Title: Days of Our Lives
Author: angelicladyd
Posted: 12-31-2003
Email: AngelicLadyD@aol.com
Rating: R
Category: Drama, humour
Content: Cordelia/Angel, Fred/Lorne, Wesley/Gunn
Summary: It’s the year 2007, and boy how life has changed for Angel Investigations.
Spoilers: Season 3 - WITW, everything else is my imagination.
Disclaimer: The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.
Distribution: Anywhere. Just let me know.
Notes: No Holtz arc. No vision-stealing comshuck with Groo. No F/G/W love triangle. Angel’s soul is permanent after his "Epiphany." (Yes, I punked out on coming up with a cooler explanation.) The Pylean language is apparently very much like Dutch. There’s probably more, when it comes up, I’ll address it.
Feedback: Feed me!
Thanks/Dedication:Part 1 Continued
“Okay, Dennis, help me out. He’s just like his father. Quiet as a mouse,” Cordelia asked her favorite ghost, walking down the stairs to enter the Hyperion basement.
Her feet were warmed by the pink fuzzy slippers the children had given her for Mother’s Day. Connor wanted to play a game of hide and seek. She had been so glad that he expressed interest in doing anything, that she quickly accepted knowing that it would take at least an hour, and she would eventually have to ask Angel to tell her where he was.
Connor had always been a quiet child as he grew up. The five-year-old preferred to keep to himself, and sometimes she would forget he was there, while Aisling was the type to run all over the place making noise to ensure that her presence was known. Cordelia thought it was genetic. Broody, withdrawn father, hence broody, withdrawn child. But she managed to break his father out of it, so she was sure Connor would come out of his shell as well. Angel still retreated into his cave but he would come out before long as long as she didn’t pressure him.
Cordelia was worried about her son. She was the only one that he would open up to. For some reason, he was intimidated by Angel and she had no clue why. Cordelia thought Angel tried everything he could think of to reach his son, but he would just retreat. Connor was definitely a Mama’s boy and Aisling was clearly a Daddy’s girl.
“Connor?” she called looking underneath a table she had covered in a floral print table cloth to brighten up the dark space. “I know you’re in here. I’ve been everywhere else. I’m close so just accept the defeat.”
Everywhere but the basement, lobby, kitchen, and second floor were excluded in the game. If Cordelia didn’t set up parameters, she would never find him.
“Connor, Mommy is really tired of looking. Just come out, okay?” she asked as she looked around at some other possible hiding spaces. The only thing she could hear was her own breathing. The kid was just too good.
Cordelia jumped as muscular arms encircled her body from behind bringing her in close. She would have thought that she would be able to sense him approaching after all of these years but she couldn’t. She loved the fact that Angel could still surprise her. The surprises were always nice.
Settling into his cool body, she closed her eyes. She enjoyed the sensation of his lips placing soft kisses along her neck, his tongue massaging his love bite she displayed proudly. Cordelia loved his acts of possessiveness. Though he claimed her over and over again, it still send tingles down her spine. It was just knowing that he still wanted and desired her. If the day ever came that he didn’t feel the need to stake his claim, she would be royally pissed.
Cordelia had never been more in love than she was with Angel. Each passing day opened new depths of passion. She felt secure in the knowledge that it had happened on their own terms, and in its own perfect timing.
Angel gave her time to grieve the loss of Groo. It had taken longer than she thought it would. That was when she realized that she actually loved her prince. It hurt Angel to know that she was hurting so he did all that he knew to do for her. She appreciated it. It felt good to be comforted in her best friend’s arms.
Angel took the role as a father to her child very seriously. Through the obscenities, death grip, and pain, he was there every step of the way through the birth. He gave their daughter a strong Irish name with a special meaning, just like he had with Connor.
Connor was a miracle. He was what Angel had always wanted but never thought he could have. So it was fitting to name him, Connor, meaning “much wanted.” The first name that came to mind for their daughter was Aisling, meaning “a vision.” He thought it was a nice way to honor Cordelia for her special gift and it served as remembrance of the sacrifice she made for him.
After settling into parenthood, Angel courted Cordelia like a perfect gentlemen. Flowers, cards, presents, dates, shopping sprees, even the occasional evening of dancing were stowed upon her. He never pushed for a kiss or anything more intimate until she initiated it. He knew that something was making her hold herself back from him, and he was willing to wait until she was ready. He had waited over 200 years for the love of his life. He wasn’t going to scare her away by coming on too strong.
