Especially For You
by Shinnen
Disclaimers: All that is mentioned in the first post and the song belongs to Karla Bonoff "Standing Right Next To Me"
Part 5 (Final)
As they reached the pier, a small dark man in old mended clothes greeted them. He was well tanned and his white teeth gleamed like pearls in his dark complexion. “Selamat Datang. I am Hussien. You are Miss Willow? You did booking for special occasion?” His English heavy with a malay accent and broken.
“Yes, um, Hussien.” Willow smiled at the little man. “Are we going to depart now?” She asked slowly, hoping that the little man understood her.
“Ya ya. We going now. Just in time.” The little man answered as he turned and led the girls towards a small sampan. “Boss told me about special arrangement. Just Miss Willow and her companion.” He turned around and grinned at the girls.
When they reached the boat, Hussien helped Tara into is carefully with Willow’s help then when Tara had settled into a comfortable yet stable position, Willow got in, shaking the boat a little and getting a little nervous.
“Is it supposed to shake this much?” She turned and looked at Hussien. He only gave her another grin and nodded his head.
“You sit still then it will be okay and you must be very quiet.” He answered in his broken English which Willow was sometimes finding a little difficult to understand.
Willow settled in behind Tara carefully and once the sampan had stabilized, she lightly pulled Tara to lean back against her. Soon, after applying some insect repellent that smelled like lemongrass, they were enjoying the tranquility of the boat slowly floating downstream. The sounds of the jungle and nature were soothing to the ear, unlike the sounds of the bustling city or growls of monsters and vamps in Sunnydale.
Being witches, Willow and Tara knew that it was the full moon even on a cloudy night. Within 10 minutes of slowly floating down the river, Tara began to notice flicker of little lights, like the Christmas decorative lights that she used to hang in her room when she had first got to know Willow years ago. She felt Willow’s arms hug her tighter and she couldn’t help but smile. It was dark and she was leaning against Willow but she could feel Willow’s happiness as well.
After a while, all the trees along the area had little soft toned lights all over the branches. Small tiny lights that grew and faded in intensity. Tara remembered the spell she taught Willow to cast long ago, the same spell that they used to find each other: tiny Tinkerbell lights.
“Tiny Tinkerbell lights” Willow whispered into her ears as though the redhead had read her mind. “Don’t they look just amazing? This would be the little Willow astrology lessons I want to give you, every time you look, you’ll see different constellations, but I want Tara astrology lessons now.” Willow softly laughed as not to disturb the joyous rituals of the fireflies.
“Oh Willow… There’s so many to show and it’s so beautiful.” Tara softly responded. “What are they?”
“Those Tinkerbell lights are fireflies. Tons of ‘em!” Willow replied, trying hard to keep her voice low because of her excitement. “According to the guidebook, it’s an ancient mystery to why the fireflies gather here by the millions to light up in harmony every night. Especially on full moons. It’s a natural wonder”
“It’s beautiful! Just gorgeous! Did you choose this place because of the fireflies?” Tara whispered.
“Well…there was the other option… the Amazon River and I don’t think it’s such a good choice… ya know, cannibals, piranhas and s-“ Willow was cut short when Tara placed a finger softly on her lips. Willow smiled and knew it meant that Tara would let her tell the story after enjoying the little boat trip.
Willow shifted a little to get more comfortable and bring more of Tara closer to her body, letting Tara’s beautiful curves mold into her. Just feeling Tara so close to her was making it difficult not to get naughty, but she didn’t dare make a lot of movements because of the precarious stability of the tiny narrow sampan. They silently watched millions of fireflies light up in all the trees both sides of the river. The fireflies resembled gold dust sprinkled on the trees. Twinkling brightly like stars in the sky.
In 2 hours they were back in on shore and a tram was waiting to bring them back upstream to where they parked their car. Tara had thoroughly enjoyed the Ritual of Fireflies. It was something that she would never forget. In the tram, she had gave Willow the sweetest and most passionate kiss that she could in the darkness. Once the kiss broke off they were left breathless, but before another kiss could take place the tram had finally arrived back at the car park. It was a rather quick ride back, a little too quick for the girls. They got off the tram, both a little messed up but glowing.
Willow helped Tara down the tram and they both walked towards their car, softly talking about the fireflies. When they reached the car, Willow pressed the remote to open the car, but instead of getting into the car, she opened the car boot and took out the picnic basket, the portable CD player and removed the CD from the car’s player.
“We’re not going back into the city, honey?” Tara asked in astonishment.
“Nope, baby.” Willow answered with a peck on her lover’s cheeks, her hands full with the picnic basket, CD player and the CD tucked roughly into the basket. “We are gonna stay a night here and now we’ve got a picnic to attend to.” Willow grinned. “Come on.” Willow took Tara’s hand and led her off into the direction of the tree they had sat under to watch the sunset
.
When they had finished setting up their picnic, Willow lit little candles around them and put one special candle, Tara recognized, almost similar to the extra flamey one that Willow had given to her on the day Willow chose her over Oz. Everything that Willow was doing now brought back sweet memories from the past. As she got lost in the sweet memories while looking out at the magnificent night view, she could see some of the fireflies from here. Twinkling like the stars from the rooftop in Sunnydale where she shared her unique astronomy lesson with Willow. Meanwhile, Willow had cast a protection spell around the tree they stood under, just in case something unexpected happened. It was out of habit more than anything else that made Willow cast a protection spell around them.
How to tell her? I mean, it’s a big decision. I know she’ll say yes. Willow’s babble raced through her mind over the next big surprise that she was going to give Tara. It was almost 10pm. She still had less than 2 hours of their anniversary day to give Tara the surprise.
