Forever, Always, and Then SomeChapter 121
Thursday November 14, 2002 9AM Angel is watching Conner in the living room. Angel: Mommy is coming home soon. And she is bringing your new little sister Caitlin. There is a knock at the door. Angel: Mommy wouldn’t knock. He picks up Conner as the door opens. Angel: Giles? Giles: Hello there. Angel: Buffy never said you were coming. Giles: Oh, I just decided. I couldn’t resist coming to see the newest Summers. Angel: Council sent you? Giles: Actually yes. But I wanted to come too. Angel: Well Buffy will be glad to see you. Giles: Is she at the hospital still? Angel: Willow and Dawn went to pick them up. We thought you might be them. Giles: Sorry to disappoint. Angel: Well can I get you anything? Giles: I can get it myself. You have your hands full. I can not believe how big he has gotten. Angel: Tell me about it. He turns one this week. Giles: I know. I was all set to ship his present but I brought it with me instead. Angel: That is……….. The front door opens. Dawn: We’re home! Buffy walks in with Caitlin. Angel stares at her. Buffy: Giles? What are you doing here? Giles: Came to see you and the baby of course. Conner: Mama Angel and Conner walk up to her. Buffy: Want to switch? Angel sets Conner down and takes Caitlin. Buffy scoops Conner up. Buffy: Hey my big boy. I have missed you so much. Conner: Mama Angel: You should put him down. Buffy: I am fine but I will sit down.
She walks and sits on the sofa. Angel sits beside her. Buffy: See the baby? Conner: Dan. Buffy: Okay She set him on the floor. Buffy: So much for missing Mommy. Angel: Oh he did. I almost never got him to sleep last night. Buffy: So Giles, you here to see Caitlin or the future slayer? Giles: Unfortunately both. They insisted someone come and check on her and I insisted it be me. Besides I wanted to see her myself. Buffy: I guess that is the lesser of two evils. Rather have you than someone like Nigel. Giles: I knew you both would feel that way. So how are you doing? Buffy: Right as rain. Already healing. Should be back training in a few days. Angel: No. Slow down. Buffy: Sorry, but I need to. I have been vegetating too long. Angel: Won’t you just take a little time? Buffy: I have taken six months. Willow: You are fighting a losing battle. Angel: I like lost causes. Buffy: So Giles, how long you here for? Giles: A few days. Buffy: Good. I need to talk to you about Crystal and Faith. Angel: All right that is it. Buffy, less than two days ago you gave birth and I am not having you wear yourself out before you have had time to recuperate. Buffy: Wha…… Angel: No arguments. Willow can you keep an eye on Conner while I get these two upstairs. He stands up with Caitlin. Willow: Sure. Buffy: I’m not…. She looks in his eyes and stands up. He nods toward the stairs and she moves toward them. He follows her up to their room. Dawn: Whoa. Never thought I would see the day she cow-tailed to anyone. Willow: She knows when he is serious.
Tuesday November 19, 2002 Noon. Summer’s kitchen Buffy: Thanks for staying longer. Giles: I will be here when you need me. You know that. Buffy: I always need you. Sometimes more than others. Giles: Buffy, you are doing wonderful. I think much better than if I had stayed. You are so very capable. Buffy: I guess so far. But the road just gets harder. Angel walks in. Angel: You can take whatever is thrown at you. Giles: I hardily agree. Buffy: Both of you tell me that when I fall on my face again. Angel: You do not fall. Stumble but never fall. Buffy: Is this the Buffy pep squad? Cause if so, can I suggest matching uniforms. Giles and Angel look at each other and shake their heads. Buffy: I just got visuals of you two swapping clothes. Willow: Who swapping clothes? Buffy: Angel and Giles. Willow: Oh that is a scary visual. Buffy, Caitlin is waking up. And Angel, Conner is insisting on going up the stairs. Buffy: And you all think I can do this alone.
6PM
Buffy: Well I guess that is it. Angel: Then please sit down. I knew we should not have had this party. You have not sit down all day. Buffy: Our son turns one only once. And he deserves a perfect party. Angel: I don’t get you. One minute your are scared you can not do it all and the next you won’t let anyone help. Buffy: You are right. You don’t get me. I am his mother and I want to do this. That is a lot different than raising two babies on a day to day basis. Making sure he has cake, ice cream, and decorations is not the same as making sure he grows and learns all he needs to. And do that while I make sure both of them have everything they need. Not to mention slaying. Willow: Buffy, you are not alone. Dawn and I are here. Buffy: In a few months you will have your hands full yourself. Willow: We will make it. We have never failed yet. Buffy: Well I hope the first time is not with the children. Angel: It won’t be. The front door opens and the members of AI pour into the house. Willow: Looks like the party is beginning. Angel: Buffy, will you sit down and enjoy this. I will handle the rest. Buffy: I guess. I just……. Angel slides his fingers into her hair and pulls her mouth the hers. Willow: One way to shut her up.
