Buffy looked at Angel sleeping so peacefully, undisturbed by the light breeze filtering in from the window above her bed.  It had been a month and a day since he turned human bringing them up to Christmas Eve morning.  She entwined her fingers in his hair, brushing it straight up.

He yawned and wrinkled his nose and then looked at his Love.

"Morning sleepy," Buffy smiled, carressing his hair a little more.

"Morning."

"I was thinking," Buffy started.

"Oh heavens forfend," Angel interjected.

"You've been hanging with Cordelia way too much," Buffy told him sternly.  She went to feign pushing away from him but Angel slipped a hand under the sheets and under her body, wrapping it around her warmth and pulling her even closer to his heat.  He nibbled softly on her neck and ear and she shrieked with the surprise of his lips on her flesh.  "Angel!"

He continued to suck her neck and shoulders playfully, knowing he was getting her worked up.  She let out a loud giggle.  "Angel!  I'm trying to be serious!"

"Serious?  Never," he mumbled happily as he drifted down and his head bobbed under the blankets.  Buffy took a firm grip of his shoulders and hauled him back up.

"I know what you're going to do mister and it isn't funny," she told him.  "You know I can't resist you."

"You can't resist me?" He asked wiggling his eyebrows.  Buffy rolled her eyes, trying not to chuckle and stuck her tongue behind her front two teeth.  Angel growled playfully, nothing like his old vampiric snarl, and attacked her neck, kissing furiously.

"Stop it!" She begged, laughing as he tickled her stomach and her arms.  Then travelling up her back.  "Angel?!" She shrieked helplessly in a fit of giggles.  "OK two can play that game.."

She set her nimble fingers to work, sketching spider webs across his back and his tattoo.  He made an 'o' with his mouth and arched against her fingers, pushing most of his naked body nearer to hers.  Buffy tickled his armpits where she knew he was most ticklish.

He was completely at her whim; laughing uncontrollably and rolling around the bed, yelling her name and 'stop.'

"Will you listen to me now?" She challenged.  "I'll stop if you listen."

"I'll always listen Buffy... If you stop tickling me," he begged.  She removed her fingers from his back and armpit and held up her hands, palm facing him to show she has stopped.  Shivering sensations still travelling over his body, Angel held up his right hand and entwined their fingers.  He took their joined hands under the soft duvet for warmth.  "I'm listening," he insisted.

"I sorta forget what I was saying now," she chewed her lip.  He leaned forward and kissed her softly.  "Oh yeah.  Well we've been back together for a month, the best month in my entire life I could add.  But I won't because.. Well.  Anyway.  We're been back together and all; you're dividing your time between LA and Sunnydale, trying to finish up Angel Investigations business.  And I've stayed in LA with you and you've stayed in my room here with me but.. This bed.  It's a single.."

"Which is fine with me," Angel insisted, shimmying nearer Buffy.

"Well I was gonna suggest we get a new bed for here.  But that's stupid since you're moving here.  So.. Why don't we get a place?  The mansion even.  You still own it don't you?"

"Yeah I do.. You want to move into the mansion?"

"Sure.  It'll be our home," Buffy said dreamily.  "So what do you think?"

"Well what about Willow?"

"She's talking about moving in with Tara.  This new girl she met.  Even before I mentioned our plan.  They're quite close.  I'm actually kinda jealous."

"So Will's been spending a lot of time with this Tara chippie?"

"Yeah.  I hardly see her.  Which is a bonus when you're around."

"Really?" Angel moved in for a kiss.  "Honey, you remember back when Willow had an evil twin?"

"Yeah.  So?"

"So the evil twin was kind of.."

"Gay.  And that was a year ago."

"Have you ever thought of the possibilty that--"

"Oh God,  I can't believe you're discussing Willow's sexuality with me in bed!" Buffy shrieked.  "I mean there's nothing wrong with it but.. Oz!  She was with Oz forever."

"I just think that you could be prepared for the possibilty.  If she's happy, you should be happy for her."

"So you're saying Tara's her girlfriend?"

"Yeah.  Could be.  Possibilty."

"Yeah, I suppose," Buffy said snuggling into Angel again.  "Anyway our plan.."

"Oh our plan," he grinned.  "You really wanna move in when you're nineteen with a guy pushing 250 but has not yet lost his youthful but handsome looks?  Yeah, I see your point."

