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Chapter 11: Quiet before the storm When Buffy and Angel explained the situation to Joyce, she was like a broken record, she couldn't believe it. After a while Buffy was starting to get worried about her but she was just stunned, she simply couldn't believe that the nice normal, breathing young man who had been her way to make Buffy normal again, had lost his mind so badly. “I just can't believe it. I can't believe it”, she repeated probably for the tenth time. “Mom, believe it. Riley is sick, he stalked me, kidnapped me and tried to kill Angel”, Buffy said placing a comforting hand on to her mothers shoulder. “But he was such a nice normal young man”, Joyce insisted. “Define normal”, Buffy muttered but her mother didn't hear her. There was the magic word, 'normal young man', Buffy knew her mother would rather have her with a breathing nutcase than with Angel but she wasn't going down that road, the night had been traumatizing enough when the perfect son in law had kept her hostage. “Oh, honey, is the baby alright?” Joyce asked just realizing and she sounded genuinely concerned. Buffy gave her a comforting smile and placed her hands on the bump. “He or she is alright. Been kicking me like I'm a punching bag”, she answered and glanced at Angel whose eyes were fixed on her belly. “Are you sure?” Joyce asked and Buffy nodded with a small smile, her mother was finally accepting that she was going to have a baby. “Yes, I'm sure.” “Maybe you should see a doctor to make sure”, Joyce suggested. “No, you know how much I hate hospitals, I only go for the check ups. But if it makes you feel any better, I'll ask Willow and Tara make a witchy sonogram”, Buffy promised, not mentioning that Angel could hear the baby's heartbeat and had assured her that everything was normal, she didn't want to remind her mother that he wasn't exactly average son in law. “Joyce, luv, could I get another cup of cocoa? With extra marshmallows?” Spike asked and flashed a charmer smile at Joyce. “Of course”, she said, took his cup and went to the kitchen. “I still can't believe the big poof knocked up the Slayer!” he said as soon as Joyce was out of hearing range. Buffy rolled her eyes and Angel just sent a glare at his way. Angel shifted closer to Buffy on the couch and placed his hand on the bump. “Are you sure you're alright?” he asked and smoothed her hair back with his other hand. “I'm sure, we're both alright”, she assured him and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “Oh, come on, you two! You're making me puke. You bloody well know the bint is alright, I can hear two steady heartbeats here and I bet she doesn't get moments peace with you hovering over her.” Buffy turned to glare at Spike. “Why are you still here?” “Your mum invited me”, Spike answered and smirked at Angel, almost as if showing his tongue at the dark vampire. “What is it with males over hundred years old, do they suddenly come in touch with their inner six year old?” Buffy sighed and rolled her eyes. “At least I am not jealous of a little boy going after my girl”, Spike shot. “I remember a time back in 1882 when you...” Angel started but Buffy stepped in. “Boys, back to your corners. And Spike, shut up”, Buffy said and pointed at Spike as he was about to say something. “What?! I didn't say anything”, Spike protested innocently. “You were going to”, Buffy shot back and then took a sharp breath. “What? What is it?” Angel asked quickly getting worried but Buffy just gave him a calming smile before grabbing his hand and placing it to her stomach. “The baby just kicked. For someone so little, it's strong.” “See, even the kid is on me side”, Spike said pointing at her. “No he's not”, Buffy protested. “She”, Angel corrected. “It's a boy, Willow did the ring thing with the belly.” “Come on, Buffy, you can't believe into that stuff“, Angel said shaking his head. “Please, could you two stop, you're making me nauseous.” Joyce walked into the living room and handed the steaming cup to Spike. Angel pulled his hand away from Buffy's stomach and shifted away from her, a gesture that wasn't lost on her. “I'm sorry I took so long, but Cordelia called”, Joyce apologized and sat down. “What did Cordy say?” Buffy asked. “Just asked how things went and when you two are coming back home.” “Are you going to be okay? Should I stay for the night?” Buffy questioned but Joyce just shook her head with a small smile. “I'm fine, honey. You should go to sleep, you look tired”, she assured her daughter and patted her hand. “Are you sure? I could stay to make sure you're okay.” “I'm perfectly fine. I wasn't hurt, just a little startled. And you need the rest, you and my grandchild”, she assured Buffy and was rewarded with a huge smile when she mentioned grandchild. She didn't like the idea of Buffy going with the creature she had for a boyfriend but the fact that the mansion housed three other people was comforting.
