Cordelia watched as Angel leaned back in his chair staring at the ceiling in her apartment.  He was in a deep train of thought.  He had been in a funk for the past few days.  It was time to do something about it, Cordelia decided.  Eversince Wolfram and Hart had raised that thing which granted, they didn't know, was, Angel had been slipping slowly into a depression.  Not talking, not smiling.  The thought of being human was no pick-me-up despite that was all he had ever wanted.

She opened his door quietly but it seemed not to disturb him.  She shut it with a louder noise.  Cordelia opened it again and shut it louder.  Still he was in a daze.  Cordelia kicked his table to rouse him out his daydream.  Then she got fed up with tact.

"Hey Angel!" She said loudly.  He jumped and his chair returned to it's four legs and bumped his knee.

"Cordelia."

"So you remember my name and that I work for you."

"Yeah.  Whats wrong ?"

"Angel, I wanna talk to you," she says sitting down in a chair.  "I feel we're really close, family close, and well, I'm worried."

"About that?"

"About you.  You've always fought throught this like dark tunnel with no end cuz you're never gonna die.  Angel, you always were a little cut off, detatched and under circumstances that's understandable but after hearing what the prophecy really meant, you just got scowly-er.  Angel, this is your dream.  What would make you happy.  You have light at the end of your metaphor tunnel but you don't seem any different.  You're slipping Angel.  And I'm not gonna lose you cuz I love you - in a bigger brother way.  You need to talk to me."

Cordelia looked at Angel in a really concerned way. She reached over the table and took his hand.  Angel looked down at her warm hand with it's beautiful complexion.

"I'm sorry.  It's just... I'm too late."`

"Late for what?"

"Buffy," he picked up the empty glass that was standing on his desk.

"Oh.  Soldier boy."

"I mean it'll maybe be for years yet, be turning human.  But she's moved on from me.  She doesn't know about when I did become human  and she'll got off and marry and him or someone else equally dumb and stupid and I'll be able to give her all she wants and I she won't want me.." Angel said gathering pace with his words.  He clenched the glass so hard that it shattered.  He dropped it into the waste basket.  "To be able to have her but to watch her with some else would be even worse.  I know she should be with me.  i should be holding her, comforting her but he is.  Riley," he said with disgust.  "Riley Finn. everyones favourite guy.  Joyce probably loves him.  Well anyones better than the previous vampire," he growled.  "Did I make the wrong decision, leaving her?  If we had just waited a few more years we could have everything.  I could give her everything.  And she's the Slayer.  What if she.. she isn't around when I do become human.  What do I do then?  I can't fight evil and I can't be with her so there's no point in me being here."

"I see whats the what," Cordy said gently.  "Angel, I don't know this dork, nor do I ever want to, but I know you and Buffy are the real thing.  She loves you."

"Not anymore."

"Is this all it is?" She asks gently.  "I mean it's a big 'it' but this is the source of scowlly Angel?"

"Yeah."

"Right.  Get your coat."

"Why?  You can't throw me out!  Please Cordy.  I mean, Phantom Dennis likes me here.  Dontcha buddy?" Angel said desparately to ther air.

"I'm not throwing you out," she scoffed putting on her own jacket.

"So.  Where we going?"

"Back to Sunnydale.  You and I or maybe just you, are gonna confront little miss teen Slayer and show you how crazy all that stuff you just said is."

"Cordelia that's insane."

"I like to think so but I'm not working with Uber-moody all year.  Er we go."

Angel and Cordelia drove up outside Giles's house.

"So the plan is...?"

"You go in and be all declare-y about you loving her.  Tell her everthing.  The day you guys had, how you'll be human and how much you need her.  If he's there, don't give a damn.  Just stick with the plan.  Like the end of a romantic comedy movie.  May I recommend Jerry Maguires 'You complete me'?"

"You realise this could lose your job if I move back here," Angel smiled.  He was buzzing all over.

"Aah.. whaddya gonna do?  I'm a romantic," she smiled.  She hugged him and Angel hugged her back.  "I kinda love you."

