Summary: Just another of them fics where Buffy and Angel get it together. But if you want more details then Buffy and Angel get together (he’s still a vampire though) but he leaves again. As a reward he becomes part human. He goes to her she turns him away cos she’s still hurt but in the end they get together.
Disclaimer: The characters belong to Joss etc etc etc The songs belong to Westlife and Faith Hill.
Feedback: Always!!!
NB: Neither Joyce nor Buffy died. Willow is in the beginning of this but she is not in the majority of this, she went off to find Oz although it is not mentioned in the story.
*****************************************
“Buffy quit obsessing about this okay Alex will notice.”
“Angel is coming to town how can I relax?”
“Buffy it’s a quick ‘hi oh demons dead let’s go home.’”
“I know but it’s Angel.”
“You love Alex don’t you?”
“Yeah Alex has nothing to do with this, I do love him but I never stopped loving Angel. Plus I’m scared Alex has no idea about me and if he gets into my world he could be killed or worse he could be like…”
“Riley? He wouldn’t. Riley was a jerk and you didn’t love him at all. But Alex isn’t a jerk and you do love him. I mean you even told me your main Riley problem was he was boring and so predictable, Alex definitely isn’t.”
“Are you hinting at the car he bought me 3 days ago?”
“Yeah! Hot little number or what! It way beats Giles’ car.”
“I can’t drive all that well.”
“So and anyway your driving not the issue. Alex is gorgeous and funny and sweet and spontaneous and rich and totally head over for you. And you love him how much better can a guy get.”
“I know. There is sparkage and definitely passion. Another thing missing from Riley and me. He’s perfect I can’t think of a thing wrong with Alex. He’s just perfect.”
“For you?”
“I hope so. Maybe then I can deal with Angel.”
*********************************
It was 2 days later and the gang were at the Bronze. Angel and the rest of the AI team were due any minute and Buffy was completely calm which shocked her friends.
“He’s here.” Willow turned to her best friend.
“You can still feel him.”
“Yeah.” It was then they AI team came through the door. They came over.
“Hey guys. This is Gunn and Fred. Gunn is my fiancée and Fred and Wesley are an item.”
“Wow Cordy congrats.” Everyone seemed to notice the tension at the table. Xander grabbed Anya’s hand and led her to the dance floor closely followed by Cordy and Gunn. Willow, Fred and Wesley headed to the bar. Angel sat with Buffy in silence for a while.
“Buffy…you wanna dance?” Buffy looked at her still incredibly handsome ex boyfriend and nodded. He stood and held his hand out for hers. It was at times like this his 18th Century upbringing showed. He was the only guy Buffy knew who would still open doors for ladies and insist on paying for everything. He was a complete gentleman in every way. When her hand rested on his the sparks that shot through her body shocked and disappointed her while pleasing at the same time. They walked to the dance floor where Angel pulled her close. Losing herself to familiarity Buffy rested her head against his shoulder. The closeness of him sending chills down her spine and she wondered how she had ever forgotten how good his touch felt. The conversation with Willow about Alex was gone from her mind as she danced with Angel each bolt of electricity through her body that being close to him created made her realise how much she loved him. There was no one in this world more perfect for her than him and yet he was so wrong for her too. Buffy realised now the real reason as to why she remembered nothing about how his touch and closeness affected her was because she had blocked it all from her mind. She remembered all the pain his leaving had caused and she had blocked it away since it was the only way for her to live without him. Angel tilted her head up so they were looking into each other’s eyes.
“Eyes
Like a sunrise
Like a rainfall
Down my soul
And I wonder
I wonder why you look at me like that
What you're thinking
What's behind
Don't tell me
But it feels like love
I'm gonna take this moment
And make it last forever
I'm gonna give my heart away
And pray we'll stay together
Cause you're the one good reason
You're the only girl that I need
Cause you're more beautiful than I have ever seen
I'm gonna take this night
And make it Evergreen
Touch
Like a angel
Like velvet to my skin
And I wonder
Wonder why you wanna stay the night
What you're dreaming
What's behind
Don't tell me
But it feels like love
I'm gonna take this moment
And make it last forever
I'm gonna give my heart away
And pray we'll stay together
Cause you're the one good reason
You're the only girl that I need
Cause you're more beautiful than I have ever seen
I'm gonna take this night
And make it Evergreen
(Don't tell me
But it feels like love)
I'm gonna take this moment
And make it last forever
I'm gonna give my heart away
And pray we'll stay together
Cause you're the one good reason
You're the only girl that I need
Cause you're more beautiful than I have ever seen
I'm gonna take this night
And make it Evergreen.” Angel looked so sweet while singing to her. Like Romeo
serenading his Juliet. But the moment was lost when he lost his softness and
that look was replaced by an apologetic one.
“Buffy I’m so sorry.” He looked frozen for a moment and then dropped her from his embrace and hurried from the club. Buffy felt dazed and almost winded even. She ran after him.
“You don’t have to take that moment and make it last forever. Cos we can go one step better and just have more of those moments forever.”
“Buffy…” his expression was pained.
“No let me talk, you left and you didn’t ask me what I wanted what was best for me. Well now I’m telling you. There is no one is this world that affects me like you do. And I will never love anyone like I love you. So please don’t tell me all the reasons we shouldn’t be together cos I don’t care about them cos none of them are as important as how we feel. Angel if you’re worried then we can take it slow, I mean for a while we’ll have to do the long distance thing anyway but…” Angel moved swiftly and within seconds had wrapped her in his embrace and softly placed his lips on hers. The words she had been about to say fell dead in her throat as they shared a sweet yet passionate kiss.