Okay, take a deep breath. Willow stood up and took a deep breath, breathing in the freshest air that was hinted with the smell of leaves and water.
Romantic surroundings. She looked around and smiled.
Check. Protection spell. Check. CD player with fresh batteries. She pressed the standby button on the player and the player lit up with the equalizer producing pretty colored display. She inserted the CD into the player and closed the player.
Check. CD on special song. Check. Little box. She tucked her hand into a hidden compartment in the picnic basket where she had secretly slipping in the little box.
Check. Now only thing left is to…
Willow turned on the player and the song started to play. She walked over to Tara and hugged her from behind, leaning her chin on the blonde’s shoulders, comfortably fitting her curves to Tara’s body. Tara relaxed and leaned back against her.
“Nice song, honey.” Tara smiled as she listened to the song, drinking in the beauty of the moment. Willow, herself safe and warm in each other’s arms, in the most beautiful place she has ever been to.
“Mmhmm… Just what is needed. It’s a special song. I’ve been waiting for just the right time to play it, when we were both ready.” Willow gently spun Tara around. Tara’s beautiful skirt twirled in the light breeze, reminding Willow so much of the time when Tara sang and danced, confessing her deepest love for her. Then resting her hands on Tara’s hips, she pulled Tara in for a little slow dance. Tara had her arms draped over Willow’s shoulders. “I’ve got something to tell you.”
“What is it?” Tara leaned her head on Willow’s shoulders now. It was like her birthday every year. Since the first time she celebrated her birthday with Willow and the gang. Willow had always ended the day with a perfect slow dance, taking every opportunity to stretch each minute so that they were close.
“This song is called “Standing Right Next To Me”. Listen to the lyrics…” Willow softly replied, as the song repeated. Willow sang along with the singer, hoping that she wasn’t sounding too off key. The couple swayed quietly and slowly.
“
Love is like the wind,
Sometimes it blows your way,
And until now
It missed me somehow.
But when I turned around
I saw you standing there.
The sound of your voice -
I had no choice.
I used to have a wish
One day I'd feel like this.
Now I know love exists
Cause it's standing right next to me."
Tara had closed her eyes and listened carefully to Willow’s singing. She was smilling. When she heard the lyrics, a flood of memories came into her mind, drawing tears of happiness. She looked up at Willow and saw the person she loved so well. She gave the redhead the smile especially reserved only for her.
”
Beneath the moon tonight
I see it in your eyes -
No more false starts,
No more broken hearts.
I used to have a wish
One day I'd feel like this.
Now I know love exists
Cause it's standing right next to me.
Even in the dark,
Even when you're gone
I feel you in my heart.
I used to have a wish
One day I'd feel like this.
Now I know love exists
Cause it's standing right next to me
Standing right next to me.”
When the song finished, Willow stopped singing as well. Looking into her lover’s slate blue eyes that were looking back at her with all the passion known to mankind, Willow pulled out the little box. Tara looked at it too. The box had golden stars and moons carefully pasted on. Willow opened the box to show Tara a ring. It had had intricate carvings on it. Willow put the ring on Tara’s finger. Tara was speechless, instead she just leaned forward and kissed Willow long and passionately. This time it was almost impossible for them to stop. Willow lost her balance and fell onto the picnic cloth, narrowly missing the extra flamey candle. Willow reluctantly broke the kiss to say what she had intended to say before Tara caught her by surprise. “Tara…. Will you be my bride?”
Another barrage of kisses ensued. Willow knew the answer well and clear. It had turned out better than she had expected. Knowing that they were well hidden and protected, things got a little steamier.
Just before midnight, Willow and Tara were lying in each other’s arms. The light weight sundress that Tara was wearing had been very convenient. Little clothing needed to be shed as both girls had tried to respect the culture of the country, and the only thing that came off was Tara’s panties and Willow’s light blouse.
“Happy Anniversary, baby.” Willow pulled Tara in and gave her a peck on the cheek.
“Thank you so much…” Tara had tears in her eyes.
“What’s wrong baby?” Willow sat up quickly with a worried look on her face.
“Nothing’s wrong. Just that… I’m so happy, elated in fact and to be yours, forever.” Tara gave a laugh that erased the worry from Willow’s face instantaneously.
Willow gave Tara a warm smile and started looking around.
“I think I should start finding our missing garments.” She spotted her blouse hung on one of the lower branches. “I wonder how that got up there.” She stood up and jumped at the branch, trying to pull down the blouse. When she finally did, she spotted Tara’s underwear under one of the corners of the crumpled picnic cloth. She picked it up and brought it to Tara who was still on the ground, dreamily watching Willow looking for the undergarments.
After they got dressed, Willow had suggested they pack up the picnic and head for the private chalet she had booked for the night. It had a porch so they could have another picnic there if they weren’t going to turn in early. It would be another 2 glorious days of sightseeing and relaxation before the lovebirds had to leave the tropical paradise that marked another milestone in their everlasting relationship. Not to mention, breaking the best news the girls had to the family. They were starting a whole new chapter in their life, marriage.
The End.
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I hope this fic hadn't disappoint anyone other than the really really long delay between the chapter. I'm also hoping that Jenna would see this fic.
Feedback is more than welcomed.
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When I Am Standing On My Head, The Sky Is So Deep And The Sea Is So High.
Edited by: Shinnen at: 9/4/02 2:32:56 am
by The Rose24 » Thu Apr 25, 2002 6:26 am 
at: 4/25/02 9:27:15 pm
Yay.....glad there's another update after so long. And very good update at that
care to give any hints *gives hopeful look*
at: 6/27/02 4:56:29 pm