At Last- Chapter Three
***
Buffy pulled up outside Angel's mansion. She saw his car, so he must be there. Nervously now, she got out of the car, and went up to the door. Softly, she knocked.
After a moment, the door opened. Angel was standing there, no longer in his tuxedo, but in black silk pyjama pants, and, well, nothing else.
"Buffy?" he seemed surprised and a little embarrassed.
"Er.. Hi. I, well, I need to speak to you."
"Sure, come in." he recovered enough to lead her inside.
"I haven't lit a fire, it's cold in here, why don't you come through here?" he led her into a smaller room, filled with books and a couple of green leather armchairs.
"You've got an awful lot of books. And I bet you've read each and every one." she said.
"Well, what does a vampire do during the day?" he cracked a feeble joke. "So, you came to see me?" he asked uncertainly, nervously. Buffy decided he was cute when he was nervous. But she wasn't here to ogle him, she was here to talk to him. She cleared her throat and began.
"Yeah. Yeah I did." she said, sitting bolt upright in one of the armchairs. "Angel..... Angel... Do you love me?"
Angel looked at her, surprised by the question.
"Buffy, I don't....." he began. She stood up.
"That's OK. After all..."
"You didn't let me finish, as usual." he sat her back down. "I don't think I ever stopped loving you, is what I was going to say. Ever. All those years in LA, I still loved you. Maybe even more than before."
"So, why did you come back and then ignore me?"
"I've told you before. I didn't want to ruin your life. I thought you were happy here with Riley. I thought you were in love with him, and I didn't want to get in the way."
"I'm not happy, Angel." she said simply.
"I know." he said, sighing, pained that she wasn't happy. "I can see that now. This evening, I was about to come after you when he, you know..."
"He hit you. I'm sorry Angel. Did it hurt?"
"Yeah. But I wasn't about to let him know that." he smiled slightly. She stood up, and approached him where he sat in the other chair. She knelt down beside him, and taking his face gently in her hands, looked at his jaw.
"It looks a little red. But I don't think it's really bad." she blushed, noticing their proximity. Again, a moment from the past echoed in her mind.
*** "I love you. I try not to, but I can't stop." Angel said brokenly. ***
Buffy froze.
"Buffy, are you all right?" Angel was concerned.
*** "Are you still my girl?" he asked. "Always." she said. ***
"Buffy?" he asked again. He was entirely consumed with concern for her. She looked into his deep brown eyes, and felt like she was drowning. But it wasn't dangerous, and she wasn't scared. Instead it just seemed like the right thing to do.
"Buffy? Are you..." she cut him off by kissing him, softly at first, then more impassioned. He pulled her onto his lap, and wrapped his arms around her.
"Are you still my girl?" he asked, hesitating only a little.
"Always." she said without hesitation. He lifted her up, and carried her into his bedroom.
***
Buffy's eyes fluttered open, straining against the sun. She spent so much time in darkness, that she had come to hate the mornings. But now, it seemed strange. The sun was warm, not painful. The start of the day wasn't something to be hated now. She opened her eyes wider now.
The picture was strange. Instead of her own bedroom, with it's light coloured walls and curtains, the walls were a darker red colour. Instead of her own white cotton sheets, she was lying in sumptuous black satin sheets. And instead of Riley next to her, she was alone. She shot up. What? Then she remembered. Angel. And then immediately the fear that had taunted her for so long coursed through her. Last time this happened, she awoke alone and then later found Angelus in Angel's place. She began shaking with fear.
Then slowly, a sound began to infiltrate her mind through the rush of thoughts. Then, suddenly the noise stopped. And Angel entered the room, dripping wet, wrapped in a towel.
"You're awake."
"I thought..." she said.
"I'm sorry. I didn't think you'd wake up for a while longer. I didn't mean to scare you. I mean, after the last time, the least I could have done is...."
Buffy cut him off with a kiss.
"Doesn't matter." she smiled. "What's the time?"
"Nearly ten o'clock." he said, wrapping his arms around her, and kissing her forehead. She jumped up, and began pulling her clothes on.