"Love you too- in a little sister way."

"Always big bro," she smiled.  " What're you waiting for?  Go get her. I'll be behind you.  Fixing make up."

Angel got out the car and walked to Giles front door.  He knocked several times and waited.  The door opened and Giles stood eating an apple and utterly astounded to see the vampire.

"Hi," Angel opened with.

"Angel," Giles replied.

"Angel?" Xander repeated jumping over the couch and coming to the door.  He looked at what Angel was wearing.

"Un-evil Angel right?" Willow tested.

"Shoes- dead giveaway Will," Xander said.

"Good right.. wait.  Is Buffy in trouble?" Will realised.

"No, she's not.  She's not here," Angel half asked.

"No and do come in," Giles said.  Angel walked in.  Willow, Xander, Anya and another girl were all in Giles's front room.

"Angel," Anya said outloud still watching the t.v.  "Is he evil?"

"No." Giles, Willow and Xander replied.

"Shame.  We could use some mayhem around here.  A little vengenace never hurt anybody."

"An.." Xander started.

"What?"

"So.. This is Angel?" The blonde girl asked Willow shyly.  She was cute.  Angel noticed Willows hand on the girls knee and smiled.  He knew Willow would come out because back when she was a vampire, she was more overt about her sexuality.  Now she had the courage.

"Hi," Angel said to her.  "I'm Angel."

"Hi, Tara.  I mean I'm Tara," she said nervously.

"We're together," Willow told him softly.

"That's good for Willow," Angel said.  "As long as you make each other happy."

"Thank you," Willow whispered.  "So why are you here?  Evil?  Bad?"

"Good news actually," Angel said.  There was another distinctive knock at the door.  Xander jumped over the sofa and tripped.  He sprawled over the floor but still got up in time to beat Giles to the door.  He smoothed his hair quickly and opened it.  Angel smiled to himself.

"Cordelia," he said enthastically.  She looked absoloutley stunning which was what the extra five minutes in the car had done.  Xanders jaw literally grazed the floor as she walked in.

"Angel, she here?" Cordelia asked.

"Not yet," Angel said.

"She should be here for the meeting," Giles said.

Buffy walked quickly with Riley trying to talk to her.

"Buffy you can't deny it."

"I didn't."

"You did.  You turned over and said 'I love you Angel'  Angel.  Your old boyfriend who came here and then started pounding on me.  Remember him?  The vampire?"

Of course I remember him ! And i meant what i said !  I love him not you !! She wanted to scream.  Of course she couldn't.  She'd been having dreams about him recently.  She thought she had locked him away in a very special place in her heart to get over him but he kept coming back to her in her dreams.

"Buffy we need to talk about this," Riley said.  "You said.."  Buffy opened Giles's door.

"Angel," She whispered.

"Yeah.  You said I love Angel.  Not me, Ri-ley.  Ri-ley.  What's the deal?" He said annoyed.  "Could it be angel-s.  You know the cute fuzzy ones?"

"No," Buffy said turning his head.  "There's Angel."

The dark haired and dark clothed vampire sat on Giles stool with Cordelia beside him

Cordelia gripped Angels arm.  "If you wreck her boy toy, that's not gonna impress her.  Keep cool.  Can you believe what a dork he is?  Totally un-make out-able," she whispered.

"It's OK Cor," he smiled.  "The plan."

"Right."

"What plan?" Xander asked listening in.

"Why are you here?" Buffy asked slowly.  "Death, carnage ?"

"I'm here to tell you something," he told her.

Buffy walked forward a little in a daze.  Riley caught her hand and pulled it back a little.

"Buffy, what are you doing?"

"Nothing.  Angel's here for a reason.  I have to know why.  Don't make a scene," she pleaded.

"Don't make a scene?  Buffy this has to stop.  He's your ex.  First and second syllable 'ex'.  You say his name while you're with me and you expect me not to care?  He beat me up last time he was here because he felt like it--" He fumed.  Cordelia snorted.  "And you," he said walking right up to Angel.  "You keep the Hell away from her."

