Forever, Always, and Then SomeChapter 85
Dawn: What are you talking about? How did Oz make you sick? Willow: Since we three are living here together there is something I need to tell you. But it has to be between us for now. Dawn: Uh, is it bad? Willow: We don’t think so. I kinda think it is pretty good. Scary, but good. Buffy: Not so scary. Dawn: What is it? Willow: No telling. Dawn: No, I won’t tell. Buffy: Anyone. Dawn: Anyone. Willow: Dawn, Buffy is not the only one having a baby. I am too. Dawn: You can’t be. You are gay. Willow: But I am still female. Dawn: You and Oz? But I thought you loved Tara. Willow: I do. Dawn: But you had sex with Oz. Did Tara know? Willow: She knew we considering it. But it happened the morning of the accident and I never had a chance to tell her we actually did it. Dawn: Considering? You planned this? Willow: Yes. Dawn: And Tara was okay with it? Willow: Tara was going to help me raise him. And Oz of course. Dawn: This is too much. Willow: I am sorry, I just felt you should know. Now no one knows but us three , Oz, and Angel. Dawn: So is Oz moving back here? Willow: No actually he is moving in with Angel. Dawn: Oz is going to live at the hotel? With Angel? Willow: Sure. There is plenty of room. Dawn: I guess. Will he be there when I go up? Buffy: If you go up. Dawn: But Angel said. Buffy: That was before you started doing love spells on Spike. Dawn: So my punishment is not getting to go? Buffy: That is not what I said. It is up to Angel. Not sure he has time to police you. Dawn: I don‘t need policing She goes to her room Buffy: God, I miss mom. Willow: I am so glad I am having a boy. Buffy: Are they really any easier? Willow: You can be the judge. You will have both. Buffy: Two teenagers at one time. Joy, joy. Willow: We haven’t even had the kids and are already dreading the teenage years.
The next morning. Dawn has gone off to school. Willow is getting dressed. Buffy: So Oz is all settled in, in LA? Willow: That’s what he said. I guess he didn’t have that much stuff. Buffy: So what are you two going to do today? Willow: Not sure. He said he just wanted to go out, get some lunch, discuss the baby, make plans. Buffy: Well don’t overdue. Willow: I won’t. I can tell from your outfit, you are in housecleaning mode. Buffy: Oh yeah. Between the trip to LA and all the other stuff like searching for you, the house has only been getting a lick and a promise. And I am starting with cleaning out the fridge. Willow: What? Are you going to throw out all the furry food? Buffy: Thought I might. Willow: Good. I don’t need anything else to make me nauseas. Buffy: Well that is my exciting plans for the day. You wouldn’t want to switch? Willow: No way. Buffy: I didn’t think so. Buffy gets Conner set up in his playpen in the living room and begins to tackle the kitchen. There is a knock at the front door. Willow answers it. Willow: Oz, right on time. Oz turns toward the van and waves. Angel runs in under a blanket. Willow: What .. Angel : SShh Willow: (w) What are you doing here? Angel: (w) Thought I would come along for the ride. Willow: (w) Okay. Angel: (w) Where are they? Willow: (w) Conner is in his playpen and Buffy is scrubbing the kitchen. Oz: Well are you ready? Willow: Sure. Bye Buffy, have fun. Buffy: (from the kitchen) Funny, Will. Bye. Willow and Oz leave. Angel slips through the living room and waves at Conner. He enters the kitchen an rounds the island. Buffy is on her knees wiping out the bottom shelf. He cocks his head and watches. He admires the brevity of her shorts. He continues to stare. Buffy: (without looking back) I do not know why you are here, but you could offer to help. Angel: Can’t fly under your radar. Buffy: Nope. So are you just going to stand there. Angel: I am admiring the view. Buffy: So in other words you are watching my ass. Angel: And what a nice ass it is. This was worth the drive up in the back of the van. She turns around and tosses her sponge into the sink. She closes the fridge, washes her hands and walks up and puts her arms around his neck and kisses him. Angel: Are you through? Buffy: Cleaning or kissing? Angel lifts her and carries her to the sofa. He sets her down and then turns toward Conner. He leans over to play with him. Buffy: Now that is a view worth watching. Angel: What a father and his son? Buffy: No your ass. Angel stands up. He reaches for the blanket on the back of the sofa and hangs it on the side of the playpen. Angel: Conner, sorry son, but you do not need to see this. Buffy: What are you up to? Angel goes over and sits down and pulls her into his lap. He gently kisses her. Buffy: Did you drive all the way her just to make out? Angel: That was half the reason. Buffy: The other half? Angel: My son. Buffy: Two very good reasons He slides his hand under her shirt to rest it on her stomach. Angel: Buffy, is there some reason your shorts aren’t even buttoned. Buffy: One very good one. Angel: You knew I was coming? Buffy: No, because I can’t get them buttoned. Angel: Huh. Buffy: They don’t fit anymore. Angel: Oh, I see, someone is gaining a little baby fat. Buffy: And this is just the start. Angel: Maternity clothes? I can’t wait. Buffy: I can. He again kisses her. An hour later they are lying on the sofa still making out. He has lost his shirt, while she has lost the tight shorts. The front door flies open and Dawn comes barreling in. Dawn: Whoopee! No more school. She stops in her tracks at the sight of the lovers. She turns around, and they grab their wayward clothing. Buffy: Dawn, why are you home so early? Dawn: Had my last exam, so I left. Buffy: We didn’t expect you for hours. Dawn: I gathered that. Hi Angel. I didn’t know you were coming. Angel: I didn’t either. Last minute decision. So no more school? Dawn: Nope. I am done for the summer. Buffy: And your grades? Dawn: Don’t know. But I am not failing. Buffy: Not failing is good, but can I hope for an some As and Bs maybe. Dawn: Get real, I am no Willow. Well I am going to the magic shop, so you two can get back to whatever you were uh doing. Buffy: Actually I need to feed Conner. Angel: Let me. I came here to spend some time with him, remember. Buffy: Okay then I guess you take him and I get back to the kitchen.
Willow and Oz return later. Buffy: Hey Oz. Oz: Hi. Willow: Well I guess the kitchen got put on hold. Buffy: Nope. Angel spent time with Conner and I spent time scrubbing. But it is all done. So Oz, what time are you two heading back? Oz: Actually it depends on angel. Angel: I leave when you do. Oz: Well, we ran into Devon today and he and his new band are playing at the Bronze. He asked me to sit in on a few sets. Thought it you weren’t in any hurry, we would leave after. Angel: Let me touch base with Wesley and see if he needs me. Angel calls AI and talks to Wes. Angel: Wes says things are quiet, so I guess we are staying for a little longer. Willow: Well I am going to lie down so I can have my strength for tonight. Buffy: Going to the Bronze? Willow: Of course. Aren’t you? Buffy: Hadn’t thought about it. Angel: Can you get a babysitter? Buffy: Dawn. Angel: Well if you go take a nap too, I say we dance tonight. Buffy: Snuggles? Angel: Lets go. They head upstairs. Oz: Snuggles? Willow: Buffy won’t take naps unless Angel snuggles with her. He usually falls asleep too. Oz: I think you guys have the right idea. I think I better rest up for tonight. Mind if I borrow the sofa? Willow: Go ahead. But if you won’t get the wrong idea, you can have half my bed. Oz: Are you sure? Willow: It is big enough, just don’t hit my arm or ribs and we will be fine. Oz looks at the sofa. Oz: Lets go. Willow leads him up and they both lie down. Willow: Oz, I am glad we are still friends. Oz: Me too, now sleep. A few hours later Conner wakes up. Buffy nudges Angel. Angel: What? Buffy: Conner is up. Angel: So? Buffy: I thought you wanted me to sleep. Angel: Oh, right. Sorry. He climbs out of bed and gets Conner and leaves the room. Angel: Well son, lets go downstairs and get you changed. You thirsty? Bet you are. He carries the boy downstairs and fixes him a bottle. As he feeds him, Dawn comes in. Dawn: Hi. Angel: Hi. Sorry about earlier. Dawn: No problem. I was not suppose to be here. Angel: Can we talk? Dawn: What about? Angel: Come and sit down. Dawn: I am not going to like this. Angel: Why you say that? Dawn: I know I was wrong and I have said I am sorry. Angel: I am not sure what you are talking about but sit. They sit in the living room. Angel: First off, can we get you to baby-sit tonight? Dawn: I guess, you going out? Angel: Yeah, Oz is playing at the Bronze. Buffy, Willow, and I are going. Dawn: Dingoes are playing? Angel: No, I think Oz said Devon had a new band. Dawn: Oh. What about Xander and Anya? They going? Angel: Not sure anyone told them. Dawn: So what else did you want to talks about? Angel: You coming to LA to visit. Dawn: I guess you changed your mind. Angel: No. I haven’t. But I want to wait a few weeks. I want you to stay and help until Willow is better. Okay? Dawn: Sure. I can do that. But I still get to come. Angel: Of course. But Buffy has the final say, I told you that. Dawn: I know and if my grades are bad I am not leaving the house, much less going to LA. Angel: One more thing. Dawn: What? Angel: Can you get me his diaper bag? I think he need changing. Dawn gets the bag. Angel: Don’t want to volunteer do you? Dawn: Not on you life. I can smell it from here. He is all yours, Daddy. Angel: No complaints here.