"What's the matter Buffy?"
"Riley. I have to speak to Riley." she pulled her dress on, realising how absurd she looked, on a Sunday morning, wearing an evening dress. She pulled her coat on over it.
"I have to speak to Riley. I have to tell him."
"Tell him what?"
"That I'm in love with someone. And it's not him. It's a dark, gorgeous older man who lives in a big house...."
"This guy, it is me, right? Cause if not, then..." Angel smiled slightly, a lopsided grin that warmed Buffy's heart.
"Of course it's you." Buffy kissed him gently. "But I have to talk to him." She gathered up her skirt and went to leave.
"Wait." Angel stopped her. "At least have something to eat. Just wait a second, let me get dressed and I'll make you some breakfast."
"OK." she paused. "But you don't have to get dressed." she said slyly. He laughed.
"Yes I do. I've long made it a policy never to cook without the appropriate protective clothing." he grinned.
"Please don't tell me you learned that the hard way." she said, laughing, sitting back down on the bed as he dressed.
"No." he said simply, laughing. Then, he was dressed and took her hand as he led her out of the bedroom and through into the kitchen.
"What would Madame like for breakfast?" he asked, visibly lightened. With Buffy he truly was human.
"I don't mind, I'm not all that hungry." she said.
"Eggs? Bacon? Toast?"
"Toast is good." she said, sitting down at the big kitchen table.
"No, go and sit in the living room, it's warmer in there. And, if you stay here, you'll see the secret to my culinary prowess." he said. She kissed him softly on the nose, before going out and into the living room. Where Cordelia was sat with Riley.
"Riley." she said softly.
"Buffy, you're up." he sounded strange.
"He came about half an hour ago." explained Cordelia, before she left them alone.
At the sound of the voices, Angel came in. Riley stood up.
"I don't know what you want," he began, "But if it's Buffy, you can't have her. You're too late." he pulled Buffy to him, and then she smelled the alcohol on his breath. But there wasn't much, and he wasn't too drunk to be out of control. Then again, Riley wasn't a big drinker...
"I want whatever Buffy wants." said Angel. He smiled supportively at Buffy. She couldn't believe it! Even after everything, Angel was going to let her make her own mind up.
He wasn't going to make her stay with him. He wasn't going to force her. Just like he didn't force her before. She could change her mind right now. Then she remembered the feeling of completeness last night as she lay in his arms, just listening to his heart beating, listening to him breathe.
"Well, what do you want Buffy?" demanded Riley. She looked at him. He wasn't the Riley she loved. And she did love Riley. But she was IN love with Angel. She always had been.
"I... I want Angel. I'm in love with Angel. I'm sorry Riley. I don't want to hurt you. You're so special to me, but...."
"Save it Buffy." he said. Now he was calm, resigned, as if hearing it was all he needed. "I understand. I'm not Angel. I never was. Well, I release you. Be free little bird." he kissed her softly on the cheek, and silently, he walked out. Buffy collapsed onto the couch. Angel was beside her in a second.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure. I was sure twenty years ago, but you wouldn't listen." she smiled.
"I was listening. I just didn't think you were right."
"I'm always right Angel. Haven't you learned anything?" she admonished him lightly. A popping sound was heard in the kitchen.
"Toast?" he asked.
"Thanks."
***
Buffy was collecting her things from the house. It didn't take long. Riley had signed all the papers. She was no longer Buffy Finn, she was Buffy Summers again.
"I think that's everything." she said to Riley, who was standing on the porch.
"If I find anything else, I know where to bring it." he smiled sadly.
"I'm sorry Riley."
"Me too." he moved towards her, enveloping her in a hug, which she returned.
"I love you Summers."
"I know. And I'm sorry I couldn't love you as much as I wanted to."
"You tried. That's all I asked." he changed the subject. "Will you be OK with all of that?"
"Yeah. I'll just shove these on the front seat with me." she said, referring to the bags she was holding.
"Buffy?"
"Yeah?"
"Don't feel that we can't ever see each other again. We can be friends. Maybe that's what we were best at. Just being friends."
