(AU) Baby, There's Always Tomorrow [Sequel to NANLT]

[PunkNerd]

I like the angst actually. I love stories that get really angsty and then ends up happily. Those are always the best kinds. Keep it up! And..thank you for sharing your art.

~Lena~

Uncomfort Zone

[FIRESIGN]

Excellent update, Holls! Can't wait to read more! Don't keep us hanging!



-Cin aka FIRESIGN

[TaraBaby77]

Holly, Holy.... Holly -



Every time I read an update of yours, I find myself happy that I read it. I love and enjoy your writing. Sorry it has been a while since I have left a feedback. But, I am here now and here is my feedback... HOLY MOLY!!! Poor Hadley . She is such a trooper that I know that she will be alright. Anyhoo, I loved the last few updates and so can't wait for another one.... Would so Iraqi money that I got from the desert hasten another update??? What about puppies and chocolate??? Keep up the AWESOME work. =) ........

Aaron

'TaraBaby77'

[bindingwiccan]

oh good goddess holly! why do u torture me so...

absolutely wonderful though!



keep it commin! please hehe





-kelsey

[Auburn]

Damn you wernt kidding about the angst but i trust you'll make everything better! nicely done



Auburn

[Taras Shadow]

Hello Kittens,



Sorry for the lack of updates. It's been pretty busy here in RL. I do have part of the next update typed up, however, I'm having a little trouble placing and piecing this all together. Sounds strange and dumb, I know...but I'm working out all the kinks and hopefully have an update ready by the weekend.



Thank you all for the awesome feedback, I appreciate it.



Again my apologies.



~Holly~

Baby, baby, baby when all your love is gone, who will save me from all I'm up against out in this world

- Bright Lights - Matchbox Twenty

"Show me where to touch you." - Tara, It Ain't Fickle (Luciddream)

[enternalpharoh]

please do update soon i really love this story

willow rules

[WillowRTaraM1]

I just love this story! Poor lil Hadley I hope everything turns out ok... Holly your great thanks for the updates.. looking forward to more!

Edited by: Warduke at: 5/20/04 8:37 am

[Taras Shadow]

Hello Kittens. Sorry for the looong wait with this update...it's short, but hopefully it'll hold until I finish up the next one.

Thank you for the feedback, it's muchly appreciated!



Title:
Baby, There’s Always Tomorrow

Author:
Holly aka Taras Shadow

Disclaimer:
All characters belong to Joss Whedon, ME, UPN with the exception of Tori, Hadley, Libby, Orlando, Mikey, Lily and Emelia and other non-Buffy characters.

Feedback:
Yes please, everything is welcome.

Pairings:
W/T, B/F, X/A, D/Tori

Rating:
PG-13 to NC-17

Summary:
The Rosenberg-Maclay family get settled into their new life as they and all the Scoobies are sure to face rough roads ahead. Each day will be challenging in the everyday life of Sunnydale, California and the gang will either become closer than ever, or drift apart.


~Chapter Six-b~

~*~*~*~*~

The sound was harsh to her ears as she twitched slightly on the small cot in a darkened room. Tara cringed when she opened her eyes, her head pounding in pain. "Great, nice time to get a migraine," she whispered, getting up and moving to her daughter’s bedside.

Willow opened her eyes feeling the loss of heat when Tara stood up. "Baby?" she whispered, sitting up slowly.

"I’m here," Tara whispered back, stroking her hand over Hadley’s. "She’s dreaming," a small smile appeared on her face as she watched her daughter’s own mouth smile slightly.

Willow got up and went to her wife’s side. "She’s so beautiful."

Tara nodded in agreement and looked up at the clock. "It’s going on seven," she turned to look out the window. "Looks like today will be miserable."

"Fits the mood," Willow shrugged and snuggled into the blonde’s side. "The doctor should be here soon to explain to us more of what’s going on."

"I’m so scared," Tara said in an unsteady voice. "Why now?"

Willow was about to answer her when Hadley shifted and yawned, slowly blinking her eyes. "Hey baby girl," she smiled.

"Hey," Hadley said in a sleepy voice. "I’m not dreaming?" she whispered.

Tara slowly shook her head, threading her fingers through her daughter’s long curly hair. "How are you feeling?"

Hadley shrugged but managed a small half crooked smile. "Better."

Willow smiled as well, leaning forward to kiss the little girl’s forehead. "Cold? Do you need another blanket?" she pulled the blankets up tp Hadley’s chin.

Tara smiled and continued to stroke her daughter’s hair. "Hungry or thirsty?" she asked.

Hadley nodded. "My mouth is a little dry," she looked at Willow and grabbed her hand, lacing her tiny fingers with her mommy’s.

