Great Expectations

by Gemma

Disclaimer- I do not own the characters Buffy, Angel, Doyle and Cordelia, they belong solely to 20^th Century Fox and Joss Whedon. I am using them without permission, but please do not sue, as I am NOT making any money from them. However, I do own the characters Dr Spencer and baby Anne.

Rating- Probably R - PG13 (just to be on the safe side as some parts of the story may offend people of a younger age as there are hints towards sex in one or two parts of the story, it's in no way graphic but still just to be safe!).

Dedication- Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz for giving me inspiration for this story. How can we live without the love of Buffy and Angel?

Notes- This is my very first fanfic, I usually write scripts as I study Media and Film at College but I decided to sit down and write a story instead! And I'm quite pleased with the outcome!

Feedback- This is my first ever fanfic story so I would be eternally grateful if all who may read it could please send me some feedback. It doesn't matter if you have good things to say or even bad things (not too bad or I might cry!) but I need to know what you think of my story!

Spoilers- 'I Will Remember You' (I guess!)

Summary- Okay, this story is purely about the love of Buffy and Angel (who else!) Buffy is pregnant with Angel's child. Angel is still a vampire but The Powers That Be have kinda stepped in and made a few things possible for our favourite couple!

If I say anymore I think I'd spoil the story for you so go read it and enjoy!

Angel slowly opened his eyes; he turned to face Buffy her golden hair glistened in the early morning sunlight. Angel gazed lovingly at her and smiled.

"I love you Buffy," he whispered as he planted a gentle kiss on her lips.

Angel gently placed his hand on Buffy's bare stomach, there was a very small but very noticeable swelling there.

Angel smiled as he thought about the tiny baby of his and Buffy's that was growing inside, he was still amazed that in six months time he was going to become a father. Buffy's voice suddenly broke into Angel's thoughts.

"Angel?"

"Hey, how are you feeling this morning?"

"I'm okay, I just hate this sickness feeling that's all."

Angel immediately felt guilty. He wished Buffy wasn't getting sick practically every morning because of him.

Buffy was only nineteen and the baby hadn't been planned, how could it have been. Buffy and Angel thought they couldn't ever have a child together, it had been a big shock to Buffy when she had found out and it had taken her a while to tell Angel. Buffy had been frightened and scared and she had broken down in tears when she had finally told Angel the truth.

Angel had been as shocked as Buffy, and mostly because he knew that vampires couldn't have children.

Even though Angel was now able to make love to Buffy without his soul being taken from him and turning him into Angelus (Angel knew he would always be grateful to The Powers That Be for allowing him to have his curse lifted) but he was still half vampire. Okay so he was able to be with Buffy in the intimate sense, and The Powers That Be had also given Angel the chance to walk in the sunlight but he still needed to drink blood, he still had some vampire instinct left.

Angel had treasured every single moment of the day that he had told Buffy about his curse being lifted and he would always treasure the memories of that day, they had made love nearly all day long and they had laughed, and ate cookie-dough-fudge-mint-chip ice cream in Angel's bed and been so happy to finally be able to be together properly as they had always dreamed of.

"Angel, what's wrong?"

Buffy had been staring at Angel who was staring into space.

Angel was brought out of his thoughts by Buffy's question. He sighed and then sat up in the bed, Buffy who was lying down comfortably also sat up and continued to stare at Angel.

"Angel?"

Buffy was concerned Angel had gone very quiet all of a sudden.

"Buffy, I'm sorry."

"Why?"

"I know this wasn't intended, for you to have a baby so young, and I'm sorry for putting you in this position in the first place. Buffy, I'll understand if you don't want this, you have to be sure its what you really want and it has to be your decision and not mine."

A solitary tear fell onto Angel's cheek and he looked at Buffy.

Buffy couldn't believe what she was hearing, from him, her Angel.

How could he say this to her? After everything they had been through together, and after everything that had happened recently between them.

Angel having his curse lifted because The Powers That Be had decided that Angel was worthy of some small sort of humanity and a chance for him and Buffy to be together.

The Powers That Be had decided to lift the curse from Angel and grant him a soul permanently, because they knew that together Buffy and Angel were strong but alone they were both weak.

The day that they had spent together after Angel had told Buffy his news.

The day that Buffy had found out about the baby, how she had told Angel.

Buffy also remembered how they had never reached a decision about the baby; they had hardly talked about it because Buffy had been getting so sick right from the start.

"Angel how can you say this to me?"

Buffy felt hot tears welling up in her eyes.

"I just need you to be sure Buffy."

"I am sure," Buffy sighed.

"Okay so we didn't plan her but I want her Angel, I love her so much already. I thought you did too."

The tears Buffy had been trying to hold back fell freely onto her cheeks.

Angel took one look at Buffy and realised how wrong he had been, he wanted to kick himself for saying what he had just said to her.

"Oh Buffy, I'm so sorry."

Angel reached out and gathered Buffy up and pulled her into his lap.

"Shush, Buffy it's okay."

Angel felt more tears falling from his eyes and he buried his head into Buffy's hair and held her small body close to his own as they both cried together for a long time.

After what seemed like an eternity Buffy slowly pulled back and looked into Angel's dark eyes.

"I love you so much Angel. How could you ever think that I would not love your baby too?"

Angel gently wiped a tear from Buffy's cheek with his thumb.

"I had no idea how you felt about everything Buffy, you didn't speak to me about the baby and you've been so quiet since the night you told me. I didn't know if it was what you wanted. I was so shocked when you told me, I was convinced I couldn't have children even though I had the curse lifted, but I wanted the baby from the minute I learnt of him or her."

