Okay so some of you said that you'd love to see Tara meet the Rosenberg...and i took up the challenge.
Now as you might already know...i suck at writing fic...but i continue to do it.
So here is my fic...it's kinda long...okay it is long but if you like long fics this is the one for you.
I hope you like it...
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Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Season 4 couples, a reference to Family but apart from that no.
Summery: Willow and Tara go to visit the Rosenberg’s for Christmas.
Pairing: Main are Willow and Tara…but X/A and B/R are in there too.
Disclaimers: *Pouts* I own nothing, Joss Whedon owns all.
Feedback: I thrive on the stuff.
Note: Glory never existed…thank god. (No pun intended) Dawn IS Buffy’s sister.
Note 2: All things in italic are people’s thoughts and all the things with an exclamation at the end indicate people shouting.
Note 3: It’s kinda long…just try and stay with it.
Meeting the parents
Sunnydale in the daytime, probably the best time to visit. Because when night falls, all the nasty beasties from your worst nightmares are released. And if you’re not the slayer, or don’t have her for a friend, then you in big trouble if you come face to face with one of them.
Monday
EXT: Willow’s dorm room, day.
Willow and Tara are lounging about on Willow’s bed, basking in the sunshine and just generally enjoying each other’s company, when the phone rang.
Willow: Hello?
Voice: Willow?
Willow: Uh…yes.
Voice: Oh, Willow honey. It’s mom.
Willow froze and then jumped off the bed. An action that made Tara herself jump as well.
Willow: Oh, hi.
Mrs Rosenberg: We haven’t spoken in a while dear.
Willow: N-no we h-haven’t.
Willow’s sudden stutter made Tara worry, and she too got off the bed.
Tara: (In a whisper) Willow honey, who is it?
Willow: H-how are things (pointing out to Tara) *mom*?
Tara: (Lower whisper) Is everything okay?
Mrs Rosenberg: Fine. How are things with you?
Willow: Everything’s f-fine.
Mrs Rosenberg: And Daniel…sorry, Oz?
Willow froze again at the mention of her former boyfriend.
Willow: I’m not with…Oz, anymore mom.
As Tara heard Oz’s name and Willow’s words, realisation came over her.
Mrs Rosenberg: I’m sorry to hear that. But the real reason I called was to ask you something.
Willow: W-well ask a-away.
Mrs Rosenberg: Well, Christmas is a week away and it’s been a year since we spent it together…
Willow: Christmas is only once a year and mom…we’re Jewish.
Mrs Rosenberg: Yes I know that, but well, I guess it’s my excuse of having you round for Christmas…and we can do it properly like you always wanted when you were a child. With a wreath on the door and a Christmas tree and Santa Clause…
Willow smiled and her stutter faded.
Willow: I’d like that mom.
Willow glanced over to Tara, who has moved back on to the bed, and knows what the blonde witch must be thinking.
Willow: Uh…mom? Can I bring a friend?
Tara looked up.
Mrs Rosenberg: I don’t see why not. Will you be bringing Bunny?
Willow: It’s Buffy, and no. Someone else.
Mrs Rosenberg: Okay then I’ll see you on Wednesday. Is Wednesday okay?
Willow: Wednesday’s fine, see you then. Bye mom.
Mrs Rosenberg: Bye honey.
They both hung up the phone and Willow moved to sit on the end of the bed.
Tara did something she’d never done before and moved away from Willow. She did it discreetly, but not discreetly enough for Willow to miss it.
Willow: Tara, I’m sorry.
Tara: (Fake smile) F-for what?
Willow: You know for what.
Tara: I-it’s o-okay. I mean…m-my family doesn’t know about u-us either.
Willow: Tara, your family had you think you were a demon for 20 years.
Tara: (Slit bitterness) Yours tried to burn you at the stake.
Willow: Tara.
Tara: Willow.
Then silence. Willow reconsidering the decision she had just made by asking her mother if she could bring a friend and her harsh words. Tara also reconsidering her harsh words, and both of them all the time thinking;
Are we really having our first fight?
Willow: (Making a decision, but not looking at Tara) You’re spending Christmas with me and my family. Whether you want to or not.
Tara’s face broke into a smile and then she began to cry.
Willow: (Climbing farther onto the bed to hug Tara) Tara? What’s wrong?
Tara: This is.
