Forever, Always, and Then Some

Chapter 118

 

Saturday August 24, 2002

10 AM

Summer House.

Angel comes down the stairs. He looks around the empty living room and enters the kitchen. He watches as she cleans.

Buffy: So you decided to get up.

He reaches for the coffee pot.

Buffy: Decaf.

Angel: Oh.

Buffy: I can makes some regular in a minute.

Angel: No this will be okay.

He pours a cup and leans against the counter.

Angel: Where is everyone?

Buffy: Gone. They headed back to LA a couple hours ago.

Angel: Oh. And Willow and Dawn.

Buffy: Willow took her to the mall to finish the back to school shopping. She starts back Monday.

Angel: So we are alone?

Buffy: Just the three us. Oh and Wes told me to give you a message. He was very explicit.

Angel: What?

Buffy: You are on vacation until after Labor Day and he will not let you in the office until then.

Angel: Vacation?

Buffy: Uh huh. So what are you going to do about it?

Angel: Hmmm. Not sure. I guess if I can’t go back to the office I can not go to the hotel and I am stuck here.

Buffy: I guess so. So I guess we have to make the best of it.

Angel: Not a problem.

He pulls her into his arms and leans into her warm lips. She wraps her fingers into his hair. She eventually pulls back.

Buffy: Uh, I need to get back to work.

Angel: Huh.

Buffy: The house won’t clean it self. I have to finish in here and I have a ton of laundry.

Angel: Oh. I can help. I can finish this why you start the clothes.

Buffy: You sure?

Angel: Sooner the house is done the sooner I have you to myself.

Buffy: For the whole week.

Angel: Liking the idea more and more.

Buffy: Dawn will be in school.

Angel: I know.

He rubs her nose with his.

Buffy: Well lets get the work done.

She grabs the laundry basket and heads down the stairs. He watches until she is out of sight and reaches for the sponge.

 

Late that night.

Angel walks down the stairs.

Buffy: Is he asleep?

Angel: Finally.

Buffy: Guess he is still worked up because of all the activity around here lately.

Angel: I guess.

He sits beside her and wraps his arm around her shoulders. She snuggles against him.

Angel: Where did Willow and Dawn get to?

Buffy: They went up to the store to get ice cream.

Angel: And pickles?

Buffy: Not hardly.

Angel: No cravings?

Buffy: I only have one and I have to forget it.

Angel: What do you crave?

Buffy: Oh the only thing I have a craving for is you.

Angel: Okay. You have a one track mind lately.

Buffy: I know. Must be the hormones.

Angel: Well I hope not. I like it.

Buffy: Oh you do huh?

Angel: Uh huh.

She tilts her face toward his. His lips capture hers. Her hand strokes his jaw as he lifts her into his lap. They gently kiss and caress until the front door opens.

Dawn: Ice cream!! You scream!!

She stops as she notices the embracing couple.

Dawn: Oops. Sorry.

Buffy: Don’t be.

Willow: So anyone for hot fudge sundaes?

Buffy: Me. Most definitely.

She pushes up and follows them to the kitchen.

Dawn: We stopped at the video store and picked up a couple movies.

Buffy: Good. Hey we got bananas.

Willow: Thinking banana spits?

Buffy: Of course.

Angel walks in a sits on a stool watching. Dawn pulls out the dishes. Buffy peels the bananas and slices them down the middle. She places one in each dish. She peels the fifth banana.

Angel: Buffy, I think that is one too many.

Buffy: Nope, this one is al-natural.

She stuffs the fruit into her mouth but catches his eye as she bites down. She quickly chokes on the soft produce.

Willow: You okay?

Buffy: Yes, sorry.

She looks into Angel’s eyes.

Buffy: (m) Sorry.

Angel: (m) Sure you are. That is going to cost you.

Buffy: (m) Oh.

Willow: Angel what do you want?

Angel: What?

Willow: On your ice cream?

Angel: Whatever. All taste pretty much the same to me.

Willow: Oh.

 

Later that night.

Angel and Buffy are slipping into bed.

Angel: Mmm. I love having you to snuggle with.

Buffy: Angel, can we talk?

Angel: Of course.

Buffy: I want to ask you something. And it is kinda important.

Angel lifts up on his elbow and looks into her face.

Angel: What is it?

Buffy: I know it is hard for you to make plans because you have no idea what work you will have but could you? Well would you be able to? Could you try to come here each week?

Angel: You mean every weekend?

Buffy: No I mean on Thursday night. Well actually you would have to come on Wednesday night to be here on time.