*************************
Buffy couldn’t believe he was doing this, he was leaving her all over again. It was like he enjoyed the pain he caused her. And he had the same reasons. If these reasons stood now why did he even agree to get back together. He was stood there about to get in his car and leave her alone again.
“Didn't I make you
feel
Like you were the only man
And didn't I give you everything
That a woman possibly can
Each time I tell myself I think I've had enough
Well I'm gonna show you baby that a woman can be tough
So come on, come on, come on and
Take it
Take another little piece of my heart now baby
I know you will
Break it
Break another little piece of my heart now baby
'Cause you know you got it if it makes you feel good, so good.” He looked right
at her, but for once she couldn’t read his eyes. But then it all became clear.
He believed he was doing this for her own good and the words she was singing
were hurting him. She should have stopped. She knew how bad it felt to be hurt
by the person you love but she didn’t. She decided in one moment of pure spite
that he deserved to find out how painful it was to be hurt by the person you
love.
“You're out on the street lookin' good
Baby deep down in your heart you know that it ain't right
No you'll never hear me cryin'
You know I cry all the time
Each time I tell myself that I can't stand the pain
You hold me in your arms and I start singin' once again
So come on, come on, come on and
Take it
Take another little piece of my heart now baby
I know you will
Break it
Break another little piece of my heart now baby
'Cause you know you got it if it makes you feel good, so good
Each time I tell myself that I can't stand the pain
You hold me in your arms and I start singin' once again
So come on, come on, come on
Take it
Take another little piece of my heart now baby
I know you will
Break it
Break another little piece of my heart now baby
'Cause you know you got it if it makes you feel good, so good.” As she watched
the car go she realised how wrong she was for hurting him with such awful
words. After all she had sent him to hell, he couldn’t do anything to her,
which would top that. But by the time she’d realised it, it was too late and he
was gone again.
******************************
“Angel!” Angel on her doorstep was one shock but Angel on her doorstep at mid afternoon on a hot summer’s day would have given her heart failure if she had been older. “What the hell is going on?”
“A little reward. It’s not my Shanshu cos still hard to hurt and great healing. I still have a lot of strength but can be in sun and have a heartbeat.”
“And you’re here because?”
“Because I thought…”
“Yeah well last time you came wanting that, I gave it to you and you broke my heart again so I’m not gonna offer it. Angel you might be human sorta but you’re still you and sooner or later nobility will take over and you’ll leave me again. No thanks. Congratulations, bye.” Buffy slammed the door shut. She could hardly believe that it had been Angel out there and the fact she’d slammed the door shut in his face had shocked her even more but how could he just come back after 3 months saying hey I’m sorta human let’s try again. The pain from last time was still so raw she couldn’t go through it again. Once was hard twice was almost unbearable three times would kill her. Angel was surprised to say the least by Buffy’s reaction. When he’d found out that he actually needed to breathe he’d rushed to the Oracles. They had explained. He gone to the hotel and told them he was going to Sunnydale. Cordy had tried to warn him that Buffy wouldn’t be receptive to him but he being him hadn’t listened and had jumped in his car. Of course Buffy wouldn’t listen what had he been thinking of. He’d hurt her before and she wouldn’t let it happen again. Maybe this was the end to what was not so fondly known as ‘The Buffy/Angel Saga.’
******************************
It had been a month since Angel had shown up on her doorstep human. She had sent him away, but what did he expect her to do. She had needed time and now she’d had it. All she wanted was him. So that’s why she was driving to LA. She could have called and told him she was coming but this would be a surprise, one of the nicest kind she hoped.
“Damn these old
wheels
Rolling too slow
I stare down this white line
With so far to go
Headlights keep coming
Loneliness humming along
Who poured this rain
Who made these clouds
I stare through this windshield
Thinking out loud
Time keeps on crawling
Love keeps on calling me home
I'd jump all these mountains and take to the skies
Sail through the heavens with stars in my eyes
If my heart had wings
I would fly to you and lie
Beside you as you dream
If my heart had wings
We both committed
We both agreed
You do what you have to, to get what you need
Feeling you near me with so many miles in between
Lord, it ain't easy out here in the dark
To keep us together so far apart
If my heart had wings
I would fly to you and lie
Beside you as you dream
If my heart had wings
Stuck on this circle
Spinning around
Cut loose from this rope
That's tying me down
If my heart had wings
I would fly to you and lie
Beside you as you dream
If my
If my heart had wings
I would fly to you and lie
Beside you as you dream
If my heart had wings.” She pulled up outside the hotel, surprised at the
amount of cars. She ran up the steps and looked inside. The lobby was full of
people with a buffet table on the desk. On one side hung a banner that read
‘CONGRATULATIONS ANGEL AND ANNIE.’ Angel and Annie? Buffy could hardly breathe
as the reality of the situation hit her. She felt like she’d just been punched
in the gut. She turned and moved slowly back to her car. She sat inside for a
while before making her journey home.