They were so close Angel could see every little detail.  He laughed.

"This is funny to you?" Riley shouted.

"Hey!" Cordy butted in.  She pushed herself between them.  "Don't shout at him!!  Do you know who I am?  Cuz if you did, I doubt you would say what you're saying.  This.." She said turning to Angel.  "This is my surrogate big brother," she grinned.  "My very old but very handsome surrogate big brother and," her face straightened.  "You lay one finger on him and it's me you'll have to deal with.  Got it?  Now he came here to say somethin' and you're not gonna like it.  So I suggest you back off or I will make you back off.  Second scenario involves broken bones for you."

Riley stepped back and sat on the edge of the sofa.

"This is kinda crazy," Angel murmured to Cordelia who was standing between him and Buffy.

"It's what love feels like," she reminded him.  She looked at Xander who was gazing at her. He looked away quickly.  Cordelia ducked out of Angels way.

"Angel this is kinda awkward," Buffy said.  "Do you wanna go somewhere.."

"No.  I want everyone to know," he said bravely.

"What?" Buffy asked him.  He looked at her every inch of perfect being and existence. He looked at everyone staring at him and Buffy.  He looked at Riley crossing his arms and glaring.  Then he looked at Cordelia.  Her eyes were pushing him to say it.

"What?" She repeated.

"That I still love you.  In my whole life, as a mortal, as a souled vampire, i've never loved anything else.  I never will.  You're the reason Buffy.  You are the reason for me.  I know I can't give you what a man can, but I want you to know that when you came to L.A after thanksgiving, something happened.  You didn't stay for 5 minutes.  I became human and we got everything we wanted.  I got to kiss you in the sunlight.  I got to make love to you.  But I asked the Oracles to change me back because i would get you killed.  So they took back the day and I would be the only one to remember the whole day.  So I killed the demon before I became mortal and you walked out my life."

Everyone was stunned at Angels' revelation.  Not the part about him still loving buffy becuase that was obvious for all to see, but the part about the Day That Never Happened.  No one except Cordelia, had any idea.  Tears ran down Buffy's face.  He wasn't finished.

"There's a prophecy Buffy.  It says in  some years time i will Shanshu.  I'm going to become human.  I'm going to live and die as a man.  We'll get everything we almost got to have Buffy.  So-- I came back.  To tell you this and to try and get you back.  Without you there is no reason to it all.  I love you Buffy Anne Summers and I never stopped and I promise you, I never will."

Buffy lost all the air in her lungs.  She lost control of every limb and every sensible thought.

"I never stopped," she finally said.  Angel broke out into a grin.  They walked forward and kissed tenderly.  Riley stood up and started forward before Cordelia dashed in front of him.

"What did I tell you?" She warned.  "You better go.  Now.  For everyones sake.  Go," she told him.  Riley scowled and then took one more look at the couple and walked throught the door leaving it open.  Cordelia went to shut it but Xander got there first and he shut it for her.

Buffy and Angel moved slightly apart for air, for Buffy anyway.  She smiled.

"This is a dream isn't it?" Buffy concluded as she held her lovers face like he did her's.  "Now I've gotta go do a book report in my underwear.  This can't be happening.  Stuff i wish for never comes true."

"It's not a dream, I promise.  I want to, I will give you everything.  I'll marry you, I'll get us a house, we'll have a family.  Little Buffy and Angels running about.  And no darkness anymore.  No demons.  No more freakshow.  I'll take your hand and lead you out to the light," he promised softly.  "I can kiss you without guilt and fear of hurting you because I'll never do that again.  We'll be so happy.  And we need to do is wait for the right time and everything will be perfect."

"How much time because I don't wanna wait.  I want us to get back together now."

"I thought you would but I need to stay in L.A. to complete the prophecy.  People in Sunnydale need you and people in L.A need me."

"No.  You can't come back and tell me we can have it all but i can't see you for years !"

"You didn't let me finish.  We go long distance.  We call each other every day and see each other at weekends.  It removes alot of temptation.  I don't wanna go grr or I'll never complete the prophecy.  That's a bad."

