by Alex_Vixen » Wed May 05, 2010 12:49 pm
OKAY PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GUESS WHO'S BACK, BABY!!!!!!!!!!
Okay, my dear Kittens, I splitted this chapter in two, so it'll be part I and part II. This first part alone is the longest chapter so far, so.....lol
NOTE:: By the way.....I hope I did it good with the Karate names, if I didnt, then damn.... *facepalm* LOL...
Okay, I'll leave you to the chapter....
CHAPTER 16- New beginnings, part I
Tara was awoken by Willow the next morning, she showered and dressed and when she got to the kitchen Tar found Willow preparing breakfast for already dressed Amber.
The little girl looked so adorable! Amber looked like a little doll with her hair into two braids and her white shirt and blue plaid skirt, knee length white socks and black Mary Jane shoes. She was just too cute for words!
“Good morning, mom!” Amber said hugging the blonde, obviously happy of seeing her there.
“Good morning, sweetie” Tara kissed her daughter’s cheek and walked over to Willow and wrapped her arms around her waist. “Hello, beautiful”
“Hello to you too, darling” Willow turned around to kiss Tara and wrap her arms around her as well. “Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, we feel sleep late but I feel strangely rested” Tara kissed Willow softly and after pulling away she sat down in one of the stools.
“Me too, don’t know why though. Here you go, baby girl” Willow placed a bowl of cereal in front of her daughter. “What do you want, Tara, coffee, tea?”
“Coffee, please. Thank you”
Willow had also made french toasts so the redhead placed them of the island with the butter and marmalade along with their coffee mugs.
After making sure Amber was all set up both witches took her to school.
Tara was really impressed with the expensive looking private school. The building was similar to the high school in Sunnydale but something made it look a hell lot more expensive. Maybe it was all the expensive cars of the parents who were there to drop off their children.
“C’mon baby girl. Love…”
Willow wasn’t the only parent who walked their children to the class room, all the rest seemed to do it as well, and Tara saw, impressed, that they weren’t the only gay couple there taking their children to school.
**
After meeting Amber’s second grade teacher Ms. Jackson, a dark-haired kind looking woman in her early forties, they finally made it out of school and got into Willow’s car. They began driving back in silence until Willow decided to break the silence.
“Do…you wanna go back to the house or want me to take you back to the hotel?” Willow asked. She didn’t want to be alone just yet but she needed to know what Tara wanted.
“Can we go back to your house? You don’t mind, do you?” Tara answered, unsure if Willow wanted her to be around all the time.
“Hell no! If it was up to me, I would never let ya out of my sight, baby!” Willow noticed how Tara had raised an eyebrow and had an amused grin plastered on her face. “Did I say that out loud?”
“Yes, you did, Will” Tara smiled shyly. “You would, really?”
“You doubt it, Tara? We spent 8 years apart, I missed being with you more than I’d miss my legs. I want to be with you forever, I used to be scared of sayin’ it but I’m not anymore”
“Why were you scared before?”
“Cos I was stupid. We were younger, more insecure, we were kids who were forced to grow up quickly, Tara. Before, ‘forever’ for us meant ‘vampire’” Willow said stealing a quick glance at the women by her side.
“You’re right” Tara agreed after thinking about it for a moment. “And now you’re not afraid of wanting to be with me forever? Forever means different now?”
“Forever means that, forever. I would give you my eternity to you, if ya want it” Willow said without looking at Tara. They didn’t need to look into each other’s eyes anymore to see the honesty behind the words.
“I take yours if you take mine” Tara said and her hand found Willow’s and entwined their fingers.
As soon as they arrived to the mansion, both women began kissing each other passionately. They fell on the couch, Willow on top of Tara, hands roaming everywhere, lips kissing, and tongues dancing a sweet sensual tango… But after several minutes of a heavy petting session, in which none clothes came undone, they simply stopped and rested their hot bodies together, both breathing heavily…
“Will…” Tara’s throaty voice whispered and the hot and bothered redhead looked up from her favourite resting place: Tara’s breasts.
“Yes?”
