Buffy smiled in her half asleep state as she felt Angel's lips nibbling her ear. “I know you're awake”, he stated, his warm breath tickling her ear. She opened her eyes and turned to face him.

“What time is it?” she asked stretching her body before molding back against his frame.

“Early. It's weekend so don't even think about work”, he said determinedly and wrapped his arms around her, nuzzling against her neck. She giggled.

“I wasn't going to. It was an innocent question”, she stated and her eyes closed as he shed butterfly kisses to her neck and shoulder.

“I have a suggestion”, he mumbled against her skin and pressed another kiss to the spot. She laughed.

“Don't you always at this time in the morning”, she said with a smirk. He lifted his head up and smiled crookedly.

“Not that kind of a suggestion. This time”, he answered huskily to her ear. She turned to look at him over her shoulder, contemplating on what was going on in his mind.

“What kind of a suggestion is this then?” she asked and turned around in his arms, facing him.

“Come with me to Hawaii”, he answered and as he noticed the surprised look she was giving him, he quickly continued. “I have to meet a client there and I just happen to have a cabin there and I need someone to keep me company.”

“You want me to go to Hawaii with you?” she clarified looking at him questioningly.

“Yeah”, he nodded. With a sigh Buffy sat up and shifted to the edge of the bed.

“I can't just go to Hawaii”, she stated and ran a hand through her hair. Angel moved to sit behind her.

“Sure you can. When's the last time you had a vacation?”

She seemed to consider it for a long while. “Does it matter? I can't just leave, I own my own business and I'm pregnant and...” she didn't get to give him more excuses when he pressed his finger to her lips, silencing her tirade.

“We'll see a doctor and ask him if you can travel. And you can leave the gallery to Gloria for five days. She can manage”, he stated but she still looked skeptical. She was about to say something but his fingers were still on her lips. She removed his hand and turned her complete attention to him.

“Five days?” she questioned. “What kind of a business trip is this?”

He smirked. “I'm having my vacation at the same time”, he answered and leaned closer to her, whispering into her ear with a seductive voice, “ Say yes.”

“Don't”, she breathed out, his voice was making her body heat up and harder for her to say no to him.

“Don't what?” he asked with the same tone and nuzzled against her neck, giving the skin a soft kiss, just a brush of his lips.

“Use that voice”, she answered, her eyes fluttered closed and a moan escaped her lips. “Uhm... Angel”, she tried to protest but what she was going to say changed as it passed her lips. “When?”

Angel smirked triumphantly. “Tomorrow”, he answered and kissed her before she could say anything.

“Tomorrow!” she squeaked as he pulled back long enough to take a breath after a long kiss.

“I've got a private plane”, he answered and claimed her lips once again. He wrapped his arms around her and lowered her to the bed, making her forget all objections she had in mind.

Buffy couldn't believe Angel had convinced her to go to Hawaii with him. All her objections proved to be fruitless when Gloria promised to look after the gallery with Faith's help, the next problem was flying and that's why Angel got her a doctor's appointment the same afternoon. She didn't know how he managed to get one in such a short notice but he just stated that money talks. And that was how she ended up laying on the examination table.

“You can't expect me to pack everything I need for five days vacation in less than 24 hours”, she tried one last argument but it wasn't said with much conviction.

“Take what you absolutely need and we'll buy the rest”, Angel said softly and started to lean closer for a kiss. But she stopped him, placing her fingers to his chin and gently pushed his head back.

“Oh keep those lips to yourself when I'm trying to argue with you”, she whispered so doctor Doolittle and the nurse wouldn't hear her. A smirk rose to his lips, he knew how he could change her mind with kisses only, especially if he stayed on that special spot on her neck.

“Baby, I'm taking you to the trip and I want to treat you. Come on, it's just money”, he said and took a hold of her hand, twining their fingers together. She looked at their hands for a long moment before turning her gaze to his face.

“Angel, I'm not with you just because of your...” she didn't get to finish when he jumped in.

“I know you're not. But I want to do it. Hey, I'm not all sacrificing on this cause I don't think it's such a hardship to have a private show as you model the clothes”, he said with a smirk and leaned closer to her, whispering to her ear, “Especially the lingerie.”