*****************************
So that’s how she got here, at Angels’ wedding. Of course she’d been here before a million times or more except she’d always been the one to say ‘I do.’ But they were the dreams she’d held before the world she now belonged to had claimed the last of her innocence. But then again she mused she could have been the one walking down the aisle but when he had come back to her, human, she had sent him away. When they’d got back together she had asked him if he would stay through thick and thin etc, he said he would but then he’d left just like before. That had been so hard, was she seriously expected to welcome him back with open arms after he’d broken her heart. AGAIN! Everyone started going in and Dawn and Xander both clutched one of her hands. She smiled at her sister and her best friends. The group stopped at the door and waited in the small line of people going in. Cordy, Fred and Gunn were stood at the door. Buffy had found in past meetings with the AI team that they were all nice and she got on well with them except Cordy who was a little frosty.
“Hi guys.”
“Hey”
“Hello.”
“Hi Buffy and everyone. I have to say I’m surprised you’re here. I mean Angel’s wedding and everything. Not that I blame you for turning him away when he turned, in fact I would have done the same. I will tell you all right now Annie is a…”
“Cordy I thought we all agreed none of the guests needed to hear what we think.”
“Yeah but it’s them, they’re more than just guests, they’re like us. She’s a bitch!” They stood silent for a moment after Cordy’s revelation. Maybe it was just her imagination or was Cordy actually being very friendly towards her. They all filed in on the groom’s side. The wedding march started. Buffy turned to look at her, she was a brunette and had a businesswoman look to her, but she was beautiful in her own way. She turned to the front and saw him. He was looking straight down the aisle at his bride. Buffy had hoped that at some point in the ceremony he would sneak a glance at her but his eyes remained focused on his bride. Watching the two recite vows of everlasting love broke Buffy’s heart. She was furious that whatever that man did he could break her heart. The reception was equally as painful. They danced and smiled at each other. Angel never even paid attention to her. He went round circulating with people, which Buffy thought was very unAngel, and yet avoided her. She sat all the night in a quiet corner avoiding the scenes that were breaking her heart. Anya and Xander danced. Giles and Olivia danced too. Dawn was taken up with some member of Angel’s wife’s family. Buffy nearly choked on that thought. It hurt so much.
“Wanna dance?”
“What about Anya?”
“Well she’s tired, pregnancy and everything.” Xander gave me a lopsided grin and held his hand out to her. She took it and stood. They went onto the dance floor. They began to sway to the music.
“So how is she?”
“She’s okay. How are you?”
“Why did I come?”
“Only you know that.”
“Why did you come?”
“You know that too.”
“Cos I came. I hate the fact that he’s married. He left me twice and he suddenly becomes human and wants me to be his again. I couldn’t just do that I needed time. Angel always knew me so well and yet when that time had passed I went to see him.”
“You what? You never said.”
“I drove to LA and I went into the hotel. It was busy. Little party going on. It was their engagement party. 2 months after I send him away he’s engaged. Why didn’t he know I just needed time? He always knew me best, sometimes better than I knew me.”
“I can’t tell you Buff, but it’s so definitely his lose.”
“Probably not the popular theory in this room.” He grinned his sweet, normal, lopsided, comfortable Xander grin at her and they swayed to the music in silence. Near the end of the song she felt a light tap on her shoulder.
“May I cut in?” Xander looked at her and although she never looked round she knew it was him. She was so torn at that moment, he’d ignored her all day and now he wanted to dance, of course the other part was saying it’s his wedding he can’t spend the whole day with someone else. She nodded at Xander and he walked over to Anya sending her a secret glance every now and then to check she was okay. Angel swept her into his arms and it felt so right, so familiar. But then again it was familiar, they’d been like this so many times. Close together. But never like this never before had their hearts beat next to each other.
“I’m glad you came.”
“Yeah well I don’t why I did, one moment of stupidity I guess.”
“Buffy…”
“No Angel let me let go.
I thought it was
over, baby
We said our goodbyes
But I can't go a day without your face
Goin' through my mind
In fact, not a single minute
Passes without you in it
Your voice, your touch, memories of your love
Are with me all of the time
Let me let go, baby
Let me let go
If this is for the best
Why are you still in my heart
Are you still in my soul
Let me let go
I talked to you today
Looks like you make your escape
You put us behind, no matter how I try
I can't do the same
Let me let go, baby
Let me let go
It just isn't right
I've been two thousand miles
Down a dead-end road
Let me let go, darlin', won't you
I just gotta know, yeah
If this is for the best
Why are you still in my heart
Are you still in my soul
Let me let go
The lights of this strange city are shinin'
But they don't hold no fascination for me
I try to find the bright side, baby
But everywhere I look
Everywhere I turn
You're all I see
Let me, let me let go, baby, won't you
Let me let go
It just isn't right
I've been two thousand miles
Down a dead-end road
Oh, let me let go, darlin', won't you
I just gotta know
If this is for the best
Why are you still in my heart
Yeah, you're still in my soul, let me let go
Let me let go, let me let go.” She moved from his embrace and looked at him. “I
hope that you have a good marriage Angel. Goodbye.” She turned and hurried
away. Xander had been watching them both and grabbed his pregnant wife’s hand
and pulled her after him.
“Dawn come now we’re
going.”
“What, why?”
“Now!” Dawn looked apologetically
at the boy she was dancing with and then hurried after them all. The trip home
was in silence with Buffy staring out the window.