“I don’t…wanna stop…Let’s not…ever…”
“Trust me I don’t wanna stop Tara. But do you really wanna have our first time together after so many years on a couch?” Willow chuckled.
“No, not really. Then, why aren’t we running upstairs?”
“Because we don’t wanna rush what should be especial” Willow looked at her adoringly. “I love you”
“I love you too Will”
“Goddess, baby…I don’t ever wanna be away from you, ever again” Willow rested her head back on Tara’s chest and sighed. “I would lock you inside this house and never let you out of my side”
“You don’t have to be away from me anymore, Will. I’m not going anywhere” Tara said.
“Yes, but you’ll have to go back to the Hyperion at some point…” Willow pouted.
“No if I have a better offer” Tara said before she could stop herself.
Willow propped herself in her elbows and rose an eyebrow.
“You’re tryin’ to say what I think you’re tryin’ to say?” The redhead babbled.
“I don’t know what you think I’m trying to say, Will” Tara said with an innocent smile.
“Tara, don’t joke about this…” Willow said and then the redhead cleared her throat. “Tara, would you consider, if you think it’s too soon just say it so, Im totally cool with waiting a little longer, and there’re enough rooms if you don’t wanna share mine just yet. And you don’t have to answer right now, but think about it, I and of course Amber would be more than glad if you-” Tara cut her adorable babble off before the redhead ran out of air and pass out on top of her.
“Just say it, sweetheart…” Tara gave her that crocked smile that was only for Willow.
“Would you consider…moving in with me, with us…And I know it’s soon but-” Again Tara cut her off, this time by kissing her lips.
“How much time you think we need to go and get my stuff?” Tara asked, a small smile crossing her lips.
“Really?”
“Yes”
Willow jumped from the couch and almost dragged Tara outside, where she had left the car earlier.
It didn’t take them long to get to the Hyperion and enter the hotel giggling like school-girls, making Fred and Angel t look up from the books they were reading.
“Hello, guys. How are you this morning?” Willow asked ceremoniously and giggled again.
“Hi, guys” Tara simply said smiling at the silly redhead.
“Hello, girls. Nice to see you so happy” Angel smiled gently from his seat.
He didn’t need to use his vampire senses to feel the happiness pouring from every pore.
“What’s up guys? Did you have a good night?” Fred asked, the brunette took off her glasses and placed them on the book she left over the desk by her side.
“You can say it was a good night, yes” Willow said, obviously not wanting to reveal what truly happened.
“It was better than good” Tara nodded.
“We’re glad to hear that” Angel commented.
“So, did y’all took Amber to school this morning?” Fred asked while thinking how happy made her and everybody else to see them so happy. Both of them had suffered enough.
“Just like every Monday, Fred. And Blue? She went to work?” Willow asked her friend.
“Yes, she was a little grumpy this morning because she wasn’t feeling 100% okay but she couldn’t miss school today, test day for her class” Fred explained. “I miss tests” She added.
“Will, I’m going upstairs and pack” Tara said.
“Oh, sure, I’ll be right there, baby”
Tara left and Willow sat with her friend, really concerned about Emily.
“She wasn’t feeling okay, Fred? Something wrong?”
“Headaches. She may be half demon but sometimes the visions are a little bit too strong for her, y’know” Fred commented and decided to change subjects. “So, Tara’s packin’, Will?” And the redhead didn’t notice the naughty grin on her face.
“She is, we just…OH FRED!” Realization hit Willow and the redhead slapped her friend’s arm playfully. “You aren’t innocent at all, missy. You were suppose to be”
“Blue and Faith are a bad influence on you two” Angel commented and when the young women looked at him, they saw the little smirk on his handsome face.
“My goodness, you do have a sense of humor” Willow teased the elder vampire.
“Wait, you do know what sense of humor is, right Angel?” Fred joined the teasing.
“Very funny, guys. And then you go around complaining about how broody and serious I am” Angel said with mock-indignation.