She giggled and gave him a chastising look that failed miserably. She looked around, making sure the doctor and nurse didn't hear him. As she watched the nurse prepare the ultrasound, she turned more serious. “Do you want to know the sex of the baby?” she asked, turning back to look at Angel. He looked at her with confusion, he should have been used to her habbit of suddenly changing the subject but still the question managed to throw him off.

“I don't know. Do we?” he answered, turning the question back to her. Honestly he hadn't really thought about which the baby would be, despite the fact that he had seen it on ultrasound and heard the heartbeat it was still unreal.

“I know we can't see it yet, at least for sure but I was just wondering”, Buffy stated with a shrug of her shoulders. She didn't even notice that she was nervously playing with his fingers.

“Either way is fine with me. I guess it would help with the clothes and the name but I don't mind waiting. Boy or a girl is perfectly fine by me”, he answered.

”There is no third choice”, she said with a wry smile.

Doctor Doolittle did very good job at keeping his amusement from showing but the nurse was gently smiling at the couple. “If it helps any, we can not be certain of the baby's sex right now so maybe if you want to know, we can look on your next appointment”, doctor Doolittle said and approached the couple.

“We'll see”, Buffy said looking at Angel from the corner of her eye.

“Let's lift your shirt up so we can see how the little one is doing”, the doctor said and Buffy did as instructed, she lifted her shirt up her body and the nurse spread the gel over her stomach. “So you're going to a trip”, Dr Doolittle started the conversation.

“Yeah. That's why we're here already, to see if I can fly”, Buffy answered and tried to peek at the monitor as the doctor was moving the wand over her stomach.

“Flying isn't dangerous while pregnant if the pregnancy has been normal. Have you had any pains, bleeding or something worth mentioning?”

“No. No bleeding, occasional backache and I can't stand the smell of my mother's casserole, five minutes and I'm greeting the toilet”, Buffy answered, her face turning into a pout. Angel didn't know if he should laugh at the look on her face or surrender to the desire to kiss that protruding lower lip.

“Considering your size the backache is normal as the baby grows and some pregnant women just are sensitive to certain smells so that is normal too”, Dr Doolittle reassured her and turned his attention back to the screen. There was a long silence and it started to bother Buffy.

“What? Is something wrong? You didn't even hmm”, Buffy started to worry and tried to see the screen.

“There is nothing to worry about. The baby is doing fine, little on the small side but it is well developed”, doctor Doolittle said and patted the back of her hand to calm her down.

“Really?” she questioned.

“Really”, he assured. Buffy let out a sigh of relief and turned to look at Angel who was holding her hand and staring at the screen. The look on his face was a mixture of awe and confusion, it was starting to sink in that in about five months he would be a father. At the same time the thought frightened and excited him.

Buffy had already closed the gallery and Gloria had headed home, leaving her alone. She knew she had to make the call but the whole day she had pushed it further into the day till it was evening and she had to make it. She took a deep calming breathe and picked up the phone. For a moment she just stared at it like it was a foreign object till she found the courage to dial the number and waited for someone to answer.

“Hello?”

“Hey, mom”, Buffy said to the phone with a smile.

“Sweetie. Not that I'm not happy that you called but why are you calling at this hour? Are you still at the gallery?”

Buffy could almost see the confused frown on her mother's face. “Yeah. I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to Hawaii for few days, or almost for a week. That's why I'm calling”, she answered.

“With Angel?” Joyce asked. Buffy closed her eyes with a inaudible sigh, she already knew to expect that question.

“Yes, with Angel. He has some business there and he's having a vacation at the same time, he asked me to come with him”, she explained. She leaned back in the chair and tried to get a more comfortable position, it seemed like this was going to take some time.

“Honey, isn't it a little too early to have a vacation together, you've only known him for four months.”

Buffy frowned, she really didn't need a lecture, she knew her mother didn't accept Angel because she was too hung up on Riley. But he was someone she didn't want to think about. She simply didn't have the heart to tell Joyce the truth about the perfect son-in-law, everyone else knew about his cheating but apparently Xander's opinion on him hadn't changed. Buffy sighed, she really didn't want to think about Riley.