****************************
2 Years Later
There wasn’t a day
that went by that Angel didn’t think about his wedding night. But not for the
reasons he should, the only reason he could even remember how the night went
and how Annie had looked was from the numerous pictures. Not for the first time
Angel wondered how he’d gotten into such an awful life. When he’d met Annie he
had been so hurt by Buffy turning him away. But after his wedding night he
realised something he should have known all along, maybe he had known it though
and just been too hurt to see it, but she had only needed time. But no he had
returned to LA and met Annie in a bar. They had had a drink together and she
had asked him out. They had dated on and off and then she proposed. He’d agreed
without thinking about it. The rational side of him had told him it was stupid
that it was too soon etc but he hadn’t listened. Now he was stuck in a
nightmare. Annie was so demanding. Always working and when she wasn’t working
she was at some party thrown by work where he must attend in a monkey suit. He
hardly ever had time to see his friends and when they had some free time it was
usually spent with her family. Who he hated they were all so pushy and noisy.
Of course it was easy to see where Annie got it from after meeting them. She
didn’t want him to be Angel, she had even tried to get him to change it to Liam.
Of course he hadn’t told her about the vampire thing but she had asked if Angel
was his real name and Cordy had let it slip that Liam was. She had told all her
family that he was called Liam and so they and her called him it. He was stuck
in a job she had deemed worthy of her husband’s time, a job that he couldn’t
stand. Too many people, too impersonal and too boring. It had held his interest
for about an hour but he’d been there since they had married. But back to the
reason he remembered his wedding night, it was the sweet blond girl, the only
woman he could and would ever love. His Buffy. The tears of hurt in her eyes
and the words that had come from her mouth. She did love him and he had been
too blind to see all she needed was time, instead he’d gotten himself stuck in
a place he hated, dreaming of her. Of happier times, when they’d kissed. He
found his mind drifting back to that day, that forgotten day. Part of him had
been angry that she had forgotten it but then he thought that the Oracles had
made it that way.
“Thinking about her
again.” Annie’s voice cut through his thoughts and he again had to return to
the life he was in, not the one he had once been in and walked away from so
blindly.
Buffy sat thinking
about Angel. She was glanced at Paul. Her boyfriend, not for much longer. She
was packing her things. She had ended the relationship and was leaving his
apartment. He’d been her boyfriend for a little over a year. He was nice but he
wasn’t Angel. But then again no one was Angel. Buffy had tried so hard to get
over him and find somebody new but she was slowly accepting that no one would
hold her heart like he did.
“Suddenly she's
Leaving
Suddenly the
Promise of love has gone
Suddenly
Breathing seems so hard to do
Carefully you
Planned it
I got to know just
A minute to late, oh girl
now I understand it
All the times we
Made love together
Baby you were thinking of him
Why do I love you
Don't even want to
Why do I love you like I do
Like I always do
You should've told me
Why did you have to be untrue (love you like I do)
Why do I love you like I do.” She looked at him as he sang those words he was
so sure she couldn’t hear. She felt bad, but she’d tried so hard to get over
Angel and couldn’t. He was married for god’s sake what chance did she have, but
that didn’t stop her, nothing stopped her.
”Ain't gonna show no
Weakness
I'm gonna smile
And tell the whole world I'm fine
I'm gonna keep my senses
But deep down
When no one can hear me
Baby I'll be crying for you
Why do I love you
Don't even want to
Why do I love you like I do
Like I always do
You should've told me
Why did you have to be untrue (love you like I do)
Why do I love you like I do
Can't go back
Can't erase
Baby your smiling face oh no
I can think of nothing else but you
Suddenly
Why do I love you
Don't even want to
Why do I love you like I do
Like I always do
You should've told me
Why did you have to be untrue (love you like I do)
Why do I love you like I do.” God he loved her, he didn’t even know who he was.
Hell he didn’t even know there was a he. It was a feeling that her heart was
never his. That it had been taken long before they met. That he was just second
best. She had broken it off, he had known it would happen that it should
happen. He had wanted to be the one to do it since he knew she didn’t love him.
But because he loved her so much he couldn’t he just wasn’t able to let go. He
watched her as she grabbed her duffel bag and swung the strap onto her
shoulder. She was wearing black jogging bottoms and a black sports top. She had
a purple sports jacket over it. She looked so normal and down to earth to
everyone except him, even if she was wearing a paper bag to him she would look
beautiful.
“I’m sorry Paul, I
tried.” She placed her hands on his shoulders and pushed herself onto her
tiptoes and kissed him softly. She walked away and all he could do was watch
her. At the end of the hall she turned.
“Goodbye Paul.” He
couldn’t watch and couldn’t say goodbye either so he just went inside their,
his apartment.
***********************
Buffy walked in the
door to her mother’s home to be greeted by her over joyful sister.
“Buffy I know break
up is bad but you’re home and that is so cool cos we can have girls’ nights and
stuff.”
“Dawn can we talk
about this later, I just wanna veg and eat a tub of Ben and Jerry’s?”
“Sure, wait Buffy a
letter came for you today. It’s like someone knew you were coming home.” Dawn
handed her a letter and Buffy took it and went to her room. She let the bag
drop to the floor and flopped onto her bed. She laid for a while not really
thinking about anything in particular. She then sat up and looked at the
envelope. The handwriting was vaguely familiar to her. Then she realised it was
from LA. The only person in LA she knew that would write to her was her dad,
but then again would he really write to her? She ripped the envelope open to
find a piece of paper with 4 words written on it. ‘Let Me Let Go.’ The words
brought back memories she’d rather forget, memories of Angel’s wedding. Angel
had left LA though so why send her this. There was no doubt in her mind that it
was Angel who had sent her this note. She picked up the phone.