Buffy looked at Angel, a smile on her face.

"Her."

Angel looked puzzled.

"Her?"

"I know it's a girl Angel, I don't know how I just know."

Angel smiled down at Buffy and he tucked a few strands of loose hair behind her ear.

"I love you."

Buffy looked intensely into the eyes of the man she loved with all her body and soul, her heart melted every time she heard Angel say those words to her.

"Ditto," Buffy replied before she pulled Angel back down onto the bed and into a tender kiss.

Four Months Later

"Angel, Angel?"

Buffy had just got back from a shopping spree with Cordelia they had become close friends since Buffy had moved to LA to be with Angel.

Angel wasn't downstairs in the apartment that Buffy now called home, sighing she put down her many shopping bags and flopped down onto the sofa exhausted.

Buffy looked down at her swollen stomach and smiled as she laid a hand there.

"Hi baby, your mommy is worn out! All that shopping we did today, and most of it for you. Wait until I show daddy what I bought!"

Buffy yawned and pulled the throw on the sofa over herself, before long she was sound asleep.

About an hour later Angel walked into the office.

Cordelia was sat behind her desk and was chatting away on the phone (it was clear to Angel that she wasn't talking to a client and that she was talking to one of her friends but he was in an exceptionally good mood and didn't say anything).

Doyle was sitting on a chair opposite Cordelia his feet on the table and flicking through a magazine he looked up when Angel entered.

Angel knew how much Doyle liked Cordelia because A he had once told him how he felt about her and B it was obvious from the way he acted whenever he was in her company.

Angel wished Cordelia could see how big a crush Doyle had on her, but she was always too busy gossiping with her friends on the phone or out at parties and she had yet to see how much the Irish half human/ half demon adored her.

Angel hoped that Cordelia would eventually succumb to Doyle's charm and that she would see how nice a guy he really was.

"Hey, Angel man, where ya been?"

"I had to sort a few things out with a case, any problems here?"

"Nah, it's been quiet, Buffy and Cordy had fun shopping though!" Doyle said laughing. Angel smiled at Doyle.

"Buffy downstairs?"

"Yeah, she thought you were back, I think she's waiting for ya man."

Angel started to walk towards the lift. "I'll see you both later."

Cordelia looked up and not stopping her conversation waved to Angel.

"Later boss," said Doyle.

Buffy stirred and opened her eyes as she heard the lift start upstairs she sat up slightly and rested her hand on where the baby lay.

"Daddy's back baby," Buffy whispered to her stomach.

Angel stepped out of the lift and walked into his and Buffy's apartment. He stopped suddenly when he saw Buffy laying on the sofa, her hair was sprawled out behind her and she had both hands on her stomach and he noticed her talking to their baby, and she was smiling.

Buffy saw Angel and began to move to stand up.

"No don't."

Angel smiled and walked over to the sofa where Buffy lay, he leaned down and laid a tender kiss on her lips.

"Angel, where have you been?"

Buffy ran her hand softly through Angel's dark hair.

"Just had to sort out a few things with a case."

Buffy smiled. "We went shopping today, me and Cordy, wait until you see what I bought for our little friend here." Buffy patted her stomach.

"You both okay?" Angel asked as he gently placed his hand on top of Buffy's.

"Yeah, we're both. OUCH!"

Angel and Buffy felt the baby kick beneath their hands, Buffy giggled and Angel smiled happily.

"She's strong isn't she!"

"Just like her mom," Angel said and bent down to kiss Buffy's stomach.

"Want to see what I bought?" Buffy attempted to get up but Angel gently pushed her back down.

"Later."

Angel took off his jacket and flung it to the ground, he then began placing little kisses on Buffy's neck.

Buffy closed her eyes and moaned.

"Oh Angel."

Buffy turned her head and looked into Angel's eyes.

"Kiss me."

Angel smiled at Buffy's request and laid his cool lips over Buffy's. The kiss began to grow and Angel carefully climbed onto the sofa and lay above Buffy being careful not to squash her.

Buffy suddenly shifted and reluctantly broke off the kiss.

"Buffy, what's wrong?"

Angel was panting with desire for Buffy but tried to regain himself.

"Honey, I think maybe we should take this into the bedroom, me being this pregnant and us making out on the sofa is just not gonna work!"

Buffy laughed and Angel did too.

"Ok, lets go!"

Angel picked Buffy up before she could say otherwise (and that was not even a problem as she wanted the exact same thing as Angel) and he carried her into their bedroom. Angel gently laid Buffy down on their bed. Buffy looked up at her lover feeling nothing but pure love and admiration for him, this gorgeous and beautiful man who was all hers.

Angel looked down at Buffy as she waited patiently for him to make his next move. She looked so beautiful and innocent he thought, as she lay there, her arms outstretched and she had a content smile on her face.

Angel continued looking at Buffy and his eyes travelled down and rested on her stomach, he loved how Buffy's figure had changed because of the pregnancy and he had never known Buffy to look more beautiful as she did to him now.

"Angel, please just come here and kiss me!"

Angel grinned and fell onto the bed beside Buffy, he turned to face her and Buffy turned on her side to face Angel.

"Now, where were we!"

Angel rolled as close to Buffy as he could get before the bulge that was the baby became a problem and he kissed her gently on the lips.

Buffy deepened the kiss and began pulling Angel's shirt off his body after the shirt had been removed Buffy began planting gentle kisses on Angel's chest.