"Friends? Of course we're friends! You're still one of our crazy, freaky little gang." She smiled.
"I'll see you soon Riley."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"Buffy? Tell Angel, that if he ever hurts you again, I'll kill him." he smiled at her. She smiled back.
"Sure." she got into her car, and drove away, leaving Riley staring after her.
***
"Is that everything?" asked Angel, bringing the last box into the mansion.
"Yeah." Buffy was busy hanging clothes in the closet. "I swear Angel, you've got more clothes than I have. Hell, you probably have more clothes than Cordelia!"
"I heard that! Nobody in this house has more clothes than me! It's, like a rule!" Cordelia called from her position by the fire.
"Well, all you have to do, is this..." Angel swung his arm in the closet, pulling a bunch of his clothes out, leaving space for hers.
"What are you going to do with those?" Buffy asked.
"I'm going to put them in a closet in another room. That's the beauty of this house. Lots of rooms." he grinned. Buffy put the last of her clothes in the closet and turned to him.
"How was Riley?" he asked.
"He was OK. Told me to tell you that if you ever hurt me again, he'll kill you."
"Right. I'll make a note." he said.
"A note of what?"
"Never to hurt you again."
"You have to make notes for that?"
"No." he pulled her down onto the bed. "I fully intend to make you feel only good emotions. None of those nasty ones."
"Promise?"
"Promise." he kissed her softly. "I'm gonna do everything I can to give you the happy ever after ending."
***
Buffy lay moaning in excruciating pain.
"Angel! I'm gonna kill you!" she screamed. The sheets were soaked in sweat, she felt like she was dying. No demon had ever hurt her this much.
"Angel! I'm gonna kill you!" she screamed again. The nurse placed the mask over her face to give her more gas and air. Sitting beside her, Angel held Buffy's hand, concerned.
"I'm so gonna kill you!" she said, as another contraction ripped through her body.
"OK. Kill me." he said. "But I think you need to wait until all this is over." he smiled at her. Instead, she gripped his hand tightly, so tightly that her nails drew blood.
"Owwww! Buffy!" he wrenched his hand away.
"That's for starters." she said, before screaming once more. Angel took her hand again.
***
About an hour later, Buffy screamed one last time. Silence fell for just a second, before more screams filled the room. But these weren't the screams of Buffy, they were the screams of a baby filling it's lungs for the first time.
***
Angel sat, holding the tiny little baby, a girl. Buffy lay still, exhausted.
"Still gonna kill me?" he asked, putting the little girl into Buffy's arms.
"Well, maybe not right away. But soon." she smiled in spite of herself.
"Hi!" voices called brightly. Willow and Oz came in, followed closely by Xander and Cordelia, who were followed closely by Joyce, Honor and Giles.
"Sorry we're late. Slayer issues." said Honor, shaking Angel's hand.
"Hi." said Buffy. "Everyone's here."
"Not everyone." said Angel.
"Hi." Riley came in, holding a little teddy bear, which he placed by Buffy's bed.
"Now everyone's here." said Buffy, smiling.
"She's beautiful." said Willow, looking at the sleeping baby in Buffy's arms.
"Well, I should think so." said Angel with a grin.
"Just think, with Buffy and Angel's looks, auntie Cordelia's fashion advice...." began Cordelia
"Auntie Cordelia?" said Xander
"Yeah?" she challenged him.
"Oh, so many jokes, so little time." he shot back, and she elbowed him.
"Do you have a name yet?" asked Giles.
"Yep! Destiny Summers." said Buffy.
"Summers?" said Angel.
"Well, it's not like you even have a last name. When you married me you took mine!" she said. Angel paused.
"OK. You have a point."
"Destiny? That's a pretty name." said Willow.
"Why Destiny?" asked Giles.
"Because that's exactly what she is. Our destiny. Hokey I know, but hey, I don't care." said Buffy, looking at the little girl with deep brown eyes fit to drown in.
***
Angel sat watching Buffy sleep, with Destiny in the cot beside her. For the first time in his life, he felt truly at peace.
