Disclaimer for the story: I don’t own ANY of the characters except Ben, Crissy and future kids.

Story Line: Cordy never died, Angel got his Shansu but yet, he didn’t, and Connor was never taken.

She had always been the girl of his dreams and he realized that now. He didn’t know when or how but he knew he wouldn’t have it any other way. He loved how she was the mother to his three-year-old son. He wouldn’t have it any other way, and yet, they both wanted more. Something that was missing in their happy little make shift family. But what was it? He couldn’t put his finger on it.

She had always been there for him since he could remember. She was there through the good and the bad, the easy and the hard times. He stared at her as she put the Christmas lights up. He just didn’t see why she was so stubborn. Ever since he got his Shansu she’s been acting like he was a piece of glass or something. He just didn’t get her sometimes.

She didn’t let him do anything anymore. Connor ended up distracting her and she fell off the stepladder and Angel couldn’t help but chuckle. Cordy looked over and Angel and glared at him, “You could help you know.”

“You told me you could handle it yourself…. Handle it….”

Cordy just rolled her eyes and stood up and dusted her butt off. “Just because we’re married now doesn’t mean you can boss me around.”

“When have I ever bossed you around?”

“When haven’t you?” Angel laughed a little and shook his head. “See you know it’s true.”

“Oh sure Cord… maybe once or twice but that was so you didn’t get hurt…”

“Yeah, yeah. Just get over here and help.”

“And what happens if I don’t?”

“Okay. Whatever.”

Angel chucked, “Relax Cordy.” He went and got on the ladder to finish the lights, “This isn’t that hard.”

“I can’t help it I’m short.”

“Oh it comes in handy sometimes…”

“Eh… Maybe.”

“Oh it does.” Angel chucked again. Connor was in the weapons cabinet. He knocked a few stakes out and he giggled.

“Oh having fun over there?” Connor looked at her and put one in his mouth with the pointy end in. Cordy went over there, “Yeah, no you can’t do that.”

“Mine….” Connor asked.

“Not in your mouth.”

Connor made a face, “Momma…” he said pissed.

“You can have it just not in your mouth.”

“Momma…”

“No not in your mouth.”

“It’s mine!”

“Well don’t stick it in your mouth.” He turned back to the cabinet and played with the swords. “Yeah, no get away from that. You don’t need those.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Uh yeah.”

“No…”

Angel looked at them, “Well he picked the arguing up from you.”

“Yeah right.”

“I don’t argue.”

“Mhmm.”

“Mhmm.”

“Nope.”

“Sure Cordy…. Go get that angel for the tree.”

“It’s by your foot.”

“Hand it to me…”

“Eh… I don’t know.”

“Pain in my ass…” He got down and got it then climbed back up, “I don’t see the point in this thing…” He put it on the tree.

“I don’t either, and you know you love me.”

“Sometimes…” He mumbled.

“What?”

He looked at her, “Hmm?”

“What’d you say?”

“That I love you of course.”

“Okay…” She moved Connor away from the cabinet and shut the doors. Connor stomped on her foot and played with the stakes again. She took the stake from him.

“Hey!”

“No you stepped on my foot, no.”

“Mommy…” He whined a little.

“Whatie?”

“Pwease…?”

“Are you gonna be nice?”

“I guess…”

“You guess?”

“Yes mys is…”

“I promise?”

“Mommy…” He whined.

“Don’t stick it in your mouth.” Connor just rolled his eyes.

“Hmm… I wonder where he got that from.” Angel said.

“You.”

“Yeah right…”

“Umhmm…”

Angel shook his head some, “Not likely.”

Lorne came in, “I see the princess has her hubby on a leash these days.” Angel just kind of growled at him.

Cordy nodded, “Umhmm.”

“You do not.” Angel said.

“Okie.”

“It’s the other way around.”

“You wish…”

“No wishing needed.”

“Yeah uh huh.”

“You do everything I tell you to do.”

“Yeah right…”

“Oh you do.”

“No.”

“Yeah.”

“Nuh uh.”

“Umhmm…”

Fred came in, “You two still bickering with each other?”

“Only because he won’t admit he’s whipped.”

“I’m not whipped! Fred am I whipped?”

“So… got any food.”

“Fred…!”

“No okay I’ll go get some tacos.”

“Of course you’d agree with her, you’re best friends. Wesley?”

“I’m not in this one.”

“Just tell them I’m not whipped.”

“I’m going to help Fred get tacos.”

Angel rolled his eyes and got down and went upstairs to the roof. He was all mumbling to himself, “I’m not whipped…. Am I?”