Angel started undoing the buttons on Buffy's dress, Buffy helped Angel by slipping her arms out of the dress and when it was undone Angel threw it aside.

Angel noticed that Buffy was not wearing anything under the dress and Buffy met his gaze giggling.

"Too uncomfortable at the point!" Buffy pointed to her stomach.

Angel smiled and continued kissing Buffy.

Buffy had unzipped Angel's jeans and he helped her take them off along with his shoes.

Buffy reached down and practically tore Angel's boxers away from his body.

Angel was kissing Buffy in all the right places, he was getting her all worked up and she was enjoying every minute of it.

Buffy suddenly rolled on top of Angel and loved the feeling of their naked bodies as they so perfectly moulded together.

As their lovemaking began Buffy whispered in Angel's ear.

"I love you Angel."

"I love you Buffy," was Angel's reply as he kissed Buffy passionately on the lips.

The Next Morning

"ANGEL!"

Angel opened his eyes and sat up so fast he thought he was dreaming.

Buffy was sat up in bed her eyes as big as saucers.

Angel saw the look on Buffy's face and was instantly worried.

"Buffy, what's the matter?"

"My water just broke! She's coming, Angel she's coming, the baby's coming, but she's not supposed to come yet, and it's too early, way to early."

Buffy was speaking so fast that Angel could only just manage to make out what she was saying.

"Aaagghhh!"

A contraction must have hit as Buffy suddenly screamed out in pain and terror, she leaned forward and held her stomach trying to ease her discomfort.

Angel took one look at Buffy and knew he had to move fast and get her to the hospital, he leapt out of bed and pulled on his jeans from the night before that were on the floor and he rushed to Buffy.

Angel sat on the bed and pulled a very frightened Buffy into a tight embrace.

"Okay sweetheart, it's okay, I'm here, I'm right here and I'm going to get you to the hospital as quickly as I can."

Angel pulled Buffy back gently so he could see her face, there were tears slipping from her eyes and she looked so young and so afraid.

"Angel I'm scared, she's not supposed to be born yet it's too soon."

Angel felt tears stinging his own eyes he hated seeing Buffy in all this pain both physically and emotionally.

"Everything is going to be fine Buffy, I promise you."

"Owww. Angel it's happening again."

Buffy winced as another contraction came she held onto Angel and Angel held her and rubbed her back until it passed.

"What if something happens to her Angel, what if we lose our baby?"

Angel looked at Buffy as she spoke and he wiped away a fresh tear that had fallen onto her cheek. He refused to panic in front of Buffy, but inside he was terrified. Buffy wasn't due to deliver the baby for another eight weeks and here she was already in labor.

"We won't lose our baby Buffy, don't think like that. Everything's going to be okay, and you know that she's strong, just like you are."

Angel kissed Buffy on her forehead and she seemed to have been comforted a little bit by his words.

Buffy looked at Angel and she kissed his nose.

" I love you so much."

"I love you too Buffy and our baby."

Angel held Buffy close as they shared a hug, suddenly Angel felt Buffy tense up in his arms and he knew it was another contraction.

"Oh god.. Angel."

Buffy yelled in pain and Angel knew that the baby would not wait and he had to get Buffy to the hospital now.

Angel quickly grabbed Buffy's dress from the previous night and began putting it on her as she waited for another contraction to come. After Angel had managed to dress Buffy he gently lifted her from the bed.

"Ok sweetie, let's get going."

Cordelia and Doyle had just got to the office. Doyle was making coffee and Cordelia was opening the mail. Doyle suddenly heard the lift coming up and he looked at his watch.

"Wow, Angel's up early this morning it's not even eight, I thought he and Buffy would stay down there all day if you know what I mean!"

Doyle winked and Cordelia laughed. They both looked up to see Angel getting out of the lift with Buffy in his arms and a bag on his shoulder. Buffy was obviously in distress to Doyle and Cordelia and they both got up and ran to Angel.

"Angel man what's going on?"

"Buffy's in labor, the baby is coming."

Cordelia's eyes widened. " But she can't be it's too soon and."

Cordelia was cut off by a harsh stare from Angel.

"Everything's going to be fine," Angel finished the sentence for her.

Cordelia got the hint that Angel did not want her to say anything to frighten Buffy anymore than she already looked.

"Ok let's get this show on the road guys!"

Cordelia took Buffy's bag from Angel and Doyle grabbed the car keys from the desk as they all headed out of the office.

"Angel it hurts, and I'm scared."

Buffy was sat on Angel's lap leaning on his chest and clinging onto him for dear life.

Doyle was driving as fast as he could, and Cordelia was sitting in the back of the car with Angel and Buffy trying to help Buffy through the contractions that seemed to be getting worse.

"I know it hurts Buffy, we'll be at the hospital soon and everything will be okay."

Angel kissed Buffy on the cheek as he saw Cordelia give him a worried glance. Angel held Buffy close to his body and rubbed her back as yet another contraction came, he felt so useless Buffy was in all this pain and he couldn't do anything to help her.

"Oh man!" Doyle yelled from the front.

"What is it Doyle?" Cordelia said.

"Traffic is bad, but don't worry I know a shortcut!"

Doyle turned the car sharply and sped along the other side of the road getting ahead of the traffic, several car horns sounded but Doyle didn't seem to notice.

"Doyle, are you insane! It's illegal to drive on the wrong side of the road and on the sidewalk! Maybe it's legal in Ireland but it's not here!"

Cordelia leant forward and playfully hit Doyle's arm.

"I know, but this is an emergency!"

