old4

DISCLAIMER: All hail Joss Whedon, UPN, the WB, FOX , Mutant Enemy and 20th Century Fox Film Corporation. Theirs not mine.

�Yeah.� Cordy gave her a thoughtful look. �But I think we can do even better.� She walked to the bathroom, returning with her vanity case.

Pulling out some makeup and a curling iron from her bag, she motioned for Tara to sit down at Buffy�s desk. �I want to add some sparkle to your cheeks, put a little curl in your hair. Are you ready for a little change?�

Tara smiled up at her. �Definitely.�

In the living room, Nanny Travers took detailed notes. �You prefer him to be held on demand, fed on demand, changed as necessary. No set sleep schedule.� She looked up at him. �So you wish me to do what the child wants when he wants it?�

�That�s correct,� said Angel, staring down at the child in his arms. �I don�t want him to feel neglected or unloved for one instant. The second that he cries, I want him to be held. To feel secure.�

�As you wish,� said the nanny. �I tend to agree with you sir. A happy child is a secure child.�

He handed her a piece of paper. �These are the numbers where you can reach us. My cell phone, Cordy�s, Buffy�s and Spike�s. Additionally, the number of the restaurant and the club are there. The number for Connor�s new pediatrician here in town, poison control, police and fire department.�

�You�re very thorough, sir. I�m sure that everything will be fine, but I will contact you with the slightest concern.� She looked up at him, the very picture of capability.

He smiled at her. �Do you need anything? Can I help with any arrangements?�

Nanny Travers shook her head. �No, Wesley arranged for my private accommodation in town and transportation. I�m all set up to stay as long as you need me.� She held out her arms for the baby. �Why don�t you go prepare for your evening? I�m perfectly capable of looking after Connor.�

Looking hesitant, Angel handed over the baby. As he stepped into the kitchen, he saw Spike drinking from a mug. He grabbed a bag of blood from refrigerator for himself.

�Great minds think alike.� Spike raised his mug. �So, is there a reason that you�re not telling anyone the nanny is a beastie of the godlike strength, setting things afire variety?�

�I don�t want to worry Cordelia. I�ll tell her later.� At Spike�s sidelong glance, he continued, �Really, I will. I just want to have one nice evening where nothing goes wrong.�

An hour later, Buffy slammed shut her door and turned the key in the ignition.

�Are you sure you want to drive, Buffy?� asked Tara nervously from the back. Her hair cascaded over her shoulders, tightly curled into ringlets. �I mean this thing is huge.�

Carefully, Buffy backed the Suburban down the driveway. �Dad said that he wanted me to drive something safe. Like a tank.�

�Which does kind of begs the question of why the niblet got the convertible,� said Spike drolly.

�Well, the convertible is huge too. Dawn is probably the only person under sixty with a Cadillac. Therefore,� said Buffy chirpily, �there is no need to draw any unflattering driving comparisons. No one is saying that Dawn is a better driver than I am.�

�I taught her how to drive, Buffy,� said Spike. �I can safely say that she is a much better driver than you are.�

�I�m a perfectly fine driver. Dawn can�t even drive yet without an adult in the car to watch out for her,� snapped Buffy.

�Stop sign!� Tara exclaimed loudly from the back. The truck screeched to a halt, barely stopped in time to avoid being clipped by another car. �Not a word,� said Buffy firmly. The rest of the ride took place in silence.

Cordelia was stunned by the ambiance of the Armory. �Wow, this place is really unbelievable.� Mahogany paneling accented stained glass windows. The floors were paved in gray cobblestones, with varying types of arms and armor hung on the walls.

The host led them to their table. Angel assisted Tara and Cordelia into their seats as Spike did the same for Buffy. They looked over their large burgundy leather menus. �These prices are insane, Angel,� murmured Cordy.

�It�s your birthday, Cordelia. The day that you were born was a very special day. It deserves to be celebrated,� he said, as he stared at her.

She looked over at him, eyes wide. �Thank you,� she said quietly.

The waiter came and took their orders, then came back with a bottle of champagne. After they were served, Angel raised his glass. �To Cordelia.�

�To Cordelia!� they all chorused, clinking their glasses.

Three bottles of champagne later, things had become progressively less sophisticated. �I kissed a girl once,� said Buffy. �It was at summer camp. Her name was Amanda. She had really soft lips.�

Cordelia handed her empty glass to Angel, who refilled it. �I kissed a girl at summer camp, too! I can�t remember her name, but she had the prettiest hair. It was a deep rich red, like Willow�s.�

At the mention of Willow�s name, the effervescence faded from the mood. Buffy and Tara both looked sad. The two men shared a look. Spike clapped his hands and stood up. �Let�s go girls. The Bronze is calling. Time to go shake your moneymakers.�

.