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Disclaimer: I love the characters of Angel and Buffy dearly, but I can not take credit for the basis, which I have built my on-going story. Joss Whedon and David Greenwalt get the actual credit.
Two days after arriving home from our honeymoon, I was awoken by Angel's warm breath on my ear. I could feel the heat of his body lying on my right. "Merry Christmas," he said to me.
Christmas? How could it be Christmas? Ever since we got home, Angel and I had done nothing, but stay in and play with Joseph. I counted the days and realized today was Friday, December 25. I had lost track of time and felt bad about it. The wedding and our subsequent honeymoon had occupied most of my thoughts.
"Merry Christmas to you," I said, rolling over to face him and kiss him.
"We have never discussed this, but do you have a tradition for Christmas? I did not want to plan anything if you did."
I thought back to Christmas 1997. As I remembered, Mom and I opened presents and together, we cooked a small meal consisting of the Christmas staples. Dad called from LA later that night and we spoke for quite a while. This year would be different because Dad was still in town until New Year's Day. I was sure Mom had something planned, but they had made no contact with each other.
"No real traditions. Mom and I were alone for the past two Christmases. Why do you ask?"
"Maybe we should check the answering machine. Someone could have called."
That was when I remembered that we had the ringers off on the phones for the past two days, because we were 'still on our honeymoon.' It had been pretty peaceful, even with a three-month-old baby, who enjoys wake up at the exact moment you are going to sleep. Luckily, Angel and I could switch off sleeping and entertaining Joseph.
Angel and I got out of bed together and went to the answering machine, which was located on Angel's desk. The red light was blinking, meaning there was a message or two. The volume was decreased and we stood listening.
"Message one: Thursday, 4:20 p.m.," the mechanical voice said.
"Hi, newlyweds. I didn't expect you to be answering the phone, but I thought I would give it a try. I am planning a Christmas dinner for three o'clock on Friday. I have asked Xander, Willow, Cordelia, Oz, and Mr. Giles to come. If you can make it, we would be very happy. Give Joseph a kiss for me. Bye," Mom's voice stated.
Angel and I looked at each other and knew that we would be attending my parents' Christmas dinner. I knew it would not be that bad, but it was going to be different with a new husband and baby.
"Message two: Thursday, 7:57 p.m." the voice repeated.
"Buffy and Angel, it's your best friend, Willow. I wanted to call and see how you were doing, but I guess you are not there or you are busy. I know you are together and happy. Call me back if you get a chance. Oz and I are going to try to come to your parents' Christmas dinner, but I have to assure my parents that I am not converting to Christianity. See you tomorrow, hopefully. Tell your son that his Aunt Willow and Uncle Oz love him. Bye."
That was the last message and we erased them. Angel also turned on the ringer again, so we could answer the calls when they were made.
"Buffy, there is one thing I would like to do. I have not done it in over 240 years, but I think I am up to it now. Can we go to Christmas Mass together as a family? I think we have a lot to be thankful for on this birthday of Jesus."
I thought back and could not remember the last time I had been in church. It had been a long time, too long. Angel was right, we had been through a lot over the past year and we had to be thankful to the Man Upstairs. "Yes, we will go to church with you. This is the first time we will be sure you are cured of your religious artifact phobia."
Angel took me in an embrace and kissed me. We were such the happy couple. It was when we pulled away that I noticed the mistletoe hanging from the beam.
"They had the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe in your day?" He knew I was trying to make a funny.
"I was not that out of touch with the environments I was living in. I probably saw the invention of the tradition in my time." Angel presented me with his cocky smile.
I did not get to get my next dig in because Joseph's extrasensory radar went off. It was not a cry, but a low whimper. As a pair, Angel and I rushed to get him. It was not that we were overprotective, we just loved him a lot.
"Master Joseph has awoken. How are you this morning?" Angel said as he took his son from his cradle. Joseph's eyes opened fully and he looked up at his daddy. A content look was on his face and I watched from beside the father and son.
"Did he drink all of the milk this morning?" I asked. Angel had been the one who had gotten up with him at his last wakeup call.
"Most. Are you hungry, Joseph?"
He gurgled and both his parents took that as a yes. "Why don't I take care of Joseph while you find out when Christmas Mass is being celebrated?"
Angel agreed and gave Joseph to me. He went over to the phone while I went into the kitchen to fix Joseph a bottle. As the bottle spun in the microwave, I listened to Angel talk softly on the phone in the other room. His voice had become a lot tendered since his stay in the underworld. No matter whom he was talking to, he kept the same tone.
