Disclaimer: I don't own any of the charaters with the exception of Hannah and Kristen.

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Special thanks too: Christine, Timothy, Kat, and Nadia for all your wonderful words. 

Dedication: To everyone who send me feedback through out this entire story. Thanks it helped a lot!!!!

Rating: PG-13

Couples: B/A, W/T, X/A, J/G,

Distributions: If you want it go ahead and take it, just let me know where it is.

Title: A Girl From Long Ago 25/25End

Author: TK

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PART 25

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            "Hey, Buffy," Angel said the minute he saw his girl friend get out of her mother's car.  He had almost reached her when he stopped dead in his tracks.  There with Buffy was Dawn, as in human flesh Dawn. 

            "You mouth is hanging open," Dawn teased when Buffy and her reached the stun young man.

            "Buffy, how..?" asked Angel totally confused as his girlfriend and Dawn smiled up at him.

            "Angel, meet my new little sister," said Buffy as she wrapped her arms around her him. 

            "You new little…what?" he asked trying to make sense of what was going on.

            "Hey, Buffy, Dawnie," Willow said walking up to them holding Tara's hand in hers.  "Those outfits are cute," she added indicating Buffy's dark blue and black peasant top and low rider blue jeans, and Dawn's black hip hugger jeans, and the baby blue tank top she had borrowed from Buffy.

            "Thanks," Buffy replied.  "Where's Xander and Anya?" she asked when she noticed her other two friends missing. 

            "They're on the other side of the house seeing how far they can shove their tongues down each other," Willow answered simply causing the rest of the gang to roll their eyes.

            "They never let up, do the?" asked Angel as he wrapped his arms around Buffy's waist and gave her knowly smile.

            "Their in love," Tara spoke up.  "We all are," she pointed out giving an adorning look to Willow.

            "Ah," Willow said before pulling Tara into her arms.  

            "I think, I better go see what the parental are up too," Dawn said, but was ignored by Willow and Tara who was to busy giving each other loving kisses to noticed anyone else was their, but them.

            "Are you sure?" Buffy asked her new little sister.  "I mean you can hang out with us," she offered indicating Angel and herself.

            "Thanks," replied Dawn," but I have a feeling you two won't be far behind the rest of your friends in the kiss age department, and us girls who don't have  boyfriends would feel funny," she pointed out giving her new big sister a smirk.

            "Hey, Dawn, come check this out," Kristen yelled from where she was sitting at the picnic table looking at Buffy's new Seventeen magazine.

            "Catch you later, Sis," Dawn told Buffy.  "Be nice to my sister, Angel," she said turning her attention to Buffy's boyfriend for a moment before taking off in the direction of her new cousin.

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            Once they were alone, Angel took Buffy's hand and led her to an old oak tree that was out of hearing range from everyone else.  When they reached the oak tree he sat down and pulled Buffy down into his lap, and kissed her forehead.

            "So how did Dawn become your sister?" he asked curiously as he stroked his girlfriend's head that was lying on his firm smooth chest. 

            "She showed up the morning.  My mother and father don't know where she came from, but I know they love her.  Too them she's their daughter.  They have memories of her always being there with us.  For that I am thankful for.  I think you and I are the only ones besides Dawn that know the truth," Buffy explained.

            "Does the truth matter anymore?" Angel asked smiling down at his girlfriend.  He knew it didn't matter to her, but he asked anyway.

            "No, it really doesn't," Buffy answered. "She's my little sister, and I'm going to do my best to help take care of her and all the rest of my loved ones," she said moving her head to look up at Angel.

            "I love you," he admitted lifting Buffy's chin up until her emerald green eyes met his chocolate brown eyes.

            Buffy at that moment felt all her air rush out of her at his confection.  She felt fireworks go off inside her as he smile down at her, and within seconds was kissing her.  His kisses were full of love and devotion.  It was the beginning of their true happiness together, and she knew it.  No more secrets, no more mystery, just her and her love just as it should be 'forever.  But first she had to tell him something.

            Pulling back just a little, noses nuzzling together, Buffy said what she had wanted to tell him for awhile now," I love you too, Angel, now and forever," she said softly before once again claiming his lips with her own. 

            "Are we going to tell Elizabeth about Dawn?" Angel asked when they pulled slightly apart to breath.

            "Yeah, Dawn wants too," Buffy answered her cheeks flushed.  "She told me on the way here that she would like to visit her."

            "Next week we'll take her, Okay?" Angel asked gently as he ran his hand through Buffy's golden locks.

            "Okay," Buffy agreed before leaning back into Angel, and expressing how much she really did love him.

            Around them they could hear Dawn and Kristen laughing at something Xander had said.  Anya, Willow, and Tara where now trying to decide which one of them was going to make the salad, the debate drew laughs from the parents.               

'This is what happiness truly is,' Buffy thought as she snuggled into her love's arms.  I have a mother and father who love my new little sister and me more then the world itself.  I have friends, who have welcomed me with opened arms to their town and school. My cousin is a great listener and friend when I need her to be, and Dawn, again such a miracle to have as a sister.  I really do believe in miracles now.  After everything that has gone on, I will never forget that they come true,' she thought to herself before feeling Angel once again touch her with his heavenly lips. 

'I have found love again,' Angel thought as Buffy's little hands ran through his hair,' and she is the most amazing person in the world to me.  I love Hannah, yes, but not nearly as much as I do this tiny little miracle in my arms.  She is a blessing, a blessing I hope to never let go.'

The End