Later that night. Buffy comes out of the bathroom dressed for the Bronze. She walks in and looks at Angel. Buffy: Okay, turn around. Angel: What? Buffy: I have never seen you in blue jeans and I want to see the backside. Angel: Buffy. Buffy: Turn. Angel: No. Buffy: Obstinate. Angel: I learned from you. Now you ready to go? Buffy: Sure am. Angel: I love you in dresses. Buffy: You better, it is about all I can fit into. Angel: I guess shopping trip is necessary. Buffy: Not yet, but eventually. Angel: Let’s go chubby. Buffy: I still know how to use a stake dead boy. Angel: Not so dead. That is my baby. They walk downstairs. Willow: You guys ready. Oz has a table reserved. Nice to know someone in the band. Buffy: Kinda like old times. Willow: A little.
They arrive at the Bronze. Buffy: Honey, can you find our table. Willow and I are heading to the restroom. Angel: I never understand why woman always go in pairs. Buffy: So we can talk about the guys. They ladies walk off and Angel finds their seats. Oz nods from where he is setting up on stage. As soon as Angel sits down, a young brunette walks up and sits down. Angelica: Hi there I am Angelica. Angel: Hi. Angelica: And your name? Angel: Angel. Angelica: Angel? Really? Angelica and Angel, must be Karma. Angel: I guess. He looks at Oz. Angelica: You must be a friend of the band. Angel: I guess you could say that. Buffy and Willow are heading for the table. Buffy stops in her tracks. Buffy: I don’t believe it. Willow looks over. Willow: Buffy, don’t get all mad. You know he is just being polite. Buffy: I trust him. But she needs to find another seat. She walks on. Angelica: Goody, the band is ready. The music starts. Buffy walks up and puts out her hand. Buffy: Dance? Angel takes her hand and walks off without a backward glance. Angelica: What? Who does she think she is?
She stands up. Willow moves in front of her. Willow: Where you going? Angelica looks her up and down. Angelica: Looks like you lost the fight. Now move before you get hurt. Willow: I wouldn’t mess with her. Angelica: I can hold my own. That was so rude. Angelica marches over to Buffy and Angel. She taps Buffy on the shoulder. Buffy turns around. Angelica: Angel, if you wanted to dance you should have said something. Angel wraps his right arm around Buffy. Resting his hand on her stomach (as usual). Buffy grasp his hand with her left. She smiles. Angelica: I know we were talking when this rude girl showed up. You are too nice. You could have said no. Buffy: Angel, eventually your hand won’t be big enough. She tilts her head back and looks up at him. Angel: Then I will just have to use both hands. He wraps his other hand around her, covering her hand. He leans down and kisses her lips. Buffy slowly turns in his embrace and he kisses her again. Angelica stands in anger and confusion. Angelica: I know she is not your style. I can tell you have more class than her. Buffy: Lets go back to our table. The air is getting foul. They walk back to the table and are followed. Willow is sitting down watching the people. Willow: Short dance. Buffy: Seems Angel attracted the loony fringe. Angelica; Listen bitch, I am not a loony. So you need to watch your damn mouth. Angel turns and looks at her. Angel: I suggest you walk away. I tried not to be rude before but you will not speak to my wife in that manner. Angelica stares. Her mouth gaps open. Willow: Hey Buff, the band sounds good. Buffy: Yes it does. What do you think honey? Angel: I guess. |
© 2005 Tara