Beautiful
By: spoiledsquish
Disclaimer: I own nothing. I wish I did. You think B/A would have ever broken up if I did? Well, yes, they might, cuz I am a sucker for angst, but eventually they would reconcile! Only the plot is mine, and any characters not from either shows! All else belongs to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, 20th Century Fox, The WB, UPN, etc.
Author's Note: The title is from the song of the same name by a band called Joydrop. This fic just kinda popped into my head and has been racking my brain. It’s purely B/A, as per usual. This plot is similar to the Gwen/Ethan/Theresa triangle on “Passions”. BTW, I am a big Theresa/Ethan fan but I’d never write fanfic about them. Only B/A is fanfic worthy!
Distribution: My site, Love's Eden, FF.net, Slayer’s Fanfic Archive (when they open submissions again), B/A Lovers United, Enchanting Place, SempiternalBeloved, and anyone else who wants it. Just send me a message and tell me where it’s going. Cool?
Summary: What if Angel had gotten Cordelia pregnant one night when they were drunk? The two get engaged and Cordelia starts to fall in love with him, but the feeling isn’t mutual. What happens when Angel’s old girlfriend shows up to visit some of their old friends? Will Angel finally follow his heart and confess his undying love and devotion to the one woman who’s ruled his heart since they were kids or will he let duty and honor rule his life and make him stay with his future wife and unborn child? NOT for A/C and B/S fans!
Pairings: B/A, B/S, A/C, B/O, W/F, G/F, with mentions of C/X, W/T, W/O and G/J.
Rating: NC-17. If you're reading this and you're underage, either leave or skip the adult parts that you shouldn't be reading until you are legal, anyway!
Spoilers: None really. B/A still met in Sunnydale but everyone’s human. Demons, vampires, Slayers, and the like don’t exist. Angel and Buffy still broke up, only he gave her the ‘gutwrenching sewer talk’ in the quad at Sunnydale High.
Dedications: This one is for Meghan, whose fic the Penny Series got me all weepy! Finish Galway’s Womanizing Irish Brogue for me, Meg! I’m in serious pain here. Also, I wanna dedicate this fic to James Marsters, who--even though he kind of liked hooking up with SMG on screen—is still a B/A fan. Kudos to you, JM! You made me turn my bitter hatred that I had for you (cuz of the whole B/S thing) into nothing but love for the character Spike once more!
Warnings: Character Death, Non B/A consensual sex.
Chapter 1: Regret and Betrayal
Angel O’Connor studied the looks on his friends’ faces as he confessed to them his big news. No one, not even his own sister, had uttered a word in over an hour.
“Uh…” Fred sighed. “This is so sudden, Angel. Um…but if you’re happy, then that’s all that really matters, I guess. So, in a nutshell, I’m happy for you.”
“So am I.” Wesley nodded to his best friend.
“For the record, I’m not.” Gunn frowned.
“Gunn!” Faith scolded her boyfriend of two years. “Don’t make a scene, okay?”
“What then, Faith? You expect me to act all happy just ‘cuz he got Cordelia pregnant? Hell *fucking* no. You don’t even love the girl and now you want to marry her?” Gunn yelled, grabbing his jacket.
“Where’re you going?” Fred asked.
“I got to go see my best friend.” Gunn continued. “Hopefully, she’ll have enough common sense to finally get over you, O’Connor. She deserves to be happy.”
“Gunn, wait!” Faith screamed and then hugged Angel. “I’m sorry, Angel. I have to go after him. Gunn, please, just wait a damn second!”
Faith grabs her own jacket and finds her boyfriend starting up his truck. She climbs in right next to him.
“Gunn, think about this!” Faith cried.
“‘Think about this’?!” Gunn repeated, growling. “For two years, I’ve had to watch my best friend upset and hurt because of him. I saw her drink herself into a stupor when he took off. I watched her flaunt herself to numerous guys to help her to get through and rid herself of the pain that he caused. And every time the heartache would come back. Well, no more. I say good riddance. Buffy deserves better than that--that bastard. He’s brought her nothing but heartache and pain and I don’t want that for her.”
“You’re right.” Faith agreed. “Buffy does deserve better. I hope she finds it. Just like I wish Angel to be happy, even though I know he hates himself for getting into this situation. My brother is many things, Charles, and responsible is one of them. He’ll stand by Cordelia and a part of me admires him for that.”
“Did you still--” Gunn asked.
“Wanna go with you?” Faith nodded, completing his question. “ ‘Sides, I haven’t seen the gang in like, forever.”
“Okay.” Gunn took her hand in his as they drove to Sunnydale. “I love you, Faith O’Connor.”
“I love you, Charles Gunn.” Faith kissed him. “No matter how moronic and stubborn you can be. I have to call Angel, though. Give him the heads up.”
“Hello? Angel Investi--” Fred sighed when she heard the voice on the other end. “Oh, hi Faith. Yeah, he’s right here.”
Fred hands the phone to Angel and resumes her conversation with Wesley.
“Faith.” Angel sighed inwardly. “I was wondering what happened to you.”
“Five by five bro. Like always.” Faith chuckled. “Look, I’m not going to be in L.A. for the next day or two. I’m on my way to Sunnydale with Gunn. So, you wanna give me the heads up before I rush into the battlefield unarmed?”
“Like what?” Angel asked, wondering where the Hell she learned to word sentences that way.
“Like why you and B broke up, why you’re so intent on marrying Cordelia just because she’s pregnant, for starters.” Faith explained. “ ‘Cuz, quite frankly, I’m at a crossroad here.”
“Faith, it’s private.” Angel sighed. “It’s not your or anybody else’s business.”
“Okay.” Faith took his word at face value.
“And, despite what you think, I do care for Cordelia.” Angel continued. “We’ve grown immensely closer the last few months. Plus, she’s the mother of my child.”
“I know. I’m sorry, Angel. You take care, all right? I’ll see you when I get back. Love you.” Faith said, ending their conversation.
“Love you too, sis.” Angel hung up. “Faith’s with Gunn. They’re on their way to Sunnydale to tell Buffy.”
“You’re not worried?” Wesley asked.
“Why would I be?” Angel shook his head.
“Angel, you’re my best friend, you and Cordelia.” Wesley reminded him. “…But I know Cordelia. I saw her relationship with Xander Harris unfold, saw how she came onto one guy after another just to make him jealous. If Cordelia thinks she can hold onto you with this baby, she’ll go to great lengths to keep it and you.”
“Just stop.” Angel snapped. “Cordelia’s changed since then; she’s different now. And whether any of you like it or not, Cordelia’s going to become my wife.”
“Hi guys.” Cordelia entered, smiling at everyone. “What’s with all the tragedy masks? Did somebody die?”
“No.” Fred shook her head vigorously. “Angel just told us the big news. Congratulations, Cordy. On both counts.”
“Thanks.” Cordelia hugged her friend. “Wes, aren’t you gonna hug me?”
“Yeah.” Wesley hugged her and whispered, “If I ever find out that you did this deliberately to keep Buffy and Angel apart, I will beat you to death. I promise you that.”
“Silly Wes.” Cordelia whispered back, “So what? You’d never be able to prove it anyway. Trust me, I’m clean.”
“You’d better be.” Wesley forced a smile and then said louder, “Congratulations, Cordelia.”
“Thank you.” Cordelia smiled sweetly. “See, Angel? Everything worked out fine. Nothing to worry about.”
“I know.” Angel nodded. *I’m not worried about you though. I’m worried about her. God, baby, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.*