“Hey Xand, it’s me.
Do you still talk to Cordy? Good can you tell me why I’ve got a letter from LA
today? Cos it’s from Angel and he doesn’t live there…What? Why didn’t you tell
me? I understand…okay bye.” So Angel was divorced, wow. She grabbed a pen and
turned the paper over and wrote on it. She then shoved it back in the envelope
and wrote RETURN TO SENDER on it.
********************
“Angel there’s
something for you. It’s your letter to Sunnydale.” Angel came in and took the
letter Cordy was holding out for him. It hurt to read the words on the
envelope. But then he looked at it and she had opened it. He opened it and took
out the piece of paper. He looked at what he’d written but could see letters
showing through from the other side. He turned it over to find one word written
on it, which made his heart soar. ‘Ditto.’ He grabbed the phone and dialled the
number he still knew by heart.
“Hello.”
“Angel?”
“Buffy?”
“I got your note.”
“Ditto.”
“I talked to Xander,
he told me about… I’m sorry.”
“I’m not, I
shouldn’t have married her. I didn’t love her, how could I love her when I never
stopped loving you? Buffy the only reason I remember my wedding reception is
cos of what you said to me. Of the hurt in your eyes. Buffy I’m sorry I should
have waited instead of rushing into a marriage I can’t stand.”
“Wow, still love me
hub?”
“Yeah, you just
won’t let go of my heart.”
“Ditto. When I got
your letter it was the day I’d moved home again. I broke up with Paul and I
moved to my mom’s again. The reason I broke up with him is cos…”
“Cos you still love
me as much as I love you.”
“Yeah.”
***********************
The very same day Buffy was driving to LA to see the man she loved. She arrived and he was waiting for her, outside in the bright sun. It was a sight that made her heart beat an extra beat from all the joy she was feeling. She launched herself into his arms and they held each other. No words were spoken as he lifted her up and took her to his bedroom. They lay together on his bed and talked until late in the night, both felt the pull of sleep drawing them. Angel showed Buffy to the room next to his and returned to his own room, having her so close to him was torture but he wouldn’t push her. Angel woke after about 6 hours rest and felt her pull on him. He got up and went into the room next to his where he watched her sleep for a few moments before entering into the bed besides her. Angel slowly raised a hand to gently caress the side of her face, and then her neck, as her whole body seemed to be tingling with his touch.
"You woke up," he said in a low seductive voice, "I wonder why." She grinned at him.
*
His body lay comfortably on top of hers, his cock still inside her.
"Are you alright?" he asked her, his breathing almost as heavy as hers. Her response was a tender kiss to his neck, as she encircled one arm around him, mildly stroking his upright muscular back. Angel closed his eyes, breathing in her sweet fragrance.
“I can feel the
magic floating in the air
Being with you gets me that way
I watch the sunlight dance
across your face and I've
Never been this swept away
All my thoughts seem to settle on the breeze
When I'm lying wrapped up in your arms
The whole world just fades away
The only thing I hear
Is the beating of your heart
'Cause I can feel you breathe
It's washing over me
Suddenly I'm melting into you
There's nothing left to prove
Baby all we need is just to be
Caught up in the touch
The slow and steady rush
Baby, isn't that the way that love's supposed to be
I can feel you breathe
Just breathe” Buffy breathed these words to the man she loved and he returned
her feelings and words.
”In a way I know my heart is waking up
As all the walls come tumbling down
I'm closer than I've ever felt before
And I know
And you know
There's no need for words right now
'Cause I can feel you breathe
It's washing over me
Suddenly I'm melting into you
There's nothing left to prove
Baby all we need is just to be
Caught up in the touch
The slow and steady rush
Baby, isn't that the way that love's supposed to be
I can feel you breathe
Just breathe
Caught up in the touch
The slow and steady rush
Baby, isn't that the way that love's supposed to be
I can feel you breathe
Just breathe
I can feel the magic floating in the air
Being with you gets me that way.” They fell into a contented sleep.
***********************
Buffy was waiting for Angel to return to the hotel. He and Gunn had decided to go to the gym today. Angel had explained to her that although he had more strength than an average human he still needed to work out to build his strength up to what it had been. As soon as he was back they were going to go to Sunnydale and tell her friends and her mom that they were finally back together. Angel and Gunn walked in together and Angel wrapped his arms round the blond who jumped up to greet him. Buffy grinned in her lover's arms, and turned around to face him
“Can you get a shower now please so we can go?” He kissed her.
"You don't like me sweaty?" She took a second to ponder it.
"Oh, but you know I do," Buffy grinned, running her hands up and down his back, "but mom's gonna see you for the first time tonight, and I REALLY don't want my mother, to meet you…like that," she added. He beamed and kissed her nose.
"Honey, your mother won't like me, no matter how I look." Buffy stood on her tiptoes and put her hands on his shoulders, looking him straight in the eye.
"Get your butt into the shower," she whispered in a low tone, "now."
"Well, if you ask me like that…" Angel contemplated for a second, "no," he shook his head. Buffy eyed him suspiciously. Angel pulled her closer.