"Oh God.  Maybe it's best you just don't look in mirror.  You'll end up falling in love with yourself.  One plus point of being a vampire I suppose is that you're not vain."

"Yet," Angel teased.  He put on a shocked expression.  "OK, I'll call the movers and get everything over here in the mansion.  Then you can move from here and.."

"I know," she smiled kissing him again.  "Oh and you and my mom better play nice today and tomorrow."

"I'm always nice to your mother!" He protested.

"I know you are.  Just don't rise to any of her remarks."

"Yes ma'am," he joked kissing her.  "One of the first spats will be about... Sleeping arrangements."

"My bed at home's so much bigger than this stupid dorm room single bed," Buffy grumbled.  Angel gently scooped her up and turned her over so she was face down on the pillow.

"Technically we should already be out of here for the holidays," Angel smiled kissing her back, tracing his tongue down her spine.  She shivered and giggled.

"Yeah well, we'll get to my house later on for Christmas and New Years."

"Uh Buffy," Angel mumbled as he planted butterfly kisses over her shoulders.

"Angel.."

"I spoke to your mom a week ago.."

"And?"

"I offered to cook the turkey and everything," he told her.  "Be Kitchen Guy and give her a Christmas Day off."

Buffy turned over and Angel was worried by her serious expression.  "You offered to cook for my mother?"

"Yes."

She broke out in a smile and held his face with one hand.  "That is so thoughtful," she commented before kissing him hungrily.

"I'm glad you think so honey, because you're my Sous Chef."

"The kitchen's a million miles away from the front room," Buffy mused.  "Where my mom and Giles and everyone else will be.. They wouldn't hear us."

"You're missing the point of cooking the turkey," Angel laughed.  "We'd.. get behind."

"We'll see."

"Oh come on Buffy.  I need to make this perfect so your mom will stop looking at me the way she always does - for a day."

"What way?"

"The way where I'm corrupting her only daughter."

"But you are corrupting her only baby," Buffy giggled.  "You're a suck up anyway.  Yeah, I was thinking.  Why don't we get a dog?"

"A dog, Buffy?"

"Yeah.  Cute, fluffy dog.  Loyal and we can take it walks together," Buffy decided.  "Along the beach and at the docks and.. you're looking at me like that."

Angel gazed at her mouth as she spoke, excited and amazed that she was here and they were planning a future.

"Yeah I am," he realized.

"Why?"

"It's been a month and I still expect to wake up."

"Trust me, you're not going anywhere."

"Plus you're cute when you get carried away with things like this," he smiled, placing his head on his bent arm.  Buffy played with the first few hairs in near his forehead, straightening them down and pushing them back up again.  Angel brought their hands back up again and to his mouth.

"So back to the dog," he continued.  He kissed each of Buffy's fingers, skipping over his own.

"The dog.  It'll be called a cute, normal name.  Not Fluffy, or Snowy, or Cutie.." She murmured as Angel suck her fingertips gently.  "Something like Alan."

"Alan?"

"OK not Alan," she admitted.  "Because we're getting a girl dog."

"Really," he filled in.

"We'll call it.. Lizzie."

"Lizzie," he repeated.

"No, Ally."

"Ally," he murmured inhaling her scent.

"Yeah, that's a.. name," Buffy breathed as Angel began to kiss down her neck and her line to her belly button.  "So.. Are we?"

"We'll see," Angel said with a wicked grin as he descended on her.

"Oh by the way, happy Christmas Eve morning," she chuckled as their lips met.

"Cordelia, you have to help me," Angel said quietly into his cell phone.

"What is it?" She asked, filing something away one handedly, balancing her own cell phone.  She couldn't believe she was working on Christmas Eve without her boss asking her too.  But Hell, here she was.  In LA.  Avoiding her family.

"It's Buffy.  I know part of what I'm gonna get her but I need something else."

"Earrings."

"Yeah, she told me a week ago, not so subtly that she didn't need any."

"OK.  Any jewerly?"

"I'm already getting her a small silver locket she pointed out a while ago."

"Oh.  What about a ring. An engagement ring."

"You think.." Angel started before he moved even further out of Buffys ear shot.  "I should ask Buffy to marry me?  After a month?"

"You and I both know you and Buffy are never breaking up now.  Skip the formal and get on with it already.  Why procrasinate? She'll love the surprise."