Willow began to panic.
Willow: What?! What do you-
Tara: (Through tears) I don’t deserve you.
Willow smiled and just carried on hugging the blonde witch that she loved more than any other person in the world.
Tuesday
EXT: Giles’s house.
It’s a Scooby meeting…
Anya is sitting in Xanders lap, Buffy next to Riley, who clearly has a cold, and Tara sitting on the settee with Willow’s head in her lap. Tara is subconsciously playing with Willow’s hair and rubbing her arm, causing Willow to lose all concentration through no fault of her own. Spike is also there. Sitting on the stairs as usual.
Buffy: Nothing. Zippo. Poof.
Giles: (Hopefully) Nothing? Not even a couple of vampires?
Buffy shook her head.
Giles: Oh. Strange.
Xander: And slightly worrying. I mean when there’s no baddies for the Buffster to poof, then there’s usually something up.
Giles: Err…yes quite right Xander.
This seemed to take Xander off guard.
Xander: Me? Really? Right? Oh yeah, I’m right.
Willow and Buffy exchanged looks.
Riley: Shoot. I’d love to stay but I have to go.
Buffy: Where?
Riley: (Sheepishly) Um…doctors appointment.
Buffy managed to stop herself from giggling, unlike Xander.
Xander: (Laughing) Doctors?
Riley: (Kinda seeing the funny side) Yeah. Who would have thought and
ex-initiative commando would need to go visit a doctor. And so get antibiotics too.
He leaned down to kiss Buffy and then said goodbye to the rest of the group.
Xander and Anya continue a conversation and Giles goes off to make some tea.
Willow: (Sitting up) So nothing over active on the evil front?
Buffy: No.
Willow: Good. So you won’t be need two witches to come in handy for, oh, say a week?
Buffy: No I don’t think so. Nothing seems to happen over Christmas anyway. (Raises an eyebrow) Why?
Willow: (Takes Tara’s hand) We’re gonna spend Christmas together. Me, Tara… mom and dad.
Suddenly everyone stopped talking. Xander and Buffy exchange looks and then look at Willow. Even Giles stopped making tea and popped his head round the corner.
Giles: (Not what everyone else is thinking) Aren’t you and you’re family Jewish Willow?
Willow: Uh…yeah.
Anya: So you’ve told them you’re gay?
Willow: What?
Anya: You know. You must have told them about you and Tara. With the hugging and the kissing and the general woman to woman sex stuff. I can just imagine their faces if they walk in on you too having-
Xander: ANYA!!
The look Willow was giving Anya was enough to turn anybody into stone. And the fact that Tara let go of Willow’s hand didn’t help the mood that had just developed in the room.
Buffy: (Ignoring Anya’s query) Well, um…I’m sure you’ll have a great time. I hope you have a great time; you’ll have a…great time.
Willow: (Still scowling at Anya) Um, yeah. (Looks to Tara, a kind of pleading look on her face) Tara, we’d better go and pack.
Tara: Sure.
Willow: Okay. (To the rest of the gang) Okay well, we’re off tomorrow morning so we won’t see you for a week or so.
Buffy: (Gets up and hugs Willow) (Whispers) Hope everything goes okay.
Willow: (Whispers) Me too.
Xander gets up and does the same as Buffy.
Then Willow and Tara head out the door and back to Stevenson.
Wednesday
EXT: Sunnydale UC
Tara’s dorm room…
Willow: Are you sure you’ve got everything honey?
Tara: Um…yeah I think so…toothbrush, hairbrush, gloves…
Tara got a mischievous smirk on her face and continued her sentence.
Tara: (Innocently) …the pink-y thing that vibrates…
Willow: (Shocked) TARA!!!
Willow runs over to Tara’s suitcase and starts looking through it. All the time Tara is laughing and giggling.
Tara: Sweetie…I was joking.
Willow: Oh. Well, I’m not used to your naughty sense of humour. I didn’t realise you were this kinky…I might have to reconsider our dating.
Willow lowered her eyebrows pretending to think. And Tara stuck out her bottom lip, hoping her but-look-at-me-I’m-oh-so-cute look would help her here.
Willow looked up at Tara and saw the pout that held her face and couldn’t resist playfully biting it.
Tara’s plan had worked.
**********
In the taxi…
Willow and Tara are in the back seat. (Sitting!)
