Forever, Always, and Then Some

Chapter Five

Buffy returns to the hotel to find Cordy and Willow arguing over whether Cordy should make a bottle for the baby.

Willow: Cordy, Buffy said he was fine. She said he was not hungry. Can’t you just let up?

Cordy: I have been taking care of him for weeks and he normally eats every 4 hours and it has been close to five since I made the last bottle.

Willow: He is fine. Let Buffy and Angel worry about him.

Cordy: I would but they do not seem to be here and I am not going let that child starve just to cater to Buffy’s whim that he is not hungry.

Buffy: Cordy it is no whim. I feed him right before I left and I have been gone less than an hour so I don’t think he is hungry just yet. And good night.

She turns and walks upstairs. Willow close behind her.

Willow: I did not think you wanted me to tell her your private business.

Buffy: You were right, I will tell everyone when and if I want to.

Buffy enters Angel’s room and prepares for bed. But is unable to sleep so curls up with the baby care books.

Meanwhile Angel decides that he is going to get a beer before heading home. Maybe more than one. He walks to a nearby bar, and sits at a back table. As he sits and drinks his beer, he mulls over what Buffy has said. He notices a familiar face arrive. He takes it as an sign and approaches the guy.

Angel: Joey, how have you been. Staying out of trouble?

Joey: Sure have Angel. No more gambling with the demon variety for me. Too dangerous. I appreciate you helping me out of that little jam.

Angel: How appreciative? Because I think you can help me. Help me get into a jam actually.

Joey: Huh, what do you mean?

Angel: I want to make a purchase. Can you show me what you got?

Joey: Oh that I can do. But we have to go to my place.

Angel: Well lets go

Joey: Now?

Angel: Yes now, I need to get home.

The two leave the bar and head to Joey’s. They arrive at his hotel and Joey leaves Angel in the living room while he retrieves his merchandise case from the safe. Joey opens the case on the coffee table and he and Angel examine the jewelry collection.

Joey: What exactly are you looking for? A bracelet, a necklace, or maybe a watch?

Angel: Actually I am looking for a diamond ring.

Joey: A diamond ring, you were serious about getting yourself in a jam. Well do you want white or yellow gold.

Angel: White, and fairly simple.

Joey: I think I have the perfect thing but it actually is a complete set.

Angel: Set?

Joey: The diamond and both the man’s and ladies bands.

He pulls out a small black box and hands it to Angel. Angel opens it and carefully examines them.

Angel: I like them but two things. First how much and second if she doesn’t can we exchange.

Joey: No problem with an exchange, and because of our past relationship, I will cut you a great deal.

We later see Angel walking home. Before he enters the hotel we see him take another look at the black box before tucking it in his pants pocket.

He enters the hotel and is immediately set upon by Cordy.

Cordy: Angel, I can not get Buffy to listen to reason. I know Liam has to be starving but she won’t even let me give her a bottle or let me in the room.

Angel: Cordy, I will handle this you go on to bed.

Angel goes up to his room. He finds Buffy standing staring out the window. He walks up and wraps his arms around her waist and feels her practically collapse against him. She is glad to have his strength to lean on for a second. Just for a moment not have to be the strong one. He gently kisses the top of her head and tells her she needs to get to some sleep. He closes the curtain and leads her toward the bed and tucks her in. He goes to the dresser and gets out his pajama pants for bed. As he turns to leave, Buffy calls out to him.

Buffy: Don’t leave, please stay with me. I have had enough alone time.

Angel: Buffy, I am not sure that is such a good idea.

Buffy: I just thought we could sleep together like we use to. You know back after patrols but if you think it would be too uncomfortable I will understand.

Angel: No not uncomfortable, I just don’t want either of us to think it could ever be more.

Buffy: I know it can’t.

Angel goes into his bathroom and changes. When he returns to the room, Buffy is getting ready to feed the baby. He watches in shear amazement at what life can accomplish. He crawls in beside her and sits with his back against the headboard and holds her while she cradles their nursing son.

We later see the former lovers sleeping with his arm protectively around her waist.