"I guess," Angel nodded.  "Where are you anyway?"

"The office."

"Cordy it's Christmas Eve."

"Yeah.  Yeah it is."

"Not going somewhere?"

"No.  I was sorta embarassed to tell you since you're Mr Popular now."

"Ha!"

"Well everyone loves you.  Which is a good thing and I'm not jealous."

"Buffy's mom doesn't exactly picture me as the perfect son in law.  So I'm cooking.  Come to Buffy's house Cordelia.  For dinner tomorrow.  You can defend my culinary skills.  Willow, Xander, Anya and everyone's all gonna be there."

"Oh goodie, a reunion with all the people I looked down on in high school."

"They know the real you Cor," Angel said softly.  "Please come.  For me."

"Is that Cordelia?" Buffy asked her lover walking past with her toothbrush.  He nodded.  "Let me talk."

Angel handed the phone to her.  "I invited her for dinner tomorrow."

"Hey Cordy," Buffy greeted happily.  "So you coming?"

"Buffy.  Oh, I don't know."

"Got any place better to be?"

"Well there's.. And that party on... No," she admitted.

"Angel would love you to be there.  Which means I would love you to be there.  You're like his best friend Cordy.  After me."

"Wow, I'm touched," Cordy said, genuinely moved.  "For once."

"Bring Doyle.  Y'know, cute, Irish, Vision guy.."

"OK."

"Come down tonight and you guys can stay in my extra room," Buffy organised.

"Seriously?"

"Yes Cor.  You're part of Angel's family and I know he'd hate Christmas without you guys.  And I've managed to get rid of broody Angel so far, we don't want a repeat."

Angel made a face at her and continued to pack her stuff.  His was already in a bag from when he came back from LA three days ago.

"OK, I'm coming to the Summers house for Christmas."

"You bet you are Cordy.  See you soon."

"OK.  Tell Angel he should definetly go for it."

"What?"

"He knows what I mean. Bye."

Buffy stared at Angel's cell and then handed it back to him.  "Cor says you should go for.. Something.  She never said."

"I know what she means," Angel replied with a kiss.  "Let's go or we won't beat traffic."

"Are you sure I look OK?" Angel hissed to Buffy as they walked up the driveway.

"You look gorgeous," she told him honestly.

"Gorgeous-I'm-A-Helpless-Puppy or Gorgeous-I'm-A-Sex-Maniac-Vampire?" He asked, worried.

"The first one.  With a hint of the second."

"I just want to make the right impression."

Buffy opened the door and let them in.  "Mom!  We're here!"

Joyce came through to the hall.  "Oh Buffy," she smiled, hugging her daughter.  When she was done, she turned to Angel.

"Merry Christmas Joyce," Angel said, trying to keep his tone light.

"Merry Christmas Angel," she smiled, holding a tea towel.  "So you know how to cook?"

"Oh Angel's a great cook mom," Buffy said, taking her jacket off.  "A whizz in the kitchen."

"Yeah.." Angel agreed weakly.  "You have everything?"

"Yes.  It's all set out for you.  I can't tell you what a relief it is not to have to deal with Christmas mayhem for the tenth year running."

"Mayhem?" Angel repeated.  Was this such a great idea anymore?

"Angel's really happy to do it," Buffy said, linking her arm through Angel's.  "We're just gonna take our bags upstairs."

"Yes Buffy.. About the sleeping arrangements.." Joyce started apprhensively.

"Look mom, Angel and I are moving in together soon and he's human now and we sleep in the same bed in my dorm and--"

"Buffy I was about to suggest that you and Angel sleep in your room and you and Angel help me clear the spare room for Cordelia and her friend coming down..."

"Oh.. Oh OK.  Sure," Buffy nodded, confused at her mothers lack of arguement.  "We'll need a sleeping bag or something for Doyle.  Cor and Doyle aren't like that."

"..As long as we're agreed that there will be no 'relations' in this house," Joyce continued.

"Trust me mom.  You next door isn't the best setting," Buffy bit her lip.

"As long as we've got that straightened out," Joyce nodded, going back into the front room.  Buffy run upstairs with Angel and they collapsed in giggles as soon as they were in her bedroom.

Buffy, Angel and Joyce were watching something on TV like the normal undysfunctional family.  Angel smiled and smells Buffy's hair as she cuddled more into him.  The bliss was interupted by the doorbell.