“I don't think it's too early”, she answered to the phone.

“What about the gallery? You can't just leave your business unattended for a week”, Joyce argued.

“I'm not leaving it alone. Gloria will be here and Faith promised to help out when needed. There's nothing major happening this week so they can handle it”, Buffy answered with a sigh as her fingers were playing with the phone cord.

“Honey, you know I love Faith but she isn't the most reliable person to leave your business with.”

“Mom, she can be responsible when she wants to be. And it's only less than a week, Gloria can handle the gallery just fine”, Buffy said and leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes. She listened to the frustrated sigh her mother let out.

“Fine. You're an adult. You have to make your own mistakes and I can't stop you. But be careful with that man, he's older and I can see he is a lot more experienced. He has that playboy air about him. You should be with someone trustworthy like...” Joyce didn't get to finish what she was about to say.

“You just need to get to know him, mom. He really is a great guy.”

“I hope you're right”, Joyce sighed, she could hear her daughter didn't want to discuss about the matter any more.

“I know I'm right. Once you get to know him better, you'll be in love with him too”, Buffy said and as the words had left her mouth, her eyes widened at the realization. She had just practically confessed to her mother what she felt towards Angel.

“Umm... I need to go, I'm still at the gallery and I should get home so I can get some sleep before tomorrow. Bye, mom”, she said hurriedly and all Joyce could say was a quick goodbye before she hung up.

“Oh God”, Buffy breathed out and buried her face into her hands. Did she really love Angel? She hadn't even thought about it that far and now she had all but admitted it to her mother.

“Tough day?” Angel's voice came from the door, interrupting her train of thought and causing her to jump from the sudden sound in the silence.

“God, Angel! Could you please not do that, Mr Stealthy”, she said trying to steady her breathing and straightened in her seat.

“Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you”, he said and walked around the desk. “You look tense”, he stated and stepped behind her, running his hands over her shoulders and down her arms. Her eyes closed and a soft sigh escaped her lips. His hands returned to her shoulders and he started to rub them gently.

“Oh, that feels so good”, she said breathily. His touch was strong and gentle at the same time and she couldn't stop the breathy moan from surfacing. An arrogant smirk rose to his lips as he listened to the sounds she was making.

“Stop being such a guy”, she said with a smile, she didn't even have to look at him to know about the look on his face.

“That can't be helped. But I do know another way to relieve stress”, he said suggestively and she laughed, turning to look at him with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Oh really? Why don't you show me when we get home”, she said and got up from the chair, heading to the door.

“Oh I intend to”, he answered and followed her.

The next day Buffy gave her final instructions to Gloria before she and Angel took off to Hawaii on the company's private jet. The sun had already set when they arrived to the airport and continued to drive to Angel's cabin as he called it.

Angel stopped the car in front of the house and Buffy looked around herself in awe. “This is a cabin?” she questioned with a raised eyebrow.

“Yep”, he answered and got out of the car.

“Then what's your opinion of a house?” Buffy asked as she followed him out. He just grinned and popped open the trunk. He took out the bags and before he could try his luck with all of them, Buffy grabbed two suitcases and rolled her eyes at his display of manliness.

The porch light turned on when they went to the door. Angel balanced the luggage on his hip as he tried to dig out the keys from his pocket but it turned out to be more of a struggle than he thought. One of the bags dropped to the floor and he couldn't get the keys out. Soon he was growling in frustration, his face turning into a deep scowl. Buffy couldn't help but laugh at the sight.

“Why don't you put down the bags? It might be easier”, she suggested. She put down the bags she was carrying and went to him, rolling her eyes as she fished the keys from his pocket. She dangled them before his eyes. A grin rose to his lips and finally he put down the bags and snatched the keys from her. He unlocked the door and turned on the light. He turned to look at her with a crooked grin.

“Want me to carry you over the threshold?” he smirked and she gave him a playful glare.