"But there's a way that will convince me," he whispered in a seductive voice, his lips only inches away from hers. Buffy's gaze reflected her utter acceptance of his invitation and she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.
"Then I guess I'll better try it," she whispered, closing the almost nonexistent gap between their lips.
*********************
The meeting with her friends and family went exactly how Buffy and Angel had expected it to. Her mother hated it. Her sister jumped for joy. Xander was pretty much neutral which for Angel was the only surprise. Of course he put it down being married and in love and so no longer in love with Buffy. He had even agreed to let them both stay at his place since Joyce had downright refused to have him in her house and Buffy had refused to be without him. She was upset and Angel knew it must be really bad since she never let him see her upset when it was about how her friends and family felt about him. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight.
“Living
Only for a moment
All I ever wanted
Is right here in my hands
Some will say
That we’re sure to fall
Try to build their walls
Between us, yeah
No way over it
No way around it
If we want it
We have to go through it
Fight for love
And the world tries to break us down
But the world will bend
And the fight will end
Love will always win
Hold on
’Til we see tomorrow
There is time to borrow
’Til we own our own
Walk on
And our hearts will lead us
But our hearts will need us
To be steady and strong
So we can stand
And face the fire
Burning higher
Surrounding us, yeah
No way over it
No way around it, boy
If we want it
We have to go through it
Fight for love
And the world tries to break us down
Oh, but the world will bend
And the fight will end
Love will always win
No way over it
No way around it
If we want it
We have to go through it
Fight for love
And the world
Tries to break us down
But the world will bend
Ooh
And the fight will end
The world will bend
And the fight will end
Love will always win.” Buffy smiled at the man she loved, the man who could
make the sun shine for her whatever the weather. She laughed inwardly at her
corny assessment of the situation.
“You turn around
Then you ask me behind tears of doubt
Just what do I see in you
Please don't cry
I know sometimes it seems we barely get by
But you don't see how much you do
To get me through
When the world is cold
And I need a friend to hold
You give me love
You give me love
And when my hope is gone
And I feel I can't go on
You pick me up
You give me love
You give me love
I apologize
If I never told you what you are in my eyes
Oh baby, let me tell you now
Every day
Looks sweeter knowing you'll be there in every way
Now how can you say that's not enough
'Cause when the world is cold
And I need a friend to hold
You give me love
You give me love
And when my hope is gone
And it feels I can't go on
You pick me up
You give me love
You give me
Everything my heart desires
Morning sun and midnight fires
Someone there to share my dreams
With you I have everything
When the world is cold
And I need a friend to hold
You give me love
You give me love
And when my hope is gone
And I feel I can't go on
You pick me up
You give me love
You give me love
Yeah, when my world is cold
And I need a friend to hold me
You give me love
You give me love
And when my hope is gone
And I feel I can't go on
You pick me up
You give me love .” He held her tight and she leant her head against his broad
chest. They both knew in that second that their love would be strong enough. If
it had lasted this long through so many obstacles then they could definitely
get over an obstinate parent.
************************
Buffy was hurting, a lot. She had expected her mother to disapprove but never expected anything like this. Her mother just refused to speak to her. The only thing that made her feel a little better was the fact that Xander was sorta accepting. Anya found it nice having Angel around cos she had someone to talk about, and they had met up before so they could reminisce a lot. Angel had gone out for something, he’d not told her what though but she suspected it had something to do with her upcoming birthday tomorrow. Birthdays Buffy had learned were never good, well for her anyway. Something terrible always happened and with things this way between her and her family she feared this one would be no exception. Xander and Anya were out too. Buffy had the feeling they were all out at the same time for a reason since none of them had told her where they were going, even Anya had managed to keep her mouth shut. There was a knock at the door, which Buffy jumped to answer since she was going out of her mind stuck here alone.
“Dawn!”
“Hey Buffy. I’m sorry that I haven’t been before but mom said that I would get thrown out if I spoke to you so I had to wait until she finally stopped her work leave and went back to the gallery.” Buffy moved to let her sister in and they both sat in Xander’s front room.
“So mom is still not talking to me ever again.”
“Give her some time and she will. But I have to tell you what I think. And I think that this is the best thing ever. I know how totally bummed you were when he left, both times and at his wedding and after his wedding and so…I’m glad you’re happy and I know mom doesn’t see it that way but she will, just give her time.”
“She won’t Dawn, she’ll never see it that way.”
“Sure she will.”
“Dawn there’s something you don’t know. When Angel left the first time it was after mom had been to talk to him. To ask him to ‘do the right thing.’”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Dawnie I can’t stay at Xander’s forever. And I can’t go home so I either get my own place or if Angel asks I’ll move in with him.”
“To LA?”
“Yeah.”
“Well that would work out good. Cos I got my acceptance letter today. I’m going to UCLA!” Buffy stared at her sister for a while, the words not quite sinking in.
“Dawn don’t rush into a decision cos of me.”
“Buffy I’m not when I applied for UCLA I thought that you were Sunnydale material. But can I ask about the hellmouth?”
“Sure I mean I thought about it and if there is some big emergency I can drive here. Besides I’m the only Slayer to ever live on the hellmouth so it obviously isn’t necessary to stay right on it.”