“Man, two jokes in one hour, that’s gotta be a record or somethin’, Fang-boy” A teasing voice said and Faith appeared downstairs. “You sure gave ‘im back his soul permanently, right Red? We don’t want him gettin’ too happy, do we?” She kept teasing although she knew Willow’s spell had been flawless and the elder vampire now had his soul permanently.
“Excuse me?” Willow stood up and rose an eyebrow at her friend. “Are you doubting of my skills at witchcraft…Slayer?”
“As a matter of fact, yes I am, Witch” The Slayer said teasing her friend, knowing where this was going.
“You wanna see what I got, Slayer? I’m warnin’ ya. I could kick your ass any minute, any day”
“Oh really? I wanna see that” The Slayer ironically said.
“Kay, you asked for it, Slayer” The redhead took off her demin jacket and walked over the center of the room. “C’mon! Thought you wanted to see what I got”
“Hell yeah, witch!”
Faith stood up in front of Willow and waited for her to make a move. They knew they were playing, they had done it hundreds of times…
Suddenly Faith was lifted in the air by an invisible force and the Slayer laughed when the force made her fly around the room several times.
“WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! RED! WE GOTTA TRY THIS WHEN WE GO TO ENGLAND TO THE SEE GILES!! IN THE COUNTRY HOUSE!!!” Faith yelled. She loved it when Willow would make her fly, it was so magnificent, so wonderful and it made her feel truly free…
“What are you guys doing?” A surprised Dawn and Tara asked at the same time. They had come downstairs to ask for some help and they found the Slayer flying around.
Because of the interruption Willow lost concentration and Faith fell on her, knocking them both to the ground, where after a second they started laughing.
“Are you girls done?” Angel asked tending a hand for each to grab.
“We’re done, Fang-boy” Faith said, the Slayer took the offered hand and got up from the floor. “C’mon Red, get your ass up!”
“In a sec, Ace….” Willow waited until her laughter calmed down and took the hand Faith was offering her.
“That was fun, guys, but I’m out of here to have lunch with my girl. I’ll see y’all later” Fred said smiling. “See ya guys later”
“I am going to train, guys” Angel said and left the couples alone.
“You always do this, guys?” Tara asked, watching amused how Faith and Willow giggled.
“Sometimes, it’s fun!” The cheery redhead said, bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet. Suddenly, she gave a hard slap on Faith’s ass and took off running outside.
“You’re so dead, Red!!!” The Slayer yelled running after her best friend, leaving two very surprised women behind.
Tara and Dawn locked gazes.
“This is something I didn’t expect” The brunette commented.
“I never saw Willow like that, and Faith, let’s not talk about that…” Tara added. “Maybe we should go outside to make sure they’re okay”
“Nah, let them. C’mon, I’ll help you pack”
Dawn helped Tara to pack her stuff, which didn’t take long anyway since she hadn’t really unpack anything but it gave them time to talk.
“Wow, I can’t believe it!” Dawn exclaimed in shock after Tara told her about the revelations of the night before. “So, all that mess was…because of that dark guy? I can’t fucking believe it!”
“Tell me about it. Willow and I haven’t talked about it yet, I think she wants to wait until we’re alone tonight but I been thinking about it almost since the minute I woke up” Tara said while sitting on the bed and making sure that her clothes were folded correctly to fit into the suitcase.
“I can only imagine what you’re feeling, Tare. I mean, although we forgave Willow a long time ago…But this, this changes it all. Willow was never responsible for what happened. She never hurt you, she never wanted to hurt me, she wasn’t the one doing it…” Dawn spoke before completely realizing what she was saying and when it finally hit her…She couldn’t believe it. And of course, she was happy that Willow wasn’t guilty.
“I know, you have no idea how happy I am. I should be a little more, I don’t know, confused I guess, but I’m not! I’m happy! I’m happy because I can finally be with Willow with no regrets from the past, now we can be mothers together and I already love Amber, she’s the best daughter one could wish for and…” Tara stopped speaking to wipe the happy tears in her eyes and Dawn walked to her and hugged her friend.
“I know, Tare…I know” The brunette whispered while hugging her friend.