"Long distance," Buffy repeated.  "And during this time you won't see anyone else?"

"Nope because I'll come back here to all I could ever want every weekend.  Like I could ever find a Slayer to fill your shoes."

"You think this could work?"

"We'll make it if we want it enough."

"We've always wanted to make it work Angel.  I do.  Want it enough.  So much."

"So.. What about commando boy?"

"Riley.  I don't know.  He's gone."

"He got the picture, trust me," Cordelia chipped in.

"You didn't.. love him.  Did you?" Angel asked.

"You're one of a kind Angel," Buffy said kissing him again.  She jumped and wrapped her legs around his waist.  They stopped and rolled their heads to the side.  They almost forgot that everyone was watching them.

Willow smiled while holding Tara's hand and Xander's eyes were firmly fixed on Cordelia, who was glad Angel was happy.  Anya was watching t.v. still and Giles was proud that Buffy could finally find happiness.

"Xand, drooling," Buffy reminded him.  Xander quickly turned his head and banged it on the lamp.  Cordelia smirked.  Buffy and Angel resumed make out.

"You'll call?" Buffy asked as she shut the drivers car door for Angel.  She leaned down and kissed him again.  "Promise me."

He kissed her again.  "On my heart."

"You better."

"You know me."

"I love you."

"I love you."

"Oooh.  Sweet talking vampire," she grinned kissing him again.

Cordelia ran to the car from  Giles house.  Xander finally made up his mind and ran after her. He caught her arm.

"Cor," he said as she turned to face him.

"Yes?"

Without saying anything else, Xander kissed her softly but passionately.  She returned his passion and lust.  Then she pulled back.  He had this big goofy grin he only got from being with her.

"Xander," she said touching her lip softly.  "You.. have a demon, uh, a girlfriend."

"I still love you."

"You.. love me.  You never told me you loved me."

"One of alot of things I did wrong.  I want you back," he said.

"This is a dream right?" She murmured into his ear.

"No dream," he said.  He kissed her again.  "Just the real."

"Convince me," she challenged.  He kissed her again.  "Call me later?"

"Didn't take much convincing," he grinned.

"It took you."  She handed him a card and then wrote on the back of it using his palm for support.

"What is this?  A fairy?" He asked.

"An Angel.  this is the office number on the front and on the back is my home number and my cell.  You probably won't get me at the office because Born Again brooder over there will be talking to Sunnydale as well.  So zero chance for hours and I can't wait that long."

"Me neither.  So in a hour or so ?"

"Promise me," she said.

He kissed her.  "I promise."

"See that wasn't so hard," Cordelia said as they hit the motorway.

"It was," Angel laughed.  "But worth it."

"So worth it," she smiled dreamily.  Then stopped and looked at Angel's amused look.  "For you..." She stammered.

"Cordy, what are you hiding?" He grinned.  "Tell me.  You helped me get Buffy back and I can't thank you enough but I wanna know your little secret.

"OK.  Xander."

"Xander what?"

"Xander and I!" She said excitedly turning to the vampire.  "As Buffy was sucking your face when you got in the car, he told me he still loved me and that he wanted to get back together.  We didn't have much time but we're gonna talk tonight."

Angel took a hand off the steering wheel and squeezed hers.

"I'm happy for you.  You and Xander can really give it a shot."

"I know.  I think we needed time to grow as people."

"Cliche," he told her.

"Shut up !" She giggled.

So the Sunnydale day tripper got home to Angel Investigations and Angel went straight into his office and dialled Buffy's drom room number that she gave him.  it rang once and on the other end Buffy dived to get it.

"Angel," she said hopefully.

"Angel?  Who's he ?" Angel said laughing a little.  "Don't know the guy."

"Sure.  He's kinda tall, dark, handsome.  Past brooder.  Sweet, passionate.  Love of my life."

"Oh that guy.  So is this Buffy then ?  She's kinda smaller than he is.  Cute.  Beautiful.  Brave.  Purest soul this Angel guy has ever known.  All he thinks about.  Love of his life too.  Wait I'll put him on."