“I'll settle for you carrying the bags”, she answered, pulling a chuckle out of him. He shook his head and picked up the bags, setting them next to the door. She followed him inside and looked around herself in awe, the place was beautiful. It suited him, it was spacious, barely furnished and the walls were filled with beautiful artwork and shelves that were filled with books.

“Wow”, she breathed out, turning to look at him.

“Thanks”, he answered and added with a smirk, “But I doubt you'd be saying that if the maid hadn't stopped by before we got here.”

“I'm sure it would have been wow-worthy despite that”, she stated and started looking around herself. She read the book titles and admired the artwork and Angel could tell she was impressed.

If she had been anyone else he would have told her he owned several places like this in few countries and townhouses in New York and London. But he knew she wouldn't be impressed by that, she would probably ask what he did with so many houses and now that he thought about it he really didn't know. He watched her with a smile on his lips, she was not like any other woman he had met. He didn't have to impress her with his money or things he could buy for her and that made her even more alluring to him.

He walked across the room and stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her. He pressed a soft kiss to her cheek and looked at the drawing she was staring. Again there was the mysterious floppy A on the corner. “Come on, I'll give you a tour of the house”, he said and tucked her hand, making her lean against his chest before wrapping them back around her waist. She looked up at him with a crooked smile on her lips, the drawing was forgotten.

“Is this one of those tours where I don't get to see more than your bedroom?” she asked innocently. He smirked, that thought appealed to him.

“Well, I was going to feed you two and then show the main attraction in the bedroom”, he stated and took a hold of her hand, leading her to the kitchen.

“I knew you were worth keeping”, she stated and Angel turned to look at her with mock shock. She just grinned at him and gave a quick peck to his lips before sitting to the table.

“And here I thought you liked me for my body only”, he said and went to the refrigerator, pulling out items.

“Well, that's a big plus but your skills in the kitchen sealed the deal”, she answered still grinning.

Angel opened his eyes, his gaze focusing on the red numbers on the clock radio. It was still early. He closed his eyes and turned onto his back, reaching out to Buffy but he only found a empty space next to him. His eyes snapped open and slowly he sat up, leaning to an arm. He yawned and ran a hand through his hair, making it even more of a mess than it already was. There was no sign of Buffy and her clothes were still on the floor. He felt himself hardening at the thought of a naked Buffy running around in his house. With a smirk playing on his lips he got out of the bed and picked up his trousers from the floor, pulling them on as he made his way out of the bedroom.

“Buffy?” he called out but there was no answer. He checked every room but didn't find her. He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration, not liking the worried feeling that was growing inside him. But then his eyes landed on the note that was leaning against the phone on the table. With long strides he went to it and quickly read it through, 'Went to the beach. You were too cute to wake.'

“Cute?” he questioned with a incredulous look before throwing the note back to the table and walking out of the front door. He stopped at the porch and watched the sight with a smile. Buffy was running into the waves and letting them throw her back to the shore. She looked so playful and young as she played in the water but at the same time she looked incredibly sexy. She was flushed and drenched to the bone but it only made her more radiant. She stopped and raised her eyes, meeting his gaze. A bright smile rose to her lips.

“Hey!” she called out and ran to him. He watched with appreciation as she made her way to him. The green striped bikini showed off the generous swell of her breasts and the small baby bump that made him want to puff his chest out in pride. He felt like he had marked his territory every time he saw the signs of her pregnancy.

“Hey”, he answered huskily and pulled her flush against him.

“You'll get wet”, she protested with a laugh.

“I don't mind”, he answered and bent down into a kiss. He licked his lips as he pulled back. “Salty”, he stated with a grin.

“Minty”, she answered with a identical grin. Now Angel was thankful that he had taken a breath mint while searching for her in the kitchen.

“I'll make you breakfast. I bet you're hungry after all that running”, he said and took a hold of her hand, guiding her back inside. “You just made my Baywatch dream come true but it's a good thing this is a private beach or I might have gotten jealous”, Angel stated as they made their way to the kitchen. Buffy rolled her eyes and playfully slapped his arm.

“You sure that dream didn't include me having bigger boobs and flat stomach without the baby bump?”