Once the bottle was warmed, Joseph and I sat in the rocking chair and swayed back and forth. Angel finished his call and came to kneel in front of me.
"There is a mass at ten o'clock at Saint Gabriel's downtown. If you can knock Joseph out, we could have about thirty minutes to dress and another twenty to get to the church."
"That sounds perfect. Why don't you go take your shower and I will join you when I am done." Angel knew exactly what I meant.
"Meet you in there." He moved over to the closet that we had come to share and then disappeared into our only bathroom. We had already discussed moving above ground, not that we could lead a normal life. After the first of the year, we would began looking for a new place, be it apartment or house. I knew there were many issues we had still to discuss, but today was not the day to dawn on those issues.
Joseph drank and was lulled into a peaceful sleep. I turned on the monitor and took the receiver with me to the bathroom. I wanted to join Angel quickly, so I decided to pick out my dress after my shower. I opened the door and felt the warmth of the shower. Steam was beginning to form on the mirrors. The receiver was plugged in and I undressed to take my shower.
Twenty minutes later, Angel exited the bathroom dressed in a nice black suit with a rich white shirt. I asked him to wear his black leather pants and he told me they were inappropriate for Christmas Mass. I knew he was right, but he looked so good in them. Clad in a robe, I was in the last stage of makeup and was about to put on my dress. During our honeymoon, Mom had taken the liberty to bring some of my clothes to Angel's. This included the burgundy knee-length shift that I was going to wear to mass. I slipped the dress over my head and it felt good to be wearing something from my old wardrobe.
Angel was taking care of dressing and packing for Joseph. I came out and found him, still asleep, in his carrier. He was wearing a little red and green plaid outfit with a little hat and booties. Angel proudly shown off his handiwork and I rewarded him.
"I think we are ready to go. It is a little chilly outside. Here is a shawl for you." Angel took a very ornately crocheted shawl from the drawer and wrapped it around my shoulders. He grabbed the bag, Joseph, and still held my hand. We went up to the car where we settled for our first Christmas together.
The definite nip in the air was present, but it was a symptom of late December. Angel drove the uncrowded streets to Saint Gabriel's. Once we got to the cathedral, there were people and cars everywhere. Angel followed the directions of the police officers and we parked in the lot across the street. Again, Angel insisted on taking Joseph minus his carrier and the bag, but I wrestled Joseph away from him through begging, not violence.
The last mass had not ended yet, so we stood outside listening to the mass over the loud speakers. As we stood there, Angel placed his arms around me and I was enveloped into his being. Soon, people came out of the church itself and the people waiting for the next mass filed in. Angel moved quickly through the crowd and got us a comfortable pew toward the middle of the massive cathedral. Because of the number of people, I practically had to sit on Angel's lap, but that would not have been a bad thing. Joseph lay in my arms quiet and very much asleep.
As the curious person that I am, I looked at all the details of the cathedral. It was quite large with over fifty stained-glass windows, which had to be a hundred feet up. The altar was white marble with many statues surrounding it. The color of the season decorated it as well as the rest of the large church. The aisle had a red carpet lining the tile floor itself. I would have loved to walk down that aisle, but five days ago, that could not have happened. Now, things were different, but I still loved our small, but very special wedding in the park.
As the church began filling to capacity and beyond, I noticed people were staring at us. I knew they were thinking what is a beautiful young woman doing with a small baby and a much older man. I had always been contradictory to Sunnydale society and it didn't matter to me. I would not give up Angel and Joseph for anything. There were others who just seemed to stare in awe. Maybe they thought we were Mary, Joseph, and Jesus reincarnated.
At ten o'clock, the choir started their singing and the mass began. Everyone stood and sang along with the choir. The procession walked down the aisle and I noticed there were five priests, including Father O'Brien, who had married Angel and me. After everyone had made it to the altar, I turned and looked up at Angel. He wore a smile, but I could see it was different from when he had attended church last time. Angel held the missal where we could both read it. The priests welcomed everyone to the mass and began with the Sign of the Cross.
As the opening prayers were done, I could hear Angel speaking another language. I realized he was translating the words into Gaelic, his native language. As not to embarrass himself, he was reciting the prayers softly. I listened and noticed the words were harsher than Latin, but beautiful in their own right. Maybe it was the way Angel said the prayers that made them beautiful.