"Quit it," Buffy laughed.

"OK," he said.  Cordy came into his office.  "Yeah?" He asked happily.  Just the sound of her voice made him crazy.

"Xander there?  Where is he?" Angel said into the phone.

"Xander went home," Buffy said.  "Why?"

"Xander's at home," Angel told Cordelia.  "Cor wanted to know," he told Buffy.

"Yeah.  Did you hear about them?  That means Xander can come with me when i visit you and vice-versa."

"Oh joy," he smiled.

"We are gonna make this work," she said decisively.  "There's no man I want to touch me but you."

"We are."

"So.  This day that never was.  Can we shift to that?"

"It was.. perfect."

"Perfect how?" She said wanting more info than "perfect."

"We kissed on Santa Monica Pier in the daylight.  We made love..  several times."  Buffy stifled a giggle and let Angel continue.  "We broke the table.  We ate ice cream in bed.  We fell asleep in each others arms.  You felt my heartbeat," he said wistfully.  "Then the bad and we had to leave each other."

"It doesn't matter now because we're together.  Woulda liked to have the memory of breaking the table but.. we're together.  Stay with me?"

"Forever.  That's the whole point.  i'll never leave you again Buffy."

"Good because I'll never let you go again.  Made that mistake once too often. But we'll be together."

"Always," he promised.  Then something hit him.  "Can i call you later?  I really need to do something before sun up."

"I guess," Buffy said confused.

"It's actually something for you," he grinned putting his leather jacket on.  "I promise I'll call."

"OK.  Love you."

"Love you.  Bye," he said.

"Bye," she said putting down the phone.

Angel walked into The Gateway For Lost Souls.  He saw that two new Oracles had replaced the two dead.  He felt sorrow because he thought much of the other brother and sister, especially the sister.  She was that one that saved Buffy's life.

"Come before us," said the new male Oracle.  His voice was much the same to the other.

"It's The Warrior brother.  Why do you come before us Warrior?  What do you seek?  And what gift do you bear?" She asked.  Her voice was lighter and a bit more understanding than the other sister Oracle who at times could be skeptical but all the more delightful.

"Silver candlestick inscribed by blind medieval monks," Angel said throwing the antique to the sister.  I've come to ask you to replace whats lost," Angel said.  "The Slayer.  I want you to restore her memory of the temperal fold.  It's important."

"Important to you but not to the higher Powers of the earth.  And why must we bestow this gift upon the Slayer?  For love.  For a mere mortal feeling," the brother said harshly.

"I am no mortal," Angel said.

"That much is true although the prophecies of Aberjian will disprove that soon enough," the sister half smiled.  "How soon?  You want to know?"

"No," Angel said.  The Oracles were surprised.  "No.  All I wish for at this moment is for the Slayers memory to be returned rightfully to her."

"You did take that right away when you pleaded for the temporal fold," the brother said.  Angel looked down.

"That is not all you desire at this moment," the sister said.  "Step forward."  Cautiously he stepped forward as did she.  She held out her hand near his chest but not touching it.  "You have the heart of a warrior.  A soul filled with guilt and the need for redemption.  Yet both your heart, your soul and yet every inch of being desires the fighter, the Slayer.  The desire to love her, to comfort her, to be with her only.  Never has a love been so pure or so powerful."  Angel looked into the Oracles eyes.  "Come closer," she whispered.

"Sister what are you doing to the warrior?"

"What needs to be done.  What the higher Power desired so.  You think he hasn't redeemed himself yet?  All the lives he's saved, all the mortals he has helped and suffered for.  He has thrice over completed the prophecy."

Angel walked forward and let her hand touch his chest.  On contact, it glowed yellow.  Angel, dazed and overwhelmed, sank to his knees.

"What you desire, what you yearn shall come to be," she said as she placed her hand on his head.  She ruffled through his hair.

Angel felt a surge of power, knowledge and life flow through him.  More potent than anything her had ever known - with the exception of Buffy's loving touch.