They work as a team through the remainder of the night taking care of their young son’s needs. Sharing the feeding and changing duties.

As morning arrives they are both sleeping until the next feeding. Cordy decides to slip in and take Liam for his morning feeding, but when she peaks in she sees the parents asleep in the same bed and quickly slips back out.

Cordy goes searching out Willow.

Cordy: They have lost their minds. They are in bed together, the same bed.

Willow: Are you saying they made love or just slept together?

Cordy: I do not know, I could not tell if they were dressed the were under the covers. You go check. Buffy won’t jump all over you.

Willow: Fine, just go down stairs.

Willow gently knocks on the door. When she opens it she sees Buffy feeding Liam and Angel looking for something.

Willow: Hey guys. Everything okay? Need anything?

Angel: Actually we do. I need the load of laundry I did yesterday. It should still be in the dryer. Liam has no more clean sleepers up here.

Willow: No problem, except where is the dryer?

Angel: Oh, in the basement

Willow: Be right back

Willow goes down stairs and runs into Cordy.

Cordy: Well?

Willow: Everything is fine, I just need to get the clean laundry from the basement.

Cordy: Oh I already got it yesterday.

Cordy hands Willow a basket of neatly fold clothes.

Willow: Thanks

Willow takes the basket back to the bedroom.

Angel: The are folded?

Willow: Cordy

Angel: Oh that was nice of her.

Cordy meantime has made a bottle for the baby and is determined to bring it to him. She marches upstairs and opens the door without even knocking. She stops in her tracks. Buffy is on the edge of the bed nursing Liam. Angel is in the bathroom filling the sink and Willow is looking through the Clean laundry.

Willow: Is this what you were talking about Angel?

Angel: Yeah that is it.

Willow: It is too cute. Buffy look. It is a towel with a little hood and the hood has these little ears. It is adorable.

Angel: Would you believe Gunn bought it?

Buffy: Gunn? Okay that one does not compute.

Angel: Babies make a sap out of the most macho of men.

Buffy: I see. Just look at you.

Angel: Was that an insult or a compliment?

Buffy: You decide.

Liam finishes eating and she hands him to his dad. Willow hands the towel to Buffy and decides to leave them alone. She passes Cordy on her way out.

Willow: I told you we did not need that. (she points at the baby bottle and leaves)

Angel strips the baby and carries him to the bathroom for his bath. Buffy follows.

Buffy: Are you sure it isn’t to hot?

Angel shows her a thermometer.

Angel: I don’t take chances, especially since I have no body temperature myself.

Buffy: Smart man.

Angel proceeds to bath Liam.

Angel: Buffy do you want do this?

Buffy: No thanks, I have had enough wet clothes recently and actually I think the man without a shirt on is a better choice.

Angel looks at her confused. Liam takes that moment to kick his foot sending a stream of water down Angel’s naked chest.

Angel: Oh I see what you mean. (Buffy can not contain her laughter)

Angel hands a clean wet baby to his mother, who wraps in the towel. The parents return to the room. They both purposely ignore Cordy who has still not left. Buffy hands Liam to Angel.

Buffy: I am taking a shower myself. Uh Angel I need to borrow a clean shirt, mine are all dirty.

Angel: Just take whatever you want from the closet.

Buffy gets her clothes and heads to the shower.

Angel: Cordy if you are just going to stand there, will you hand me a sleeper?

Cordy: Sure(she reaches in the basket and hands one to Angel)

Angel: Thanks

Cordy puts the rest of the laundry away.

Angel: Cordy would you mind starting another load of clothes, for me.

Cordy: Sure.

She starts gathering the various articles of dirty clothes and puts them in the basket. She picks up Angel’s pants from the day before and proceeds to empty his pockets. Angel realizes too late that the box is in those pants and rushes over and takes it from Cordy before she can open it. He slips it into his pajama pants pocket. Before Cordy can say anything, Buffy appears with a towel on her head and wearing one of Angel’s dress shirts with the tails tied at the waist and her jeans.

Buffy: How do I look? Am I ready for Vogue?

Angel: I was thinking more like Playboy.