A cold breeze swept through the church as we were sitting for the readings. I shivered and Angel responded by wrapping his arms around me. He did not know how good it felt to me. When the Gospel came and we had to stand, Angel stood behind me and I leaned against him.
The mass went on for an hour and fifteen minutes, but it did not seem that long. Angel and I were active participants in the mass, but we did not go to communion because we both had been away for so long. Angel about 250 years and me about 10. After church, we went out to greet the priests, especially Father O'Brien. When he saw that we had been in attendance at Mass, he smiled a jolly Irish grin.
"Angel? Buffy? How is the wee one?" Father O'Brien asked with a slight Irish accent. He had come to the States thirty years ago, but still maintained his accent.
"As you can see, he slept through the whole mass. Not to say it was boring." I wanted to redeem myself if I had made a major mistake.
"I am happy to see we were able to keep children asleep for their parents to attend church." He placed his hand on Joseph's head and said, "You are a special child made from the love of your parents. May you be a blessing to all who love you." A small cross was made on his head with Father O'Brien's thumb. Joseph let out a small snore and we all laughed.
"There is also a blessing for you," Father O'Brien added. We bowed our head and he placed his hands on them. "The Lord has made it possible for two unlikely persons to be join as one. Celebrate all of your joys and grieves with the Lord and he will be with you. I pray this in the name of the Lord."
"Amen," Angel and I responded. He patted our heads and told us to have a very Merry Christmas. We wished him a Merry Christmas also and went to the car.
Everyone was trying to get out of the parking lot, so we sat in the car with the heater on. As I was putting Joseph in his carrier, he began to wake up. Instead of putting him in the back, I kept him in my arms and gave him a bottle. Angel was watching me as I interacted with Joseph.
"Did you want to go to your mom's now or wait until two-thirty?" Angel asked as we began moving out of the lot.
"I don't think my mom and dad would mind if we came over early. I am sure they are worried about us because we did not call them back. Can we stop by the apartment, though? Our gifts for our family and friends from our honeymoon will have to do for Christmas presents."
"I am sure everyone will appreciate that we thought of them when we were on our honeymoon." Angel and I turned and looked each other in the eye.
"Without each of them, our being together would not be possible."
Angel did not respond, but continued trying to get out of the lot. I was holding Joseph's bottle in his mouth when I felt a sudden wave of fatigue. I closed my eyes and fell into a tranquil sleep. The movement of the car had a smoothing effect. When we arrived home, I felt the car stop, but I did not wake up fully. Angel took Joseph from my arms and set him in his carrier. I heard the door close and he was gone. Time passed and he came back, putting something in the trunk. He got in and we were going again. There was one thing Angel did before he started the car again. He leaned over and gave me a kiss on the forehead. I heard him say something like, "I love you and you deserve a nap for all that you do."
When the car stopped again, I woke up and rubbed my eyes. We had made it to my house and Angel was just taking his keys out of the ignition. I grumbled a hello and he laughed.
"I think you should look at your makeup."
With the mirror on the visor down, I looked at my face and noticed I had rubbed my mascara down my cheek. I had a long black strip from my eye to my chin. I rubbed it away and thanked Angel for the warning. He undid my seat belt and came around to open my door. The next thing I knew I was being carried up to the front door. With my shoe, Angel had me ring the doorbell and my mom answered.
"Hi, Mom. I don't know what Angel is up to, but Joseph is in the car," I told her as I was whisked into the living room and set on the couch. It was nice and toasty, because a fire was burning in the fireplace.
My mom stood at the doorway, mesmerized. As Angel went back outside, he kissed Mom on the cheek and said Merry Christmas. She smiled and asked if he needed any help. He told her she could help, but I was to stay where I was and enjoy myself. I watched from the window as Angel and Mom went out to the car and got Joseph, his bag, and our gifts out. They returned and the door was closed. I got up from the couch and followed them.
"Joyce, who has arrived?" Dad asked from upstairs. He had on a red sweater with black pants.
I was passing the bottom of the stairs when he called. I decided to answer. "It's me, Dad."
"Hi, pumpkin. Where are your husband and child?"
"They were into the kitchen with Mom. I was going to go see what they were going right now."
"I will be down in five minutes." He went back into Mom's room and I continued through the dining room to the kitchen.
"It smells so good in here. Are we having our traditional Christmas meal?" I asked as I leaned over the island. Mom was preparing an apple pie from scratch and Angel was helping cut the potatoes for the au gratins.