THE END
***
Buffy pulled up outside Angel's mansion. She saw his car, so he must be there. Nervously now, she got out of the car, and went up to the door. Softly, she knocked.
After a moment, the door opened. Angel was standing there, no longer in his tuxedo, but in black silk pyjama pants, and, well, nothing else.
"Buffy?" he seemed surprised and a little embarrassed.
"Er.. Hi. I, well, I need to speak to you."
"Sure, come in." he recovered enough to lead her inside.
"I haven't lit a fire, it's cold in here, why don't you come through here?" he led her into a smaller room, filled with books and a couple of green leather armchairs.
"You've got an awful lot of books. And I bet you've read each and every one." she said.
"Well, what does a vampire do during the day?" he cracked a feeble joke. "So, you came to see me?" he asked uncertainly, nervously. Buffy decided he was cute when he was nervous. But she wasn't here to ogle him, she was here to talk to him. She cleared her throat and began.
"Yeah. Yeah I did." she said, sitting bolt upright in one of the armchairs. "Angel..... Angel... Do you love me?"
Angel looked at her, surprised by the question.
"Buffy, I don't....." he began. She stood up.
"That's OK. After all..."
"You didn't let me finish, as usual." he sat her back down. "I don't think I ever stopped loving you, is what I was going to say. Ever. All those years in LA, I still loved you. Maybe even more than before."
"So, why did you come back and then ignore me?"
"I've told you before. I didn't want to ruin your life. I thought you were happy here with Riley. I thought you were in love with him, and I didn't want to get in the way."
"I'm not happy, Angel." she said simply.
"I know." he said, sighing, pained that she wasn't happy. "I can see that now. This evening, I was about to come after you when he, you know..."
"He hit you. I'm sorry Angel. Did it hurt?"
"Yeah. But I wasn't about to let him know that." he smiled slightly. She stood up, and approached him where he sat in the other chair. She knelt down beside him, and taking his face gently in her hands, looked at his jaw.
"It looks a little red. But I don't think it's really bad." she blushed, noticing their proximity. Again, a moment from the past echoed in her mind.
*** "I love you. I try not to, but I can't stop." Angel said brokenly. ***
Buffy froze.
"Buffy, are you all right?" Angel was concerned.
*** "Are you still my girl?" he asked. "Always." she said. ***
"Buffy?" he asked again. He was entirely consumed with concern for her. She looked into his deep brown eyes, and felt like she was drowning. But it wasn't dangerous, and she wasn't scared. Instead it just seemed like the right thing to do.
"Buffy? Are you..." she cut him off by kissing him, softly at first, then more impassioned. He pulled her onto his lap, and wrapped his arms around her.
"Are you still my girl?" he asked, hesitating only a little.
"Always." she said without hesitation. He lifted her up, and carried her into his bedroom.
***
Buffy's eyes fluttered open, straining against the sun. She spent so much time in darkness, that she had come to hate the mornings. But now, it seemed strange. The sun was warm, not painful. The start of the day wasn't something to be hated now. She opened her eyes wider now.
The picture was strange. Instead of her own bedroom, with it's light coloured walls and curtains, the walls were a darker red colour. Instead of her own white cotton sheets, she was lying in sumptuous black satin sheets. And instead of Riley next to her, she was alone. She shot up. What? Then she remembered. Angel. And then immediately the fear that had taunted her for so long coursed through her. Last time this happened, she awoke alone and then later found Angelus in Angel's place. She began shaking with fear.
Then slowly, a sound began to infiltrate her mind through the rush of thoughts. Then, suddenly the noise stopped. And Angel entered the room, dripping wet, wrapped in a towel.
"You're awake."
"I thought..." she said.
"I'm sorry. I didn't think you'd wake up for a while longer. I didn't mean to scare you. I mean, after the last time, the least I could have done is...."
Buffy cut him off with a kiss.
"Doesn't matter." she smiled. "What's the time?"
"Nearly ten o'clock." he said, wrapping his arms around her, and kissing her forehead. She jumped up, and began pulling her clothes on.