A few minutes later Doyle abruptly stopped the car in the hospital car park as close to the doors as he could. Angel gently picked Buffy up and got out of the car.

"Angel man good luck, me and Cordy will be in the waiting area."

"Good luck guys!" yelled Cordelia.

"Thanks Doyle," Angel called back as he ran to get Buffy into the hospital.

"Don't thank me Angel, I'm only Cordelia!"

"Cordy, shut up!" laughed Doyle as he attempted to park the car in a more appropriate place.

A Few Hours Later

Buffy was only a few minutes away from delivering her and Angel's baby. She lay on the hospital bed exhausted and tired and fearing that her baby was in danger of some kind.

Buffy was relieved that her own doctor - Dr Spencer was on call that morning because Buffy liked Dr Spencer and didn't want any other doctor who she didn't know delivering her baby.

Angel was sat on the bed behind Buffy as she was lying back on his chest, he was holding her close and whispering in Gaelic into her ear. Although Buffy had no idea what Angel was saying to her she found his words and the tone of his voice soothing. Buffy had kept asking Dr Spencer why the baby was coming so soon and the doctor had said that sometimes first babies come early, the doctor also said that maybe something Buffy had done might have triggered an early birth.

Angel immediately remembered the night before and what he and Buffy had gotten up to, he felt guilty knowing that their night of passion that he had put Buffy up to may have started her labor.

Dr Spencer had said that she was sure Buffy's baby would be fine but Buffy wasn't convinced.

"Ok Buffy, she's almost here, she's about to be born," said Dr Spencer.

Buffy had insisted that the doctor and anybody else in the delivery room call the baby a she.

"Ok Buffy, push!"

"I.I can't, I can't."

Buffy was so tired and she began to cry.

Angel couldn't bear to see her in so much pain.

"It's almost over Buffy, I love you," Angel whispered to Buffy and kissed her cheek and Buffy tensed up and began to push.

"And again Buffy, push now. Good girl Buffy, one more push and she'll be here." After several more pushes from Buffy the sound of a newborn echoed throughout the room.

Buffy fell back into Angel's arms and closed her eyes.

"Well done and congratulations Buffy! You were right it's a she! You have a beautiful baby girl!"

Dr Spencer smiled at Buffy and Angel.

Angel was just staring at Buffy, he couldn't believe that she had just given birth to their baby, his baby, words couldn't describe how he felt at that moment.

"Would you like to cut the cord Angel?"

Angel looked at the doctor and smiled.

"Yes, I would."

He carefully stood up and gently laid Buffy on the pillow, she felt him move but didn't open her eyes.

Angel moved to the end of the bed, he then saw his baby for the first time.

Dr Spencer helped Angel as he cut the cord that joined his newborn daughter to Buffy. The baby was then immediately wrapped in a towel and the doctor wiped the baby's tiny face as she made little noises but had stopped crying.

"Congratulations to you too Angel!"

Dr Spencer placed the tiny newborn in Angel's arms and set about delivering the afterbirth and cleaning Buffy up.

Angel just stood there staring down at the little girl he held in his arms, the little girl that was his and Buffy's who they had created together out of their love.

Buffy opened her eyes and looked up, she saw Angel standing at the end of the bed holding their baby. She was very tired and sore but she had never felt so happy in her entire life and she was glad the birth was finally over.

"Angel, I want to see her."

Angel looked at Buffy and smiled he slowly walked over to the bed and he placed the baby in Buffy's outstretched arms, he sat down on the bed with Buffy.

Dr Spencer and one of the midwives had finished sorting Buffy out and left her and Angel alone with their brand new baby.

Buffy looked at her daughter for the first time and tears of happiness fell from her eyes onto her cheeks.

"Oh Angel, look at her, she's so beautiful."

Angel was crying as well and he looked at Buffy.

"You did this Buffy, you brought her here, I'm so proud of you."

Angel kissed Buffy lightly on the lips. "I'm so lucky," Angel said as he gently stroked the tiny hand of his baby girl.

"So am I," Buffy whispered back.

A Little While Later

The baby had been taken to be bathed weighed and checked, as she was so early. Angel was lying next to Buffy on the bed.

Buffy had gotten comfortable by laying her head on Angel's chest, Angel had one arm around Buffy and the other he was gently stroking her cheek which had made Buffy fall asleep.

Angel lay there thinking of how much Buffy had changed his life, his world. She had given him eternal love and the most precious gift of all - their baby.

Angel was so happy, he couldn't wait to tell Doyle and Cordelia the news but for now they would have to wait because he was with Buffy.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door, Buffy opened her eyes as the door opened and Dr Spencer brought Buffy and Angel's baby back into the room.

"Well, it looks like we have a perfect little girl here, I know you were both very worried as she arrived very early but I can assure you she is absolutely fine. She weighs 4lb 4oz and she very much enjoyed her first bath! Her breathing is also fine, there is absolutely nothing to worry about."

Buffy and Angel smiled at each other.

Dr Spencer moved the little crib next to Buffy's bed the baby was sound asleep. "How are you feeling Buffy?"

Buffy smiled as she stared into the crib at her baby.

"Like my insides have been taken out stamped on and then put back in again! But I'm just glad it's all over and I have my baby and that she's okay."

Angel squeezed Buffy's hand and smiled at her.

"Well, I would like to keep both you and the baby in here for a few more days just to be on the safe side, but I think you'll both be able to go home after then."

"Dr Spencer, she is okay though isn't she, I mean we still don't know why she came so early." Buffy still looked worried.