"Yes, Buffy. I had to almost triple it because our expanding number of guests." When she made it for just the two of us, we had leftovers for an entire week. If she tripled everything, everyone who came would be going home with a large goodie bag.
"On your message you mentioned Willow, Oz, Xander, Cordelia, Xander, and Giles. Did you find more people to invite?" My mother was always a considerate person. She would invite the homeless if she could.
"Mr. and Mrs. Harris may come. Cordelia thought her parents would want to be included. That is four more people. Angel, you don't have to do that. I'm sure Buffy would enjoy your presence in the living room. Hank should be down in a few minutes. He and I have been doing this for years."
Angel finished the potato he was doing and covered the layer with cheese and green onions. He put down his knife and grabbed me. Still in his carrier, Joseph was sitting on the side counter. As we were walking away, Mom had two more comments for us. "Joseph can stay in here. I can watch him. Also, there are presents for both of you under the tree. You can open one of them before the others come." We turned to her and she had buried her face in her work. Though, I could see the smile that was gracing her face.
We passed my dad as we went into the living room. Instead of opening presents, we began looking through photo albums, which Angel found in plain sight. I wondered if my presents were looking at them over the past week. Seeing where they went wrong raising me into a combatant of evil. I wanted to assure them it was my birthright to become the slayer. They had not failed as parents.
Angel seemed to enjoy looking at pictures of me as a child. I knew I would never be able to see Angel's baby pictures. The closest I could get were later drawings and descriptions of his crimes in the Watchers' Diaries. The photos were not as important as the person himself was.
When we finished my last photo album and came back to reality, the house had seemed to come alive. Christmas carols were being played, the smells of cooking food were present, and the doorbell was ringing. I jumped to answer it, thinking my parents were probably busy in the kitchen.
"Merry Christmas, Buffy," Cordelia said. She was dressed in a designer dress. A striking man and an elegant woman stood behind her.
"Come in. Welcome to a Summers' Christmas." I took their coats and shawls and hung them on the rack.
"Buffy, these are my parents, Patrick and Jaclyn Chase. Mom, Dad, this is Buffy Summers."
"Nice to meet you, Buffy. Cordelia has spoken of you often," Mrs. Chase said. We shook hands and I took them in the living room to meet Angel.
"Mr. and Mrs. Chase, I would like to introduce you to my husband, Angel. Angel, these are Cordelia's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Chase." They greeted each other and Cordy gave Angel a hug.
"Don't you have a little brother, Buffy?" Mr. Chase asked.
I wondered how they knew about Joseph. Cordelia could have told them, but she would have told them the truth. It was Cordelia, who tried to explain, "We saw Angel, Joseph, and you at Saint Gabriel's this morning." She was tight-lipped after that.
There was a moment of silence where I was thinking and no one else was answering the question. Mr. and Mrs. Chase did not seem to know about my situation. Even if Cordelia had not told them, the murder of Kendra was in the paper and so was my Wanted poster. I thought they would be well informed.
"Mr. and Mrs. Chase, Joseph is our son, not Buffy's brother," Angel answered for me. I would have to thank him later for saving me.
The Chases were looking at Cordelia, like you should have warned us so we did not look like fools. They apologized and Angel and I forgave them.
"Would you like something to drink? There is hot cider, coffee, and tea in the dining room."
"Oh, honey, I forgot the casserole in the car. Would you run and get it?" Mrs. Chase said to her husband. He took his coat and went outside while Cordelia, her mom, Angel, and I went to the dining room. My mom was just setting out the hot water for tea. She was surprised to see Cordelia and her mother.
"Buffy, you should have told me some of the guests had arrived. I am Joyce Summers, Buffy's mother. We spoke on the phone." Mrs. Chase introduced herself to Mom again. Cordelia hugged Mom and wished her a Merry Christmas. Over the past months, all of my friends had come to think of Mom as their own. Mr. Chase joined us and Mom met him also.
"We brought a casserole as an offering to your party," Mrs. Chase told Mom.
"Thank you." She took the dish away from Mr. Chase and held onto it.
"Do you need any help in the kitchen, Mom?" Angel and I asked.
"I left your father playing with Joseph. He could not stop laughing."
"Who? Dad or Joseph?" I asked.
"Both." Mom turned to Cordelia's parents. "Patrick and Jaclyn, have you met my grandson?"
"We saw Buffy, Angel, and Joseph at Saint Gabriel's this morning," Mrs. Chase explained.
"Did someone ask for Master Joseph?" my dad said from behind us. He was holding Joseph out toward us. Joseph was wearing a bib that said Baby's First Christmas.