The Oracle removed the hand from his chest and the one from his head.  She moved back with grace.  Angel fell forward and put out his hands to save himself.

"What.. what did you do..." he asked gasping.  Then he stopped.  He heard this drumming, this pounding beneath his flesh.  Thump, thump.  Thump, thump.  Buffy had described it.

Angel breathed heavily.  His head felt hot.  Breath, beating heart and warmth.

"I'm human," he panted.  Angel stood up and looked at his hands and the rest as far as he could go down.  He felt his lungs moving in and out.  He placed one hand, like Buffy had done, over his heart.  He was rythnmatically beating away contendly.

But Angel's heart was not content.  It desired Buffy.

"The Slayer.  Your heart, it beats for her," she told him.  "Yet your hand, it stays the same."

"Human.  You made me mortal," Angel said half questioning, half bursting with joy.  "I thought I'd never get another chance to.."

"Human yes.  However, released from your fealty you are not.  I have given you the strength of the Slayer and the healing powers of the Slayer.  You will continue to serve the Power as will the Slayer.  The Slayer will be given a long, long life as will you.  You will be required to procreate with the Slayer for your daughter shall be the Slayer that shall face down the End Of Days with both her parents.  This is important.  This has been your destiny Warrior.  Destiny to be with the Slayer for this Holy child.  You knew this," she said.

"Somehow, I knew.  Buffy was my destiny," Angel said.  Then a huge smile covered his face.  "I can go?"

"You can Warrior."

Angel turned to leave the Oracles .

"Warrior," the brother said.  Angel stopped and faced him.  "You'll find that all has been rightfully returned."

"Do come and see us again," the Sister chimed inspecting her new candlestick.

Angel smiled and then nodded.

"Cordelia!" Angel yelled as he walked in the door.  "Cor!"

Cordelia sat talking to Xander on her cell.  Angel came to her desk with a huge grin.  He took the phone.

"Hey Xander.  Cordelia will call you back OK?  No in fact, she'll be in Sunnydale tonight.  Tell everyone to go to Giles's."

"Angel?" Xander said, confused, into the phone.

"Bye," he said and pressed the red hang up button.

"Hey!  What was that about?" Cordelia asked annoyed.

"Come here," he said happily.  She got out behind her desk and took her hand.

"Angel.. your hand's warm.  Have you been near a radiator?"  Then she felt a little up to his wrist.  "A pulse.  hey this wasmn't here earlier.  hey you're alive.  Angel.  Human.  Again!" Cordelia said and flung her arms around his neck.  "You feel deja vu?"

"A little.  But the good kind," he smiled.

"So spill," Cordelia said excitedly.

"I went to the Oracles to ask them to give Buffys memory back-of our day.  And they wound up giving me my mortality and the Slayer's capabilities.  They need Buffy to have a child, a Slayer that saves the world."

"They're breeding you?"

"Pretty much but they leave it up to us," he grinned.  "Buffy and i will live long lives together.  They gave her back her memory."

"So it's your run of the mill pretty much your happily ever after kinda deal."

"Yeah.  So I'm going back to Sunnydale tonight.  I already told Xander you're coming so that counts you in.  Although we need to stop somewhere on the way.  Ready?"

"You betcha."

They took about 40 minutes to get to Sunnydale and it was about 11.30 when they pulled up in front of Giles house.

"This is all because of you Cor," Angel told her.  "You are the best."

"I know.  I just need to hear it more often."

"We ready?"

"As ever."

Angel knocked on Giles front door for the second time that day.  He grinned to Cordelia.  Then it opened.  Buffy and Xander stood in the doorway, both fighting to get there first.

Angel had the look of pure ecstasy and happinees on his face and it made Buffy curious.  They looked at each other for a world.

Xander walked forward and took Cordelia in his arms.  He kissed her softly the faster and faster as he littered the kisses over her neck and face.

"Xander," she giggled as he lifted her inside.

Angel walked inside still looking at Buffy with this bubbly feeling inside, like he could explode.

"I remember," she said smiling.  "Everything.  I remember everything we had and could of had.  It feels nice."