"Buffy, your little girl is perfect, she is very small yes, but that's only to be expected for a premature baby and as I mentioned earlier some first babies do come early or maybe something you might have done made the labor start," Dr Spencer smiled at the new mother.

"There's no real reason why she came early it's just one of those things, your little girl is fine, so please don't worry."

The doctor smiled at Buffy and Angel and then left the room.

Angel turned to face Buffy.

"You okay sweetheart?"

Buffy snuggled into Angel and nodded her head.

"I'm good, I feel better than I did earlier so that's a good thing!"

Angel hugged Buffy.

"Buffy?"

"Hmm."

"I feel guilty."

Buffy frowned at Angel.

"Why?"

"Maybe the baby came so early because of last night, I mean we did get a little bit carried away and when the doctor said something might have triggered it."

Buffy gently planted a kiss to Angel's lips quietening him.

"Angel you have nothing to feel guilty about, I participated last night as much as you did and besides it was one of the best nights of my life."

Angel grinned and then he turned serious.

"So you're not mad at me?"

Buffy kissed Angel again but this time it was much more passionate and when they eventually broke apart they were both breathless.

"How could I ever be mad with you, besides you heard what the Dr Spencer said our baby is healthy and she's doing fine."

Angel brought Buffy close to him and hugged her.

"Buffy, shall I go and tell Cordelia and Doyle the news now, they're probably wondering what's going."

"Okay, I'll just take a shower first and then we can let them come and meet our little friend here."

A while later, Buffy was in the shower in the en suite bathroom in her hospital room and Angel was sat on the bed looking into the crib at the baby, he was gently holding her tiny hand and with his other hand he was stroking her tiny head.

A loud knock at the door startled Angel and also woke up the baby who began crying. "Come in," Angel called as he stood up and carefully picked up his daughter.

The door opened and in walked Doyle and Cordelia and an enormous pink teddy bear. "Hey Angel man, the doctor just told us the news, congratulations!"

Angel smiled as he shook hands with Doyle who had become a good friend.

"Thanks Doyle, I mean for getting us to the hospital and for being a good friend to me and Buffy."

Doyle grinned.

"Excuse me, err hello?"

Cordelia stood behind Doyle holding the big teddy bear in her arms.

"A little help with this thing might help Doyle, and don't mind me Angel just give Doyle all the praise!"

Doyle and Angel exchanged a grin and Angel went to Cordelia and kissed her cheek. "Thank you too Cordelia, for being.well just for being you!"

Cordelia smiled and then she looked at the bed and her smile disappeared.

"Angel, where's Buffy? Oh god what's happened to her is she.?"

"She's taking a shower, she'll be out of the bathroom in a minute."

Cordelia's smile returned.

"So this is her," Doyle was looking at the baby in Angel's arms who had now stopped crying and had fallen back to sleep.

"This is her," Angel said proudly as he showed Cordelia and Doyle his and Buffy's little girl.

"She's perfect Angel man, wow I can't believe you've just become a dad!"

Doyle playfully hit Angel's arm and Angel grinned.

"Me either, this is the best day of my life and it's all down to Buffy she was amazing."

"Oh Angel! She's gorgeous! Look at her little hands she's so tiny!"

Cordelia was turning all mushy over the newborn and it made Angel and Doyle laugh. "I thought you didn't like babies Cordy!"

Cordelia looked at Doyle and frowned.

"I don't but this is Angel and Buffy's baby and she's so cute! Angel can I hold her?" Angel looked down at his sleeping daughter.

"Sure you can."

Angel gently placed the baby in Cordelia's arms.

Cordelia looked down at the baby and smiled stupidly.

"She's like a little doll or something, she doesn't seem real she's just so."

"Cute?" Doyle suggested as he watched Cordelia with the baby.

"Yes Doyle, cute! So how did it all go Angel? I mean the birth and everything? Is Buffy okay?"

Cordelia wore a look of natural concern on her face and was genuinely worried about her friend. Angel remembered what she had once been like when he had first met her, all that she had cared about back then was clothes and shoes and her father's money and she had been a real bitchy character.

Cordelia had changed tremendously since she moved to LA and had began working for Angel, and although she was still slightly annoying at times she had become a totally different girl to the one Angel once knew from Sunnydale.

Angel now classed Cordelia as one of his good friends along with Doyle and he didn't know what he would do without them both in his life.

The bathroom door suddenly opened and Buffy stepped out wearing a clean pair of blue silk pyjamas and she had tied her hair back into a loose ponytail.

Angel stared at Buffy, it was hard to imagine she had just given birth only three hours ago she looked amazing, and her stomach was a lot flatter almost back to how she looked before she was pregnant.

Buffy looked up and smiled when she saw Cordelia and Doyle.

"Maybe you might want to ask Buffy that question Cordelia!" Angel said as he went rushing over to Buffy and helped her walk to the bed, he lifted her into the bed and pulled the clean blankets around her.

"Are you okay?" asked Angel.

"Angel I'll be fine, stop worrying about me! So guys, I see you've met our little friend!"

Cordelia sat down in a chair next to Buffy's bed still holding the baby.

"Oh Buffy you're so lucky this little baby of yours is so adorable!"

"I know Cordy, I can't believe she's really here it seems unreal I have to keep touching her to make sure she doesn't disappear!"

"She's a beauty Buffy, and I'd like to say congratulations and me and Cordy got you this!"

Doyle picked the teddy bear up and placed it on the bed next to Buffy.

Buffy chuckled when she saw the size of the bear.

"Oh Doyle, Cordy it's lovely, thank you."