He knew Cordelia. She did nothing unless she wanted to. Being a mother of two, and resident vision girl kept her busy enough so he was content with just taking her out so she could enjoy herself away from the children and stress of life. He decided to just keep putting himself out there until the day that she gave back.
He didn’t know it at the time, but once Cordelia was assured that Angel was genuine with his feelings, and not just confusing their friendship and roles with each other’s children as an obligation to be more, her protective walls came crashing down. She didn’t want to be an afterthought. She wanted to be loved in her own right. She was familiar to being let down by the people she loved. She didn’t want Angel to be one of those people. Everyone had baggage but she just didn’t know if Angel had checked his for Neverland. She didn’t know how he did it but he did. He wiped away all doubts that there was any other woman that he was holding out for. She knew without a doubt that it was real.
She finally confessed her love for him, and he claimed her in every way a vampire can claim a mate, leaving no doubt in her mind. There hasn’t been a night that she hasn’t been in his bed. They weren’t married only because legal ties meant nothing to them. They were mates for eternity. None of the same rules applied to them.
“My, my,” she whispered turning around until she could look into his beautiful eyes. Her hands ran underneath his shirt until they reached his chest. She twisted his nipples causing a satisfied groan to pass from his lips. “I know just what you ne--”
“Connor, go upstairs,” Angel said not taking his eyes off of his mate as Connor climbed down from his hiding place in an out of sight weapons rack. Cordelia pulled away from Angel, her eyes cold, as she crossed her arms. “What?” he asked shrugging his shoulders.
“Honey,” she said to Connor, who was walking towards the stairs. He turned around and looked at his mother expectantly. Her features softened as she smiled at him. He slowly smiled back. “I’ll be upstairs in a minute. You can decide what movie we’ll see tonight. Does that sound fun?”
Connor nodded his head, his eyes darting to his father, before he ran up the stairs.
“I can’t believe you,” Cordelia started, her anger rushing back to the surface. “You know how he is. He finally came out of his shell today and wanted to play a game. Don’t you ever start anything in front of our children ever again.”
“Cordy, I’m sorry.” Angel didn’t know what possessed him to want to stake his claim in front of his son but he wanted to and couldn’t control himself. Connor may be his son, but he was still a male who had the undivided attention of his mate who was biologically unrelated to him. Connor needed to know that Mommy was Daddy’s and only Daddy’s.
“Oh, you’re going to be sorry. You are cut off tonight, my friend,” Cordelia told him as she started towards the stairs. Before she knew it, Angel was blocking her path. “Angel, don’t ev--” she started to say but was cut off by his kiss. His kisses did what they always did. Rendered her speechless.
“Baby,” he groaned as he pulled her in close, letting her warmth wash over him. “Let me spend all of tonight making it up to you. It’ll be so good. I promise.”
Tempting. Very tempting especially since she knew he was good for his promise but she had a point to make. Whatever was going on between Angel and their son had to stop. It just wasn’t right. Connor was retreating further into his shell, and she was helpless to stop it. Her priority was making sure her son was happy.
“No,” she said escaping from his grasp. “You and Mr. Couch are about to become best friends.”
Part 2
“What do you think you’re doing?” Cordelia asked, pressing the book she was reading to her chest, as she saw Angel enter their bedroom, shedding clothing as he walked.
“Going to sleep,” Angel answered matter-of-factly as he reached for the waistband of his black pants.
“Don’t even thinking about it,” With Angel’s penchant for going Commando, those pants were the only article of clothing allowing her to keep her sanity. “I thought I told you that you were on couch duty.”
“You did.”
“Okay, so what’s the problem?”
“I don’t want to sleep on the couch.”
“Real cute,” Cordelia snapped, pulling some of her chestnut hair behind her ears.
“It’s cuter minus the clothes.”
She hated him. Like she needed that visual in her mind! Plus, he had that look in his eyes that said “I’m going to get my way” and she knew that he would. She didn’t really want to sleep alone but he needed to know that their children’s well being came first. It wasn’t about their wants and needs anymore. They were parents.
“Fine,” she relented, causing him to grin. “Not so fast. The pants stay on, and you’re still cut off.”
“Cor—“ he started.
“No or I’ll go sleep on the couch.”
“We’ve never done it on the couch,” he stated, a gleam in his eyes, as he crawled, like a tiger preparing to strike, towards her on their king sized bed. “Could be fun,” he said in a way that held a million promises. His body was next to hers, his chin resting in his hand, as he watched her. It was as if he was committing her to memory.
