Happily Ever After

A/N: Well, we've reached the end. I want to thank all my readers and reviewers who have stuck with me throughout this story. The first part of this chapter occurs in L.A. the second is set a few months in the future.

~.~

She came back to herself only to find an anxious Jack, Spike and Faith standing over her position on one of the lobby’s couches.

“I fainted?”

“Yes, I think I can safely say you are out of the torture business for the foreseeable future. I don’t care how many vampires come out of the wood work or what knowledge they have to impart.”

“Yes, Jack.”

“No sarcasm either. You scared me to death.”

“Yes, Jack.”

He tried really hard to stay angry with his wife. But the mischievous glint in her eyes was irresistible.

“All right, you win. I don’t know what you win, but you do. Now, let’s get you up to bed so you can rest. Spike and Faith are going to wake up the brain trust, and see if they can find a way to reverse whatever spell is on Angel.”

A thoughtful look crossed Buffy’s face. She remembered something. But it really couldn’t be that easy, could it?

“Spike?”

“Yeah, pet.”

“What about that general reversal spell? You remember, the one we were going to use during Willow’s, Thy Will be Done spell.”

Spike’s eyes widened, almost comically.

“Bloody hell! I can’t believe we didn’t think of it. Watcher’s going to kill himself when we tell him.”

“Nope, when you tell him. I’m following orders and going back to sleep. Mommy and baby need their beauty sleep.”

~.~

In the end it was laughably easy. Spike had produced the same book he’d found all those years ago. After a quick trip to a magic shop for Tagas Root, the spell was performed.

The results were entirely too predictable. Almost as soon as the spell was reversed, Angel fell into what could only be described as full on brood mode and gone to his room. He’d been in his room for the better part of a day, showing no signs of leaving anytime soon.

That was the very reason Buffy was standing outside his door. She might not be in love with him any longer, but a part of her would always love him. So, one last time she would try to make him see the joys of living in this world despite the heartache.

A very long time ago she told him that it was hard to be strong. It seemed like he’d forgotten how to fight, like he had nothing left to fight for, if he didn’t have her. Somehow, she had to make him understand that there were things worth living for, even if it wasn’t them. She knew, without a doubt, he wouldn’t like what she had to say. But it didn’t mean it shouldn’t be said.

Opening the door, she saw him sitting in a leather club chair with his head in his hands. It was obvious, from the state of his hair, he’d run his hands through it in frustration numerous times.

“Go away, Buffy.”

“No.”

“I don’t want to see you. Seeing you and knowing you’re not mine, hurts. Seeing you, knowing what I did to you, hurts.”

“What you did?”

“I claimed to love you and instead I almost…”

“Angel, that wasn’t you. It was some stupid spell Wolfram and Hart did to control you. You don’t have it in you to hurt me, intentionally.”

“But I have hurt you, over and over again, haven’t I? I never should have left you. I’ve lost everything I’ve ever wanted and it’s my own damn fault.”

Now she was pissed. Everything with Angel was always, poor me.

“Do you even hear yourself? Yes, you made choices, choices you regret. But, now you have to live with them, whether you like it or not. I told Dawn something once: The hardest thing to do in this world is live in it. That’s what you have to do now. I can’t help you with that, you have to do it yourself.”

“I love you.”

“And a part of me will always love you, too. But now, I’ve got a new life and a husband who I love so very much. You once told me to find someone who could love me, take me in the sun and give me children. I’ve found that, it took so many years and so much darkness. Can’t you be happy for me?”

“It’s all I ever wanted for you. I just wish it was me giving it to you.”

“But you can’t. You know that, don’t you?”

“Yes. Will I ever see you again?”

“Angel, if we’re anything, we’re family. I need my family. You just might want to stay away from Jack for awhile.”

“He really hates me, doesn’t he?”

“Hmm, hate might be a little strong. But, only a little. You hurt me, more than once. He doesn’t like anyone who does that. Give it some time. I’m sure eventually he’ll learn to tolerate you, at least for my sake.”

“When are you leaving?”

“Jack’s waiting downstairs. I just wanted to say goodbye and tell you to get your head out of your ass.”

At that Angel laughed loud and long, something he hadn’t done in a very long time. He turned and looked at the love of his life, knowing she no longer belonged to him. It pained him, but all he had ever wanted was her happiness. The fact she had found it, in someone else was something he would learn to live with, in time.

One last time he stood and took her into his arms, holding her close.

“Goodbye, Buffy.”

“Goodbye, Angel.”

She slipped out of his embrace and left the room, not looking back.

~.~

Four Months Later

Jack O’Neill was over the moon with the two women in his life. Standing in the doorway he watched as his wife, with their daughter in her arms, slept in front of the window. The two of them seemed to glow in the fading afternoon sunlight. He was, without a doubt, the luckiest man alive. It was even more apparent to him after being away, on his first off-world mission, since the birth of the baby.

Fours day away had been almost too much. He wasn’t sure if he could continue to spend extended amounts of time away from his family. He’d spent a large part of Charlie’s early years on missions and regretted the moments he missed. Now, he’d been gifted with this second chance and he didn’t want to waste it.

He walked across the room and reached his hand out and gently trailed a finger along his daughter’s downy cheek. His slight touch did not wake Persephone Joyce O’Neill, it did however wake Buffy.

“You’re home. We missed you.”

“I missed you too. I don’t want to miss anymore.”

She could tell from the tone of his voice he'd thought seriously about this and he wasn't talking about just taking some time off.

“Retire?”

“I think so. Can we talk about it later?”

“Sure, is everything okay?”

“It is now.”

And it was, for both of them. They’d found their happily ever after and it was better than any fairytale.