"Could of had.." Angel mused to himself.  "Buffy, give me your hand."

"Ok.." she said slowly.

He unbuttoned one of his shirt buttons and slipped her petite hand inside it to his chest.

"Angel.. what are you doing..." She said before she could realise.  She felt it working ardently away. It sped up slightly.  She looked up at Angel.  His face glowed.  It thumped away against his ribcage as did hers.  It was really there.

His heartbeat.

"Angel.  Your heart, it's beating.  You're alive," she said catching her breath and not believeing what she was feeling.  Angel took her hand again and kissed her.  Buffy could feel the warmth over every inch of his skin.  She slowly, reluctantly pulled back.  "Human," she confirmed.

He nodded.  "With the strength of a Slayer.  I won't let you stand alone."

The others- Willow, Giles and Xander all stared in amazement.  Cordelia, who knew already, still burst with happiness for Angel who was finally going to find some contentment.

Angel and Buffy broke apart.  He did the button on his shirt and then removed his duster and threw it onto the couch  Her again took her petite hand in his.  He went down on one knee.  More gasps from everyone, even Cordelia.

"Buffy, I don't want to waste one more minute without you.  All my life, it's been you.  I can give you everything now."  He removed a black box from his trouser pocket.  More shocked noises from the watchers.  "I love you and I will give myself only to you.  You are my soulmate, the one I will share the sunrise with.  Buffy Summers," he opened the box to reveal a pair of beautiful gold claddagh ring.  "Will you marry me?"

"I would love nothing more," she said bursting with joy.  Angel slid the ring on her finger.  Buffy knelt down and took the larger one from the box and slid it on Angels finger.  Then grinned and then sealed it with a kiss to last a lifetime.  Or two.  Buffy held Angels face as she kissed him constantly and Angel did the same.

Everyone clapped and cheered.  She turned towards them and then Angel helped Buffy stand up as he did.

"I'm engaged!" Buffy announced happily.

"Yeah you are!" Xander said.

Willow nearly suffocated her in a congratulatory hug.  Then Xander on top of Willow.

"OK guys.  I like oxygen.  Keeps me breathin'," she smiled.  They released her.  Then she turned to Giles who had a tear in his eye.

"I knew you would find happiness with Angel one day," he said.  "I am so proud of you Buffy."

Buffy wiped back a tear.  "Oh, c'mere!" She said hugging Giles.

Cordelia hugged Angel for ages then the broke apart.  Then she punched his arm.

"Oww!" he complained.  "What was that for?" He wailed.

"For not telling me you were gonna propose you jerk," She said.  "But I forgive you."

"That's big of you," he grinned.  Then Willow hugged him.

"I-I," she tried to say but burst into tears of happiness.  "Sorry.  this happens at weddings or engagements or proposals."

"What she's trying to say is," said Xander coming over to the former vampire.  "You're the only one who can make her happy.  the only one that can put the spark in her eyes that she's been missing since you left."  He offered Angel his hand.  Smiling Angel took it.  Then the emotional Xander pulled him into a hug.

"Thank you," Angel said into his ear.  They pulled apart.

"Just make her happy Angel.  And I'll be happy."

"And you have me," Cordelia said putting her arms round his waist.

"And you have me," Buffy told Angel.  "And you have no curse.  No restrictions.  Like our day."

"Oh thank God you remembered that part," he whispered.

"OK.  So we're gonna go... somewhere.." Buffy announced to her friends.

"Here here," Xander said looking at Cordelia.  She raised her eyebrows then smiled.

"I'll be at Tara's to give you two.. space," Willow smirked.

Giles went over to the couple.  He offered his hand.  Angel again took it.  "Thank you Giles."

"Take care of her.  I have no doubt you will."

"Giles," Buffy said softly thinking.  "I know it's a little early to be making plans of any kind but.. I feel you are my father.  You mean so much more.  And I love you.  So would you give me away?"

Giles took of his glasses and wiped away another tear.  "It would be my honour Buffy.  i think of you as my daughter as well."

More hugs all round.

"I call bridesmaid," Cordelia said.