Buffy: Huh, hmmmm actually that is even better.

Angel hands her Liam.

Angel: My turn. Any hot water left?

Buffy: Yes, if you need it…..thought you might be thinking cold shower.

Angel: Very funny.

Angel: Cordy if you wait a sec, you can get these wet clothes I am wearing too. Buffy give Cordy anything you need washing. She offered to do a load for us.

Buffy: Great. Here. Thanks Cor.

Angel takes his clean clothes and goes in for his shower. Moments later hiding behind the door his arm comes out holding out his dirty clothes. Buffy takes them from him and glances in the crack at the bathroom mirror above the sink.

Buffy: Good thing you do not have a reflection.

Angel: Huh (realizing what she meant he slams the door)

Buffy hands the clothes to Cordy who again checks the pockets and realizes Angel has removed the black box. Buffy tosses the towel from her head in the basket and proceeds to brush her hair. Cordy leaves. Buffy finishes her hair and picks up an awake and content Liam from his bed and heads downstairs where she is mobbed by the Sunnydale group who have not seen or held him. He is oooed and cooed over.

Angel comes downstairs and is immediately dragged in to the office by Cordy.

Cordy: Have you lost your damn mind? I know you do not plan on doing what I think you are doing.

Angel: It really is none of your business.

Cordy: None of my business. Angel Investigations is my business and your putting it and us in danger.

Angel: I think you are going a bit overboard. I am not putting anyone or anything in any danger. So please stop worrying. Now that is all I have to say. (he turns to leave)

Cordy: Are you actually going to propose to her?

Angel: No I am not going to propose.

Cordy: Thank god.

Angel: I am actually going to answer her proposal. (he walks out)

Angel walks up to Buffy.

Angel: Buffy, how much time before he needs to eat again?

Buffy: About an hour and a half.

Angel: Good. Willow would you mind watching him while Buffy and I take a little walk.

Willow: Sure but Angel the sun is out.

Angel: I know.

Angel puts on his duster and he leads Buffy down the stairs and into the basement and down into the sewer tunnels.

Buffy: Fun Fun, how come we always end up in the sewer.

Angel: Because it is the only way I can get to the subway.

Buffy: Oh and can I ask where we are going?

Angel: No.

Angel leads her through the tunnels to the subway and onto a train. He guides her off the train and up into the lobby of a building. He takes her to the entrances to a large indoor arboretum. He leads her to a back section where there is a bench and complete privacy. He motions for her to sit down.

Buffy: It is wet.

Angel: Oh sorry.

He takes off his coat and covers the bench and they both sit down.

Angel: I thought we needed a private place to talk. We have a lot to decide.

Buffy: I know.

Angel: First things first. I have thought a lot about what you said last night. And well I have to agree with you. I agree with you completely.

Buffy: You do?

Angel: Yes I do, and so I want to answer your last question you asked.

Buffy: I asked a question?

Angel: Well in a way, you proposed an idea and I want to say yes to the idea.

Buffy: You need to be more specific.

Angel pulls out the diamond ring and holds it out. She gasp. He drops down in front of her on one knee.

Angel: Buffy Summers will you marry me.

Buffy nods: Yes, of course I will.

He places the ring on her finger and sits back on the bench. They hug and gently kiss.

Angel: I love you

Buffy: I love you too.

They sit quietly together both in their own thoughts.

Buffy: Angel we still have much to decide.

Angel: I know. What do you want to discuss first?

Buffy: Liam. I really like the name but he needs more than one name.

Angel: Agreed. Any ideas?

Buffy: Well there are three men in my life I love and can always count on. I was thinking of the name Liam Alexander, after two of them.

Angel: I like it. Liam Alexander Summers.

Buffy: Summers? A boy should carry his dad’s name.

Angel: If you forgot, I do not have a last name.

Buffy: What about your name from before. Before you were turned.

Angel: No way. That was my father’s name and I despised him. I do not want to carry that name on.

Buffy: Okay, well maybe we will think of something.

Angel: I like Summers.

Buffy: Lets table this discussion until we both have given it more thought. Now what about a the wedding?