"That'll be Cordelia," Buffy got up reluctantly, with her mom and Angel following.

"Hey," Cordelia said breezily as the door opened.  She walked straight into Angel's arms and surrounded him in a hug.

"Glad you're here Cordy," Angel said, planting a kiss on her head.  Buffy tried to smile but she felt jealousy kick in.  they're best friends Buffy.. Stop it, stop it.

She turned to Doyle, standing at the door and motioned for him to come in.  "Doyle.  Good to see you," Buffy forced a smile.

"Not used to Cordy around Angel then?" Doyle gestured towards them as he kissed Buffy's cheek.

"I'l get used to it," Buffy gritted her teeth.  "Mom, this is Doyle.  Friend of Angels.  Doyle, this is my mom, Joyce."

"Nice to meet you Mrs Summers," Doyle said pleasantly.  He shook Joyce's hand and then handed her a dish.  "I brought some cheesecake.  it may not be festive but I thought I should bring something, y'know?"

"Thank you Doyle.  That's great.  I love cheesecake," Joyce looked under the lid.  "Looks delicious.  It may not last until tomorrow."

Buffy watched as Angel and Cordelia talked in whispers about something and she smiled, trying to focus on her mom and Doyle.

"Thank you.. So much.. For letting Cor and I stay over the holidays."

"Don't mention it," Joyce said quickly.  "We're happy to have you.  Wouldn't want you staying in on your own."

"Doyle, I cleared out the guestroom for you and Cordelia," Buffy said, her eyes wandering to Angel bringing something out his pocket.  "That OK?"

"Sure.  Fine.  Great Buffy," Doyle nodded eagerly.

"So are you a vampire or anything Doyle?" Joyce tried to make conversation.

Doyle nearly choked before Buffy rubbed his back as hard as she could without breaking a rib.

"Sorry?"

"That's just regular mom.." Buffy laughed.  "Sorry.  Mom, Doyle gets visions from the Powers That Be of people in trouble.  Or he did."

"Haven't had one since.. Well Angel became human," Doyle cleared his throat.

"Oh.  Well would you like anything to drink?" Joyce offered.

"Sure.  Yeah.  Could murder a cup of tea."

"Buffy?"

"No thanks.. I've yet to get in touch with my Inner Giles today," Buffy passed up.  "Angel, Cordelia?  Want anything to drink?"

"No thanks," Angel said politely, putting something away.

"A water'd be great Buffy," Cordelia said, unable to stop smiling and shaking her head in disbelief.

"Have a seat," Joyce said as she disapeared into the kitchen.  As Angel and Cordelia walked over to sit down, Cordelia whispered in her ear;

"You are one lucky Slayer."

Christmas Morning

Angel opened his eyes and yawned slowly.  He glanced at Buffy's clock-5.22  Then he remembered what day it was.  Christmas.  His first real Christmas with Buffy.  His first real Christmas ever.  Last time he'd been haunted by The First and that was a holiday he'd rather forget.  He looked at his darling Buffy sleeping soundly next to him, one of her arms wound around his.  He managed to undo them and slip his feet out of the hold with hers.  He quickly dressed and left her room.  He drove to Xanders and quietly slipped in, making up the large package with him as he left, like he and Xander had agreed the night before.

The whole trip there and back to the Summers residence only took 20 minutes.  With any luck Buffy would still be sleeping to give him enough time to set it up.

Buffy slowly flickered her eyelids open and rolled closer to Angel.  When he wasn't there, she snapped her eyes open when she found he wasn't there at all.  In his place there was a note and a snow white rose.

Merry Christmas, Buffy

She looked at the digital clock.  8.02.  She'd slept quite late for Christmas.  She got out of bed and went in search of Angel.  Taped to her bedroom door was another white rose and another note.

Find me if you can

She removed the note delicately and walked out her room.  She found another rose pinned to a note on the stair bannister.

Not found me yet?  Some Slayer you are, Love...

Buffy chuckled and walked down the stairs. She caught a glance of herself in the mirror.  She was wearing Angel's white shirt and his black CK boxers with her fluffy white rabbit slippers.  She tried to straighten her hair and then realised Angel didn't care what it looked like right now.  He'd just mess it up anyway.

She walked down the remaining steps and found a rose and a note on the front door.

Baby it's cold outside.. Warm up in the kitchen..