“I like your boobs”, he stated with a smirk, looking down to her chest. She slapped him again but that only made him laugh. He went to dig into the refrigerator as Buffy leaned against the counter and watched him pull items out, placing them next to her. He closed the door and stepped to stand in front of her, placing his hands to the counter on both sides of her.

“I have to meet a client in two hours but how'bout I take you sightseeing after that”, he suggested.

“Sure. How long do you think the meeting will take?” she asked with a shrug, the looked at him with her head tilted to the side.

“I'm guessing few hours. So what are you going to do while you're all alone in here?”

He leaned closer to her and her gaze drifted to his lips that were slightly curved. She had never met a man that had more kissable lips. “I was thinking I'd work on my tan”, she answered, not letting her eyes off his lips that formed into a full grin.

“You do that. So, do you want an omelet or scrambled?”

Buffy glanced at the items on the counter and her mouth watered. “Omelet”, she answered, her stomach agreed with her as it gave a low rumble. She gave him a embarrassed smile.

“I think we better feed you”, Angel chuckled and brushed a soft kiss across her lips before pulling back and starting to mix the ingredients. Buffy went to sit to the table and watched as he made the breakfast, she was sure she would never get tired of watching him cook. Riley had known how to cook, barely, but it had never fascinated her like Angel's skills in the kitchen, actually she hadn't cared what Riley did in the kitchen as long as he cleaned up after himself.

“What?” Angel asked, pulling her out of her musings. She then noticed she had been staring at him. She lowered her eyes to the table, heat rising to her cheeks.

“I was just thinking”, she answered, slowly raising her eyes to him. Thankfully he had already turned around and was pouring the mixed eggs to the frying pan.

“What about?” he asked casually but Buffy could almost see the conceited grin on his face.

“Wouldn't you like to know”, she answered and he let out a chuckle.

“Yeah, I would. But I'll leave some secrets for you.”

It had taken three hours for Angel to get out of the meeting but despite his desire to get back to the house as quickly as possible, he managed to make a stop in a department store. He made his way to the house and dragged the large box to the porch. He dropped it with a loud thud but stopped as he found a pair of legs in front of him. Slowly he raised his eyes, following the tanned legs up until he reached the hem of her sun dress. He frowned in disappointment.

She couldn't help but laugh at the expression on his face. “Sorry, I got tired just laying on the sun”, she said and sat down to a stair. She glanced at the box, then turned her eyes back to him. “What's in the box?” she asked and nodded towards it.

“You'll see”, he answered with a crooked smile and started to open it. As the piece of paper with instructions came into view, Buffy grabbed it, her face lighting up into a smile.

“You bought a porch swing”, she stated and turned to look at him. Her smile was so catching that Angel couldn't stop a similar smile from forming to his lips.

“Yeah. It's a lot like the one on your porch”, he answered, then added more quietly, “It's surprisingly comfy.”

“How'd you know?” she asked curiously and he realized his mistake, she didn't know about the drunken night he spent on her porch, passing out on her swing.

“How'bout you read the instructions and I'll put this together. Then I'll take you to lunch and sightseeing like I promised”, he changed the subject. Normally he would have just paid someone to do it but for some reason when he was with Buffy, he wanted to prove himself to her.

She smiled at him brightly, the question forgotten. “There's an offer I can't refuse”, she said and glanced through the instructions, hoping she could make something out of it.

After showing his manliness by assembling the swing, Angel took Buffy to lunch into a small restaurant that had a beautiful view to the ocean. After that he filled his promise and took her to see the sights and it was nearly sundown when they arrived back to the house.

Angel walked in and set the bags to the floor, they hadn't actually gone shopping but somehow they had ended up with two bags of groceries and another two of clothes. He turned around, noticing that she hadn't followed him in. He went to the porch and leaned against the doorframe as he saw her sitting on the swing with her feet pulled under her. She was watching towards the ocean that was painted orange from the setting sun.

“It's beautiful, isn't it?” she said without turning to look at him.

“Yeah”, was his answer but he didn't let his eyes off of her. She was practically glowing in the fading light and the fleeting rays had painted her hair golden.