Tara: How long now?
Willow: About 3 minutes.
Tara: We must have been travelling for hours.
Willow: Honey…my house is only 3 miles from campus. We’ve only been travelling for 5 minutes.
Tara: Oh.
Willow leaned in and kissed Tara softly and soundlessly on the lips and went back to looking out the window.
Driver: Looks like we’re here.
Tara: Finally…Willow can we go home now?
Willow: (Smiling) Nervous?
Tara: (Nervous) No.
Driver: That’ll be $2:50 please.
Tara looks franticly through her bag for change, when Willow places a hand on her arm and gives the driver the money.
Willow: (Whispers, although she is also nervous) Calm down. Don’t worry. Do you want me to tell them about us?
Tara: I don’t know. Yes and no…Willow…
Willow: It’s okay. (To the driver) Keep the change.
Driver: Thank you ma’am.
Willow: You’re welcome.
Soon enough Willow and Tara are standing at the Rosenberg’s front door with their cases.
Willow: Ready?
Tara nods and Willow rings her front door bell.
Mrs Rosenberg: Willow!
Willow is greeted with a hug and Tara gets a curious look as hers.
Mrs Rosenberg: Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?
Willow: Um, yeah.
Gives Tara a reassuring look.
Willow: This is Tara…my girlfriend.
If Mrs Rosenberg had been drinking coffee at the time she would have spat it out everywhere, but only in shock.
Mrs Rosenberg: (Slightly uncomfortable) Well, um, it’s, err, nice to meet you Tara.
Well she remembered her name…that’s a plus.
Tara: N-nice to m-meet you t-too, Mrs R-Rosenberg.
Mrs Rosenberg: (Smiling a bit but still clearly uncomfortable) You, should call me Sheila.
Tara nodded in agreement and looked over to Willow, who smiled a perfect
Willow-smile and picked up her case. Tara did the same and before long they were inside the Rosenberg’s house.
***********
Willow’s bedroom…
Willow: That went well.
Tara: It did? She still seemed pretty shocked when we came up here.
Willow: Well I’ve kind of just told her I’m gay…I think she kinda should be shocked.
Tara: You think it went well though?
Willow: (Nodding) Yeah. I mean, she remembered your name.
Tara: (Confused) And that means?
Willow: (Giggling) I’ve known Buffy for like five years right, and my mother still calls her Bunny.
Tara: (Giggling) Oh…I guess it is good then. But I mean, it’s not very likely that your mother is going to f-forget the name of her daughter’s first g-girlfriend, is it?
Willow: (Keeping a straight face) Who said anything about you being my first?
Tara looked worried for a moment and stopped laughing, before they both dissolved into giggles again.
**********
Rosenberg’s living room…
Willow, Tara and Mrs Rosenberg are present.
Willow: When will dad be getting home?
As soon as the words leave Willow’s mouth they all hear the door shut.
Mrs Rosenberg: That’ll be him now.
Mr Rosenberg enters the living room to find his daughter and, as far as he knows, *friend* sitting next to her.
Willow: Daddy…
Mr Rosenberg: Willow, honey.
There’s hugging between father and daughter and smiling from Tara as she hears Willow call her father daddy.
Mr Rosenberg: Well, this is something nice to come home to. Are you going to introduce me to your friend, Willow?
Willow and Tara exchange a nervous look and her mother gives them both reassuring ones.
Willow kinda knew deep down that her mother wouldn’t have any objections to her and Tara’s relationship it was her father she was worried about.
Willow: (Shakily) Dad, this is T-Tara…my girlfriend.
Mr Rosenberg went white. Then green. Then red.
Mr Rosenberg: (Calmly…to calmly) Willow, kindly take Tara up to the guest room and come back down…we need to talk.
The colour drained from Willow’s face and Tara got up and left the room, Willow followed behind.
**********
The guest room…
Willow: Tara, I’m sorry. You shouldn’t have to go through this.
Tara: Willow it’s not your fault…if I hadn’t got all weird about you not telling your family about us…you might not have told you family about us.
Willow: I just should have told mom. I knew dad would act like this!
Mr Rosenberg: Willow! Down stairs now!
Willow gave Tara a ‘wish me luck’ look and that’s what she did.
Tara leaned in and kissed Willow on the lips before Willow left the room, closing the door behind her.