She looked to her right and saw that the living rooms doors were closed shut.  She resisted the urge to go in the and went into the kitchen.  She went through the dining room into the kitchen and found some piping hot chocolate with a lot of little marshmallows; just the way she liked it.  Angel must have heard her getting up.  She picked up the mug and turned to see another white rose and a note.

Join me by the tree..

Buffy laughed and put down all the notes and roses she had collected on the counter.  She walked through into the living room and saw Angel sitting on her couch, talking to something.  It was a blonde bundle of hair and fluff with a tail and a bow.

Angel noticed her straight away and sent the bundle of fluff to her.

"Go on, go on," he coaxed as the puppy bounded to Buffy.  She put down her mug and bent down to be greeted by the small dog licking her knees.

"Ally, right?" She grinned. She looked at the tag around the puppys neck.

To my darling Buffy

My name is Ally.  Hug me

Merry Christmas,
All my Love Angel

"Oh Angel," Buffy simpered and picked up the puppy.  She brought both of them over to the sofa and she gave Angel a lingering kiss.  "Merry Christmas."

"Do you like her?" He smiled shyly.

"I love her, thank you so Angel.  And she's ours," Buffy giggled.  "Our dog."

"Ours," he nodded as she flung her arms around him.

"I got you.."

"No.. Let's wait til everyone else comes down," Angel decided.

"When I'm like this?" Buffy questioned, horrified.

"You look beautiful."

"You are so jaded boy.  And so biast."

"Yeah I am."

"Honestly, how much of a mess am I?"

"None at all," he promised.

"Liar," she told him, kissing him softly.  "Think they would hear?" She grinned.

"I think they would," Angel told her.

"Think they would mind?"

"It is Christmas," Angel reasoned.  Buffy snuggled back between the couch cushions and Angel descended sweetly on her mouth.  Buffy reached up and became so engrossed in her boyfriend she didn't hear footsteps on the stairs.

"Morning," Joyce yawned as she went directly into the kitchen, passing her daughter and Angel straightening up on the sofa.

"You--"

"Never saw a thing.  Never want to know," Joyce confirmed.  Buffy looked after her mom in the kitchen by the kettle.

"Oh God.  My Mom doesn't look like Awakened Sleeping Beauty kind of perfect right now. I can blame my bed head on genetics," Buffy whispered.

"Really?  I think you're mom looks fine, Buffy."

"Now you're not biast or jaded; you're a suck up.  Classic sucking up case.  There are three types of people you suck up to.  People who lend -slash- give you money for example banker or your boss, people in power for example... the President and of course, your in-laws.  Uh, well not in-laws.  Since our.. Togetherness is not law and therefore there's no in-laws or out laws or laws or wild western bandits wearing striped sweaters," she stumbled.  "Suck up," she came back with.

"I am not sucking up!  You both look great," Angel told Buffy and then Joyce as she came into the sitting room and stood beside the tree.

"You're sweet Angel but I have to concur with my wonderful daughter.  We look like Hell that rolled about in a bush and then something that flew off the back of a trailer."

"Thank you mother," Buffy nodded conservatively.

"Please," Angel groaned and then stood up.  He kissed Buffy's forehead and she slipped an arm around his leg pulling him closer.  She rested her head on his stomach and sighed.  Joyce smiled wryly and chuckled softly.  She was so happy to see Buffy happy.  Angel kissed the back of Buffy's hand and turned to Joyce.

"How about I get some waffles and pancakes for my two favourite train wrecks.  I mean women," he grinned cheekily.  Joyce sat down in her chair.

"Hey what about me?  Amn't I one of your favourite women?  I'm obviously not a train wreck so do I qualify?" Cordelia asked Angel, her hand resting on the bannister.

"That is so annoying.  You're your usual annoying perfected and groomed self in the morning.  How?  Why? HOW?" Buffy wailed.

"Have we met?  I'm Cordelia Chase," Cordelia said pointedly, coming in to sit adjacent to Joyce.

"Well Cordelia we must meet less early on Christmas morning when I look something like presentable," Joyce smiled.

"No Joyce you look great!  It's Buffy I'm concerned about," Cordelia told Joyce politely.  Angel exchanged amused glances with Cordelia until an angry look from Buffy shot him down.

"It was a lovely meal Angel," Joyce complimented warmly.

"Thank you," Angel smiled and held Buffy's hand tighter across the table.