“Sit with me”, she said and turned her eyes to him, patting the seat next to her. Without hesitation he pulled off the doorway and sat down next to her, pulling her against his large frame. He lifted his legs to the swing and wrapped his arms around her, holding her firmly against him. She laid her head to his shoulder and in silence they watched as the sun went down.

The air started to cool and Angel felt her shivering but he was too comfortable that he didn't want to go back inside so he grabbed the folded blanket and spread it over them. She smiled at the gesture and borrowed deeper into his embrace.

The next day Angel took Buffy to a shopping trip. Angel had insisted, giving her every possible excuse but didn't give the real reason. It was the fourth shop they were in and Buffy was surprised that he wasn't ready to hang himself into one of the dresses, he really was an unusual man since she had never heard of a man that could sit through a shopping trip without any complaints.

She stepped out of the changing room and walked to where Angel was sitting. His eyes raked over her body. She was wearing a blood red halter dress that just reached her knees. “Nice”, he stated and looked at her again with appreciation.

“Just nice?” she questioned.

“Very nice”, he amended and gestured with his finger for her to spin around. She smiled and turned around slowly, knowing that he would appreciate the low cut back. She turned back to face him.

“Now, I know I like it but the question is, do you?” he asked.

“Yeah, I like it. Besides, it doesn't show off the bump all that much”, she answered and smoothed her hand over her stomach. She frowned as she looked down at the proof of her pregnancy. That reminded her that she would need to tell her mother about the baby because at this rate she would either notice herself or find out when the baby would be born. Somehow that didn't sound like a good way to find out that you're a grandmother.

“So we'll buy it”, Angel stated, breaking her train of thought. He got up from the chair and walked over to her. He checked the price tag, his expression not changing before he started to play with the edge of the dresses neckline.

“Are you real?” she asked with awed look on her face. He raised his eyes back to hers.

“What?” he asked confused by the question.

“You've been shopping with me for hours and several stores and last I checked, you're very much a guy. But still you haven't been complaining for the last two hours or once asked me when we could leave.”

He chuckled and brushed his knuckles across her cheek. “It isn't exactly a hardship to watch you model the clothes for me. Besides, I promised to take you shopping”, he answered, then stepped back and grabbed a dress she had been looking but hadn't had the chance to try on yet. “Why don't you try this one, the saleswoman found the right size”, he said and handed the dress to her.

“Okay”, she said with a smile and returned back to the changing room. She removed the dress she was wearing and hung it back to the hanger. She pulled on the new dress but soon a frown formed on her face as she realized she couldn't get the zipper all the way up from the back.

“Angel?” she called out and she didn't have to wait long for Angel to appear behind the door.

“Yeah?”

“I need help with the zipper”, Buffy stated and opened the door, letting Angel slip inside. She turned around once he had closed the door and gathered her hair up so the long locks wouldn't be on the way.

“This must be the first time I've ever helped a woman to get dressed”, he stated with a smirk and stepped behind her. She rolled her eyes.

“I'm sure it is, but just pull the zipper up.”

With a soft chuckle, he took a hold of the zipper that had been closed nearly half way and slowly he started to pull it up, his finger trailing on her skin, barely touching. His eyes were fixed on her slender neck, few strands of hair had fallen dawn, making the sight more enticing. Shivers ran down her spine from his soft touch and her eyes closed on their own accord, she barely managed to suppress a moan from escaping her lips.

The breathy moan surfaced when she felt his lips pressing a gentle kiss to the back of her neck. She turned her head enough to look at him over her shoulder and he claimed her lips with a hungry kiss. As the kiss grew deeper, she turned in his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck and buried her fingers into his dark hair. He backed her against the wall, pressing his body against hers as his hand traveled up her thigh, disappearing under the hem of the dress. She whimpered against his lips and her hand fisted around his hair.

A sharp knock penetrated their lust filled haze. “Are you alright in there?” a clipped female voice asked from the other side of the door. Angel took a step back and pressed his head against the cool wall next to hers, letting the surface cool his heated skin as he tried to steady his breathing.

“I'm fine”, Buffy answered, surprised by the steadiness of her voice. They heard footsteps going away and they just stood there, trying to calm down before they would step out of the room. Finally Angel turned to look at her, she was still flushed from the intense kiss. A proud smirk rose to his lips.