Angel: Buffy, can you stop talking in circles and tell what you want?

Buffy: I was just hoping you could go to class with me on Thursday night. It is only for 5 weeks. I thought you could come up Wednesday night and leave Thursday after the class. And if you can not make it one week, Willow can go with me.

Angel: Okay I am still confused.

Buffy: (deep breath) Can you come here one night a week for five weeks and go to birthing class with me?

Angel: Oh. Now I am understanding. And the answer is try and stop me.

Buffy: Really?

Angel: Of course. Why would you think I wouldn’t?

Buffy: Not sure. You are more guy in the shadows type. I am trying to picture you sitting on the floor learning about child birth.

Angel: You can take pictures if it will help.

Buffy: I might just do that.

Angel: So when are these classes?

Buffy: They start end of next month and go into October. Five Thursdays at 8:30. It will be dark then.

Angel: Okay. I guess I drive in on Wednesday like you said. That will give us one whole day a week to be together.

Buffy: And if you can’t make it, then Willow or Dawn can go with me. You know if work pops up.

Angel: I will be here baring pending disaster.

Buffy: Good. I will call and register us Monday.

Angel: You do that. Now I want to discuss your punishment.

Buffy: Punishment? For what?

Angel: Oh you know.

He runs his hand down her hip and pulls her close.

Buffy: What did I do this time?

Angel: Think banana.

Buffy: Oh yeah. I swear that was an accident. I eat them all the time.

Angel: Even so what are you’re going to do to make it up to me?

Buffy reaches over and opens the nightstand drawer. She shows him a little square package.

Buffy: Look what I got.

Angel: I see.

Buffy: Is that what you want?

Angel: It will have to do I guess.

She rolls over and smiles into his face.

 

Thursday August 30, 2002

9PM

 

The Beach.

The area is covered with various blankets. A fire burns in the grill.

Willow: Buffy, I think everything is done. All we have to do is cook the burgers and hot dogs.

Buffy: Good. I am glad nothing screwed this up.

She looks over at Angel holding Conner a the edge of the water.

Buffy: Look at him. He is so relaxed.

Willow: I know. Never knew he liked the water so much.

Buffy: Me either. Not till we went on that trip to the desert. After I learned he liked swimming, he told me how he grew up near the coast and spent a lot of time as a boy in and around the water. I knew we could not do a traditional trip but this is just as nice. Plus no one has to worry about sunburns.

Willow: Which is good for Conner.

Anya: And me. I hate being all sore and red.

Xander: And a great place for a picnic. No flies or mosquitoes here.

Buffy: I am glad everyone approves.

Willow: Hey and I found a glow in the dark Frisbee. Any takers?

Pike: Dawn?

Dawn: Sure. But I am not very good.

Pike: You’ll be fine.

They move to opposite ends and Pike throws it and Dawn catches it. Her throw goes off course. Angel snags it before it can hit his head.

Angel: Who threw this?

Dawn: Sorry. I suck at this.

Angel looks at Pike and flicks it to him. Angel heads back to the blanket with Conner. He sits down.

Buffy: Let me take him.

Angel: He is fine.

Buffy: I thought you might want to play.

Angel: Nope.

Buffy: Even if I have a bucket and shovel.

Angel: You want me to dig in the sand?

Buffy: No but he might like it. If he don’t try and eat it.

She hands him the sand tools to the father and son.

Xander: I think I better go help Dawn. She really does suck.

Buffy lies back on the blanket.

Willow: You tired?

Buffy: Not at all. Just extremely happy.

She stretches her hand out and rubs her husband’s back.

Buffy: How about you?

Angel: Do you have to ask?

Buffy: Guess not.

A cell phone rings. Buffy digs in the diaper bag.

Buffy: Up, its yours.

She hands him the phone. He stands up and walks away

Angel: Hello.

Wes: Hi. Listen we need your help.

Angel: When?

Wes: Now. We can not do this ourselves.

Angel: Uh well I…

Wes: Angel we don’t have time to argue. Just get here as quick as possible.

Angel looks out over the ocean and sighs.

Angel: Can you at least tell me what I have to kill?

Wes: I will explain everything when I see you.

Cordy: Angel quit complaining. These wussy men need your help.

Angel: Just let me tell Buffy.

He turns back to the blanket and stops and stares. Stands holding the phone to his ear.

Angel: Huh?

Cordy: Hang up the phone and get over here.

He slowly hangs up and walks up to the blankets.

Angel: Want to tell me what is going on?