Suddenly a little noise was being made by the baby and she was soon wide-awake and looking around.

"Oh look, she's awake!"

Cordelia was fascinated with the baby she held in her arms.

The baby yawned and soon put her tiny fist to her mouth she then began to whimper and cry.

"Oh what did I do? I think I made her cry!"

Cordelia didn't know what to do with the now very awake and crying baby.

Angel gently took the baby from Cordelia and handed her to Buffy. Buffy held her baby close and gently touched her tiny face.

"She's probably hungry, I haven't fed her properly yet," Buffy looked around the room. "Guys would you mind if."

Buffy was a little embarrassed about asking Cordelia and Doyle to leave but she didn't want them watching when she gave the baby her feed it was a private moment she wanted to share with just her and Angel.

Doyle looked at Buffy and knew that she wanted to be alone with just Angel and the baby.

"Oh I think that's our cue to leave Cordy, come on!"

Doyle yanked Cordelia up from the chair and began pushing her toward the door. "Thank you both for coming and for the bear it's lovely."

Doyle smiled at Angel and Buffy as he tried to shift Cordelia closer to the door. "Buffy do we have to leave now I mean I wanted to chat and everything."

Doyle rolled his eyes behind Cordelia's back making Buffy and Angel smile.

"Look Cordy I need to feed the baby, but I promise when I get back home we can have a good old gossip and I'll tell you all about everything okay."

Doyle waved as he and Cordelia finally left Buffy and Angel alone with their baby. Angel looked at Buffy as she began to unbutton her pyjama top, the baby was still crying and was obviously demanding to be fed.

"Angel, can you help me I."

Buffy looked a little bewildered and afraid as she tried to place the baby to her breast. "Buffy you'll be fine, I know this is all new and seems really difficult now but give it a few days and you'll have it down to a fine art."

Angel carefully lifted the baby up and very gently held her tiny head until she was suckling and drinking Buffy's milk. Buffy rested back against the pillows and looked at Angel.

"I think I did it!"

Angel smiled at Buffy.

"I think you did!"

A Week Later

Buffy and the baby had been allowed home from the hospital three days after the birth and Buffy was relieved to be home again.

Angel and Buffy still hadn't decided on a name for their daughter, they were working on finding the perfect name and didn't want to rush into choosing any name just for the sake of it.

"Angel! Angel!"

Buffy was sat on the sofa breastfeeding the baby.

"Buffy, what is it?"

Angel came running in from the kitchen where he was preparing dinner for he and Buffy; he smiled when he saw Buffy feeding their baby it was a sight that melted his heart. Buffy had gotten used to breastfeeding the baby and she was a natural when it came to motherhood.

They had adjusted quite well to becoming new parents, the baby was only a week old but to Buffy and Angel it seemed she had always been in their lives.

Angel knelt down on the floor so he was eye level with Buffy; he saw the worried look on her face.

"Angel look at her, there's something wrong, she's so tiny and I hardly hear her when she cries because she's so quiet and."

Angel placed a finger over Buffy's lips.

"Buffy she's perfect, I know she's tiny but you know what the doctor said it's perfectly normal, she was premature after all."

Angel wiped a tear from Buffy's face with his thumb.

"She's so beautiful Buffy, just look at her. And maybe it's a good thing that she's quiet, I mean what new parents want a loud and noisy baby huh?"

Angel saw a smile appearing on Buffy's face.

"Oh Angel, I just couldn't live if anything happened to her."

Angel stood up and then sat down next to Buffy on the sofa, he put his arms around Buffy and planted a kiss on her head.

"Buffy I'll never let anything happen to either of you, ever, I love you both so much." Buffy looked at Angel and Angel looked at Buffy.

"How about we have an early night tonight, what do you say!"

"Buffy you know what Dr Spencer said we can't do anything for at least five six weeks, you've just had a baby!"

Buffy frowned at Angel.

"But I feel fine, Angel I really want. no need to make love to you besides I'm the slayer I heal fast!"

Angel knew Buffy had a point about her being the slayer and all and her supernatural power did mean she healed faster than an average human being, but as much as he wanted to make mad passionate love to her he wasn't going to risk harming her in any way.

Angel wanted nothing more than to get intimate with Buffy but she had only given birth a week ago and he would follow the Dr Spencer's orders or at least he would try to!

"Angel please!"

Buffy was doing her best to try to make Angel give into her but he wasn't going to change his mind.

"No Buffy, it's too soon. I want nothing more than to carry you into our bedroom and show you how much I adore and worship you but we can't, not yet."

Buffy gave Angel her best puppy dog eyes in the hope that he might change his mind but her efforts were simply not working.

"Look, imagine we have a purely platonic relationship between us."

"But we don't Angel! We did have but not anymore! We have a very sexual relationship and we've got living proof right here!"

Buffy motioned to their daughter who was content in her arms and was still feeding.

Angel sighed as he glanced at the baby and then he looked back at Buffy.

"Buffy that's not fair!"

"Well she is proof that we do not have a platonic relationship!"

Buffy sighed as she gently caressed the baby's soft cheek. "I love her to bits but I'm kinda wishing she had waited a bit longer before she put in her appearance!"

Angel smiled as he watched Buffy, with their little girl at her breast Angel was desperately trying not to think of all the things he wanted to do with Buffy right then and there and the exposure of her chest to him although she was nursing the baby was not helping matters.

"Buffy I'm sorry, I know how you feel, I feel the exact same way but I swear as soon as we are able to make love again we will I promise."