“I like your dress”, he stated and a crooked smile found its way to her lips.

“I noticed”, she answered before running her fingers through his hair, trying to get it back into place.

“I'll buy you lunch”, he said with a chuckle and smoothed back the strands of hair from her face.

“Those are the magic words a pregnant lady wants to hear”, she said with a bright smile. He brushed a quick kiss across her lips before stepping back.

“I'll wait outside”, he stated and headed to the door. Before he opened it, he turned around to look at her, running his eyes over her body. “I really like that dress, we should buy it”, he said and stepped out, closing the door behind him. She smiled happily and started to change back to her own clothes.

Buffy returned from the dressing room, brushing the back of her hand over her cheek, feeling if she was still flushed. She was about to cast a evil glare at Angel but stopped herself as she noticed that he obviously had something in his mind, he looked like the cat that ate the canary.

“What have you got there?” Buffy asked suspiciously. He smirked and brought out his hand from behind his back. He was dangling a piece of fabric in his finger and soon she realized it was a lace thong that was practically a see-through. She raised a questioning eyebrow as she locked her eyes with his. She took a step closer and glanced at the price tag that seemed to be bigger than the piece of clothing itself.

“You know, 20 dollars for something that is good as wearing nothing is a little too much to ask”, she stated and returned her eyes back to his face.

“So that's a no”, he said and threw the thong back to where he had found it. Angel flashed her a crooked smile before taking a hold of her arm and guided her to the checkout counter. He paid for the clothes and Buffy knew not to protest since she knew it was fruitless. She didn't know what was wrong with her, a guy was buying her a wardrobe and she was complaining that he was paying for it. There had to be something wrong with her. She knew he could afford it but still it made her feel like a gold digger, he was already paying for the trip and cooking for her.

They went back to the rented car and Angel turned it around, heading towards the restaurant he was planning to take her. “Have you ever been to sailing?” Angel asked, breaking the comfortable silence that had taken over the car. Buffy turned to look at him, surprised by the sudden question.

“Sailing? Uhm, yeah. According to my mother, I did when I was two”, she answered, still slightly confused.

“Would you like to go with me?” he asked, glancing at her but keeping his attention on the road.

“To sailing?” she asked and he chuckled, she looked so cute.

“Yeah, that's the idea. I have a boat here, a friend of mine uses it from time to time so it's well maintained and ready in the harbor”, he answered. Again he glanced at her, she looked thoughtful.

“Oh now I understand why you wanted to buy me those shoes and all those bikini's”, she said and gave him a halfhearted glare like she was scolding him but he knew she wasn't serious.

“Caught me. And I volunteer to spread the sun lotion on you.”

She laughed out loud. “You know, you don't have to take me to the sea to have your way with me”, she said and he could hear the humor in her voice.

“That's good to know”, he stated with a smirk.

Angel did take Buffy to sailing and to her surprise the man really knew what he was doing with the boat. He was constantly finding new ways to surprise her. Like the swing, she could have swore that he was the kind of guy who would hire someone to put it in place. Now they were spending a quiet evening at the house, playing checkers in front of the great window that showed the view to the ocean.

“I really should teach you to play chess”, he stated as he moved his piece.

“Are you that anxious to loose to a girl?” she questioned with a smirk and in her turn moved a piece on the board.

“Confident aren't you?” he said, sharing the look with her. “I have to warn you, I haven't lost a game since I was ten”, he added.

“Unlike you now did on checkers”, she stated and his eyes went to the board, he had lost the game.

“How's your poker?” he asked raising his eyes back to her face.

“Not to brag but really good. Faith and Spike taught me and they have kept me in practice”, she answered and she could see his eyes darkening.

“Who's Spike?” he asked with a low voice and she would have laughed at the picture he made if he hadn't been so serious.

“He's a friend and I have told you about him. The guy me and Faith tortured during college”, she answered, sure she didn't spend hours on talking about Spike but she was certain she had told about him. She could see recognition in Angel's eyes.

“The William guy?” Angel clarified and she smiled in amusement.

