Chapter 18/Epilogue
| A Simple Act of Faith
Chapter 18/Epilogue |
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“They’re coming!” Lilah screamed out. She nearly fell off the ladder where she was stringing Christmas lights around the Hyperion. Luckily Doyle was standing beneath her and caught her.
“Watch it lass.” He said and smiled at her. Lilah smiled back in return. He carried her down the ladder.
“They’re early,” Angel, said, looking at his watch.
“I love Christmas,” Lilah said and smiled. “It was never this fun when I was a child.” Lilah had recovered from her catatonia, but the trauma from the time in hell had turned her into somewhat of a child. Angel considered her a good version of Drusilla. She had lost all of her maliciousness. Angel hoped that she would regain her intelligence, but not her viciousness.
The door of the Hyperion opened and Faith, Lindsey, Lilith, and Alex came in. They were holding plates of food and gifts.
“Where’s the tree?” Faith asked and dumped her entire load at the front desk.
“Right here,” said a voice from behind them. Gunn had entered holding a Christmas tree.
“Gunn!” Angel said. He was surprised to see him. Gunn had kept his distance in the last month.
“It’s a gift—“ he sad, “But I can only stay for a few minutes.”
“Stay as long as you like.”
“It’s so big!” Lilah said and laughed. “Hello, Lindsey.”
Lindsey smiled. “Hello Lilah,” he said, giving her a slight kiss on the cheek. Despite Lilah’s trauma, she seemed to understand that Lindsey was the one who rescued her that awful place.
Faith came over to Lindsey and put her arms around her.
“So how are you guys doing?” Angel asked.
“Good,” Faith said. “We’ve seen a movie every week,” she explained. “Next week, we’re going to third base.”
Lindsey laughed. “Lilith keeps playing counselor.”
“I do not!” Lilith yelled out as she helped Gunn with the tree.
Angel laughed slightly.
“You’re looking good, Angel,” Faith said.
“It must be all that saving the world,” he replied.
“Speaking of which,” Alex commented. “All the paperwork has gone through. My old place is sold. On January 1, I will own the Hyperion. That will keep Wolfram and Hart from stealing the place.”
“That means you have to be nice, lad,” Doyle said. “She’s your landlord.”
“I will be,” Angel replied and smiled.
“Lindsey and I will be getting our own apartment,” Faith explained. “Nearby-- Hope you understand?”
“As long as we’re all working together to stop the darkness. I was hoping to see Kate and Lina. I invited them.”
“Lina’s grandmother and Kate aren’t sure,” Faith explained. “Lina’s grandmother went ballistic when we told her about us working with you. Lina still wants too, but I don’t think she wants to upset her grandmother.”
Angel did not reply. But he had learned. Not everyone was ready to trust and forgive him.
“But we’re with you,” Faith said, putting her arm around Lindsey and pulling him close. Lindsey was happy to return the embrace.
Fin