Summary: The future, if you read my other story "No Regrets", you
know the premise, Xander and Buffy are happily married. Angel has
come back to town. Buffy needs help, he's there!
Buffys blond hair was blowing in the silent autumn breeze. She had
dropped Xander off at the airport earlier in the day. He was going
to New York for a journalists conference. She had taken the three
children outside for some swingset time, it was just getting dark.
Buffy was starting to take the children in the house. Little Giles
asked in his sweetest voice "One more time on the slide, Mommy,
please!" She gave in "Okay, one more time."
Angel stood in the shadows watching, it had been six months since
he had visited Xander and Buffy to let them know he was alive. He
came and checked on Buffy frequently without her knowledge. The
reason was simple, he still loved her. "Where is Xander?" he thought
to himself, "He's usually here at swingset time."
He watched as the little boy, Giles was his name, slid down the
slide a little too fast. He fell off the end and hit his head, he
was crying and his forehead was bleeding. Buffy had picked him up,
she looked panic stricken. Buffy the slayer who had killed hundreds
of vampires,looked like she might faint.
The oldest little girl was pulling on Buffys jacket and the baby
was toddling around her feet. Angel asked himself again "Where is
Xander?" He was obviously no where around, not knowing what else
to do Angel ran across the street.
"Buffy it's okay, let me see him." he sadi gently. He looked at
the cut, he thought it might need a couple of stitches. Angel
smiled at Buffy reassuringly. "Where is Xander? I think he should
go to the ER."
Buffy explained that Xander was out of town. Angel helped her
get the kids to the house. Absentmindedly Buffy invited him in,
he had never been inside before. He noticed Buffy was shaking
as she cleaned the blood off the little boys head. Angel spoke
"I'll drive you to the hospital."
Buffy handed him the keys to the minivan and he helped get everyone
in their car seat. Angel got them to the ER quickly. They unloaded
the children and Buffy ran in with little Giles to register at the
desk. She called Willow, while they were waiting to be seen.
The nurse called "Giles Harris" and Buffy got up to go, she looked
at the two little girls. Angel looked at her and said "I'll watch
them, go" He sounded a bit nervous, but he wanted to help. "Okay,
I've called Willow, shes on her way" said Buffy as she picked up
Giles.
When Willow arrived in the ER she was faced with a surprise, she
had not seen Angel in years. She went to him and hugged his neck,
"It's good to see you" she said sincerely. "It's good to see you
too, Willow" replied Angel. He shifted the baby to the other knee
as Willow relieved him of Kendra.
Kendra explained to her Aunt Willow what had happened. "Giles fell
and his head was blooding, and Mommy was scared and that stranger
droved us here" she said pointing to Angel.
Willow explained that Angel was not a stranger, he was their friend.
Angel smiled it was good to be somebodys friend again. Kendra looked
up at him and flashed him her minature Buffy smile. He had been there
in the shadows on a visit, the night she was born, he had enived
Xander that night. He had a special place for the little girl in
his heart, Buffys children all had a protector in him.
Alexia fell asleep on Angels shoulder. Willow would have liked to
have had a picture of this. He looked almost scared with the
sleeping baby there.
After what seemed hours, Buffy emerged from the exam room. "He had
to have three stitches, but he's okay" She told them relief in her
voice. She looked at Angel holding the baby, she flashed him her
big Buffy smile. "Thanks for being here, Angel."
She looked at Willow, "Thanks Will" and she hugged her. "I'm just
glad he's okay" said Willow.
"Mr. Angel is not a stranger Mommy" said Kendra. Buffy picked
her up. "Aunt Willow said he was our friend"
"Thats right honey, he is our friend" said Buffy she sat the little
girl down and went to get little Giles.
The little boy looked fine, actually better then his Mommy. Willow
hugged him and told him she was glad he was okay. She turned to
Buffy "I can drive you home, if you'd like. Oz can pick me up there"
Angel spoke up "I can take her home Willow, it will be okay" Willow
looked at Buffy "Are you sure, Buff?" Buffy nodded her head yes,
Willow hugged her and whispered "Be careful."
Angel and Buffy loaded the children back into the minivan. They
were all three asleep when they got back to Buffys house. Angel
helped Buffy carry in the sleeping children, following her up the
stairs. She tucked Giles in first and kissed his cheek. Then they
took the girls to their room. Buffy put the baby in her crib softly
humming while she tucked her in. Angel lay Kendra in her bed and
pulled the covers up over her, when he didn't think Buffy was looking
he placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head. Buffy smiled to
herself not letting him know she had seen him, she kissed her daughter
and they went downstairs.
"Angel, would you like a cappucino? I know you used to drink them,
way back when. I really need some caffeine after tonight." she
asked sweetly.
Knowing he should leave, but not willing to tear himself away just
yet, he answered "Sure."
"I'll be right back. I've also got to call Xander." she said as she
left for the kitchen.
Angel heard Buffy on the phone explaining what had happened. He
imagined that Xander was not very happy that he was there. He heard
her say "I love you too" and hang up the phone, there was a slight
twinge of pain in Angels heart.
Buffy came back in with two mugs "Xander says hello, and thank you."
Angel spoke "You have beautiful children Buffy, they are lucky to
have you and Xander for parents."
"Thanks, they definitely make life interesting!" She laughed as she
spoke.
"I should go now, I'm glad I could help" Angel said as he got up
to leave.
"Thanks again, and Angel, you don't have to stay in the shadows, I
told Kendra the truth. You are our friend." Buffy said softly.
Angel had a tear in his eye when he left the house. It was so good
to be a friend again. He couldn't have Buffy, but he could still
be there for her. It wasn't everything. But it was enough.
The End