After Tara calmed down, she told her friend what Cordy had said about Amber.
“NO WAY! Really? Wow…Amber’s really that powerful?” The surprised brunette asked.
“Cordy and Willow said she could kick our asses with a blink of an eye. And she’s going to be essential to keep the balance on our side…”
“In the next generation”
“Yes” Tara confirmed and Dawn could sense a spark of pride behind Tara’s words. “Cordy promised Amber will have a choice. After all, we chose to fight, and we don’t want her to be some sort of…” The blonde trailed off and Dawn finished the sentence for her.
“Some sort of Slayer, you mean…”
“Yes. I’m sorry, Dawnie, especially now that you and Faith…”
“No, I get it. I get the risks of starting something with Faith. Slayers don’t have a choice after all, but Im not afraid” Dawn reassured her friend that it was okay. After a few minutes of silence packing, Tara decided to break the silence and asked.
“How are things with Faith, by the way? How went your date? I totally forgot, I’m sorry”
“Don’t worry, our date was…” Tara saw the twinkle in her eyes and raised an eyebrow. “Our date was the best experience of my life! And Faith was sooo different! She was gentle, sweet, funny, did you notice that when she’s nervous she touches her hair? She was nervous and so cute!” And Tara smiled at Dawn’s excited babble.
“I’m glad it went well. Where did she take you?”
“We went to this Cuban restaurant, it was really cool, you sooo have to get Willow to take you there. After dinner, she took me for a walk down the beach, totally and completely romantic! And then we went to swim in the ocean in our underwear, I know, it’s crazy and the water was cold but it was so cool and…spontaneous. So Faith! And then when we came back here and she was so cute!” Dawn finished with a look of utter adoration on her face.
“From what I heard, you had an awesome evening, Dawnie” Tara said, and gave her friend a small teasing smile.
“Of course I had a wonderful evening, I just told you so!” Dawn said. The brunette didn’t understand what her friend was trying to say.
“I know, I heard you”
“Why do I feel like you’re trying to insinuate something?”
“I’m not. I wasn’t the one crying out how good felt whatever the hell was that you were doing” Tara chuckled.
“You heard that? But I thought you were with Willow the whole night”
“I came back to pick some clothes” The blonde explained.
“Oh my God, you think we were having sex!”
“I’m not thinking anything, and it’s none of my business if you two are”
“You so are! And just so you know, we didn’t have sex. Faith was giving me a back massage. You have no idea how good she is with her hands!”
“She must be to make you cry out like that” The blonde seemed lost in thoughts for a moment and Dawn asked.
“Are you wondering if Willow knows how to give massages like that?”
“Um…Actually, yes, I was” Tara admitted and blushed. “She used to be really good at it”
“So, you two…only first base for now, right?” The brunette asked and closed the suitcase she had just packed.
“Yeah…kinda…” The brunette arched an eyebrow questioning her friend. “We kinda…we got to second, kinda, last night. Before Cordy interrupted us”
“Go you, Tare. Are you done?”
“Yeah, you take the suitcases and I’ll take the boxes”
Faith and Willow were nowhere to be found when Dawn and Tara came downstairs with Tara’s stuff so the blonde sent Willow a text message and the redhead responded that they were outside waiting in the car.
“Hey guys, let me help you with that” Faith said and helped them to upload the boxes in the trunk and the suitcases.
“Dawnie, come here for a sec” Willow said and stepped aside to talk in private with the former Key.
“What’s up, Will? There’s something wrong?”
“I wanted to tell you that a friend owns a business, it’s a restaurant-bar during the day and a night club at night. She needs somebody to help her runnin’ the place, Faith told me you were workin’ at the Bronze. What did you do there?”
“A little bit of everything, actually. Make sure the bands get on time and everything’s set up, I even helped the bartenders a few times when the club was too packed”
“Awesome. So now we’re gonna go over to have lunch there and while we do we’ll talk to Gillian”
“Really? Cool! Thank you, Will, you have no idea how” But Willow stopped her.