"What's the matter Buffy?"
"Riley. I have to speak to Riley." she pulled her dress on, realising how absurd she looked, on a Sunday morning, wearing an evening dress. She pulled her coat on over it.
"I have to speak to Riley. I have to tell him."
"Tell him what?"
"That I'm in love with someone. And it's not him. It's a dark, gorgeous older man who lives in a big house...."
"This guy, it is me, right? Cause if not, then..." Angel smiled slightly, a lopsided grin that warmed Buffy's heart.
"Of course it's you." Buffy kissed him gently. "But I have to talk to him." She gathered up her skirt and went to leave.
"Wait." Angel stopped her. "At least have something to eat. Just wait a second, let me get dressed and I'll make you some breakfast."
"OK." she paused. "But you don't have to get dressed." she said slyly. He laughed.
"Yes I do. I've long made it a policy never to cook without the appropriate protective clothing." he grinned.
"Please don't tell me you learned that the hard way." she said, laughing, sitting back down on the bed as he dressed.
"No." he said simply, laughing. Then, he was dressed and took her hand as he led her out of the bedroom and through into the kitchen.
"What would Madame like for breakfast?" he asked, visibly lightened. With Buffy he truly was human.
"I don't mind, I'm not all that hungry." she said.
"Eggs? Bacon? Toast?"
"Toast is good." she said, sitting down at the big kitchen table.
"No, go and sit in the living room, it's warmer in there. And, if you stay here, you'll see the secret to my culinary prowess." he said. She kissed him softly on the nose, before going out and into the living room. Where Cordelia was sat with Riley.
"Riley." she said softly.
"Buffy, you're up." he sounded strange.
"He came about half an hour ago." explained Cordelia, before she left them alone.
At the sound of the voices, Angel came in. Riley stood up.
"I don't know what you want," he began, "But if it's Buffy, you can't have her. You're too late." he pulled Buffy to him, and then she smelled the alcohol on his breath. But there wasn't much, and he wasn't too drunk to be out of control. Then again, Riley wasn't a big drinker...
"I want whatever Buffy wants." said Angel. He smiled supportively at Buffy. She couldn't believe it! Even after everything, Angel was going to let her make her own mind up.
He wasn't going to make her stay with him. He wasn't going to force her. Just like he didn't force her before. She could change her mind right now. Then she remembered the feeling of completeness last night as she lay in his arms, just listening to his heart beating, listening to him breathe.
"Well, what do you want Buffy?" demanded Riley. She looked at him. He wasn't the Riley she loved. And she did love Riley. But she was IN love with Angel. She always had been.
"I... I want Angel. I'm in love with Angel. I'm sorry Riley. I don't want to hurt you. You're so special to me, but...."
"Save it Buffy." he said. Now he was calm, resigned, as if hearing it was all he needed. "I understand. I'm not Angel. I never was. Well, I release you. Be free little bird." he kissed her softly on the cheek, and silently, he walked out. Buffy collapsed onto the couch. Angel was beside her in a second.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure. I was sure twenty years ago, but you wouldn't listen." she smiled.
"I was listening. I just didn't think you were right."
"I'm always right Angel. Haven't you learned anything?" she admonished him lightly. A popping sound was heard in the kitchen.
"Toast?" he asked.
"Thanks."
***
Buffy was collecting her things from the house. It didn't take long. Riley had signed all the papers. She was no longer Buffy Finn, she was Buffy Summers again.
"I think that's everything." she said to Riley, who was standing on the porch.
"If I find anything else, I know where to bring it." he smiled sadly.
"I'm sorry Riley."
"Me too." he moved towards her, enveloping her in a hug, which she returned.
"I love you Summers."
"I know. And I'm sorry I couldn't love you as much as I wanted to."
"You tried. That's all I asked." he changed the subject. "Will you be OK with all of that?"
"Yeah. I'll just shove these on the front seat with me." she said, referring to the bags she was holding.
"Buffy?"
"Yeah?"
"Don't feel that we can't ever see each other again. We can be friends. Maybe that's what we were best at. Just being friends."
