"Angel?" she asked quietly.
He stepped out of the shadows with a grin on his face. "Hi," he answered. Seeing him brought a smile to her face that brightened his world. She couldn't stop the delightful shivers that ran up and down her spine that his presence invoked.
"What are you doing here so late?" Buffy asked curiously.
"I just wanted to see you," he answered shyly.
"Really! No prophecies of impending doom," she joked but was surprised by his answer. Usually he only wanted to see her when trouble was brewing.
"Not that I know of. Actually I have something for you."
"Like a gift?" she asked her grin becoming wider.
"I guess you could say that. I wanted to get you something special for your birthday, but I didn't know what to get so..."
"Wait." she cut him off. "How did you know it's my birthday and it's not until tomorrow." Buffy asked.
Angel gave her that cryptic smile she loved to hate. "I told you I lurk," he answered matter-of-factly.
She smiled "How could I forget. So why didn't you wait until tomorrow night when it actually is my birthday?" she asked.
He moved to sit beside her on the bed. He looked into her eyes and couldn't resist the urge to kiss her. He leaned forward and gently pressed his lips to hers. At first she was surprised by his actions, but soon got caught up in a flurry of emotions and tenderly kissed him back. After a long moment she pulled back breathless. When she opened her eyes she found him starring back at her with those beautiful brown eyes that could see into her soul. She stroked the side of his face gently and leaned forward until their foreheads touched.
"According to that clock over there, it is tomorrow," he answered her long forgotten question slyly.
She glanced away from him to the clock on the wall that read 1:15 a.m. She realized he knew exactly what he was doing. When she returned her gaze to him she cupped the side of his face, smiled, and brought her face closer to his. "Does that mean I get my present now?" she asked.
He gave her one of his rare beautiful smiles and answered, "As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted."
She giggled softly. "Sorry, you may proceed now," she said happily with a sweeping gesture of her hand.
"Thank you. Now as I was saying, I wanted to be the first to say Happy Birthday and give you your gift from me."
"Oooh, show me, show me," she begged bouncing on the bed like a little girl. Angel smiled obviously amused at her. He got up and turned on the radio. A soft song played from the speakers.
-You love me too, these three words
-They could change our lives forever
-And I promise you that we will always be together
-Till the end of time
Buffy was stunned, who would've thought he was such a romantic. She got up from the bed and he led her to an open area in the middle of the room. Angel pulled Buffy into his embrace and began rocking gently to the music.
-Maybe I dream too much
-But when I think of you
-I long to feel your touch.
"For what?" Angel asked confused.
"For this, it's the best gift I could receive," she responded.
"I really didn't know what to get you, but I wanted it to be special," he replied truthfully.
"Your enough," she answered cuddling closer to him.
Her loving words struck a cord deep in his heart. He knew he could never let anything ever happen to her. He'd protect her when he could, be there when she needed him, and although it's hard, to love her despite their complications. He leaned his cheek on the top of her head and whispered, "Happy Birthday Buffy." and continued to rock her to the music.
-I will be your light
-Shining bright
-Shining through your eyes
-My baby