11 PM Angel: Buffy? Buffy: You ready? Angel: Yes. Are you going to be okay? Buffy: No, but I will deal. I have to right? Angel: If it could be different. Buffy: I knew last December that this was our lives. But does not stop me from wanting it all. He takes her in his arms as she is overcome by tears. Angel: Shhh. It is for one week. Then you will be in LA. Buffy: I know. I just. (sob) I can’t keep doing this. I can’t keep saying good-bye. I can’t………(sob)… Angel: I know. But we have to. Please. Oh god I can not do this. I I I………. Buffy: There has (sob) to be a way. Angel consumes her mouth with his. After a few minutes pulls back. Buffy: You better go. (sob) We can’t……… Angel: I know. I…………. Buffy: I know. He picks up his bag and turns to leave.’ Buffy: I love you, peaches. He turns and smiles. Angel: I love you too. See you soon. He turns and walks out, her sobs echoing in his head.
Monday November 25, 2002 11 AM Angel dials the phone. He listens to the rings go unanswered. He hangs up. He looks at the phone before picking it up and dialing again. Buffy: Hello. Angel: Buffy, where are you? Buffy: Hello to you too. Angel: Why are you not at home? Buffy: I had things to do. Angel: What kind of things? You should not be running all over town. Buffy: I am fine. So what can I do for you? Angel: Do? Buffy: I assume you had a reason to call. We just spoke on the computer a little over an hour ago. Is something wrong? Angel: No. I just was wanting to check on a few things before Cordy heads to the grocery store. You know, anything I should know. Special request or possibly allergies. Buffy: Non I know of. Unless you mean Dawn’s love for butt-rolls. Angel: Butt-rolls? What on earth are those? Buffy: You know the brown and serve rolls that look like little butts. If you do not have them, Dawn will be upset. Angel: Okay, I will tell Cordy to stock up on butt rolls. Anything else? Buffy: Not that I can think of. Angel: So you going to tell me what you are doing out? Buffy: I just came over to the Magic Box while the kids were asleep. Angel: You are working out? Buffy, I thought you were going to wait. Buffy: I feel fine. I feels good to be moving. Angel: I just think that you need to give yourself more time. Buffy: Angel, if you think I can take care of two babies, don’t you think I can take care of myself too. Angel: But. Buffy: No buts. I am determined to get back in shape. I need to do this. Besides, I think you will like what I have accomplished. I think I can take you on already. Angel: Little cocky are you. Buffy: No I am just the slayer, and I bounce back really fast. And Wednesday I will show you how much. Angel: I am scared to ask. Buffy: Don’t be. Just be prepared to get your butt kicked. I need a good spar. Angel: You are not serious? Buffy: Very. So you better spend the next two days getting ready. Angel: You need to slow down. Buffy: Not going to happen. Angel: Why do I bother? Buffy: Cause ya love me. Uh got to go, your daughter just rang the dinner bell. Angel: Buffy. Buffy: Yes? Angel: Just be careful. Buffy: I will. Angel: I love you. Buffy: I love you too Peaches. Angel: Bye. Buffy: See you Wednesday morning.
Wednesday November 27, 2002 10 AM Cordy: Angel You are going to wear a whole in the floor. Angel: She said between 9 and 10. I should never have let her drive. I should have picked them up. Cordy: She has made the trip before. She will be here soon. So sit down and relax. He looks out the front window. He strains to look for her van. He pulls pout his cell phone. Cordy: What are you doing? Angel: I am going to call her and see what is wrong. He continues to look for her as he dials. Buffy: I am not going to answer it. He whips around to see her standing there. Caitlin’s carrier in one hand and Conner’s hand in the other. Conner: Dada. Angel: How did……… Buffy: I parked in the back He scoops Conner up onto his hip before running his fingers into her hair. His mouth making demands on hers. Willow: Uh hello. Dawn and could use a little help with the bags. Cordy: Wes and I will help. I think those two are in a long term lip lock
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© 2005 Tara