Cordy: These men are too weak to carry one measly cooler down here.

Angel: I thought you had a real problem.

Cordy: I do. I am thirsty and it has all the sodas. So go now.

Buffy: Honey, please. They were in charge of drinks and I am thirsty too.

Angel: Where is it?

Fred: Back of Gunn’s truck. I will show you.

Fred and Angel walk off.

Buffy starts laughing.

Willow: Did you see his face?

Cordy: Yes. He had no idea. Sometimes he is too gullible.

Buffy: I know.

Angel walks up with the cooler.

Buffy: So are we ready to eat?

Willow: Uh I guess. Who is doing the cooking?

Buffy: Thought Xander was.

Willow: Well Xander is still playing Frisbee.

Buffy: Oh yeah. Well this girl wants a burger now.

Wes: Heck let me. I think I can handle a few burgers and wieners.

Willow: Thanks Wes.

Angel sits back down with Conner.

Buffy: If you want to swim go on.

Angel: You want to?

Buffy: Me?

Angel: Yes. I bet someone would watch Conner.

Buffy: (m) Are wanting to swim or something else?

Angel: (m) Both.

Buffy: Will, can you watch Conner, while Angel and I take a swim?

Willow: Sure.

Angel takes her hand and leads her out into the water. He helps her past the breakers into the calmer waters.

Angel: You okay?

Buffy: Perfect. Feel light.

Angel: You are always light to me.

Buffy: To a vampire almost everything is light.

Angel: To a slayer too. You are stronger than me.

Buffy: I know.

 

On the beach

A bright light illuminates the blankets.

Cordy: What the hey?

Officer: What is going on here?

Willow: What does it look like?

Officer: Little late for sunbathing.

Willow: But not to late for a beach party cook-out.

Officer: I guess. Have you seen anyone else on the beach?

Willow: No just our group. Looking for anyone in particular?

Officer: Just had a report of some gangs attacking citizens after dark. So You may want to hurry and head home.

Wesley: Thanks for the warning.

Kate: Hello officer.

Officer: Detective Lockley? What bring you here?

Kate: I heard you call in the report and I thought I would back you up.

Officer: Nothing here. Just a little beach party.

Kate looks around. Xander, Pike and Dawn walk up.

Kate: Uh Mr. Pryce and Ms. Chase. Are you working on a case?

Wes: No. Just a little end of summer party.

Kate: So is the boss here?

Cordy: Wesley is the boss. But if you mean Angel, he and Buffy are swimming.

The officer lifts his spotlight onto the couple. Everyone glances out as the kissing couple stop an turn look.

Kate: Turn that off.

The officer flicks off the light.

Kate: I think you should get back to patrol.

Officer: Are you sure?

Kate: Very. I know these folks and it is fine.

Cordy: Kate, can we interested you in a burger or hot dog?

Kate: No thanks. So are you folks setting a trap for the vampires?

Willow: No. What vampires?

Kate: Oh I thought you may have heard. There has been a number of citizens killed out her the last month.

Xander: And I can assume they all had odd neck wounds.

Kate: Oh yeah.

Angel and Buffy walk up.

Angel: What is with the spotlight?

Kate: Sorry about that. Just an over active beat cop.

Willow: Kate was telling us there have been a number of vampire attacks here.

Buffy: Great. Just what I need.

She plops down and grabs a towel. Conner crawls into her lap.

Buffy: Honey, you are going to get wet.

Willow: I think he already is.

Kate: Well let me head on.

Buffy: Kate, before you go anymore on Riley and Harmony?

Kate: Far as I can tell they are still on the cruise.

Buffy: Oh.

Kate: I will call if I hear anything.

Buffy: Thanks.

Kate walks toward her car.

Angel: Vampires on the beach? That is rare.

Buffy: Why?

Angel: Kinda of the big water avoidance issue. Never know who has been praying and where.

Buffy: Never thought of that. So what do ya do test it with your toe?

Angel: Actually I do.

Wes: Well I have few burgers ready. Who is first?

Anya: Cow me.

Buffy, Willow, and Xander stare at her in shock.

Anya: What? What did I say? I am hungry.

Xander: I think that phrase is no longer appropriate.

Fred: I have to agree with that.

Cordy: Me too.

Wes: I don’t think Anya was referring to Pylea, ladies.

Anya: No I was talking about burgers. Ril……..oh I see.

Xander: Wes give her burger and she may hush up.

Buffy: Please do.

 

 

 

 

 

© 2005 Tara