"Who's for some more nog?" Joyce offered.

"Yes please," Xander and Anya chorused.  Everyone else nodded and mumbled  Mm hmms.

"I love noggy goodness as much as everyone else Mom, but I have an announcement.. Thing to make," Buffy told the table.  Joyce sat down and Angel looked at Buffy curiously.

"You didn't say anything to me," Angel said quietly to her as she got out of her chair and pushed it in.

"I guess not," she smiled nervously as she took in a deep breath and bent down on one knee.  She put both of her hands on Angel's legs and moved between them.

"Oh Buffy," he laughed, covering his face.

"No, no, don't hide," she insisted holding his hands and taking them down to his lap.

"Angel I love you.  And this.." She started bashfully.  She shook her head and straightened up drawing confidence.  "I don't care that I'm too young or stupid.  Or that this is too soon. All I know is when you hold me I feel my whole world in your arms.  Every day I wake up feeling so lucky because I have you beside me. Angel, you're everything to me.  I can't begin to imagine forever without you.  Which is why, here I am, asking you, to marry me.  Angel, will you marry me?"

Angel rolled his head back and then looked at Buffy with an enormous grin.

"Yes, Buffy, I'd love nothing more than to marry you," he replied softly.

"You said yes?" She recapped.  He nodded and laughed.

"I said yes." Buffy slowly stood up.

"He said yes!" She turned round and told the whole stunned dinner table.  Buffy jumped into Angel's arms and they begun smothering each other with kisses.

"Can I tell you a secret?" Angel asked her as she continued kissing his face and neck in full view of everyone else.

"What?"

He took a box out of his pocket and opened it to reveal a white gold diamond encrusted ring.  Buffy gasped and looked at Angel.

"You so beat me to it," he grinned.  "I was gonna ask you to marry me."

"What were..  What were you gonna say..?"

"Hey Buffy, wanna get married?"

"You were not!" She exclaimed hitting him on the shoulder.

"Well I didn't have anything planned and I was gonna go with whatever I felt," Angel shrugged while placing the ring on her left hand beside the finger where her claddagh was.

"It would have been beautiful.  But I still beat you to it," she teased.  Then they turned to the rest of everyone and tehy were still sitting there shocked - except from Cordelia.

"Oh come on guys, this is Buffy and Angel," Cordelia groaned.  "Obviously this was gonna happen.  Sooner or later."

"So you're not pregnant," Joyce breathed a sigh of relief.  As did everyone else around the table.

Buffy raised her eyebrows.  "Pregnant?  You guys all thought I was pregnant?!"

"No offence Buff.  It's just.. Angel.  We still think it's weird for you guys to be sauntering down the aisle.  We forget Angel isn't naturally afraid of churches anymore," Xander supplied.  Everyone nodded.

"Well I'm so happy for you guys!" Anya enthused standing up beside Xander, with her arm around him.  "Why aren't we married yet?" She asked him in a hard tone.

"Well.. We.. Uh.." Xander stuttered.  "Have only being going out for a couple of months - Officially."

"Buffy and Angel have only be back together for a month.  What's your next excuse?"

"They've been in love with each other for four years!" He defended himself.  "I've only been in love with you for four months!"

"Y-You're in love with me?" Anya asked, her eyes filling with tears.

"Did I say that?" Xander asked panicked to everyone else.

"Uh huh," chorused everyone else.

"Then I guess I must be An.  I love you," he told her.

"I love you too," she smiled and kissed him.

"Wow and I'm gonna go get drunk," Cordelia leaned back in her seat.

"Ain't love grand," Doyle supplied, leaning back with her.

"Yeah, grand when everyone else has it and I don't.  I don't even have a prospective love."

"You don't huh?  Well maybe you ain't looking too hard," Doyle shifted in his seat.

"Can you blame me?  Well all my boyfriends have either tried to kill me, or have been killed, or prefer Buffy, or have kissed redheads."

"Well maybe you should be looking for this love.. In a friend," Doyle suggested, more uncomfortable.

"Friends.  Huh.  Well say we even count the Sunnydale posse.  We've got Xander - ex and so last century.  Giles.  Never thought of him that way and he is kinda sexy--- no no no.  Never said that.  Oz.  Well he left and he was so in love with Will anyway.  LA.  Well.  Uh.  Angel.  Getting married.  You..  Oh and my little few dates  - crappy."

