I do not own any of the characters in this story. They all belong to Joss Whedon, the WB, and Mutant Enemy. The only thing that is mine, is the story idea. I would first off like to thank my editor and best friend Breezie (love you Breezie), and ask for your feedback on my story. The only way I will become a better writer is if I know what people think. My email is Robynn@tanet.net.

Angel walked into his apartment moments before sunlight flooded the surrounding world. He collapsed into the nearest chair and felt the tears begin to fall. He and the others had spent all night looking for Buffy and had come up empty handed. Angel tried to tell himself that she would be okay and that they would find her soon, but the doubt wouldn't leave. It had been only two days since the death of Buffy's mother and there was no telling where she was or what she might do. Just as he was about to become lost in his thoughts he heard a soft whimper. He quickly sprang out of his seat and made his way to the bedroom. He almost collapsed when he saw Buffy sitting on his bed. She was encased in an aurora of sadness and her body was shaking violently because of her tears. He approached her slowly and knelt at her side. She looked up at him, and in her eyes he saw a sadness that was almost as deep and intense as that of which he possessed. He wasn't sure of what to do, so he took her in his arms and held her until her tears subsided and her body no longer convulsed.

After Buffy had fallen asleep, Angel lovingly put her in bed and made his way to the phone to call a very worried Willow, Xander, and Giles and tell them Buffy was safe. After hanging up with Giles, he returned to Buffy's side. As he watched her sleep, he thought about what she had to be going through. Buffy was only seventeen years old, and she has so much responsibility placed on her shoulders. She was the Slayer whether she liked it or not, at times she was the only thing that stood between the world and it's destruction and now the death of her Mother. Angel tried to remember back to when he was seventeen years old, but it had been too long ago.

Buffy slowly opened her eyes to the dimness around her. She wasn't sure where she was, but felt safe. As she was beginning to remember the events of the past two days she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Angel standing there. Relief flooded her body. Angel, the love of her life, was there and she was safe. Buffy felt sure he knew of the past two days events, and that he would try to make her talk about them, but she couldn't. She needed to get away from this place. She wanted to go home and deal with her feelings there alone.

Angel knew what Buffy would try to do. She would tell him she was fine, go home, and go crazy. He wasn't going to let her. No matter how much she begged and pleaded, he knew she didn't need to be alone at a time like this. He also didn't care how mad she got, or how hard she fought him. He loved her too much to let her go.

With her boots on and laced Buffy headed for the door. She almost made it when Angel stepped in front of her. She knew he was going to do his best to make her stay, and was determined that he was not going to succeed.

She needed to get home and away from him before she lost it. She could feel the tears and knew they were not far away. She didn't want him to see her cry. Not when she was most vulnerable. She had to get away.

Angel could see the determination in Buffy's eyes and knew he was in for quite a fight. Buffy could be very stubborn, but he wasn't going to let her win this one. "Buffy you are in no condition to leave.You can't leave, not now." Buffy looked at him. "Yes I can and I will." "Buffy you are in no condition to leave now, what if you are attacked on the way home?" "There is no way you can fight them off," he said with concern. "So what? I don't have anything left anymore. I don't even have a family to go home to, so who cares if I die?" Those words stung like a thousand needles. Angel looked at her with compassion in his eyes. "Buffy I care. If something happened to you, I don't know what I would do. I love you." Buffy turned her back to him. She couldn't let him see that she was on the verge of losing it. She wanted to collapse in his arms and tell him she loved him too. Angel must have sensed it all, because he turned her around and looked in her eyes long and hard. That was all it took. The dam that had been held up inside of Buffy broke. She buried her face in his chest and sobbed long and hard. Angel held her, letting his tears fall with hers, and told her it was going to be okay.

After she had calmed down, Buffy asked Angel if she could at his place that night. He told her yes immediately. She laid her head on his chest and snuggled up next to him. She needed to know that at least one part of her life was still there for her. She looked deep into his eyes, and saw understanding, concern, and love. He loves me, she realized. He really does. She reached up and kissed his lips softly. She needed him, she wanted him. She kissed him harder and deeper. She needed to know that she was still alive.

Angel was surprised by Buffy's kisses, but returned each one. Their kisses got longer, and more passionate. Before he knew what was happening he was lying in bed next to Buffy. He turned and looked at the clock next to his bed. The events of the past three hours replayed through his mind. He turned to look at his new lover who was snuggled up next to him. She was asleep, and looked peaceful. He kissed her lips softly, so as not to wake her, and slowly made his way out of bed.

Buffy woke up what seemed like day later. She turned over to find a single red rose resting on the pillow next to her, but no Angel. She wondered where he was. She sat up and looked at the clock. "So much has happened in the past three and a half hours," she thought, as she replayed their love making in her mind. She felt a glow come about her as she remembered the feel of Angel's body on hers. Just as she was about to become lost in her thoughts, she felt a pair of lips kiss her forehead. She looked up to see Angel standing over her. Seeing her lover, she smiled for the first time in days.

Angel reached down again, and kissed Buffy on the lips passionately. Her lips were so warm and soft. He wanted her to know how much he loved her, and how much he needed her. He wanted her to stay this way with him forever.