Buffy woke up slowly and smiled as she could smell Angel cooking in the kitchen. She got up from the bed and quickly did her morning chores before sneaking into the kitchen. She stopped at the door and leaned to the door frame to admire the view. How could a man be so incredibly sexy while doing something as domestic as whipping cream. Her eyes raked up and down his large form before lingering on the spot where his tattoo was peaking from under his shirt. Her eyes followed his expert moves with keen interest. Angel turned around and set a full plate on the table. “I was planning on bringing breakfast in bed”, Angel stated and Buffy gave him a apologetic smile, failing to look innocent. “Sorry, but if it helps, I really enjoyed the view”, she said and went to the table. “Glad to oblige”, he said with a smirk and leaned into a quick kiss. Or what was intended to be a quick kiss, but Buffy grabbed the back of his neck and deepened the kiss. Angel pulled back with a crooked smirk. “Eat your breakfast”, he said and guided her to the table. “Yes, daddy”, she said with a cheeky smile and dug into the plate. “Mom, I'm home!” they heard Faith's voice from the main room. Buffy shot Angel a halfhearted glare. “I knew she would never let me live this down”, she grumbled and pointed at her stomach. “In the kitchen!” she yelled at Faith and soon she strolled through the door. “So, how is the mama doing?” she asked and grabbed a piece of bacon from Buffy's plate before sitting to the table. “She's doing just fine aside from a little kidnapping. So how was your trip?” “Wait a minute, back up, B. You got kidnapped? By who?!” Faith asked waving her finger at Buffy almost as if it would make her confess. “Riley, he finally snapped. But he's not a threat anymore, the Initiative commando guys took him away, the commander or what ever, said that he's going into psych ward”, Buffy assured her but she didn't look satisfied. “Damn, I would have liked to do a make over his face”, she said, then turned to look at Angel. “Or does he have one already?” “Let's just say he won't be joining any barn dances any time soon”, Angel answered deadpanned and placed a plate in front her. “Wow, he can cook too”, Faith stated and dug into the food, moaning at the taste as she stuffed several forkfuls into her mouth. “Yeah, he's got plenty of talents”, Buffy said looking at Angel and Faith chuckled loudly. “I didn't mean it like that”, Buffy protested and looked at Faith embarrassed, only making her laugh louder. “Okay, now that we have had the Buffy with a foot in her mouth, we can go back to business. Faith, I need you to be careful with the Initiative, I don't think we're on their friends list anymore”, she continued more seriously. “I know. I don't like those guys either, playing here and pretending to be better than us just because they have weapons with batteries.” “Yeah, that bugged me too”, Buffy conceded and frowned at the memory. Faith scraped her plate clean and leaned back on her chair looking satisfied. The door swung open and Cordelia strolled in, only sparing a quick glance at Faith before ignoring her. “So, when are we leaving? The boys and I want to know when we're leaving Sunnyhell? After the show you two put up, they're too awkward to ask themselves”, she went straight to the point in her usual manner. “It looks like I missed something. Did you two get it on in front of the kids?” Faith smirked and gave Buffy a mischievous wink. “Faith!” Buffy cried out. “They just did the bloodsucking thing without the gross factor. Well, less gross. I really could have lived happily without witnessing it”, Cordelia explained and sent both Buffy and Angel an accusing stare. “What happened?” Faith asked not understanding what Cordelia was saying. “Riley poisoned Angel”, Buffy answered not wanting to elaborate further, she was still sore that Faith had tried to kill Angel and despite their current relationship, she couldn't remember the night without anger. “With the same poison you used”, Cordelia shot and gave Faith one of her cold looks. “Oh”, Faith breathed out looking guilty before shifting her gaze to Angel. “You okay, big guy?” she asked with badly disguised regret in her voice. “I'm fine, Faith”, Angel assured her. As if just realizing what Cordelia had been talking about, Faith's eyes shifted to Buffy's neck but she didn't say anything. “I knew coming here was a bad idea, Sunnydale is nothing but trouble”, Cordelia stated melodramatically. Buffy