*********
Rosenberg’s living room…
Mr Rosenberg: (Shouting) What the hell did you think you were doing?!
Mrs Rosenberg: (Shouting) Ira! Don’t talk to her like that!
Willow: (Shouting) What do you mean, what did I think I was doing?!
Mr Rosenberg: You know what I mean, Willow. What made you think we’d be okay with you being…
Willow: Gay? Is that it? Is that what this is about? Just because I’m dating a girl and not a boy? Is that what this is about?!
Mr Rosenberg: Yes!
Then there was a deadly silence in the room.
**********
The guest room…
Tara sat on the bed listening. She was able to hear everything coming from downstairs, and she felt terrible.
**********
Back in the living room…
Willow: So now you’re telling me whom I can and can’t fall in love with? I’m not five anymore dad! You can’t ground me for this.
Mr Rosenberg: Answer the question…what did you think you were doing with this…
Willow: Woman! She’s a woman! And you want to know what I was doing? I was falling in love dad! Do you know what that is? Love? Mom doesn’t seem to have a problem with this, why do you?
Mr Rosenberg: Because you’re not gay! We didn’t bring you up that way!
Willow couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
Willow: It’s not something that I planed on happening dad! Yes I fell in love and yes it was with a woman…you can’t chose who you fall in love with! It’s something that happens. I had no control over it, I still don’t. I’m still as much in love with Tara as I was when I first met her. She means the world to me…like mom does to you.
Silence once again filled the living room.
Tara: W-Willow.
The silence was interrupted by the sound of Tara’s voice.
Willow: Tara, what are you doing?
Tara is standing in the hallway with her suitcases.
Tara: I’m g-gonna go home. I’m o-obviously n-not w-w-wanted here.
Willow: No! You’re not going anywhere. My mom doesn’t have a problem with us staying, do you mom?
Mrs Rosenberg: No, of course not.
Willow: Dad?
After Willow’s heartfelt speech, Mr Rosenberg seemed to soften a bit.
Mr Rosenberg: She…can stay. But understand that I don’t like it. And she stays in the guest room.
Tara smiled slightly but Willow’s expression stiffened.
Willow: She will stay where I say she stays otherwise we leave now and you never see me again.
Tara was shocked to find that her girlfriend was deadly serious.
Mr Rosenberg: Fine.
**********
Willow’s room about an hour later…
Tara: You really meant everything you said?
Willow: Yes.
Beat
Willow: But I’m sorry you had to hear all the crap that came out of my dad’s mouth.
Tara: It doesn’t matter. As long as I know you love me…everything will be fine.
Willow leaned over the bed and kissed her girlfriend just as there was a knock at the door.
Willow: Come in.
Mr Rosenberg: Um…Willow, Tara, I need to apologise…to both of you.
Willow: Yeah I think you do.
Tara: Willow…
Tara came up and sat on the bed next to Willow, gave Willow a pleading look and took hold of her hand.
Tara: Let him explain.
Mr Rosenberg: Thank you.
Mr Rosenberg sat on the edge of his daughter’s bed and began talking.
Mr Rosenberg: How long have you two been together?
This question seemed to take Willow off guard and it took her a while to answer.
Willow: A little under a year.
Mr Rosenberg could be heard sighing and then he continued.
Mr Rosenberg: I’m sorry. I judged you before you got a chance to explain yourself and when you did I realised that it wasn’t what I thought.
Willow: (With slight bitterness) What exactly did you think?
Mr Rosenberg: That this was an experiment…you know collage is a time for new things.
Willow was getting angrier with every word that left her father’s mouth.
Mr Rosenberg: But know I know that it isn’t like that. You two are...in love. And as your father, Willow, I feel I must support the choices you have made.
Willow: (Bitterly) You don’t have to support anything you don’t want to.
Mr Rosenberg: I want to.
Willow softened and so did Mr Rosenberg.
Mr Rosenberg: Some of the thing I said earlier…
Willow gave her father a look.
Mr Rosenberg: Okay, most of the things I said earlier, I shouldn’t have said and I regret saying them. I just want to say that I’m sorry and that…I’m okay with this. You obviously make each other happy, so I’m okay with it. I love you for who you are, not who you fall in love with.
Mr Rosenberg got up off the bed to leave the room, when Willow spoke.
Willow: Dad.
Mr Rosenberg stopped.