Buffy felt herself melt as Angel's lips met hers. God she loved this man. This man of the night. With that thought she kissed his lips again and smiled. She gathered up her clothes and slipped into the bathroom. After she emerged she felt refreshed and full of energy. She was ready to hunt down Spike and make him pay for what he had done. She knew it would take time and patience, but she was ready.

*Sunnydale Cemetery Three Weeks Later*

Buffy ducked and barely missed the fist Spike had coming at her. She jumped up, spun around, and floored Spike with a single kick. She stood over foe, with stake in hand, and plunged it straight into his heart. She watched as Spike screamed, and then burst into ashes.

Angel watched nearby as Buffy avenged her mother's death. He was glad that it was over. For the past three weeks Buffy had been hell bent on killing Spike. She finally had carried out her mission, and could begin to heal. He walked over, and her hand. "It's over Buff, let's go home," he told her. She looked up at him, and nodded her head as to agree.

On the way home Buffy passed out. Angel barely caught her before she hit the ground. He knew she had been feeling ill for the past couple of weeks, but had no idea it was this bad. He gathered her up in his arms and headed for his apartment. Once they arrived, he laid her down on their bed, and ran to get the smelling salts. Buffy came to moments later. After Angel brought her some water, he told her "I am taking you to the doctor tomorrow." Buffy hated doctors, but she knew there was no use in arguing with Angel.

Buffy arrived at the doctors office, with Angel, the next evening. She had tried her best to talk him out of going with her, but he would not change his mind. She sat in the waiting room, pouting, until her name was called. She then wearily picked herself up and followed the nurse.

Angel waited impatiently for Buffy. "What is taking so long?" he wondered. "I hope there is nothing wrong." He looked at the clock. "It has been almost an hour, and she is still in there. I'm going to go find out what is wrong." Just as he got to the door, Buffy appeared. She looked to be in a state of shock. "This doesn't look good," he thought.

On the way home Buffy was as silent as death. Angel knew something was up, and was determined to find out what. As they pulled up to his apartment, he turned and looked at Buffy. "What gives?" he asked. She just looked at him, got out of the car, and walked into the apartment. Angel followed her in hot pursuit. He had to know what was wrong. "Buffy, what is wrong?" he asked. Buffy turned and looked at him, wondering how to tell him what she knew. "Buffy come on answer me." Buffy took at deep breath, and in a very small voice told him "I'm pregnant."

Angel sat down very quickly. His head was spinning. What had she just said? It couldn't be. Could it? It was impossible for a vampire to have children. Wasn't it? He looked up at Buffy. She looked very scared and somewhat lost. He reached up and pulled her close to him. He didn't know what to say, but felt sure she was just as scared as he was, if not more.

Buffy wondered what Angel was thinking. She wished she could read his mind. It would put hers at ease. It was comforting that he had pulled her to his chest and was rubbing her back. She looked up at his eyes, trying to see what he was thinking. He seemed to be off in another world, miles away from her. "What will he want me to do about this baby?" she wondered.

Angel looked down at Buffy, the woman who was carrying his child. He felt tears come to his eyes, thinking of what he had in his arms. He was being given the chance that other vampires are not. The chance to have a wife and child. The chance to have a family. He hugged Buffy closer, and pulled her face to his for a long kiss.

Buffy was taken back by Angel's kiss, but welcomed it. She looked up at him. "Angel what are we going to do about this baby?" she asked. Angel looked back at her and smiled. "Buffy we are going to love and spoil our child. That is what we are going to do," he said. Buffy smiled through tears, and kissed her lover. She thought about the life that lay ahead of them, and a bigger smile came to her face. She pulled herself even closer to Angel and kissed him long and hard. "I love you Angel." Angel put his hand on Buffy's stomach and whispered "I love you too."

*Sunnydale General Hospital Eight Months Later*

Angel, Xander, and Giles paced the hospital waiting room floor anxiously. Angel looked at the clock nervously. His wife had been in labor, with Willow at her side, for almost six hours now. The suspense was killing him. He and Buffy had been expecting this day for months, and it was finally here.

Just when he thought he couldn't take it anymore, he saw Willow walk through the door. He, Xander, and Giles rushed to her side. "So, how is she?" Xander asked. Willow smiled, "She and the baby are doing fine. You can see her if you want Angel." Angel not having to be told twice, quickly made his way to his wife's room. Buffy lay in bed, looking very tired, but very happy. She smiled as she saw Angel walk in. "Angel I would like for you to meet our son," she said. Angel took the infant from Buffy's arms, and tears came to his eyes. His son was perfect, with brown hair, blue eyes, and peach colored skin. He looked over at his wife. "What should we name him?" he asked. Buffy closed her eyes, as if in deep thought for a moment. "How about Jacob?" Angel smiled. The name was perfect.

After hugs, kisses, tears of joy, Xander and Willow being named Godparents, and Giles an Uncle, they sat down to see the newest edition to their group. Willow couldn't quit cooing over the baby, and Xander was just as bad. Giles smiled politely as he watched.

After all visitors had gone home, Angel and family were alone at last. Angel held and kissed his son gently. He had been given the chance that no other had, and intended on making the most of it. He was a father. He was going to do all he could to be a good Dad. He looked down and smiled at Buffy, as he took her in his arms, and gave her a long kiss. He laid down beside his wife, closed his eyes, and began to dream of the life they would have together as a family.