just rolled her eyes and decided to change the subject away from the morbid memories of almost loosing Angel. “Why don't we go to the main room, Willow and Tara are coming any minute now to do the witchy ultrasound on the baby”, Buffy said and got up from the table. “Is it alright? Did the psycho hurt the baby?” Faith asked concerned but Buffy just shook her head. “It's just a precaution, I really hate hospitals so Willow is the next best thing. Besides, I am sure there's nothing wrong, he's been kicking me on regular basis and Angel hasn't heard anything not normal. He's been nearly living with his ear on my stomach for the last 24 hours.” “No, I haven't”, Angel tried to defend himself but in vain. “Yeah, right”, Cordelia snorted, then seemed to think of something with a frown appearing to her face. “Xander's not coming, is he? I don't think I can handle him without hitting him.” “No, just Willow and Tara”, Buffy assured her. As the group moved to the main room where Wesley and Gunn were debating on weapons. “I tell you, that ax is too awkward to be efficient on a hunt”, Wesley insisted and pointed at the large ax Gunn was holding. “You're wrong, English. This can cut a Xyrhlaz demons neck clean off. Can you say the same for your little...” Gunn retaliated but then noticed they had company. His eyes quickly snapped to the door where Willow and Tara stepped in, giving him and Wesley a shy smile and then his gaze traveled to Faith who was measuring him with her eyes. “And who is this, I don't think we've been introduced”, she drawled, making the whole group except Gunn roll their eyes. “This is Gunn. Gunn, Faith”, Buffy introduced them and then turned to Faith looking serious. “Don't hit on him”, she ordered. “Why not? He's hot”, Faith asked again raking her eyes up and down Gunn's body with a small smirk playing on her lips. “Faith.” “Okay, mom. I'll play nice with the other kids”, Faith said without loosing the smirk. Buffy looked heavenwards and made her way to the two witches. “Hey.” “Hey, Buffy”, the two women said almost in sync. “So, do you want to do it now. It's really easy spell, just little ointment, some chanting and we should see how the baby is feeling. If it is successful, there should be this little misty cloud floating around your belly, stating how it's feelings. You know, dark blue if it's sad, black if it's angry”, Willow stopped for a moment and seemed to think with a frown. “Do baby's get angry? You would think they don't have any reason to be angry.” She glanced around herself and fought not to blush. “Okay, moving on. You understand where I'm getting to”, she finished and Buffy gave her a assuring smile. “Yeah, I get it. Dark cloud – angry baby. Let's do it in the bedroom, I don't feel like stripping”, Buffy said and glanced at Angel who started to look growly. A smile tucked at her lips, he was so cute when he was jealous, even when there was no reason to be. “Faith, behave”, Buffy said to her sister slayer before leaving the room. Buffy walked through the door and came face to face with Cordelia who had placed her hands on her hips and was tapping her foot. “Are we leaving yet? This town gives me the creeps and I'm bored.” “We're leaving tonight”, Buffy answered but Cordelia didn't seem yet satisfied with the answer. “Right after sundown, the moment it's dark enough for your hubby not to become a human torch, we're out of here”, she said leaving no room for negotiation. Buffy raised her hands in surrender and started to say something when Cordelia staggered back and clutched her head, screaming in pain. Buffy jumped forwards and grabbed her, keeping her from falling to the floor. “Angel!” she yelled, then turned her attention back to the woman in front of her. The pain seemed to subside and slowly Cordelia opened her eyes. “A really big, gray demon and what looked like a Wolfram & Hart sign”, Cordelia told her. The men rushed into the room and with Angel's help, Buffy guided Cordelia to the couch. “Wes, get her meds”, she ordered and sat down next to Cordelia. “Cordy, are you alright?” Angel asked tentatively and Cordelia shot him a annoyed look. “I just had a vision, my head feels like it's splitting in two. No, I'm not alright.” “Well, when you get your pills, give Wes the description, we'll do some research here before we can go back to LA. That will teach you not to complain boredom”, Buffy said and earned a glare from Cordelia.
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