"Me too," Willow said.

"Me  too.  No I don't.  what am I?" Xander said confused.

"Best man," Angel said.

"Really?"

"You have a pocket to put the rings?"

"Yeah."

"Can you organise a stag night?"

"With stripper?  Oh yeah."

"Can you get me there on time?"

"Think so.  Yeah."

"Well it's settled then," Angel grinned.  Buffy nudged him.  "But we.."

"Are in some bad need of lusty, passionate sex," Xander said what was on everyones mind.  "Understandable.  Go on you two crazy kids."

Buffy took Angels hand and led him out.

"I cannot believe you.. just did that.  Memory back, human and then you propose."

"I know.  Race you to the car?"

" 'Kay."
 

Buffy put the key in the lock.  Angel kissed her neck and she decided she'd waited long enough.  She turned round and braced herself against the door as Angel kissed her with intense passion and desire.  She jumped up and wrapped herself round his waist.  They kissed deeper and deeper.

"Angel the door," she mumbled.  He fumbled around for the key and turned it.  He pushed them both in and took the key out.  Still kissing Buffy, he shut the door, banging her head on it.

"Sorry!" He said suddenly.  "God, Buffy.. Sorry.."

"I'll live," she grinned and kissed him again.  He pushed her up against the door and slipped the latch lock on.  "The bed, Angel.  Bed," she mumbled.

"Right," he said.  He moved them over to the bed and lay her down on it kissing her ravenously.  He left his duster and Giles's so Buffy slipped her fingers through the cool silk shirt and undid the buttons.  Angel pulled off her top and threw it over his head.  Buffy locked her legs around his body.  She sat up and kissed him again.

"Angel.  I love you," she told him running her hands through his hair.

"I love you Buffy," he said smiling.  God he loved smiling.  But he loved Buffy more.

Later on, Buffy lay in bed with her arms wrapped around Angel.  She didn't want to let him go or let this end.

"I remember listening to your heartbeat in bed," Buffy grinned.  "Thump, thump.  Thump, thump."

"We can make it all real now," Angel promised.

Buffy slid under Angel and kissed him again.  She grinned and he smiled back.

"You want...?" He started.

"Oh, i want," she insisted.

Cordelia got to Xanders basement and looked around.

"This is nice."

"Don't mock," he warned her grinning.  "It's only temporary.. for a year."

"It doesn't matter," she told him.  Xander came and sat beside her on the sofa.  She kissed him.

"Love you," he smiled.  "I'm sorry for what i did."

"I'm sorry that i never told you i love you."

"You.. love.. me ?"

"I think it, I say it."

"What are you thinking now?"

"Xander.. make love to me," she said to him kissing hm softly.

"Can't argue with that," he grinned kissing her back.

Angel gazed at the sleeping Buffy in his arms.  A single bed didn't provide alot of room but when you wanted to be close to the one you love it's almost perfect.

He was mortal now and he was tired.  Buffy is.. quite the machine to quote her own words, Angel thought.

He glanced at the clock.  4.51.

Buffy stirred in his arms.

"Hey," she smiled stretching.

"Hey," he said.

She too looked at the clock.  "I have an idea," she smiled sweetly.  "Put on your clothes."

"Can't be that good an idea," he joked.

"Lovin' the funny Angel," she said kissing him.  "I love all the Angel's."
 

"What is it Buffy ?" Angel asked as she led him blindfold.

"Wait, wait.  Ok now take it off."

Angel took off the blindfold in amazement.  The sun.  He hadn't seen a sunrise ever, even as a human.  Buffy squeezed his hand.

"A new day."

"It's beautiful," Angel smiled looking at the shades of red, yellow and orange casting over Sunnydales night sky.

"It's not the only thing," Buffy sighed eyeing Angel.

"A new day to spend with my soon to be wife," Angel grinned.  "Oh and I didn't tell you about this little detail of the Oracles.  There's this prophecy about the next Slayer with a Slayer for a mother and a former vampire for a father...."
 

I guess that's pretty much the happy ending..

for this fic