Authoress's Note: This is sort of the whole fic. There is a sequel, which is more like an interlude, but it can stand alone.
Note: If at least five people dont send feedback I won't post the sequel

Buffy tucked her youngest daughter, Faith Aleetza, into her bed. The nine year old's room was mostly pink and white, fairies and dolls.

"Mummy," Faith whispered, clutching Mr Gordo.

"Yes sweetheart," Buffy whispered back.

"When will Daddy come home?"

"Soon, pet, soon," Buffy promised, shutting the door. Now to deal with the other four.

Fifteen years ago Angel had married her. She was 21 at the time. Giles had cast an immortality spell over the whole Scooby gang (Spike, Wesley, Joyce, Harry, Anya and Doyle included) when Buffy was 18, and turned Angel human with vampire strength and healing abilities.

Buffy and Angel had 5 children- Vivienne Cordelia (15), Jasmine Jennifer Willow (13), Thomas Angel (10), Christopher Giles Alexander (9) and Faith Aleetza (8) Jammie (Jasmine), Faith and Thomas all had Angels dark hair and dark eyes. Viv and Chris had the typical California look- blonde-ish hair and tannish skin. Angel ran Angel Investigations, with Doyle and Cordelia, Buffy was an ex pop star and drama actress. She now trained Isa, the new Slayer. They still lived in Sunnydale.

Joyce had remarried a man named Harry Turner, an English Vampire hunter. They had 3 year old twins- Moira and Dorothy- and looked after the orphaned Slayer 13 year old Isa Binchy.

Willow and Oz were married with 13 year old Daniella Marci, Jesse Michael (8) and Chloe Anne (2). Willow owned a computer company `Slayerette' and Oz owned a record company `Scooby Gang Records'.

Xander and Anya had gotten married when they found out Anya was pregnant. Natalie Rose was now 18 and Sofia Claire was 8. Xander was a lawyer (cause he could lie so well) and Anya was an editor to `Girl Time' magazine.

Cordy and Doyle were only just married with a daughter of one year, Eleanor Angela. Both still worked at Angel Investigations, but Cody was a model now as well. They lived in LA. Giles had married another Watcher, Sara Cumston. They had a seven year old named Rebecca Lucie. Giles worked at Joyce's gallery.

Anyway. There had been a war in Turkey for years now- ever since Viv was eight. Angel had gone to fight not long after Faith was born. So had Xander, Doyle and Spike. Buffy's children hadn't seen their father for... almost six years. He had visited a lot those first years.

But Buffy didn't know how she was going to cope. This war had to end soon or... she would have to get drafted herself. She could leave her kids in Cordelia and Anya's care. Angel practically didn't know Christopher or Faith.

Swallowing hard, she went downstairs to retrieve Chris and Thomas for bed.

Viv was at the kitchen table choosing pictures of her family for a school project. Jammie was with her. Jammie held up one of Viv and her at the park with Angel.

"Wow, that was a long time ago," she remarked. The boys came over. Chris picked up one of Buffy and Angel at the pier in Santa Monica, before they got married.

"Is that Dad?" he asked. Buffy nodded, tears filling her eyes.

There were heaps of pictures of Buffy and Angel together. And with Viv and Jammie. The night of Jasmine's piano recital. Viv's Grade One play. Brushing them away, Buffy heard the telephone. Like always, when she heard it, Buffy always thought it was the army telling her Angel was dead. Her heart froze as she picked it up.

"Hullo," she rasped into the phone.

"Baby?" a lovely feeling washed over her. It was Angel.

"Angel," she breathed into the phone. The children quieted their debate at the table, realizing it was their father. And began eavesdropping their mother's side of the conversation.

"I just got word that I'm allowed to come home for Christmas," he replied.

"..." Buffy was so thrilled that she almost burst into tears. "Really truly?"

"Really truly. The plane will arrive the 1st of December, at Los Angeles airport," Angel heard her quiet sobs. "Are you okay?"

"Uh huh," she relied, grabbing a tissue.

"Xander needs to call Anya, so I've got to go," he whispered. "I love you." Click, the line went dead.

Buffy stared at the reciever and then collapsed onto the couch sobbing. Vivienne flew to her mother's side, scared at what might have happened...

"Mum," she whispered. "What's happened?"

"Your father is coming home. For real," her mother stopped crying and gave her a beautiful smile. Vivienne couldn't remember the last time her mum had smiled like that.

Jammie came in. "When does he come home?" she asked, holding Chris's hand.

"The first of December," Buffy hugged Vivienne and stood up. "Three days. Now, bed. You've got school tomorrow- and Jammie, you have a piano lesson."

The three days pasted relatively slowly. Everyone was thrilled to have their father home.

Finally Saturday arrived. The flight got in at 11 that morning, so Buffy was pleased that she didn't have to wait around.

Faith, Chris and Thomas were baby sat by Jammie, while Vivienne went with Buffy to the airport.

Buffy stood, looking out the windows, reminiscing. Suddenly the PA crackled to life.

"Plane 228 from New York has now arrived."

Buffy freaked. She turned very, very pale. Viv sighed and hugged her mother.

"Calm down. It's only Dad. He's known you since you were 16. He loves you and you have nothing to worry about," Viv soothed, picturing her father. Buffy looked up. Viv followed her gaze.

A tall, good looking man was coming towards them. A leather duster and those dark eyes, is all Viv could remember.

Buffy leapt up and he embraced her. Vivienne had read heaps of magazine articles about families getting divorces because of the war. But all her and Jasmine's fears were put to rest when Viv saw him hold her.

Angel couldn't believe this. He'd recognized Buffy instantly, but the girl next to him... he'd seen photos of Viv, Jammie, Thomas, Chris and Faith, but in real life Vivienne was beautiful. Angel pulled away from Buffy and hugged Vivienne.

The three of them walked out to the carpark and made the drive home.

" How old is Faith?" he asked, his voice giving away his worry.

"Eight."

"Buffy, this is going to be hard," he smiled at her.

"I know."

"God, eighteen years ago, you would have screamed at me!" Angel chuckled, resting his hand on her leg.

" Well, I've grown more patient," Buffy laughed, putting her hand over his. Her wedding ring glittered in the sun.

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