“Buffy I am so glad you’re so happy. I have to go cos mom calls to check up on me, or to check I’m not talking to you, but I will be leaving in about 2 months so I probably won’t be able to see you until then. And I want to say Happy Birthday for tomorrow and I hope you get to LA soon.” The sister stood and embraced and then Dawn left.
************************
Angel’s surprise for Buffy had been the most expensive and romantic restaurant in town. They had the most wonderful evening until Angel got up in the middle of their dessert and came to kneel by Buffy.
“Buffy I know we’ve only been back together for a few weeks but I’ve loved you for 11 years now and so I think this can hardly be classed as rushing into something, in fact I think this is called being late. Buffy I want to be with you forever cos ever since I met you, you’re all I can think about and no one in the world can compare to you.
Another day
Without your smile
Another day just passes by
But now I know
How much it means
For you to stay
Right here with me
The time we spent apart will make our love grow stronger
But it hurt so bad I can't take it any longer
I wanna grow old with you
I wanna die lying in your arms
I wanna grow old with you
I wanna be looking in your eyes
I wanna be there for you
Sharing everything you do
I wanna grow old with you
A thousand miles between us now
It causes me to wonder how
Our love tonight remains so strong
It makes our risk right all along
The time we spent apart will make our love grow stronger
But it hurt so bad I can't take it any longer
I wanna grow old with you
I wanna die lying in your arms
I wanna grow old with you
I wanna be looking in your eyes
I wanna be there for you
Sharing everything you do
I wanna grow old with you
Things can come and go I know but
Baby I believe
Something's burning strong between us
Makes it clear to me
I wanna grow old with you
I wanna die lying in your arms
I wanna grow old with you
I wanna be looking in your eyes
I wanna be there for you
Sharing everything you do
I wanna grow old with you.” He then produced a small black box, which he opened
to reveal a small gold ring with a diamond surrounded in small emeralds.
“Marry me.” The breath caught in Buffy’s throat as she stared at the engagement ring Angel was holding out to her. She had thought this was finally the birthday that would be different, and it had been apart from her mother not talking to her it had been better than any birthday she had ever had but now as she stared at the man she loved and reflected on the words he had uttered to her she realised this was the greatest birthday anyone could have and regardless or whether or not her mother was talking to her she was the happiest person in the world right now. She stood and flung her arms round his neck.
“You stupid, stupid man. Did you have to ask me? Do you really need to hear me say the words to know my answer? Angel I love you so much and ever since the day I met you I have dreamed about this moment. Of becoming your wife. It’s all I ever wanted. Yes I will marry you and I don’t care what anyone else thinks cos they don’t matter, none of them matter. Nothing matters except you.” They held each other as the restaurant broke out in applause, but it was all lost on the couple as they held on to the person they loved that they had finally got.
**********************
"Let me look at you," Dawn put her both hands on her sister's shoulders, examining her appearance and fixing up make up and stray hair. “God you look so beautiful.”
"Dawn..." Dawn shushed her immediately.
"Buffy, this is the happiest day of your life. I just want everything, everything I can make, perfect for you." Buffy beamed.
"Dawn, I'm marrying Angel. It CAN'T get more perfect than this, really it couldn’t." Dawn returned her a knowing smile, taking one final look at her.
“Okay about mom not being here?”
“Dawnie if she can’t accept Angel then I don’t want her here in fact I don’t want here near me. I love Angel more than anything and she pushed him away before and I let it happen, not gonna do it again.”
"I'm so happy for you," she said, "you're the most beautiful bride, and you're shining so much you could lit up the entire room." She wrapped her arms around Buffy. "I love you," she whispered, pulling off, "and you tell this husband of yours that he'd better make you as happy as you are now for the rest of your life, or else he's gonna have to answer to me." Buffy giggled.
"I have a feeling he will." Dawn waved her hand.
"Oh, I know, I just..." she smiled nervously.
"You’re just being my wonderful little sister," Buffy completed.
"Yeah well you better return the favour when it’s my time." Dawn kissed Buffy's cheek, grinning, and hugged her. Buffy beamed.
"I love you Dawn. More than anyone, including Angel, well maybe not Angel you’re probably equal to Angel but you…"
“I know and if you put me on the same level of love as you do Angel then I can’t ask for more. I love you too Buff. No matter how much mom wishes I didn’t. You’re so unique and I’m glad you’re finally happy.” Dawn went inside leaving Giles and Buffy alone for a moment.
“Buffy I am so honoured that you would ask me to be the one to give you away.”
“I couldn’t imagine anyone else I’d rather have walk me down the aisle. Giles having your blessing makes up for not my mom’s. At least I got one parent who loves me enough to see this is what makes me happy.” Giles blushed at being called a parent. “I mean it Giles. No matter who, you know, you’re my dad. Blood or not it’s you. Cos no one has been there for me like a dad other than you. No one has loved me as daughter, from a father’s standing like you. I love you Giles.”
“Oh Buffy. You’re the daughter I never knew I wanted. I love
you and you look so beautiful today. You radiate happiness. And I am glad that
it’s Angel you’re marrying because no one will love you better or take better
care of you than he will.” Buffy and Giles hugged before he took her arm.
All the guests stood up, and they started to walk down the aisle, to the sound of the wedding march. Angel turned around and saw her. He smiled at her and she returned him a smile. Buffy gazed into Angel's eyes, and reminisced of the years they had spent together.
