teaching Buffy to drive nearly gave him a heart attack." This had come about after Xander had begged Tony to let him drive one of his cars. When Tony found out that only Cordelia and Oz had a license, he had insisted that Happy begin instructing them.
"Until Tony made him switch to one of the sports cars. Buffy could probably drive a car like this without any trouble," Pepper said.
"She still has to pass the test," Willow reminded her mom as she drove down Cordelia's street, still unable to believe she was driving such a beautiful car. It was very different than the car Happy had taught her to drive in.
"Joyce wanted to be the one to take her to get her test, and I can understand that. It meant a lot to me that I got to take you to yours," Pepper said. "Which reminds me, we need to go on Monday and get your New York license changed to California before I leave town."
Willow stopped carefully at the stop sign, and then looked over at her mother, flashing her a warm smile. "I love you, Mom," she said, realizing she hadn't said those words to Pepper before.
Pepper's eyes filled with tears, and she reached for Willow's hand to give it a pat. "I love you, sweetheart," she said.
Willow saw a teenage boy in the yard as she went through the stop sign give her car an admiring glance and felt on top of the world.
Back at Cordelia's, Tony stayed behind and charmed their classmates, assuring that Cordelia's party was a roaring success. Oz went inside to his band after Willow drove off. Tony looked down at Buffy, who watched the two cars until they drove out of sight. "Don't worry, kid. I'll get you one when you turn eighteen in January no matter what your mother says," he said, giving her a wink.
Buffy laughed. "Yeah, I'm not sure how she'll feel, but since you bought Cordelia one, it might be okay. Xander's birthday is in October, though. He likes old muscle cars," she told him.
"Oh, I know," Tony said. He loved spoiling the kids, who had been through too much and expected so little. "He has been trying to convince Rupert to release his Council funds to buy him a car, but I told Rupert not to because I was going to get him a car. He can use his money for his trip after graduation. Seeing the country is a great milestone in a person's life."
"Your fan club is waiting," Buffy said as she looked at the twenty or so student that were waiting for his attention.
"Where's the new slayer? I want to meet this girl that could manage to get Willow so worked up," Tony said with a grin. "I almost thought she was one redhead that didn't have a hot temper."
"Faith is canoodling in the swimming pool with some football players the last I heard," Buffy said.
Tony grimaced. "Well, I'll meet her next time," he said. That was not the first time meeting he wanted to have with the newest member of the slayer's team. He put his arm around her shoulder. "Come on. Introduce me to your friends."
"These people aren't my friends," Buffy said.
"Pretend they are anyway," he said. "After today, I'm sure they'll be tripping over themselves to be your friend. I call it the Tony-effect."
Buffy laughed and led him over to her classmates.
*****An Hour Later*****
Pepper was showing Joyce the pictures on her phone of Willow and the car. "I know it's an outrageous first car, but I missed so many birthdays and Christmases," she said. "Tony insisted he had to buy that insanely expensive car for Cordelia, so I felt that Willow deserved something equally wonderful."
"It's beautiful," Joyce said. "I love the color. My first car was blue, but that shade is much better than the one I had."
The phone was passed to Giles, who showed his appreciation. "The girls are very lucky," he said.
"When JARVIS told me that Cordelia's father wasn't paying his taxes, I know it's a matter of time before that girl loses everything," Tony said. "The IRS won't be able to take the car I bought her because it's in her name and not bought by daddy's money."
"I just can't believe that," Joyce said, looking shocked. "Their house is so big, and Cordelia is even more spoiled than Buffy used to be."
"Greed gets the best of many people," Tony said. "It's what happened to my uncle. He didn't care how the company made money, so he started selling weapons to our enemies."
"That's awful," Joyce said. Then she noticed a guy coming into the restaurant. "Oh, Rupert, that's the new history teacher I was telling you about." She waved at the man, and he smiled, walking toward them.
"Well, hello again," Coulson said, smiling at Joyce, glancing around the table.
"Phil, right?" Joyce said.
"Yes, Phil Coulson," Coulson said. "It's good to see you again."
"Phil, this is Rupert Giles," Joyce said, gesturing to the man next to her. "He's the librarian at the high school. Rupert, Phil is going to be the new history teacher."
"That's great," Giles said. "Welcome." He held out his to Phil, who shook it.
"You might recognize our companions," Joyce said. "Tony Stark and Pepper Potts. Pepper is the mother of my daughter's best friend."
"Oh, really? I didn't realize that," Phil said, shaking their hands.
"Phil, are you eating alone?" Tony asked.
"Yes, I just moved to town and was in the mood for Italian," he said. "I don't mean to interrupt your double date."
"Oh, this is not a double date," Joyce said quickly.
Giles smiled. "I'll try not to take offense," he said.
"I'm sorry," Joyce said, flushing in embarrassment.
Tony just laughed and gestured to the waiter, who was hoovering nearby, waiting to see to his every need. "Please turn this table into a five top, so our friend here can join us."
"Oh, that's not necessary," Coulson said.
"It most certainly is," Tony said. "It's too depressing to see a guy eat alone on a Saturday night. Besides, how else can we learn all about you if you don't eat with us?"
Coulson smiled modestly. It was just too easy. He sat down at the end of the table with Joyce to his right and Pepper to his left. The server handed him a menu and sat a water down in front of him along with a silverware setting.
"History teacher, huh?" Tony asked. "So what's that like?"
"Not as exciting as being Iron Man," Coulson said with a smile.
Tony laughed. "I like you," he said. "It's good that you're at the school 'cause Rupert could use another ally. That principal is a real troll, I hear."