“I like helping my friends and if you wanna thank me so much, there’s only one way”
“What? Tell me”
“Make her happy, Dawnie. Give her all the love she didn’t have before. Promise me that and we’re even”
“I promise Will” The brunette didn’t hesitate and the redhead smiled because she saw the truth plastered in Dawn’s face.
“I’m sure you will”
While Willow walked away with Dawn, Tara simply leaned against the car.
“What’s up T? All cool?” Faith asked.
“Yes, everything’s fine, Faith. And you?”
“I’m cool. Hey T, since we’re alone…I kinda wanted to ask you…” Suddenly the dark-haired Slayer seemed a little bit nervous and Tara remembered what Dawn had said when Faith ran her hand through her hair.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I just…well, you and D talk and I…Did she say anything about last night? Did she had a good night?”
“She didn’t say anything to you?” The blonde wondered if she should say something, after all, it wasn’t her business. But her mind reminded her how much Faith had done for her and Willow.
“Well, she kinda did say she had fun and stuff but, ya know….”
Tara knew Faith was trying not to show any kind of insecurity but she knew that look and she knew what the Slayer was scared of… Faith was scared of having screwed it all up and that the other girl was too kind to say it so…
“She said something…” The Slayer looked at her with pleading eyes and the blonde smile. “The words wonderful, romantic, gentle, cute and funny come to mind, yeah…”
A huge smiled Tara had never seen before appeared on the Slayer’s face and Tara smiled at this.
“Really? She used those words?”
“She did, but don’t tell her I said anything, okay?”
Tara extended her arms to wrap them around love when Willow and Dawn returned.
“Don’t know about you, guys, but I’m gettin’ hungry. Wanna go to Gillian’s and grab a bite?” Willow looked at her friend after noticing the big smile in Faith’s face and decided to ask her about it later.
“Can’t, Red. Gotta go home and get ready for work. Why don’t ya bring Lil’ Red after school? This afternoon I get youngest ones and she always has fun”
“Sure, then see ya later, buddy” Willow and Tara said their goodbyes before entering the car and waited for Dawn.
“You comin’ to the gym later, Dice?” Faith said and Dawn smiled at the new pet name.
“Sure, Faith, I wouldn’t miss it for anything, baby”
“Kay, great. Now, I gotta go or I’ll be late for work. See ya later, beautiful” Faith kissed Dawn one more time and hugged the brunette.
“See you later, Faith” Dawn said while watching the Slayer walking towards her car.
The former Key got into the back seat of Willow’s car smiling goofily and she didn’t even notice the two suitcases that were squeezing her against the door. The redhead and the blonde looked at her for a moment and smiled, both thinking the same.
The building was huge and modern looking. The front was made of dark glass and the bright purple name of the club was written across the front and shone even in the daylight. Purple Planet was a restaurant-bar and turned into a night club after sunset.
Lots of people were on the small tables eating or having coffee, alone or with friends or partners, some were outside and some inside, chatting and sharing the beautiful day. Purple Planet was the coolest place in all West Hollywood and both gay and straight people loved to hang out there.
Willow entered the place followed by Tara and Dawn, who were looking around impressed by the atmosphere of the place. This definitely wasn’t Sunnydale…
“Willow!” An excited voice yelled and a petite strawberry-blonde girl ran to hug the redhead. She was about their age and was really pretty. Her eyes were of the colour of honey and her neck length hair was cut in a similar way to Willow’s when Tara first met her. That was something the blonde Wiccan noticed right away.
“Gill, it’s so nice to see you, girl. How you been doin’?” Willow asked after pulling away from the hug.
“I’ve been doing okay, the place’s been doin’ great. And you? I know that glow in your eyes isn’t cos of me” And the petite girl grinned at her friend.
“I’m great, Gill. I want you to meet my Tara, and Dawn” The smaller girl’s eyes widened when she saw Tara.
“You mean, your Tara? THE Tara?” Gillian asked her friend in shock. “Tara Maclay, the writer and your ex?”
“She’s not my ex anymore, Gill” Willow smiled and put her best innocent face.