Mr Rosenberg: Yes?
Willow: Thank you.
Mr Rosenberg turned and smiled at his daughter and her girlfriend.
Mr Rosenberg: I hope you’re happy together.
Willow smiled at Tara and turned back to her father.
Willow: We are.
With that Mr Rosenberg turned again and left the room.
**********
Friday
Christmas Eve.
The Rosenberg’s living room…
Willow and Tara sit on the couch holding hands and talking about something, and Mr and Mrs Rosenberg are in the kitchen preparing dinner and watching the happy couple curiously. There is a Christmas tree in the far corner of the room.
Mrs Rosenberg: They do make a cute couple don’t they?
Mr Rosenberg: Huff...
Mrs Rosenberg: (Smiling) Oh come on Ira, this is your daughter I’m talking about… it’s obvious that this other woman makes her happy. Be happy for them.
Mr Rosenberg: (Softening) I guess so…it’s just strange. No it’s different. And I am happy for them.
They go back to looking at the happy couple and Mr Rosenberg finds himself smiling.
Tara: Where did you go earlier?
Willow: To get you a present.
Tara: Really?
Willow: Yeah. (Playfully) You get me anything yet?
Tara: (Smiling) I might have.
Beat.
Willow: So what do you wanna do tonight?
Tara: Huh?
Willow: Well it’s Christmas Eve and I was just wondering what you wanted to do. Do you fancy going out with my mom and dad?
Tara: (Smiling) Well I kinda thought I’d spend the evening with my girlfriend but she hasn’t asked me to yet and I’m kinda upset.
Willow: (Smiling also) Now we can’t have that. This girlfriend of yours must be really horrible.
Tara: Oh she’s not that bad.
Willow: Well why don’t you spend the evening with me instead?
Tara: Now I’m not sure my girlfriend would like that much…she’s the jealous type.
Willow: Really? I wonder what she would do if I did this…
With that, Willow leaned down and kissed Tara.
Tara: (Smiling) Why I believe she wouldn’t like that.
Willow: (Smiling) Funny, I did. Now isn’t that strange.
Both girls dissolve into a fit of giggles and decide to finish this conversation in Willow’s room as they have both noticed Willow’s parents *pretending* not to watch them.
**********
Willow’s room…
Tara: So about tonight.
Willow: Tara…I would be honoured if you would spend the evening with me…plus if you don’t I will pout wildly until you say yes.
Willow puts on her best ‘pout-y face and puppy dog eyes’ look.
Tara: Well how can I possibly turn a look like that down?
Willow: Sweetie, you can’t. No one can resist the Willowlook.
Both witches began laughing again.
**********
Friday evening…
Willow: We’ll be fine mom. Go enjoy yourself.
Mrs Rosenberg: Well, okay then. Have fun. Oh and we’ll be back around midnight…but we might be late, you know what your father’s like.
Mother and daughter exchange smiles.
Mrs Rosenberg: Tara, make sure Willow is in bed by ten and that she doesn’t have any sweets before tea.
Willow: Mom!
Mrs Rosenberg and Tara exchange smiles.
Mrs Rosenberg: Well your father is waiting for me in the car so…have a good night.
Willow: Bye mom.
Tara: Goodbye Mrs Rosenberg, have a good night.
And then they were alone.
Willow turned to Tara and kissed her with such force she almost fell over.
Willow: I thought they’d never leave.
Willow took hold of Tara’s hand and said:
Willow: Come with me, I’ve got a surprise for you.
Tara: Me?
Willow: Yep. Now close your eyes and don’t open them until I tell you to.
Tara: (Closing her eyes) Okay.
Tara: Um Willow…what if I walk into something?
Willow: I’m not gonna let you walk into anything.
Willow began leading Tara upstairs.
Tara: Um, W-Willow? W-where are w-we going?
Willow: Upstairs. Don’t be nervous, it’s okay.
Tara: Okay.
Finally they made it to the top. Willow lead Tara into her room, Tara’s eye’s still firmly closed.
Willow let go of Tara’s hand, moved behind the blonde Wiccan and put her hands over Tara’s eyes.
Willow: Okay. 1…2…3…you can open them now.
Tara did as she was told and Willow hugged her from behind.
Willow: Do you like it?
Laid out in front of them was a picnic. All set up on Willow’s bedroom floor.
