“Well, what do you think?” Buffy asked, twirling around for her roommate’s inspection. Her skirt went about to her knee with a slight flare. Her hair was pinned up away from her neck, actually showing off her bite scar instead of hiding it. Her top was cut low, and almost gave a glimpse of her fancy bra. She wouldn’t tell Willow, but more thought had gone into the matching underwear than the rest of the outfit.
“I think Riley is going to be floored,” Willow said with a grin.
Buffy smiled, but frowned inside. She wasn’t dressing for Riley. She was dressing for Angel. However, in order to have an evening with Angel with no questions asked, she first had to agree to a date with Riley. So they were going out to dinner. He was paying. Buffy hated every second of it.
Surveying her own reflection in her mirror, Buffy perfected her fake smile. She was going out with Riley in the first place because everyone else expected her to. She liked him all right, but she didn’t love him. She loved Angel. She loved everything about Angel. She loved the way he smiled just for her. She loved the way her kisses could make the pain in his eyes disappear. She loved him as a vampire, and she loved him as a man. She loved the way he could be standing behind her now and not appear in the mirror. She loved the small changes his growing humanity was bringing out in him. Each and every quirk, each and every word, each and every motion, was fascinating to her.
Riley’s quirks, words, and motions were starting to get annoying. No, not *starting,* they were annoying already.
“Oh!” Buffy said suddenly, and frantically reached into her jewelry box realizing she’d forgotten something. She smiled when she withdrew the silver cross and it glinted in the light.
Willow looked at her oddly when she fastened the cross Angel had given her around her neck. “Why are you wearing that?” she asked softly.
“It’s always a good idea to wear a cross at night,” she admonished.
“But…that one?” Willow sputtered.
“It’s just a cross,” Buffy
said, and swept out of the room.
“I had a really good time tonight,” Buffy lied through
her perfected false grin.
Riley smiled. “I’m glad.” They stood outside Buffy’s dorm, saying their goodbyes. “Can I come in for a minute?” Riley asked.
Buffy shook her head. “Willow’s there. Studying. She’s got this big test Monday, and you really don’t want to disturb her.”
Riley looked disappointed. “I understand. I’ll see you.” With that he leaned forward and kissed her. Buffy closed her eyes and returned it. She had to keep up appearances…
After a moment, Riley broke away with a small smile. “Bye,” he whispered, and moved away.
Buffy neither moved nor replied as he walked off into the night. When he’d finally disappeared, though, she smiled. “You can come out now,” she said into the darkness behind her.
Strong arms wrapped around her from behind. “How did you know I was there?” Angel whispered.
“I always know,” Buffy replied. “You’ve been watching me and Riley for half the evening.”
“I have to protect my lady’s honor,” he said in a joking tone.
“I don’t need anyone’s protection,” she argued. “I’m just trying to keep up appearances.” Then she sighed and leaned back into his embrace. “I’m sick of this,” she whispered. “Riley’s my only link to the Initiative. But on top of that, everyone else expects me to be happy with him. Willow gets this look on her face every time I get back from a date with him. It’s like he has his own private cheering section!”
Suddenly Angel swept her up into his arms and Buffy let out a slight ‘eep.’ He chuckled slightly and carried her into the night. “I don’t need a cheering section,” he whispered. “I’ve got you.”
Buffy leaned into his chest. “It’s not fair, though,” she said. “Everyone seems to be pushing what they thing is best for me. Even you!”
Angel frowned. “Are we going to fight or can I make it all better?”
“How are you going to do that?” Her tone came out playful.
“Oh, I’ve got some ideas. You’ll see.” They kissed deeply.
The rest of the walk to the mansion went quickly, especially with Angel carrying her the whole way. He only put her down briefly when they reached the door so he could open it. Then he swept her off her feet again and carried her like a bride across the threshold.
“Angel!” Buffy gasped when she saw the inside of the usually somber house. Every surface was graced with candles, most especially leading to Angel’s bedroom. It was like the room glowed.
“You like?” Angel whispered.
“I like,” Buffy replied. “Now why don’t you show me how you’re going to make everything better.”
“I can do that,” Angel said with a grin. He carried her all the way into the bedroom before he placed her gently down on the bed. He sat beside her, then removed a blood red rose from a vase on the nightstand.
Buffy’s eyes widened. “Angel…what…?”
“Sssh,” he whispered. “Why don’t I show you.”
And Buffy trembled in anticipation.
The lovers lay together still in a haze of pleasure, radiating
contentment. They relaxed in each others company, smiles gracing
their faces. This was the way it should be.
Buffy sat up slightly against the pillows. “Wow,” she whispered.
Angel chuckled and rolled so that his head was in her lap. “You liked?”
Buffy smiled. “I like you.” She leaned forward in an attempt to kiss him when Angel gasped slightly. “What is it?”
Angel reached out a hand that was trembling slightly to touch her naked stomach. Then his head replaced his hand. His eyes were very wide.
Amusement and concern fought for dominance on Buffy’s face. “What?” she demanded again.
He turned his head and kissed her stomach very lightly. Buffy laughed slightly at the movement. “You’re pregnant,” he whispered.
Buffy’s eyes went very wide. She wanted to object, but part of her knew his words were true.
“You’re pregnant, and it’s mine,” Angel whispered in awe. “I didn’t think that was possible.”
His words struck her to her core. She knew…she knew…that every one of them was true. She smiled in pure delight and contemplated the new life they had created.
Oh baby just to feel this
feeling
That everything that
you do gives me
It’s been too long since
somebody whispered
Shut up and kiss me
On to Part Four
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