“Will, you dog!” Gillian hit her arm playfully and then extended her hand at Tara. “Such an honour to meet ya. I’ve heard so much about you from Will and I love your books”
“Thank you, I’m glad you like them. It’s nice to meet you. It’s nice to meet Willow’s friends” Tara gave her herself a metaphorical pat on the back for managing to say that without stuttering. She was a little bit nervous.
“It’s really an honour. And you are Dawn, who always interrupted them when they were makin’ out, right?” Gillian shook Dawn’s hand while looking her from head to toe. the girl thought.
“Actually, that was my sister, but yes, I’m Dawn” The brunette smiled while shaking her hand.
“It’s a pleasure. Come, guys c’mon…I’ll give ya all a table”
“Actually, Gill, why don’t you sit and have lunch with us?” Willow said, following her friend to a free table.
“Sure, just let me go and get us one of the waitresses. Be right back”
After Gillian had come back with the waitress and the menus the young waitress took their orders and the friends waited for their meals chatting as if they knew each other from years. Willow told her friend how she and Tara had decided to give it another shot, of course, she left out the supernatural aspects of the meeting, since Gillian didn’t know that part of Willow’s life.
“I’m happy for ya, guys. Really” Gillian said after Willow had finished speaking.
“Thanks, Gill”
“So, Tara, I hope you don’t mind but…um, could you sign my book? I have it back in the office. Later, of course”
“Sure, yeah…” Tara greed, she suddenly felt very shy. She still couldn’t get used to people asking her autograph.
“I made you uncomfortable? I’m sorry, you don’t have to” Gillian said, noticing the light shade of red spreading over Tara’s face.
“Oh, no, don’t worry. I’m just…I can’t really get used to it, y’know…But I don’t mind, really” Tara said.
“LA isn’t Sunnydale, after all” Dawn added to help her best friend.
“Great”
“Hey Gill, there’s another reason why we came” Willow said. “You’re still tryin’ to find somebody to help out with the business?”
“Yes, it’s hard to find somebody of trust, y’know” Gillian answered and then smirked. “Don’t tell me you wanna try and change career”
“No, actually, Dawnie here needs a job. She was workin’ in a local club in Sunnydale and I thought she’d be good helpin’ you out”
Gillian thought about it for a moment while Mary, the waitress, came back with their food. After Mary left she asked Dawn:
“What kind of job you did?”
“A little bit of everything. Management, bartending, dealing with bands, etc…” Dawn summoned up.
“Great. I only have one rule. While I’m with friends, I don’t speak business. So I have two questions only. What do you say if after lunch we go to my office and talk about the job?”
“Sure. And the second question?”
“Are you single? Cos let me tell ya-”
“Chill out, Gill. She’s with Ace” Willow cut her friend off.
“Damn, I’m not lucky with the ladies” Gillian chuckled.
“Why are you always hittin’ on my friends, dude?” Willow laughed.
“Cos you got hot friends, Will?” Willow and Gillian laughed and Tara and Dawn joined after a second.
“But really, I thought you had something goin’ on with the artist, don’t remember her name”
“Well, let’s just say it didn’t work, Will” Gillian made a face and gave her friend a knowing look.
“She turned out to be a total bitch, right?” Willow asked.
“Yup” The strawberry-blonde nodded and took a sip from her glass of wine. “A total nut-job”
“You have a magnet for the crazy ones, Gill” Willow nodded and took a sip of her own glass of wine.
“Amen, sister” Gillian looked at Tara and Dawn and asked: “Are you this quiet all the time, guys?”
“We’re boring you, guys?” Willow asked, also noticing how quiet they were.
“Quite the opposite, Will, you are really amusing” Tara smiled. “You seem to have a lot of fun”
“I can’t imagine it when you guys are drunk” Dawn added.
“Oh, you get ready for Amber’s after party” Gillian commented, laughing and nodding.
“After party?” Tara asked, confused.
“Every year, after Amber’s b-day party, the group goes out and we rock West Hollywood! I still got no idea how we manage to get home safe” Gillian laughed at the memories it brought back.