There were candles, and strawberries and even a red rose. Oh, and not forgetting a bottle of red wine and other food as well.
Tara: (Smiling) Willow…I love it! It’s amazing!
Tara turned her body so that her and Willow were face-to-face and still hugging.
Tara: I love you…you’re amazing.
Then there were smoochies and roaming hands.
And then breathlessness.
Tara rested her head on Willow’s shoulder and said:
Tara: You didn’t have to do this.
Willow: I wanted to. I love you.
Tara: I love you too.
More kissage and then food.
**********
Later that night…
Willow fed the last strawberry to Tara and they both lay down on the blanket.
Tara: I love you.
Willow: (Smiling) You said that already…six times.
Tara: (Smiling) I know. But I do.
Willow: What?
Tara: Love you silly.
Willow lead over and quickly kissed Tara on the lips before getting up.
Tara: Where you going?
Willow: To get my pyjamas on and then to bed. Coming?
Tara blushed and got up too.
They changed quickly and got into bed. They snuggled and kissed.
Tara: This has been the best night of my life.
Willow: Really?
Tara: (Flirty smile) Well there was one other time that I’m not gonna forget any time soon.
Willow knew exactly what Tara was playing at so she went along with it.
Willow: Really what would that be?
Tara: I’ll show you if you like.
With that, Tara placed herself on top of Willow and kissed her passionately. And guess you took that moment to open the door and walk into the room.
Mrs Rosenberg: Oh my!
Tara: (Rolling off Willow) Oh…m-m-my g-god.
Willow: Oh god…
Willow sat up on bed and look embarrassed, whilst Tara hid herself under the covers looking mortified.
Mrs Rosenberg: I’m sorry I’ll come back later.
Willow: Mom we weren’t-
Mrs Rosenberg: It’s okay…I don’t mind…it’s f-fine.
Mrs Rosenberg promptly closed the door and Willow and Tara stayed silent.
Tara: (Whispering) Oh my god…oh my god…oh my god…
Willow: (Getting under the covers with Tara) Hey. Tara…Tara…
Tara looked at Willow. And Willow knew what the other girl was feeling.
She’s so embarrassed.
Tara: I’m s-sorry.
Willow: (Confused) For what?
Tara: W-well if I hadn’t k-kissed you, th-then this wouldn’t have-
Willow: Piffle.
Willow put her arms around Tara and hugged her close.
Willow: It was bound to happen at some point. I mean we’re here for another two days…I don’t suppose we would have been able to keep our hands off each for long.
Willow ended that sentence with a smile and kissed Tara on the forehead.
Tara loosened up and gave Willow a crooked smile, which made Willow melt.
Willow: I love it when you do that.
Tara: Do what?
Willow: Smile silly.
Tara smiled again and Willow couldn’t stop herself from kissing her girlfriend any longer.
********
Christmas day…
Willow and Tara had fallen asleep in each other’s arms the night before, but they were in a slightly different position now.
Willow’s arms were wrapped around Tara’s legs and her head was resting on tara chest.
Tara had her whole body curled around Willow so that they fit perfectly into place. As one.
Willow was first to wake up.
It took her a while to realise where she was or why she was in her old bedroom, but she got thee in the end. Then she noticed the position she had been sleeping in all night and carefully unwound herself from her girlfriends legs, sat up and just gazed at Tara.
She looks so amazingly cute when she’s asleep.
Willow leaned down slightly and stroked Tara’s hair.
So soft, so smooth…and her eyes are so…
It was then Willow realised that her girlfriend was awake.
Willow: Hey you.
Tara: Morning.
Tara sat up and kissed Willow before sliding back down.
Tara: Merry Christmas.
Willow: Oh…I almost forgot. Merry Christmas.
There was another kiss and then they snuggled.
Willow: I love you so much.
Tara: I know. I love you too.
**********
At breakfast…
Tara was reluctant to come down to breakfast at first but Willow managed to persuade her.
Willow: Merry Christmas.
Mr Rosenberg: Oh good morning girls. Um, yes…Merry Christmas
Tara: M-Merry C-Christmas.
Mrs Rosenberg: Who wants eggs?
Willow: (Whispers to Tara) Okay not the traditional Christmas breakfast but stay with her. She’s never done this before. (To Mrs Rosenberg) I’ll have eggs mom.