Trying to remain in control of the situation, she scooted away from his inviting body, and stated, “You know. I remember a time when you just did what I said without all the back talk.”
“I was just trying to get into your pants,” he smiled, not even flinching at the blow she threw his way.
“I’m still serious. No sex.”
“I know,” he said leaning over and capturing her lips with his in a hungry kiss. “I love you so very much.”
“Who wouldn’t?” she asked with a smirk, placing her book on the nightstand as he settled into the covers next to her. The book could wait. The real entertainment was lying beside her.
Angel wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close until their bodies faced each other. His lips started placing kisses along her sun kissed face as she snuggled in closer. She knew his body was rock solid with muscle, yet when her body was against his, all she could feel was the way his skin melted into hers.
Cordelia thought she was the slayer of men, but Angel knocked her title down a couple of notches after just a few nights with him. She had no idea what pleasuring a man entailed. She hadn’t been with real men, only boys who thought sticking it in any hole gave them the title of Casanova. But Angel taught her. She loved his lessons because she learned things not only about sex, but things about herself that she never knew existed. So that’s what an orgasm felt like? It lasts longer than two minutes? So a female body can actually bend that way?
And as good as the sex was, just being with him lit her on fire. It was in the way he held her, the tender exploration of her body with his lips where their true love was expressed. Eternity in his arms would be enough. No one that she had been with got that, but Angel did.
Cordelia ran her fingers through his head, massaging his scalp as he buried his face into her chest, letting the beats of her heart soothe him.
“It’s getting long. I’ll cut it for you tomorrow,” she murmured, twirling her fingers in his hair as his hand rubbed the soft skin under her nightgown.
“Baby, I’m sorry,” he said lifting his head.
“About what?”
“Connor,” Angel said, his eyes clouded with thoughts. “I don’t know what’s been getting into me.”
“It’s okay. Just stop it, okay? You’re really scaring him. He thinks you don’t love him anymore.”
“He told you that?” Angel asked panicked.
“Shh, no,” Cordelia said running a hand down his cheek. “Mother’s intuition.”
“Cordy, he’s my son. A part of me. I love him more than anything in this world. I never meant to hurt him.”
“I know,” Cordelia said, cradling his head back to her chest.
“He’s a good kid.”
“Great kid.”
“Very bright. Quiet. A little withdrawn but that can be a good thing. The strong, silent type. That’s attractive, right?”
“For blondes on steroids.”
The dig at his ex-girlfriend went over his head as he thought about his son. “You know. I’ve seen women looking at him. You know, giving him the eye.”
“No. I think that they were eyeing his gorgeous 248 year old father in his skin tight black shirt.”
“Oh. Well, that’s comforting. I thought it was pretty odd.”
“You’re odd,” Cordelia laughed as Angel, in the blink of an eye, had her on her back, his body pinning hers to the bed.
She didn’t have a chance to catch her breath before his lips covered hers turning her mind to mush. All she could focus on was the way he made her feel. His cool lips brought such fire to her body; she was beginning to feel consumed.
“What are you doing?” Cordelia demanded as he abruptly jumped out of the bed, and started towards the door. “You better be back in this bed in one second or—“
“Honey, what’s wrong?” Angel asked opening the door, and scooping Aisling into his arms.
Tears stained her face as Aisling clutched at her father’s neck, her body still trembling. Her face was flushed, and her heart was still pounding from the adrenaline of running down the hall in the dark. Aisling snuggled into his shoulder as he ran a hand through her curls.
“I had a bad dream,” Aisling emitted through fresh tears.
“Oh, honey. A bad dream?” Cordelia asked concerned as Angel walked them over towards the bed. “What happened?”
“Monster. He was this big,” Aisling cried stretching her arms wide, her brown eyes wild, and she reminded Cordelia so much of Groo. “He’s gonna eat me!”
“No one is going to eat you. We won’t let them,” Angel assured her as he gently laid her down in the covers of the bed. “You can sleep with me and Mommy.”
Aisling rushed into her mother’s arms, enjoying the warmth that radiated from her. She giggled at the kisses and snuggles Cordelia bestowed upon her, her mood lightening now that danger wasn’t immediate.
Before Angel could slip underneath the covers, Aisling told him, “No, Daddy, get me some milk.” Angel immediately moved to get up, but Cordelia stopped him.
“Aisling, you know the rules. No drinks at bedtime.”
“Aww, Mommy.”