"Tara? Willow?" The doctor knocked on the door and smiled when he seen the three girls sharing a quiet moment. "Hadley, you’re up... how are you feeling?"

"I’m thirsty," the little girl blushed. She cringed when Doctor Freedom gently took her arm and wrapped a pressure cuff around it.

"The nice nurses should be delivering breakfast shortly," he smiled warmly at her, adjusting the cuff and placing his stethoscope over her artery on her arm. "Sleep good?"

Hadley shrugged. "This tube bugs my nose," she scrunched up her face.

Willow and Tara shared a smile and both cupped her face. "You only need it for a little while," the older blonde kissed the tiny forehead.

"Blood pressure is steady, good," the tall doctor pulled up a chair and looked over the small blonde. "Hadley, have you ever felt chest pains?"

"One time my puppy jumped on my chest when I was sleeping...that hurt," she murmured, frowning at the memory.

Dr. Freedom grinned and decided to ask another question. "Have you had any problems with breathing lately?"

Tara looked at her daughter and frowned in concern. "You’d tell me if you did, right Had?"

Hadley’s big blue eyes looked up at her mama and nodded.

"So no chest pain or shortness of breath?" He looked over at Willow and Tara. "Have you two noticed any unusual health activity?"

"No, not at all. We were shopping for groceries last night when she told me she was tired and wasn’t feeling well, I only had a few more things to grab and then I’d get her home," Tara’s voice cracked. "I didn’t know."

Willow scooted by her wife’s side and kissed her cheek. "It’s okay baby," she soothed.

"Yea mama, I feel fine," Hadley said, moving to be in her mama’s lap.

Doctor Freedom wrote a few things down on his clipboard and stood up. "If you don’t mind Tara and Willow, I’d love to have a word with you."

Just as the doctor moved towards the door, a nurse came in with a tray of breakfast food. "My aren’t you a pretty little girl," she smiled at Hadley.

"Thank you," Hadley blushed.

"I’ve got some breakfast goodness for you," the nurse set the tray down on the table. "Hi," she greeted the couple.

"Baby, mommy and I are just going to step outside the door to have a word with the nice doctor okay? We’ll be back in a few minutes," Tara kissed the girl’s cheek and allowed her daughter to crawl back under her warm blankets.

"Okay," Hadley smiled and watched the pretty nurse wheel over the table. She giggled when Willow smothered her face and neck in butterfly kisses before following her wife and doctor out into the hallway.

Closing the door behind her, the redhead laced her fingers with her wife’s as they looked at the doctor with anticipation.

"We’ve went over all of Hadley’s test results thoroughly and it seems as though she does have a very small hole in her heart. Something to be concerned about, yes, but we have one hundred percent certainty that a heart catheter will help fix this."

"And what is a catheter exactly?" Tara bit her nails, her heart feeling heavy.

"Basically, it's a tube that is inserted into an artery, usually the groin or the neck, with a small camera attached to it, helping us see on a monitor as we guide it through the vein and to the heart so we can fill the hole with a little umbrella shaped fenestration, so that blood can run smoothly and the heart will work better. It’s a smaller procedure compared to heart surgery."

"How long will it take?" Willow asked quietly.

"Between two to four hours usually. It depends on if we run into complications, but seeing as your daughter has great health otherwise, we don’t see a high risk factor," Dr. Freedom looked at both women with honest eyes.

"When?" Whispered Tara.

"We want to get this over with as soon as possible so Hadley can get back to school and be a kid," he viewed his chart. "The OR is being used today, so tomorrow in the early morning looks promising."

"Can she leave with us today? Or would you rather have her stay?" Questions were being shot out left and right.

"We’d prefer it if she stayed overnight. It’ll make things easier for us and for you, plus it gives us a chance to keep up with her current vital stats. Tara, we will take good care of her and you and your wife are more than welcome to stay with her overnight. After this procedure tomorrow, she’ll be admitted into the ICU where she’ll be observed for the day and then moved back to her own room. Depending on if her heart reacts or not, she’ll be good for discharge within two, three days tops," he put his pen in his pocket, and spoke confidently. "Any questions?"

Both women had a lot of questions going through their minds, but none that the doctor would be able to answer. Shaking their heads no, he politely said he’d be around if they needed him, then left.

"Oh Goddess, I don’t know how Hadley’s going to take this," Tara breathed.

Willow wrapped her arm around the blonde’s waist and kissed her cheek. "We’re there for her baby, she’s not alone."

"I know," Tara breathed, sighing heavily and melting into her wife’s comforting embrace.

"We should go and let Had know," Willow whispered.

Tara nodded and held onto Willow tighter. She breathed in the strawberry scent of her lover and kissed the pale freckle skin on her neck lightly. "How are you feeling?" she asked, pulling back and bringing her hand down to her wife’s barely swollen belly.