“Yeah. But when you meet him, don't call him that”, she answered. She remembered the first time Angel heard about Spike, she had been in the phone with the said peroxide blonde and she had been so pissed off that she had called him William before hanging up, knowing Spike despised his real name. Angel had just happened to hear the conversation and she had explained who William/Spike was because he had had a jealous look in his eyes even though he didn't say anything.

“I'll try to remember that”, Angel said but he had already made up his mind to call the man William for reasons he wasn't willing to look too closely. He glanced at the clock and got up from his seat. “I should start making dinner before you starve”, he stated. She got up and followed him deeper into the living room.

“Aren't you getting tired of always cooking me dinner? Come on, let me buy you dinner”, she said and he shook his head, pulling her closer to him and wrapped his arms around her waist.

“No, I'm not getting tired of cooking for you. I have never met anyone who's been more happy to watch me cook and eat it too”, he answered with a grin and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. She looked at him suspiciously.

“Is this a money thing? Cause I can afford to buy two meals in a restaurant. Actually I can afford to buy a restaurant.”

“It's not a money thing”, he sighed. He guided her to the couch and sat down, pulling her into his lap. “I like to cook and I like to cook for you. When I'm by myself I don't bother to make anything special or I eat out, so it's nice change. And you need to get over the money thing”, he said and she looked at him somewhat embarrassed.

“Sorry, I'll try to work on that”, she said, then a crooked smile rose to her lips. “I'm sure there's a way to make it up to you”, she grinned and a wolfish smile rose to his lips.

“I'm sure there is”, he answered. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, first softly but soon the kiss was turning passionate.

“How'bout we have that dinner later?” she suggested breathily, trying to catch her breath after the kiss.

“Works for me”, he answered and pulled her into another kiss.

Angel watched as Buffy slept peacefully next to him. She looked throughly loved with her hair a big mess and her lips still swollen from their heated kisses. His eyes wandered down to the curve of her stomach and soon his hand followed, gently rubbing the bump. She sighed in her sleep but didn't show any signs of waking up.

As he watched her face, he had an urge to draw her, something he hadn't felt in a long while. Slowly he shifted to the edge of the bed and got up, watching her face closely so he wouldn't wake her. She reached for him and he froze, silently watching if she was going to open her eyes. But she didn't. Quietly he hurried to his study and started to go through the desk drawers till he found a barely started sketch pad. He grabbed a pencil from the desk and returned to the bedroom. She had moved more to his side while he had been gone. He turned the lamp on and without letting his eyes off of her he backed away till the back of his legs hit the chair. He sat down and for a long while he just watched her, absorbing in every line and curve of her body with his eyes. He lowered his eyes to the blank paper in his hands and with confident pencil strokes he started to draw the sight in front of him.

He didn't even notice as the minutes flew by, turning to an hour because he was so engrossed in the task, wanting the picture to be perfect. He heard the rustling of the sheets and lifted his gaze back to the bed. Buffy was leaning on her arm, keeping herself up as she looked at him with tired eyes.

“What are you doing there?” she asked with a yawn and ran a hand through her hair.

“Just some work”, he lied, setting the sketch pad down.

“Come to bed”, she said softly and she didn't have to ask twice. He put the sketch pad into a drawer of a small dresser before he crossed the distance and got into the bed. She burrowed into his arms and closed her eyes, letting his presence lull her back to sleep. He kissed the top of her head before closing his own eyes.

The next day was the last day they would spend in Hawaii before returning to LA and they spent it at the house, not wandering farther than the small deli that was few miles from the house. As the night had come, Buffy was laying in Angel's arms with her back firmly against his muscular chest and his strong arm slung over her waist. A soft smile was playing on her lips, she was tired but still she felt perfectly happy and safe, something she rarely felt. They would be returning home the next day but the trip had made her come to a realization.

“I love you”, she whispered softly and closed her eyes. It felt good to get out even though she wasn't ready to tell him when he was awake.

As she drifted off to sleep, a crooked smile rose to Angel's lips and he opened his eyes. He didn't say anything or make any move to let her know he he had heard her words, he just laid there awake listening to her steady breathing.