"Dad, come meet Cordelia's parents," I asked. As he came closer, he gave me Joseph and I asked my son if he had had fun with Grandpa.
After Dad got acquainted with Mr. and Mrs. Chase, he turned back to Angel and me. "Joseph was the official taste tester. We put a little of everything we made on his lips and he either cried or smiled."
"His bib looks pretty messy, so I will have to believe you."
"Everyone, please make yourselves at home. Get something to drink and some hors d'oeuvre. We will be out to join you in about ten minutes," Mom said. She dragged Dad back in the kitchen and everyone got a drink.
After everyone was set, we all returned to the living room. Cordelia and her parents got the couch and side chair. Angel and I sat on the fold-up chairs that Mom had brought in from the garage. Soon, Xander and his parents arrived and Xander and Cordelia were inseparable. I soon realized Mr. and Mrs. Harris and Mr. and Mrs. Chase had never properly met. There was a first time for everything and after a small awkward period, the dads were talking sports and the moms were talking fashion. They seemed to be getting along as well as their children. Xander and Cordelia did not go to a closet to makeout, they did it out in the open.
When Joseph fell asleep again, I decided I should probably put him in my room. Nothing had been touched in my room, except for the addition of a playpen. Angel had brought ours and must have set it up when I was not looking. I placed him inside with a blanket over him and turned on my music box. It was a little pink elephant and it played "Brahm's Lullaby." I took a seat on my bed and watched my son snore softly.
"I remember some good times in this room. You catching me with your Mr. Gordo, our first kiss, standing on the roof when you were grounded and kissing through the window," Angel said, sitting beside me and dividing his glances between Joseph and me.
"Yes, we did share some good time in this room. I never thought I would love this room as the one in my old house in LA, but it became home."
"I understand. That is why I think you will be happy. A few blocks over, there is another house that is the same model as this house. It is for sale and the price is fair. Would you like to live in a house like this?"
I was shockingly happy. It would not be the same, but I did love the architecture of this house. "Yes, but what about money? I don't want to see all the money you have saved go into this house."
"My savings will be depleted, but I have a job offer. Your mom would like me to work with her at the gallery. I have expertise in many antiques and paintings. I would not be working every day and when I did, Joseph could come to work with me. Thus freeing you up for school."
"It sounds like our life is perfect. Perfect son, perfect house, perfect family and friends, perfect you."
"I forgot to tell you. Willow and Oz have arrived. Willow's parents also came to see what Christmas traditions are all about. I think Joseph is fine, so would you like to join the party?"
"Yes, I would." Angel and I stood, but I went and knelt by the playpen. "Sleep tight, Joseph. We will be back to check on you, soon."
Angel led me downstairs and at the doorway, he kissed me. He pointed to the doorframe and I saw the mistletoe for the first time. I thought it was a conspiracy by the People for P.D.A.s, but I enjoyed it. We went into the living room and I greeted Mr. and Mrs. Rosenberg, Willow, and Oz. It was almost three and Giles had yet to arrive. The food was done and Cordelia and Xander were helping my parents set the table. When all was done, Mom told us it was dinnertime and everyone moved from the living room to the dining room. The table had been extended to fit fifteen people. It was not symmetrical, but it worked. Everyone had room to eat and a chair to sit in. As we were about to start, the final guest arrived. Giles excused himself for being so late. I was afraid the Hellmouth was opening on this Noel, but he blamed his tardiness on his car. He took a seat between Mrs. Rosenberg and Mr. Harris. Now, that everyone was there, a blessing could be said. Sparkling cider for the underage and hard cider for the adults were poured.
"I would like to thank everyone for coming to celebrate Christmas with all of us. This year has had itself ups and downs, but we have survived with more friends and family to show for it. To more family and friends come next Christmas," Mom said. Everyone toasted and the food was passed around the table. We were not immediate family, but by the close friendship of the Slayerettes, we formed a quasi-family. From that day forward, each of the fifteen people looked out for each other.
It is the time of year again for you to share
All the love that you have
Every woman, every man
Share love
Christmas day is here
And the Lord is what is near
To share love with your family
And thank God for all of you see
Christmas is the time to share
With the one you love
Share good things, joy, glad tidings
Share love
Giving all you had this day
Let the world know you care
And let them know you'll be there
To share love
Family's all around
Children are happy with what they have found
Giving thanks on this day
Teaching us a way to share love
-excerpt from "Share Love" by Boyz II Men.