"Are we all ready?" the priest asked the guests. Their silence answered him. "Then let us begin. Who gives this woman to this man?"
"I do," Giles said.
" We're all gathered here today, in this holy place, under the eyes of God, to celebrate one of life's most beautiful and unforgettable events, the union of this young couple in the holly matrimony. Whatever was made by God, can no man revoke, therefore whoever has any reason to oppose this union, may he talks now, or forever holds his peace." When he received no answer, the priest spoke again. "Good. Let us proceed, then. I was told the couple had something to say to each other, so before I go on, please," he took a step backward and gestured towards Buffy and Angel.
"We’ve been through a lot, more than most people have to endure. In all my years I have loved only one person. I loved you the moment I saw you. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I remember this desire in me to protect you from anything and everything to make sure my last breath was spent making you happy. I did things that I regret, things that people made me believe were the rights things to do but now I see the only right thing for me to do is be with you. I’ve seen more than anyone can imagine. I’ve seen…people…fall and when I knew that you were one of these…people I vowed my life to make sure you would never fall and if you did it would be with me by your side. Holding you in my arms and together we would cross the great divide and still be holding each other and loving each other because I believe that there is nothing anyone can say or do that will take our love away from us. At time sin my life you have been the only thing that made me believe there is hope and happiness and love and beauty in this world that seems so cruel and I will spend every day of my life making you see these same things. Bringing to you what you had thought you lost so many years ago. Buffy I would do anything to make you happy and swear to you that I will spend the rest of my life making you happy. I love you with all my heart and there is no one in this world who could or would ever take your place in my heart and in my life. You make my soul soar at a simple look or touch. I think I’m babbling right now since no words can describe the power of my love for you. I was so alone before I met you and however alone I have been since I just think of you and the loneliness and fear melts away and it’s place is taken by a strength and willingness to do whatever is necessary to get me to your side. I love you with my entire being. That love makes me strong and it consumes me. But I know that I would never change it for anything because nothing could ever give me the happiness you can. You are my world and my everything and I will spend my life making you feel the same. Buffy I love you." Buffy bit her lip, trying not to cry, but was already too late for that. She locked eyes with him, and beamed her most beautiful smile. After a deep breath of her own, she began.
"My angel," she pronounced softly, "years ago, I was fortunate to come across a very annoying cryptic guy in a dark alley. Something that I didn't understand then, turned out as my love for you later. As you said, there is no way to describe my love for you, but there is every way to describe your love for me. I feel Heaven on earth when you hold me in your arms, and the thought I'm standing in front of you now, committing myself into those arms forever, is the most wonderful conception. My heart was always yours, my love. In the hardest times we had, I was confident in your love, and I trusted you to remain by my side forever, no matter what. I can never thank you enough for you. I can never thank you enough for any of those amazing things you have given me and done for me, and especially, I can never thank you enough for loving me, for being my lifeline, my hopes and my dreams, in those precise times I needed you the most. Whatever we’ve said or done in the past that has hurt us and each other has been forgotten since now we are standing ready to be joined together forever. But even if we weren’t here right now ready to do that I know that we’d always be joined because we’ve been joined ever since we met. Our love binds us together in a way like no other bond could. And you won’t have to spend every day of your life making me see everything you do since you’ve met me because I already do. Everything you see I do and have ever I met you 11 years ago. 11 years ago I was loosing everything, my faith in good and my hope for my life and you came into my life so quietly that I hardly even noticed you before I realised I loved you. Yu gave me back my life and gave me something other than my destiny you gave me the love I need o survive the years to come and the years gone by to make my destiny better to make my life better. You have given me everything I ever dreamed of and more because even in my wildest dreams I could never have hoped for a love like ours. All there is left to say now is that I will love you forever.” There was almost no one in the entire church whose eyes managed to remain dry after that. The priest approached the two, and spoke again, continuing with the ceremony.
"Do you Angel Liam O’Brien, take Buffy Anne Summers, to be your lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, in richness and in poor, for better and for worse, from this day forth, for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Angel couldn't stop looking at Buffy, and how beautiful she was. Next, he faced Buffy.
"Do you Buffy Anne Summers, take Angel Liam O’Brien, to be your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, in richness and in poor, for better and for worse, from this day forth, for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," she beamed at Angel.
"The rings, please." Gunn handed Angel the two golden Claddagh rings, set on a small red satin cushion, grinning happily at his best friend. Gunn reflected on that for a moment if someone had told him 4 years ago that his best friend would be a vampire and he would in fact be best man at said vampire’s wedding to a vampire Slayer he would have had that person committed to a mental institute. But he knew that Angel’s soul wasn’t what made him special. It was the love the two people at the side of him shared. That was what made Angel a warrior, a fighter for good not his soul. His soul was necessary Buffy was his reason. The priest turned to Angel.
"Repeat after me: With this ring I thee wed." Angel slid the ring on Buffy's finger. "With this ring I thee wed." The priest turned to Buffy who repeated the words as she slid the ring on Angel’s finger.
"Then by the sanctity of your exchanged rings, the power of love and your vows, and by the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and by the authority granted to me by the state of California, I now pronounce you; husband and wife. You may kiss your bride." Buffy stared at Angel and knew that no force on this earth good or evil could tear them apart. But then as she thought that she corrected herself no force on this earth or in any other dimension, good, evil, natural or supernatural could break the strongest bond in the world, their love.