“Yeah, Aww, Mommy,” Angel smiled despite the daggers Cordelia was shooting out of her eyes. It was so hard to enforce rules when Angel wouldn’t reinforce them. Aisling was too smart for her own good, and knew that she had her father wrapped around her tiny finger. She generally got whatever she wanted, unless Cordelia was there to referee.
“What did I say?”
“I’m sure Mommy will let Daddy bring you some milk honey, if Daddy promises to give Mommy a very special, very special kiss later.”
“Bastard,” Cordelia hissed. Angel was being absolutely ruthless. Angelus was a kitten compared to him. Only Angel could use the prospect of oral sex to win a fight just so he could look like a hero in his daughter’s eyes.
“Mommy! No saying bad words!”
“Yeah, no bad words, Mommy,” Angel said sounding offended but his eyes were dancing with amusement.
Cordelia took a deep breath in and exhaled very slowly before saying, “Fine, your Daddy can bring you some milk but that’s it.”
“Thank you, Mommy!” Aisling cried jumping up and wrapping her arms around Cordelia’s neck.
Angel got up from the bed smiling, his eyes never leaving Cordelia’s. Cordelia mouthed the words “I hate you” only causing him to smile wider. Angel brought two fingers to his lips, kissing them, before placing them over his crotch.
That’s right, she thought. That promise would be paid in full the very next morning.
***
“Aisling, where are your parents?” Gunn asked the three year old upon walking into the Hyperion and seeing her on the lobby floor, drawing large patterns with markers. The box of Cheerios was opened, tiny O’s were scattered all over the floor.
Aisling said nothing, opting instead to point towards the stairway leading to the upper levels of the hotel. Gunn sighed before walking towards the stairs. “No! Daddy and Mommy are doing something ‘portant.”
“Important, huh?” he asked, crossing his arms. She nodded with a smile. “We’ll see about that.”
“I wouldn’t go bothering them if you don’t want to be scarred for life,” Lorne said coming down the stairs in a red satin robe and slippers.
“What are you doing here?”
“Why, hello, Gunn. So nice of you to inquire about my well-being. I’m doing fine, thank you.”
“Man, don’t go there. What’s so important that they’re up there neglecting their kids? Where is Connor?”
“Uncle Lorne, look what I drew!!” Aisling shouted pointing to the red and green marker designs on the floor.
“Beautiful darling,” Lorne smiled, before nodding with his head towards the offices to Gunn. Once there, he didn’t waste anytime. “Connor is fine. He’s still sleeping.”
“It’s 10 o’clock in the freaking morning.”
“The kid’s been getting more and more on his father’s schedule every day. Oh, and Angel and Cordelia are being “friendly” with each other so best to leave that one alone.”
“Those two get it on more than a couple of rabbits in heat.”
“Jealous?”
“Damn straight. I haven’t had a decent fuck in who knows how long.” At the silence, Gunn realized what he had revealed and quickly changed the subject. “Hey, you never did answer my question. Why are you here dressed like you stayed the night?”
“I did spend the night.”
“Did something happen last night?”
“No. I just…well, I didn’t want to sleep at home.”
“You tell me what’s going on between you and Fred right now before I’m forced to threaten you with physical violence.”
“The threat would be more, well, threatening, if your aura wasn’t so dark purple. You’re screaming gloom and sadness.”
“Stop reading my aura. That’s private. I told you to stop with that shit. And I’m serious. What’s up with you and Fred?”
“Fred’s parents are flying in this morning.”
“Really? That’s great. We haven’t seen them in years. Wait, that isn’t a great thing is it?”
“No, it’s a good thing,” Lorne sighed. “Julie needs to see her grandparents. I’m just a little miffed that Fred didn’t tell them that we were married, or the fact that I’m really a demon. The last time they saw me wasn’t under the best of circumstances, and they thought I was an actor in makeup.”
“Lorne, her parents are cool. They’re down with the whole demon thing.”
“Then why didn’t she tell them?” Gunn honestly didn’t know. All he could do was shrug. “Exactly.”
“Gunn! Gunn!” Aisling said running into the back office. Upon reaching them, she leaned in and whispered loudly, “People are here.”
Lorne looked at the clock on the wall. The Burkles weren’t due for another four hours. “Clients, I assume.” Gunn looked at him expectantly. “Hey, don’t look at me. A) Not dressed. B) Don’t work here.”
“Man, where is Wesley? He’s usually here to handle this stuff,” Gunn said grabbing Aisling’s hand and walking into the outer office. “Angel Investigations. May I help…What the?”
TBC