"And nothing there sounds... Appealing like?"

"Honestly?  No."

"Oh.  Out of interest.. What about me?"

"What?"

"Could I be.. A prospective?"

"Oh c'mon Doyle, you're like my best friend.  Or you're going to be in a few months when you get a provisional best friend license."

"Yeah, yeah right.  Yeah.  I mean.. Stupid.  Yeah," he nods quickly, downing the rest of the nog.

"Doyle do you.. Do you.. Y'know.  Think I'm a prospective?" Cordelia nudged gently.

"No!  No no.  No I don't," Doyle protected.

"OK.  OK," she nodded.

"Hey," Angel said behind them, pushing his hand in his right pocket.  "Look what I have."

He pulled out a sprig or mistletoe and smiled.  He placed it over their heads.

"Angel man, get that outta here," Doyle said moodily.

"So you don't even wanna kiss me?" Cordelia pursed her lips angrily.

"It's not that--"

"So you do wanna kiss me?"

"No!  I.. It's stupid tradition."

"Oh shut up!" Cordelia sighed, throwing caution to the wind and grabbing the back of his neck and placing her lips full frontal on his.  Doyle tensed and then relaxed, sliding with ease into the kiss.

Angel grinned and threw the mistletoe on the table, walking away from the pair.

"I can say that 100%, this has been the best Christmas ever," Buffy sighed, cuddling into Ally on the bed as Angel undressed.  He slid into her sheets and sighed.

"Good.  Me too," Angel affirmed, kissing her lightly.  Ally licked his chin as he tried to get closer to Buffy.

"She likes you.  It's not hard to see why."

"Have I told you lately that I love you?" Angel murmured into her hair.  "I don't want you to ever be doubtful of that, or wonder if I do.  I don't wanna leave months between saying it.  I don't want you to ever have to resort to picking petals off a daisy to confirm my love."

"Angel, not gonna happened.  For two reasons.  One.  I will never go all 15th century and pick daisies.  And two.  I feel it coming off you.  All around you.  It keeps my heart safe.  Like you wanted to do.  Warm it with your own."

"I love when you do mush," Angel laughed.

"I love you."

"Good," Angel nodded, kissing her.

"Wait, was that not a song?  Have I told you lately I love you?"

"Could be..  I don't remember much.  Do you like soul music?"

"Soul?  Huh.  Not sure.  Never given soul much thought."

"Oh you young kids," Angel shook his head.

"Well, sing me some old guy," Buffy teased.

"OK.  Have you heard me sing?"

"No.  Never," Bufy said sadly.

"Haven't done it in years. When I fall in love," Angel sang quietly, trying to hold the notes.  "It will be.. forever.."

"That's beautiful."

"It's a song I can sing.  Ask me for Eternal Flame and I'll refuse you point blank.  Unless your name is Buffy Summers."

"Hey that's me.  So.."

"You might wanna cover your ears," Angel laughed, stroking the dog between them.

"Hearing you sing soul makes me.. So.. horny.." Buffy finished in a husky tone, kissing her fiance.

"No Buffy.  No..  We promised," Angel protested.

"Well just.. Kiss me."

"I remember one of the times you said that."

"Me too," she said, eyebrow cocked.

"No.  No.  No Buffy.  Not the eyes," Angel covered his face.  "No no no no no."

"Please...."

"One night Buffy," Angel reasoned.  "It's only one night."

"Fine fine fine.  I don't know how the Hell you can refuse me.. But fine.  When we get married I'll be changing this.  I'll just have to settle for lying beside you and making dirty, erotic, sexually explicit suggestions in your ear all night but it's fine fine fine."

"Please don't.." Angel begged.  He rubbed the puppies ear softly.

"Oh I will.  It's your torture.  Maybe at one point, my panties and underwear will disapear and I'll roll over you to get my.. watch."

Angel groaned and his head his the pillow.  He switched the light off.

"Goodnight Buffy," he sighed, as Ally clumsily jumped off the bed, on cue and slept in her furry basket.

Buffy turned hers off and cuddled closer to Angel's back, curling her arm around him.  She stroked his hair and placed her head in between his ear and shoulder, resting her chin.

"Guess what I'm imagining right now...?"

Angel squeezed his eyes shut, a grin spread across his face, willing himself to resist.
 

finis