wonderful soul that I knew you always had inside you. You just needed some time."

Buffy watched her in confusion. Angel knew this woman, or ghost, or whatever she was. He knew her and she meant something to him.

"I've always dreamed that you would get this. A family and a home. Here you settled with a son and got married-"

"W-we're not married," he interrupted.

"Not legal, but in your heart you are forever bound. With the Claddaghs you promised to love each other and sometimes it can mean more than a piece of paper."

She spoke so softly, and Buffy noticed her Irish accent for the first time.

"The life you have together is a blessing," the woman continued."Take good care of it and enjoy every moment. Take the chance you have been given. And remember that we are happy when you are."

"We?" asked Angel. His voice was almost a whisper.

"Your father, Kathy and I. We have always watched over you. We are together. We have forgiven you. Can you do it too?"

He nodded and tears ran down his cheek. She gently wiped her thumb away.

"You are still her 'Angel', you know that?"

Angel couldn't help but smile as he remembered his cute sister.

"Don't let the past ruin what you've built here," his mother told him.

The realization hit Buffy and her eyes opened wide. Everything became clear to her.

The woman looked at Buffy. She had noticed that she understood now.

"Thanks"

"For what?"

"For the fact that my son has a reason. That you accepted him in spite of everything and love him as he deserves."

"I only did what he did for me"

"You did more than you realize."

The woman leaned forward and kissed Evan gently on the head.

"He's so lucky to have you as a mother."

She squeezed Buffy's hand lightly and smiled at the woman who gave her son a reason to be SOMEONE.

She turned back to Angel.

"And you're a better father than I ever imagined."

She cupped his face in her hands and kissed his forehead.

"I love you so much"

"I love you too ......... you go," he stated.

She nodded and confirmed his words.

"I have to," she explained. "Keep the good memories in your heart, Liam. Love your family and never forget how important they are. You know I always wanted the best for you"

A tear ran down her own cheek but she kept smiling.

"And can you tell Evan about me? Tell him that his grandmother loves him and is always watching over him."

"I will," he promised. "I will do all of this"

She hugged him tight and kissed him one last time. Before he knew what was happening, it was already beginning to merge with the shadow and was ... gone.

Angel sighed heavily and looked at Buffy. Her eyes were wet and stared at him, still impressed by the situation.

He crossed the gap between them and wrapped his arms around her and her baby. He closed his eyes and let the feeling of having them both in his arms flow over him.

***

They long embraced in bed and talked quietly. Angel's head rested on Buffy's stomach and her fingers ran through his dark hair. She held him while he was telling her about his family, the person he had been in Ireland then. Angel had never opened up so much about his past. The memories had always been painful for him. That night was different and he shared so many stories with her about his time before he was transformed.He told her about his beloved sister and his problems with his father. He even shared her death with her.

"Why do you think she came?" he asked her.

"I don't know Angel. Maybe it was time for you to let go of all of this"

Angel considered the idea. How long had he carried it all in? He'd told Buffy about other things in his life, but they'd never talked about his family. In reality, he hadn't thought about her much anymore. It was easier that way.

"They were the closest people to you," she continued. "They were important to you and it was finally time for you to realize that it wasn't your fault. I think forgiveness is something that you needed."

"Forgive and forgive. I've been angry for a long time."

"Now you can look back and remember the better times."

"I'm glad you met her, even if it was a little scary."

Buffy laughed softly. "Yes, .... you can say that. But I'm glad too."

They lay still for a few moments.

"Angel, do you remember that song?"

"What?"

"That your mother sang when she cradled the baby. It was beautiful and I think Evan liked it."

"Yes, I remember now."

"Good. I want you to sing it for him."

"My mother sang it to my sister when she was a baby. I remember asking her if she sang it when I was a baby too."

“I bet you were a cute baby.” She tried to picture Angel as a baby. "I wish I could see a picture of you."

"Sorry, no cameras yet."

She giggled and brought his face to hers. She got serious.

"How come you never told me the Claddaghs were so meaningful?"

Her fingers played with the silver ring on his finger.

"That they are like a wedding ring?"

"I don't know. At this point in our relationship, I just wanted you to know what you meant to me. A symbolic wedding was a bit too much, I think."

"But according to Irish customs" ... she grinned up at him "... are we married?"

"Yes, I think we are," he replied gently.

"Hmm, I guess then I can really call you my husband". She paused for a moment and let the idea sink in. "I like this."

"I like that too, woman" He emphasized the word with a kiss and pushed his body onto hers. Her hands wrapped around his neck as the kiss grew more passionate.

"I love you" she breathed into his mouth. "I love you," he replied, leaning forward to kiss her again.

Their lips had only touched briefly when a child's crying could be heard throughout the house. Both groaned at the ruined moment.

"I'm going," offered Angel. He kissed Buffy quickly and smiled at her."Do not go."

Angel rolled off his wife and out of bed, and went to tend to his crying son.

THE END