Buffy could see the look of want in Angels' dark eyes, she knew this was hard for him too but then she had an idea.

"Ok then Mr sensible, we may not be able to make love right now but I'm sure we could come up with a few other things to occupy us, if you know what I mean!"

Buffy gave Angel a sultry look and winked at him.

Angel knew what Buffy was hinting at and he definitely wanted to do something with her even if it meant they couldn't make love afterwards.

"You've got yourself a deal but no sex just other stuff okay!"

Buffy smiled at least Angel was willing for them to do something together which she was grateful for.

"Okay, but I swear that when the time is up we are going to make up for lost time and that's a fact!"

"We will I promise," Angel replied as he kissed Buffy softly on her cheek.

A little while later Angel and Buffy lay in bed, arms around one another.

"Oh that was fun!" Buffy giggled.

"Yeah that was fun!"

Angel wrapped his arms tighter around Buffy and gently brought her chin up so he could kiss her on the lips. Buffy deepened the kiss and Angel began pulling the bed covers away as his hands began roaming over Buffy's body.

Buffy rolled on top of Angel and their kisses were becoming more passionate by the second when suddenly the baby started crying.

Angel and Buffy stopped kissing and Angel buried his head into Buffy's shoulder, they both giggled.

"I think we've just been saved before we start doing anything we shouldn't!"

Angel grinned but was also thankful to his daughter's sudden crying; as he was sure that he would have gotten too carried away with Buffy.

"I think our little friend wants some attention!"

Buffy went to get out of bed.

"No, I'll go get her you stay here," Angel kissed Buffy lightly on her head and climbed out of the bed.

Buffy smiled when she saw Angel standing in front of her completely naked, Angel was oblivious to his nudity and was about to leave their bedroom to go and get the baby.

"Angel! Clothes! Cordy or Doyle could come down here."

"Oh yeah!"

Angel chuckled as he pulled on a pair of silk boxers from the nearby dresser drawer.

"I'll be right back."

Angel left his and Buffy's bedroom and he walked the short distance to the baby's nursery that he and Buffy had spent ages decorating before the baby had arrived. Angel walked into the nursery and over to the crib.

The tiny baby was crying and kicking her little arms and legs about wildly.

"Hey little one, dada's here it's ok."

Angel carefully reached into the crib and picked up the baby supporting her little head and he then held her close to his bare chest.

The baby instantly stopped crying and was now just whimpering softly, Angel knew from the tone of the crying that she was hungry and wanted to be fed.

"You're a hungry little girl aren't you."

Angel gently placed the baby over his shoulder and he held her there with one hand, as she was so tiny, with his other hand he picked up a blanket from the crib.

"Let's go and see if mommy can help."

Angel kissed his daughter and headed back to the other bedroom.

"Is she okay?"

Buffy was sat up in bed and had a worried look on her face; she was a typical new mother always worrying about her newborn baby.

Angel sat next to Buffy with the baby in his arms.

"She's a hungry girl that's all."

Angel gently eased the baby from his shoulder and then held her securely in his arms.

"Dada's girl is hungry, yes she is!"

Buffy watched as Angel fussed over their small daughter, she smiled when Angel looked up and noticed her watching him.

"Your really good at all this daddy stuff aren't you!"

Angel grinned at Buffy and then his face turned serious.

"I love her Buffy, so much, and I love you for making me her dad."

"Well you did kind of help there too!"

Buffy smiled and leant forward to kiss Angel.

The baby suddenly made a loud yelp to get her parent's attention making both Buffy and Angel look down at her.

"Okay my little baby, lets feed you."

Angel placed the baby in Buffy's arms and he watched intently as Buffy placed her to her breast.

Buffy smiled as the baby began to suckle, she still couldn't believe that she was a mom to this tiny little baby she held in her arms.

Buffy knew she was only young and that Angel was older than her and that their relationship was different to most couples, but she loved her baby more than anything and she felt so proud of her little girl and she loved Angel more than words could describe.

Buffy gently held the baby's hand as she was feeding and she leaned back against Angel to get comfortable.

Angel felt Buffy lean back against him and he instantly eased her back into his arms as they both watched their daughter.

"Buffy?"

Buffy turned her head to look at Angel.

"Hmmm?"

"Do you want more?"

"More?"

Buffy looked puzzled.

"Children?"

Buffy giggled.

"Yes, but not just yet!"

Angel smiled.

"I just.I want to have more children you know. I mean I thought I could never have a child but now we have this baby girl in our lives and she's all ours. I really want to have more little babies just like this one with you Buffy".

Buffy kissed Angel's cheek and whispered, "I know, me too."

Angel smiled to himself as he wrapped his arms around Buffy and their baby knowing that he had never felt so happy.

Buffy closed her eyes and felt content just lying there with Angel and the baby.

After a while the baby had stopped feeding and she lay in Buffy's arms just staring and looking at her parents.

Buffy noticed that the baby was not feeding anymore and she opened her eyes.

Buffy smiled when she looked down at her daughter, she was the most perfect little girl.

The baby had the tiniest features from her little tiny ears to her little button nose; she had very dark hair just like Angel's and she had the biggest bluest eyes with long dark eyelashes. Buffy loved her daughter's little hands and her tiny feet, she was just so beautiful.

Buffy gently sat the baby up and began burping her and rubbing her little back, after she had been burped Buffy carefully lay her little girl on her stomach and lay back down.

Buffy patted the baby's back in a soothing way knowing that it relaxed her.

Angel (who had not been 100% awake but then again had not been 100% asleep) opened his eyes and was greeted by the most beautiful sight.