"Friends? Of course we're friends! You're still one of our crazy, freaky little gang." She smiled.
"I'll see you soon Riley."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"Buffy? Tell Angel, that if he ever hurts you again, I'll kill him." he smiled at her. She smiled back.
"Sure." she got into her car, and drove away, leaving Riley staring after her.
***
"Is that everything?" asked Angel, bringing the last box into the mansion.
"Yeah." Buffy was busy hanging clothes in the closet. "I swear Angel, you've got more clothes than I have. Hell, you probably have more clothes than Cordelia!"
"I heard that! Nobody in this house has more clothes than me! It's, like a rule!" Cordelia called from her position by the fire.
"Well, all you have to do, is this..." Angel swung his arm in the closet, pulling a bunch of his clothes out, leaving space for hers.
"What are you going to do with those?" Buffy asked.
"I'm going to put them in a closet in another room. That's the beauty of this house. Lots of rooms." he grinned. Buffy put the last of her clothes in the closet and turned to him.
"How was Riley?" he asked.
"He was OK. Told me to tell you that if you ever hurt me again, he'll kill you."
"Right. I'll make a note." he said.
"A note of what?"
"Never to hurt you again."
"You have to make notes for that?"
"No." he pulled her down onto the bed. "I fully intend to make you feel only good emotions. None of those nasty ones."
"Promise?"
"Promise." he kissed her softly. "I'm gonna do everything I can to give you the happy ever after ending."
***
Buffy lay moaning in excruciating pain.
"Angel! I'm gonna kill you!" she screamed. The sheets were soaked in sweat, she felt like she was dying. No demon had ever hurt her this much.
"Angel! I'm gonna kill you!" she screamed again. The nurse placed the mask over her face to give her more gas and air. Sitting beside her, Angel held Buffy's hand, concerned.
"I'm so gonna kill you!" she said, as another contraction ripped through her body.
"OK. Kill me." he said. "But I think you need to wait until all this is over." he smiled at her. Instead, she gripped his hand tightly, so tightly that her nails drew blood.
"Owwww! Buffy!" he wrenched his hand away.
"That's for starters." she said, before screaming once more. Angel took her hand again.
***
About an hour later, Buffy screamed one last time. Silence fell for just a second, before more screams filled the room. But these weren't the screams of Buffy, they were the screams of a baby filling it's lungs for the first time.
***
Angel sat, holding the tiny little baby, a girl. Buffy lay still, exhausted.
"Still gonna kill me?" he asked, putting the little girl into Buffy's arms.
"Well, maybe not right away. But soon." she smiled in spite of herself.
"Hi!" voices called brightly. Willow and Oz came in, followed closely by Xander and Cordelia, who were followed closely by Joyce, Honor and Giles.
"Sorry we're late. Slayer issues." said Honor, shaking Angel's hand.
"Hi." said Buffy. "Everyone's here."
"Not everyone." said Angel.
"Hi." Riley came in, holding a little teddy bear, which he placed by Buffy's bed.
"Now everyone's here." said Buffy, smiling.
"She's beautiful." said Willow, looking at the sleeping baby in Buffy's arms.
"Well, I should think so." said Angel with a grin.
"Just think, with Buffy and Angel's looks, auntie Cordelia's fashion advice...." began Cordelia
"Auntie Cordelia?" said Xander
"Yeah?" she challenged him.
"Oh, so many jokes, so little time." he shot back, and she elbowed him.
"Do you have a name yet?" asked Giles.
"Yep! Destiny Summers." said Buffy.
"Summers?" said Angel.
"Well, it's not like you even have a last name. When you married me you took mine!" she said. Angel paused.
"OK. You have a point."
"Destiny? That's a pretty name." said Willow.
"Why Destiny?" asked Giles.
"Because that's exactly what she is. Our destiny. Hokey I know, but hey, I don't care." said Buffy, looking at the little girl with deep brown eyes fit to drown in.
***
Angel sat watching Buffy sleep, with Destiny in the cot beside her. For the first time in his life, he felt truly at peace.
THE END