Tara: Uh…m-me too, M-Mrs Rosenberg. Th-thank you.
Willow and Tara made there way into the living room. And found presents waiting for them under the Christmas tree.
Willow: Wow. Mom, dad, did you…?
Mrs Rosenberg: Yes. We wanted it to be a proper Christmas…and what’s Christmas without presents?
Willow felt like she was five years old again. She ran for the tree and began looking through the presents until she found a big one for her. Tara came and sat next to her and Willow began ripping off the paper.
When Willow had successfully ripped off all the wrapping paper she gazed opened mouthed at what her parents had bought her.
Willow: The-the book of shadows? Mom does this mean…?
Mrs Rosenberg just smiled at her daughter.
Willow: Wow. You’re accepting an awful lot this week.
Mr Rosenberg: Tara, there’s one there for you.
Tara: For me?
Mr Rosenberg nodded.
Tara looked under the tree and found her present.
She looked towards Willow who gave her an encouraging smile and Tara began opening her present.
Tara: Oh my…
Tara gazed at what Willow’s parents had given her.
The book of shadows.
Tara: Thank you so much. But how did you-
Mr Rosenberg: Willow told us.
Tara: I’ve always wanted this.
Willow hugged her girlfriend close and whispered in her ear.
Willow: Me too.
**********
Later that day…
Willow, Tara and Mr Rosenberg sat at the table. Willow and Tara sat next to each other and Mr Rosenberg sat next to an empty chair, which was soon to be filled with his wife.
Willow: Wow. That’s one big turkey, mom.
Mrs Rosenberg: yes, well…I hope you’re hungry.
Tara: Starved. Thank you.
Soon enough all the plates were filled and everyone began eating.
Mrs Rosenberg: So, Willow. Are you gonna tell us what you bought Tara?
Willow: I haven’t given it to her yet. But when I do I’ll make sure you’re there.
Mr Rosenberg: Tara?
Tara: Same here. Later.
After all the eating was done, there was TV and wine.
Then the presents.
**********
Later that night…
Willow: I’ll be right back.
Tara: Okay.
Willow left the living room and made her way upstairs. She entered her room and headed for her bag. She rummaged through it for a second until she found what she was looking for. She smiled and pulled a small box out of her bag.
I hope she says yes.
And Willow left the room and headed back downstairs.
Cut to living room.
When Tara heard Willow coming down the stairs she put the small box into the pocket of her jeans and sat back down.
Willow: Okay, present time for Tara. Could you, um turn off the TV dad?
Willow’s father did as he was asked and then sat next to his wife, who was just as eager to find out what their daughter had bought her girlfriend as her husband.
Willow sat down next to Tara and took hold of her hand.
Willow: Well, um, Tara…
It was obvious Willow was nervous about something, but all that disappeared when Tara smiled at her.
Willow: Tara…from the very first moment I saw you I knew that there was a connection between us. Looking back I don’t think I was sure whether it was the magic or what I’m feeling now…love.
Willow took a deep breath and continued her speech.
Willow: And when we got to know each other I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. It as just taking that first step…and when we did…I realised I loved you more than anyone in the world and it was gonna stay that way forever. And when we had our first kiss, I knew I was not ever gonna be able to let you go.
Willow stood up and took another deep breath.
Willow: I don’t plan on it. That’s why…
Willow took the box out of her pocket and looked at Tara who looked shocked at what Willow was about to do. Then she got down on one knee.
Willow: Tara, I love you…will you marry me?
Willow held the box open so Tara could see the ring she had bought her. It was gold and had emerald green and blue sapphire stones in it.
Tara sniffed and started to cry.
Willow got up and hugged Tara, assuming that Tara’s crying indicated a no.
Willow: It’s okay Tara, m-maybe this just w-wasn’t the time.
Tara looked up at Willow and smiled.
Tara: Yes Willow. Yes I’ll marry you.
Willow felt as if she was glowing. She threw her arms around Tara and kissed her passionately on the lips.
Mr and Mrs Rosenberg were trying to hide their tears by getting up and clapping. But when Willow turned to them, their red eyes we enough to tell her that they had been crying…but they had been tears of joy, indicated by their smiles.
Tara and Willow got to their feet hand in hand and kissed again.
Smiling Tara said:
Tara: Well now my present isn’t going to be much of a surprise anymore.