The duo finish making their decisions and head back to the hotel.

Buffy arrives at the hotel the find Willow holding a crying Liam and Cordy trying to convince her to let her feed him.

Willow: They will be back soon and Buffy will want to feed him herself.

Buffy: I am back and let me see him. She takes the baby and heads to a sofa in a far corner of the lobby and with Willow blocking the view she proceeds to nurse the baby. When she is sufficiently covered up, Willow sits beside her and immediately notice the ring.

Willow: Buffy is that what I think it is?

Buffy quickly hides her hand under the baby’s blanket.

Buffy: Yes but shhhhh

Willow: Oh my lord.

Suddenly everyone realizes what Buffy is doing.

Dawn: Buffy are you uh…..?

Wesley: My lord how is this possible?

Fred: Looks like nature is still adjusting to the new reality.

Xander: What are you guys talking about? (looks at Buffy) Oh sweet Jesus.

Anya: She is breast feeding, someone want to explain this.

Angel walks in having stopped to check on the laundry and hang his coat to dry.

Angel: Lets don’t try and explain let just be happy.

Angel goes and takes a seat on Buffy’s left and wraps his right arm around her and holds her close.

Angel: We have been making some decisions and we want to share with everyone. First thing we have made some decisions on a name. His first name is Liam as most of you are aware. For those who may not know Liam was my name before I was turned. He also has a middle name. Alexander.

Xander: Liam Alexander. I am shocked and touched.

Buffy: Well I wanted to name him after men that I loved and respected and well no way in hell was my kid being named Rupert.

Laughter filled the room.

Angel: The last name is still under discussion. We also made some other important decisions. Let me start by saying I am staying right here in LA and continuing with Angel Investigations. We have a lot more work to do. Next thing is Buffy is staying in Sunnydale where she is also needed.

Cordy: Glad to hear it.

Angel: But we do have a child to raise together. We are both parents to this child and as such we have made a very big decision. We would like everyone to come to Sunnydale next weekend to be with us when we make it official.

Buffy takes this moment to lift her left hand out from under the blanket and grab Angel’s arm as in an embrace.

Angel’s words and the ring slowly register with each person.

Anya: Oh my lord

Xander: You guys can’t really

Fred: Angel, congratulations, oh you too Buffy, sorry.

Wesley: I never imagined.

Buffy stands up and leads a stunned Dawn away.

Buffy: Dawn I know you are shocked but it is the right thing. I do need to talk to you about something.

Dawn: What?

Buffy: Since it is going to be a very small ceremony, I am only going to have one attendant, and would you be too hurt if I asked Willow.

Dawn: Not at all. It should be Willow. I get to be an aunt, she can be the maid of honor. (dawn smiles)

Buffy: Thanks. I love you. Lets go back cause I want to hear Angel.

The join the rest. Angel puts his arm back around her shoulders. Buffy nods to him

Angel: Wesley I want to ask you if you will be my best man?

Wesley: Yes, of course.

Buffy: Willow will you stand up with me?

Willow: Yes, but I thought you would ask Dawn.

Dawn: Willow its okay, it should be you.

Everybody discussed the upcoming event. Some are less enthusiastic than others, but those with concerns are silent.

Angel: Hey I know those from Sunnydale have work or school tomorrow, so you can head back whenever you like. I am going to drive Buffy and Liam up as soon as it gets dark. I plan on staying there during the week and help Liam get settled in and prepare for the weekend.

Cordy: Are you leaving Liam there?

Angel: That is the plan. He needs to be with his mother right now. It also will be safer for him to be away from all the people here trying to take him. He will come here for visits as often as possible and I will visit him when I can. I plan to be an involved parent.

Anya: Well I guess that means we can leave. Xander why don’t you get our bags. Willow. Dawn. Got your stuff?

Xander: Anya can you slow down a little.

Anya: Why, nothing more to do here and I could be stocking shelves or something.

Buffy: Xander go ahead and go. Actually I was hoping I could get Willow to do some shopping for me this afternoon in Sunnydale.

© 2005 your name