"We’re feeling good," Willow grinned goofily, placing her hand over the blonde’s.

Tara smiled warmly and sank to her knees, placing a loving kiss on her baby’s belly. "Morning," she whispered before standing back up and kissing Willow on the lips gently. She didn’t care if people saw her kiss another woman’s belly or if she kissed another woman...this was her family. Everyone else be damned.

"Maybe we can tell Hadley the good news," Willow suggested softly.

"She’d love that," Tara nodded, looking into gorgeous green eyes. "Come on, let’s join our daughter and watch some cartoons."

Willow nodded and nuzzled Tara’s nose before they stepped inside. "Hey," she smiled at the small blonde and the slim brunette nurse, reading a book to Hadley.

"Mommy, Jean said that I can have another yogurt if you said it was okay," blues eyes sparkled.

Jean, the nurse, nodded. "Sugar free, very good for little ones who love snacks like that," she smiled.

"Sure," Willow grinned and thanked the nurse for keeping Hadley company while they talked with the doctor.

"Not a problem, she’s a sweetheart," Jean said with a big smile, "I’ll be back in a few with your yogurt."

Hadley nodded with a big smile and watched the older woman go. "Isn’t she pretty?!" she squealed.

Willow and Tara exchanged looks and let out a laugh.

It looked like Hadley had a first crush.

~*~*~*~*~


TBC...


~Holly~





Baby, baby, baby when all your love is gone, who will save me from all I'm up against out in this world
- Bright Lights - Matchbox Twenty



"Show me where to touch you."
- Tara, It Ain't Fickle (Luciddream)

[littlecrazy80]

Great update! The interaction in this family is amazing. And Hadley will soon be OK?



*lil´c*

"Okay, we’re here, we’re queer, let’s kick this shit into gear," Five by Five (Taras Shadow)



SweetAmber

[Stroke of Luck]

Hahaha Hadley is just too cute for words! Her first crush Hopefully our lil angel will get healthy asap, i cant stand to see her ill, even if she is feeling kinda ok, but i prefer to see a happy and healthy Hadley!



Oh i cant wait to see Hadleys face, when her Mom and Mommy will tell her about the baby



Cu

SoL/Natti

Even in death Baby, i´ll never leave u!

[lil wiccan]

YAY! UPDATE! hehe... aww hope Hadley is ok.... and that was really cute how you made Hadley have a crush on the nurse...lol.... that was really cute...hehe... can't wait for more...

"How can i/ Beleive that my heart will find/ Someone like you/ You see the really me/ No in betweens/ I had nowhere to hide/ You took away the walls around me/ Make me feel safe to share my truth/ I see the heavens open/ A heart that once was broken/ It's holding nothing back/ Now that i found you

[sam darls]

Hehe..Hadley's got a crush.. ..bless her. Hope she is ok soon. Wonderful update Holly . Love sam xx

"Sometimes things happen between people that you don't really expect. And sometimes the things that are important are the ones that seem the weirdest or the most wrong. And those are the ones that change your life." - Jessie Sammler (Evan Rachel Wood)

[enternalpharoh]

Awwwwww that was sooo cute





I hope hadely will be okay



Great update update very soon please

willow rules

Edited by: enternalpharoh at: 5/17/04 12:57 pm

[WillowRTaraM1]

Awww what a sweet update! Hadleys first crush how cute!! And I just can't wait to see Hadley's expression when she finds out about the new addition to the family!! I can't wait for more Holly

Edited by: Warduke at: 5/20/04 8:37 am

[wimpy0729]

Hey Holly!



So happy to see an update. I just know Hadley will be fine. And she's going to be so happy about the news!!



Pleeeeaase don't leave us hanging with this surgery coming up.



More soon please!

Wimpy

[justkazy]

OMG! that was soo cute and beautiful



loved the update...can't wait to see what happens

"I'd cry..i would die if i lost you"-Alex Parks...I love you, baby!

[Cindipitude]

Ooooh....does Hadley get fed this yogurt by the pretty nurse Jean?

*grins*

I'm sure Hadley will love the attention.....if she was only 15 years older it would make for a much more interesting situation i'm sure

I loved the update and was really impressed with the way you explained everything...i'm so worried for her tho...hopefully Hadley takes the news about her operation as well as Willow and Tara did.

Awwww... and it's time to tell Hadley!!

I'm sure the news about the baby and her wish coming true will brighten her day.. even if she has surgery waiting for her in the morning.. she has so much more to look forward to

I loved. LOVED!

Thanks for the update babe, looking forward to seeing where we head next

And hey! Go you with the updates lately Tainted and everything! You spoil us love, you really do

Cindi



Ohh and if the interview goes well this might be me

"Even the bears wanted me to stay in Canada..."