Willow looked at Tara. She was clearly confused and didn’t expect what Tara was going to do next.
Tara got down on one knee, took hold of Willow’s hand and pulled out the box from her pocket.
Willow stood open mouthed at Tara.
Tara: Willow…from the moment our hands touched in the laundry room, I felt a connection. I held onto that feeling for sometime, because there was a part of me that felt that there was no way you could return the feelings I held for you. When our first kiss came…that fear was gone forever…and I knew I was meant to spend the rest of my life with you.
Tara opened the box and showed Willow the ring that she had bought Willow. Willow smiled and almost laughed out loud when she saw it was the same ring she had bough for Tara.
Tara: Willow…will you marry.
Willow answered by making a funny vowel sound and kissing Tara.
More cheers and tears came from Mr and Mrs Rosenberg as Tara slid the ring onto Willow’s finger.
Mr Rosenberg: Congratulations.
Mrs Rosenberg: I know you’re going to be happy together.
Willow: (Grinning at Tara) Me too.
**********
Sunday afternoon…
Willow and Tara are putting the last things into their suitcases.
Willow: I’m glad we came.
Tara: Me too…I’m glad they liked me.
Willow: Tara, who wouldn’t?
Willow came up behind her fiancé and hugged her.
Willow: You’re irresistible.
Tara turned round and kissed her fiancé.
Tara: I love you.
Willow: (Giggling) I love you too.
**********
A little later…
Willow and Tara stood in the hall with their suitcases waiting for the taxi to come and pick them up.
Mrs Rosenberg: I’m so happy for the both of you.
Mr Rosenberg: That goes for both of us.
There were smiles and hugging and then the sound of a car horn.
Willow: Well, we’ve got to go. But we’ll come visit again soon.
Mrs Rosenberg: We want invites to the wedding too.
Tara: Of course you’ll get invites.
Both Willow and Tara hugged Mr and Mrs Rosenberg and said their goodbye.
**********
In the taxi…
Tara head is resting on Willow’s shoulder and Willow has her arm around Tara.
Tara: What are we gonna tell the gang?
Willow: (Giggling) I dunno. I can’t wait to see the look on their faces. “We had a great time there actually. I told them that I was gay, that I’m in love with Tara and, oh yeah, me and Tara got engaged.”
Both girls started giggling and before they knew it they we out side Sunnydale UC.
*********
Tara’s dorm…
Everything has been unpacked and Tara is flicking through her book of shadows book.
Tara: I can’t believe they got me this.
Willow: Me neither…I mean I can’t believe they got me one.
Tara: Hadn’t we better ring Giles’s see if the gang’s there.
Willow: Why don’t we just go down there? Surprise them.
Tara: Okay.
They left the room hand in hand.
**********
Giles’s…
Buffy: Well it was a better tonight…two came…at once.
Giles’s rolled his eyes.
Xander: Aren’t Willow and Tara meant to be back today?
Buffy’s face darkened.
Buffy: Oh my god! I totally forgot.
Buffy got up and grabbed her coat.
Buffy: They’re probably-
Buffy was interrupted by Giles’s front door opening and almost smacking Buffy in the face.
Xander: Willow! You’re back.
Buffy: Wills!
Willow and Tara were ambushed at the front door by hugs.
Even Anya was hugging them.
Willow: I guessed you missed us.
Buffy: I’m never letting either of you leave again.
Anya: Never.
Everyone stopped hugging Willow and Tara and turned to look at Anya.
Anya: What? What! So I missed them…jeez!
Everyone went back to his or her seats and Buffy asked Willow if everything went okay.
Willow smiled at Tara and just about managed to stop herself from giggling.
Willow: To cut a long story short…we had a great time there actually. I told them that I was gay, and that I’m in love with Tara and they freaked a little but then everything was okay. And, oh yeah, me and Tara got engaged.
Everyone stared open-mouthed at Willow and Tara before the “Oh my god’s” and the “I wanna see the rings” started.
Buffy: (Looking at the rings) They’re both the same…how did that happen?
Willow: Great minds think alike.
Riley: This is great.
Xander: I can’t believe you guys are getting married.
Giles: I so very happy for the both of you.
Anya: Yes me too. We should go and celebrate.
Buffy: Bronze?
Willow: Lets go.
And with that they all left for The Bronze.
End.