Buffy lay next to him with their baby on her stomach who was sleeping soundly and Buffy was just smiling at the baby and patting her.

"Hey," Angel said softly to Buffy not wanting to wake the baby.

Buffy looked at Angel and smiled.

"Hi, I think you fell asleep on me!"

"I wasn't asleep, I was thinking."

"About?"

"Buffy I think we should name her, I hate referring to her as 'the baby' all the time."

"I agree, I want to name her too, but I have no idea what we should call her there are so many names I like!"

Angel grinned.

"There is a name that I like that I have always liked, I keep thinking how much it would suit her."

Buffy had also been thinking of one particular name that she liked and thought would suit the baby but she wanted to hear Angel's choice first.

"Ok Mr! What name is it that you think we should call our daughter?"

Angel looked at Buffy and then at the sleeping baby.

"I really like the name Anne."

Angel looked back at Buffy waiting for her reaction to his suggestion.

Buffy stared at Angel; she couldn't believe that Angel had been thinking the exact same name for their baby as she had.

"Well? What do you think? Do you like the name Anne?"

Buffy smiled at Angel.

"It's my middle name."

"I know that's why I like it so much."

"Angel, I was thinking the same name for her but I thought you might think I was being stupid wanting to give her my middle name for her first name, that's why I let you tell me the name you liked first."

Angel chuckled it was true he and Buffy were definitely soul mates.

"So we both seem to agree! At least that's a good thing!"

Buffy looked down at her baby who was fast asleep and had her tiny hand in a fist next to her mouth.

"I like it Angel, Anne does suit her she looks like an Anne."

Angel kissed Buffy.

"I know."

Buffy was thinking; if they were naming their baby Anne and that was Buffy's middle name then Buffy wanted her daughter's middle name to be.

"Angel!" Buffy said rather loudly and then remembered the baby was asleep.

"What?"

Angel looked a bit puzzled.

"I'd like her middle name to be Angel, after you and then she has both of us in her name."

Angel looked at Buffy's happy face.

"You really want to give her my name too?"

Angel was so happy that Buffy had even considered his name in their daughter's name let alone actually wanting to use it!

Although Angel was the father of Buffy's baby he always felt that Buffy should be the one to name their little girl, after all she was the one who had carried the baby for seven months not him and she had gone through all the pain of childbirth and he hadn't.

"Buffy, I would like it very much for our daughter to have my name for her middle name, thank you."

Angel gently pulled Buffy into him and embraced her being careful not to disturb Anne.

"For what Angel?"

Angel stroked Buffy's hair and with his other hand he gently stroked the hair of his child.

"For everything you have ever done for me and for allowing our daughter to share my name."

Buffy felt so happy she didn't think she could be any happier. She had everything she wanted right beside her, her precious Angel and their precious little bundle of joy - Anne.

"Angel there's one more thing to decide while we're on the whole naming thing."

"What's that?"

"What surname do we give Anne? Yours or mine?"

Buffy stared into Angel's eyes.

"Buffy, I don't have a surname."

"Of course you do!"

"Buffy." Angel sighed.

"Okay, so I do have a surname but if we were to give Anne my surname it wouldn't be right."

Angel could tell that Buffy was listening carefully to what he was saying to her but she wore a confused look on her face.

"Buffy, before I was turned I was a bad son to my parents I was a disgrace to them especially to my father. I don't want Anne to have my surname because every time I think of that name I think of what I used to be and it reminds me of my family."

Angel could feel tears in his eyes and he could do nothing to stop them falling freely onto his face.

Buffy had her own tears, she had never realised how traumatising it was for Angel to talk about his past life and his family.

Although Buffy knew everything there was to know about her Angel and he knew everything about her Buffy hated seeing Angel suffer. She knew Angel blamed himself for the loss of his family and she wished she could make him see how wrong he was.

"Oh Angel, it's okay."

Buffy wrapped her arm around Angel holding him while he cried softly into her shoulder.

"Angel you had nothing to do with what happened to your family, it was Angelus that killed them not you."

Angel gently pulled back so he could look at Buffy.

"But I was the one who walked away from them, from all of them and then I was changed and when I returned I killed them, I killed my own family."

Buffy pressed her forehead to Angel's as more tears leaked from his eyes, she hated seeing him so upset it broke her heart.

"Angel listen to me, you have to stop torturing yourself, Angelus killed them it wasn't you, you're not bad or evil you're the kindest sweetest man I know and you would not harm anybody, you had nothing to do with what Angelus did."

Angel knew deep down that Buffy was right.

"Buffy?"

Buffy looked at Angel as she caressed his cheek with her thumb.

"I love you so much Buffy, I love you more than anything in this world and I love Anne too I'm so lucky to have you both in my life."

"I love you Angel, I love you so much it hurts."

Buffy looked down at Anne asleep on her stomach, she carefully lifted her up and placed her onto Angels' chest.

The baby remained asleep and Buffy put the blanket that Angel had brought in over her to keep her warm.

Angel smiled as he held his baby girl, she was so special and he loved her so much.

Buffy curled up in the bed next to Angel and rested her head on his broad shoulder.

Angel bent his head down to kiss Buffy, he hoped she knew how much she meant to him and just how much he loved and worshipped her.

"I love you Buffy Anne Summers," more than you'll ever know Angel said to himself.

Angel then carefully bent his head forwards to lay a sweet kiss upon Anne's cheek.

"I love you too Anne Angel Summers", he whispered to the sleeping baby.