“Because Fred and Blue don’t drink more than one beer! Oh, and Kay too” Willow explained her friend while grinning like Cheshire Cat.
“And you gotta start thinkin’ about your Halloween costume, guys” Gillian said.
“Why?” Dawn asked.
“Halloween party at the Purple Planet is legendary in West Hollywood, darling” Willow responded, laughing.
“Excuse me…?” A brown haired girl approached the table. “I’m sorry to bother but are you the writer, Tara Maclay?” She asked Tara.
“Yes, I am” The blonde shyly nodded.
“Awesome. Could you give me your autograph? I mean, if you’re not too busy” She held out a pen and a notebook.
“No, sure” Tara took the pen and the notebook and asked the girls name, which was Erika. “Here you go”
“Oh, thank you. I love your books, they are awesome. Now I’ll leave you alone”
But another girl soon came to the table, and another and another. Soon, Tara had a long line of admires, both females and males, there to sign a napkin or a piece of paper or one of her books or to take a photo with her. Gillian, Dawn and Willow simply smiled at the light blush that spread over Tara’s cheeks.
**
They watched her signing autographs and taking photos with her fans for a good hour and a half, until Gillian told the people to chill and finally the blonde would relax.
“Thanks for that” Tara told her.
“No problem” Then she looked at Dawn. “Dawn, why don’t we go to my office to talk about that job?”
“Sure, no problem”
“Great, I think I’ll show Tara around a bit, y’know, while you guys talk before pickin’ Amber up from school. How much…” Willow pulled out her wallet but Gillian cut her off.
“You know you don’t pay here, Will, so don’t even think about it”
“Kay, thanks, Gill. Dawn, we’ll come get ya later, okay?”
“Okay, Will”
Tara said her goodbyes as well and they left the restaurant holding hands. People stared at them, especially Tara, with a mix of excitement and curiosity.
“I like your friend Gillian, she seems nice” Tara commented while walking towards the car.
“She’s awesome. And wait ‘till you meet the others. You’ll love them”
“You have a big group of friends, I’m glad. Where did you meet Gillian? You didn’t mention it”
“I met her in Oxford, we kinda lost contact after Faith and I came back to the States but we saw each other again a while later” Willow explained and entered her car.
“And your other friends?” Tara asked. She was really curious about Willow’s friends.
“Friends from the club, some from computer conferences and that kind of stuff. You sure you wanna meet ‘em? That can wait…”
“I’m sure. I want to meet them”
“Kay. But I’m warning ya, they’re gonna go crazy when they see ya”
“Why?”
“Every single lesbian in this world read your books, Tara, that’s why” Willow joked and laughed and started the engine.
“You know…we’re skipping something, one step” Tara said after a moment of silence.
“What you mean? I know you’re moving in with us a little sooner than we thought but-”
“I want you to be able to call you my girlfriend again, Will” Tara cut the redhead off before she started to babble. “Would you be my girl again, Will?” The redhead parked the car in front of the beach and looked at
Tara.
“Tara, beautiful. I always was and will be your girl” Willow’s eyes were shinning like a little girl’s in Christmas morning.
“I love you so much, sweetheart”
“I love you too, baby”
The both leaned at the same time and their lips met. They wrapped their arms around each other so they wouldn’t have to let go….never again…
When they finally got out of the car, Willow took Tara’s hand and led her to a group of three girls that were sitting around the picnic table watching girls playing volleyball.
“Yo, bitches!”
“The three girls, a brunette, another one with darker hair and a black-haired one, turned around and ran to hug Willow.
“WILLOW!” “Red!” “Willster!” “You gotta check this out!” “Hot chicks playing volleyball!”
“Guys, calm down” Willow told her friend. “There’s somebody I want you to meet. This is Tara, Tara, these are my friends”
The three girls looked at the blonde and gasped in shock. They stood there in silence until the black-haired one cleared her throat and stepped up.
“Wow, it’s an honour, really. Jessica, a pleasure” And she extended her hand.
“Nice to meet you, Jessica” Tara shook her hand.
The brunette, almost blonde, stepped after her friend.
