Forever, Always, and Then Some

Chapter Fourteen

 

The Summers household spends the next few days getting ready for the wedding. Buffy and Willow finally find the perfect outfits. Buffy has only asked that everyone wear blue. By Friday afternoon everything seems to be organized. Now if they can get through the next 24 hours. Buffy, Angel, and Willow sit in the kitchen going over the list to make sure they are not missing.

Buffy: Okay we have everything for the reception either here or to be picked up tomorrow. Everyone has something to wear. Now what have we decided on our out of town guest?

Willow: Well Cordy called and she is going to stay with Aura. So Giles and Fred can stay at Mom’s. Wesley and Gunn are staying at Anya’s. I think it best it Lorne stays her on the sofa. He is kinda hard to explain. Is that everyone?

Buffy: Except Angel.

Angel: You are not serious?

Buffy: Yes, it is bad luck. From midnight tonight until sunset tomorrow we are not going to be together. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Angel reaches over and picks Buffy up and sets her in his lap and starts nuzzling her neck.

Buffy: Don’t do that. Stop.

Angel: No

Buffy: I can’t think when you do that

Angel: Uh huh…..so quit think about sending me away

Buffy: Angel, please stop, we need to finish.

Angel: No, tell me I can stay here.

Buffy: Fine you can stay.

He lets her go. She walks out of reach.

Buffy: You can stay here in the basement.

Angel: The basement…..with Holtz?

Buffy: Well you don’t have to sleep alone then.

Angel: The basement? Are you serious?

Buffy: Please Angel it is only one night. Please? (pouty lip)

Angel: Fine, one night, but you better make it comfortable or I will sneak back up.

Buffy: Will do.

They finish the plans as the LA group arrives.

Cordy: We made it. Lorne drive like a maniac. Worse than me.

Lorne: Oh hush sweety you are safe and sound. Hi Angel. Buffy.

Wesley: Hey everyone.

Gunn: Hi.

Fred: Hello. I am so glad we made it. Wesley told Gunn the wrong turn and well we almost ended up somewhere not here. But we eventually got straightened out. And here we are. I like the house. Reminds me of places back homes. Very Homey.

Buffy: Thanks Fred. I am glad everyone made it.

Giles comes down stairs.

Giles: Why hello. Wesley. Cordelia.

Angel: Giles this is Gunn, Fred, and Lorne.

Fred: Giles the other watcher, like Wesley. It most be so interesting being a watcher and working with the slayer and reading all the books and all.

Giles: Why yes I guess it is.

Gunn: Nice to meet you.

Giles: Same here.

Buffy: Well I am glad everyone made it. I think everything is finally falling into place. I hope.

Willow: Buffy please quit worrying.

Buffy: But it is my job to worry I am the bride.

A cry comes from the baby monitor.

Angel: Buffy, uh another county heard from, want me to take it?

Buffy: Please. Just bring him down if he is ready to eat.

Cordy: Angel, let me go I want to see him.

Angel: Sure, he is in our room. First door on the right.

Cordy: Our room, you really have moved in.

Angel: Well uh I guess somewhat.

Buffy: It is his room anytime he wants and for long as he wants.

Angel: I guess we have two bedrooms…..one here and one in LA.. Hey does that mean our room in LA is now a vampire free place since it is now housing a human even if only part time.

Giles: I would think so. As long as it is truly Buffy’s home too, no vampire can come in uninvited. Well except the one that lives there of course.

Angel: I like that. Will make me feel safer, especially when Liam is there.

Cordelia walks in with baby Liam.

Cordy: Buffy I think he is hungry.

Buffy: Do you want to feed him Cordy?

Cordy: I thought you were nursing him.

Buffy: I am but I make bottles for when I am not here and so Angel and others can feed him on occasion. I can get one and warm it up for you.

Cordy: Sure. I miss feeding him. Feels like he has been gone for months and not just days.

Buffy and Cordy walk to the kitchen.

Cordy: Buffy how are you doing with all this? Can you handle it all you know with the slaying and all.

Buffy: Handle what motherhood?

Cordy: Well yes. I know it is a big responsibility and well you already have Dawn and all.

Buffy: I will admit it has been a struggle, but unlike my other duties, this one I like…..or say love. I wouldn’t’ give it up for anything.

She hands Cordy the bottle and they walk back into the living room.

Willow: Buffy, Wesley and Gunn are going to go get take out. Chinese sound okay to you.

Buffy: Sounds wonderful. (she yawns)

Angel: Buffy honey you look exhausted.

Buffy: I am fine. Just not getting the lion’s share of sleep lately.

Angel: Everyone say goodbye to Buffy for a few hours. I am putting her down for a nap.

Buffy: Huh, but we have guest.

Angel: They understand, don’t you guys.

Wesley: Sure we do. We will see you in a few hours…….the rehearsal is at 7 right?

Buffy: Oh the rehearsal and the Reverend we need snacks and drinks or something.

Willow: Buffy sleep, I will take care of everything. Stop worrying.

Angel leads her upstairs.

Buffy: I can’t stop worrying

Angel: Come on lie down. Just get a few hours rest. Everything is going to be just fine.

Buffy lies down on her bed.

Angel: Want me to stay with you until you fall asleep.

Buffy: Yes please. Lie with me.

Angel curls up behind her and soon both are fast asleep.

Downstairs.

Cordy: Where is Angel? I thought he was coming back down.

Willow: He’ll be down when he is ready.

Cordy: Fine, well do you have any diapers, I think this little one needs changing.

Willow: I will get it.

Willow goes up and slips into the bedroom. She gets the diaper without waking the sleeping couple. She returns downstairs

Willow: Well it looks like Buffy wasn’t the only one needing some sleep.

Cordy: He up there sleeping. I should have known. That man sleeps more than anyone I know.

Willow: Not really he just prefers sleeping when the sun is up. He is vampire. What should you expect?

Cordy: Well this one is all dry now. But it appears he is not sleepy.

Willow: Cordy you can put him in his swing if you want. He really likes it.

Cordy: Maybe in a minute. I kinda like holding him.

Xander walks in.

Xander: Whoa, this place is packed. Hi everyone.

Dawn: Hi Xander. Where is Anya?

Xander: She will be here when the store closes. Hey where is the happy couple?

Cordy: Sleeping.

Xander: Both of them?

Willow: Yes. Both of them. Good lord everyone acts like this is some big crime.

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