[The Rose24]

Hadley is a tough girl. She will be okay.

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.


Tara: Willow, I got so lost.

Willow: I found you. I will always find you.

[YMKA]

I missed this fic so much......

What can I say? so freakin cute.... Had is so cute....man....I want baby,....like...NOW!!! hm.... you're going to hear it all week....LMAO ya poor thing... As usually the update brought a smile to my face and I'm so calm right now... ....Keep it up dude I will always wait and read your stuff.....you have a great talent....



Love you,

[Grimaldi]

great update



Hadley having a crush on the nurse was cute

I'm not stealing, I'm just taking things without paying for them. In what twisted dictionary is that stealing?
Welcome friends, how may I pervert you?

[veiled isis moon]

Hi



I'm a huge, huge fan of your writing but i have never left any feedback before, sorry. I love NANLT, It's one of my favourite stories, ever! I only found it though after you had completed it so i couldn't leave any feedback whilst you were posting ! The sequel is wicked and i love it to bits also!



The way in which you write Willow and Tara is bang on, you've got everything about them correct(in my opinion). The way they interact with each other as well as the others. Their body language, how they speak, the fic feels natural and real.



The rest of the gang fit into the fic perfectly as well. You include them into the story because of their interaction, banter and loving relationships, it all works and adds to the fic, it's not pushed in just because it has to be there which makes it a great story to read and get into.



Your own characters have great depth and character and fit into the Sunnydale universe really well. I love Hadley to bits, bless her, and now she's all ill Please make her better. She's sweet and cute and incredibly smart so nothing bad can happen to her, please



I like that Tori and Dawn are together, they suit each other really well and i like the relationship they have, and that they are waiting until Dawn is older before they take their relationship any further. It shows the maturity and the respect and loving commitment between the two, although going by past updates i'm not sure how long that will last. Things have been getting pretty heated between the pair! I'm sure they'll know when it's the right time.



Hope everything is well with you and that you update soon.



Michellex

[snuggle79]

Aww, Hadley's first crush. How cute is that?

I'm sure she will be ok!

Great update!



s79

I look at horses and I see really big ponies.

The greatest thing you'll learn, is just to love and be loved in return.

[FIRESIGN]

Hey Holls!



Sorry it's taken me so long to leave feedback! This is coming along so nicely! My only complaint - I want more!!!!! hehehe!



It's great, Holl! Keep it coming! Please????!!!!



-Cin aka FIRESIGN

[TaraBaby77]

Hey Holly -



It's me, your fic stalker again, heehee. Anyhoo, once again, love the fic. Love it, love it, love it... Had is so cute and of course, Willow and Tara are like the best mom's ever!!! Anyhoo, great job. Keep it up and hope to see more soon. =)

Aaron

'Tarababy77'

---

"Don't buy into all the media crap. Love yourself for who you are, not what others THINK you should look like. It's DEFINITELY more important in this life to love each other despite our imperfections." - Amber Benson

---

[Taras Shadow]

Hello Kittens



I'm really sorry for the lack of updates lately. I have been meaning to get to them and post them as I go, but just recentely, real life has taken the turn for the bad (I won't say worse.)



I lost my dad this past Saturday and things are just starting to wind down a bit. It's a huge loss and we're dealing as much as we can witht he family members that are from out of town.



So again I apologize for the lack of updates for all of my stories, but as soon as I feel up to it again, I'll begin to post and get this story (along with the others) on the way.



You Kittens are the best. And an extra thank you to Scarlette (oo de lally) for being there today when I needed you the most. I love you.



Take Care,



~Holly~

Baby, baby, baby when all your love is gone, who will save me from all I'm up against out in this world

- Bright Lights - Matchbox Twenty

"Show me where to touch you." - Tara, It Ain't Fickle (Luciddream)

[Mikaelah Braenna]

Holly... I am truly sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts. If you need anything, do not hesitate to ask.



Do not worry about the fics.. they will still be here when you feel up to it again. Take care hun and know you are loved.



~Mikaelah

Willow: "Where would you go? If you felt lost and alone? ..."

Tara: "To You..."

~~Truly and Forever~~

[The Rose24]

My deepest sympathies. Keep your head up.

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.


Tara: Willow, I got so lost.

Willow: I found you. I will always find you.

[wimpy0729]

Hi Holly.



So very sorry. Don't worry about us -- you need to take care of yourself.



Be well,

Wimpy

[robotguru]

I second Wimpy, any time you need anyone Holly, you know we're here for you. Take care of yourself yeah? *hugs*

------------------



"And the glorified bricklayer picks up a spare!" (Xander, The Gift)