"He is one of a kind," Giles said as he sipped his wine.
"I still can't believe he tried to pin Kendra's murder on my daughter," Joyce said. "Or that for a minute I wondered if it was true."
Pepper winced. "How about we not talk about murders? Instead, we should show Phil some of the pictures you took on your trip to New York," Pepper said.
"Oh, well, sure, if you think you might like to see them?" Joyce asked Coulson, who nodded.
"Of course," he said. "Let me look at the menu a second."
While he was looking at the menu, Tony leaned over and whispered to Pepper, "Did you see the way Joyce looked at him? I think some one's hot for teacher."
Pepper bit back a grin but nodded. "Yes, I did. That's why I made my suggestion," she said, giving him a smug look.
Tony gave his lover a pleased smile and reached for a breadstick. He loved it when things seemed to be working out with very little effort on his part.
******Cordelia*****
Cordelia had enough of her own party, and she pulled her boyfriend up to her room after they had done the cake and gift opening. She had danced with Xander for a half hour, but now she was ready to be alone with him. They had drove around town in her new car, and then she had spent an hour driving several of her girlfriends. All of them were blown away by Tony's gift. Cordelia still couldn't believe that Tony had gotten her such an expensive car. She tried not to think about what he said about her dad and the threat of them losing their money.
"Xander, do you think you can open a safe deposit box at the bank for me?" she asked him as began taking off her eye make-up. He sat on her bed, his eyes meeting hers in the mirror.
"Well, sure. Do you think that's necessary?" he asked.
"I'm not taking any chances," she said. "Tony says because he bought the car and not my dad, the IRS can't touch it, and I'm sure he asked his lawyers. However, since all I have came from my parents, it won't be the same thing with the rest of my stuff. I want to start putting jewelry and things I've collected in the bank, but I'm afraid if I put it in my own name, they could take it."
"That makes sense," Xander said. "Are you thinking of selling some of your stuff, too?"
Cordelia nodded. "Yes," she said. "There's some really nice consignment stores in L.A. I have several handbags that I know I could get a few thousand for."
"Seriously?" Xander asked in shock. "That much for a purse?"
"Yep," she said with a grin. Then she turned and put her hands on his shoulder, straddling him. "Now, though, I would like you to give me something really special for my birthday."
"Didn't you like the bracelet I got you?" Xander asked.
"Of course, I did," she said, looking at the gold charm bracelet she was wearing. It had three charms on it. When he had given it to her, he had sweetly explained what each of them meant. One of an apple for New York, to remember their time there, one of a heart because she had his heart, and one of a crown because he thought of her as Queen C. "But I want something else."
"What?" he asked, not reading the room at all.
"You are so clueless sometime," she said, laughing as she reached back to untie her bikini top.
Xander's eyes widened as he stared at her naked breast. "You want to fool around? I'm game!" he said eagerly, his hands reaching for her boobs.
"Not exactly," she said. She got up and went to her nightstand and got out a small box. Then she handed it to him.
Xander was distracted by her bare chest and didn't look down at it.
"Open it, doofus," she ordered.
Xander tore his eyes away from his favorite sight and opened the box. He blinked, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. "Okay, so I recognize the box of condoms, but now sure what that is," he said, picking up the thing with pills in it.
"Those are the birth control pills I've been taking for the past two months," she said. "Do I need to paint you a picture?"
"Have you been having sex with someone and are trying to let me down easy by showing me your beautiful boobies?" he asked. "'Cause that's just mean—even for you, Cor."
She rolled her eyes. "No, doofus, I am trying to tell you that I am ready for us to have sex. That I have made preparations so that we don't have to worry about teenage pregnancy. Do you get it now?" she asked.
"Oh!" Xander exclaimed, his eyes wide. "Are you sure?"
She took the box from him and reached inside the condom box and pulled out a condom. "I am very sure. I love you, and I know you love me," she said.
"I do," he said. "Very much."
"I want you to be my first," she said. "I don't know if we'll be together forever or not—I'm not sure I believe in forever after, not after growing up in this hellhole. But we both know how short life can be. I wanted my first time to matter, and to be with a guy who matters. You matter, Xander."
Xander smiled, his heart filling with warmth at her words. She was abrasive and rude at times, but he was never bored. She made him crazy, and he was crazy about her. He kissed her, hoping she could feel how much her words meant to him. This was the moment that he and Jesse used to talk about for hours on end, and he was going to make it perfect for her.
Perfect for both of them.
She was his first, and he was her first.
First times were important, and he wanted her to know how much she mattered, too, to him. He kicked off his shoes and pulled off his t-shirt before pulling her on top of him. Then he very carefully made love to her, treating her like the treasure he believed she was the entire time.
There was a moment of awkward laughter when finally put the put the condom on him, and then he moved to be inside of her. Because he had made her come twice already, he slid in easily. Then he reached her barrier, and he looked at her carefully.
"Are you sure?" he asked, knowing it would kill him if she changed her mind. However, he'd find the strength to pull out if she said no.
"I am very sure," she said. Then she reached up to kiss him. "Go ahead. Pop my cherry already."
Xander laughed and did exactly what he was told, making it good for both of them even if he didn't last very long.
Cordelia Chase was legally an adult, and now she was a woman in the full meaning of the word.
Many moments later when she was wrapped in Xander's arms, she smiled as she drifted off to sleep.
It was exactly what she hoped it would be. If they didn't survive this year on the hellmouth, she knew that neither of them would have any regrets.
*****Chapter End*****