“Lilly, an honour to meet the legendary Tara Maclay”
“Nice to meet you too”
“Analia, a pleasure” The brown-haired one said with a South American accent.
“You too” Tara shook her hand and smiled warmly.
**
“Why aren’t ya playing, guys?” Willow asked while leaning more into her girlfriend’s arms. Girlfriend…it felt SOOOOOOOOOOOOO good to be able to say it again after so long.
After introducing and explaining that they were together again, and receiving the congratulations, the group of friends sat around the picnic table again. Willow instantly sat between Tara’s legs and leaned into her while wrapping the blonde’s arms around herself. At first Tara blushed, she wasn’t used to be in that position in public but she was just so happy to be holding her girlfriend again that she didn’t care at all.
“Why to play when you can sit back and chill while watchin’ hot babes getting’ sweaty?” Jessica reasoned and laughed along with her friends.
“So, how is your baby girl, Will?” Analia asked with her Latina accent.
“She’s better than great. Amber’s thrilled at havin’ us together finally, y’know” Willow looked up and kissed Tara’s jaw softly before resting her head on her shoulder.
“And how are you gettin’ use to Amber, Tara?” Lilly asked, watching the redhead interact with the woman she loved for so long. The pictures didn’t make them justice. They looked perfect together, as if they were made for each other…
“Amber is a great kid, she’s awesome, so full of life and love…” The blonde answered with a look of pure adoration for her daughter.
“Tara’s a natural with children” Willow beamed, proud of her soulmate. “And Amber’s happy of having her parents with her” She added to make clear Tara was Amber’s mother.
The others seemed a little surprised at this, at hearing that Tara already had the ‘parent’ status. However, they said nothing, they trusted that Willow knew how to make her choices…
“We’re happy for you guys” Jessica finally said, knowing what her two friends were thinking and that neither Willow nor Tara had noticed. It was true, they were happy for them and hoped things worked out for them.
**
After they left Willow’s friends and picked an excited Dawn, the group of friends went to pick Amber from school. The little girl got really excited at knowing she’d go to the gym to help her aunt Faith in her classes. She loved to do that.
Amber looked so good and really cute wearing her white Gi with her yellow Obi, she had her own resolve-face on and looked ready to follow her aunt’s instructions. Faith smiled at Tara and Willow, who were with Dawn and other proud parents who were there to watch their children, from the front of the class and winked at her side, where Amber was already in position.
**
After the first class, Faith convinced Willow and Tara to go. She knew by their looks that they needed alone-time and she was more than happy to keep Dawn and Amber with her.
“But I was having fun! Amber is soo good!” Tara whined while entering Willow’s house.
“I know you were, but we need to talk, don’t you think?” Willow said and patted the space next to her, indicating Tara to sit down.
“What do you want to talk about?” Tara asked while sitting down, although she had a pretty good idea what her girlfriend wanted to talk about.
“About last night” Willow felt silent again, not really sure what to say exactly. “So…How do you fell about last night?”
“I…I don’t know, Will. I think I should be a little confused, or shocked… After all, we found why we spent 8 years apart, that you weren’t responsible for…y’know…It didn’t mean so much for me because, well, I was over it, I forgave you any kind of mistake a long time ago, but it changes it all for you, I know that. And…we were blessed by the Gods and Cordy’s been taking care of us, watching over us. And Goddess, Amber is the most powerful witch in the world and…”
Willow pulled Tara into a hug, cutting her off and began to caress her golden hair.
“Shhh, baby, its okay… I get it…” She whispered into her girlfriend’s hair, but the blonde pulled away and shook her head.
“You don’t get it, Will. I should be confused or surprised or something… But I’m not…”
“You’re not?” Willow asked. She could see the glow of happiness in her girlfriend’s eyes.
“No, I’m not. I don’t know how or why, but I feel like…like I have this bubble of happiness inside of my chest and nothing from the past can ruin that, Willow, nothing. I feel like we can finally be together without worrying about anything from the past”
“I love you so much, Tara” Willow pressed her lips to the blonde’s and Tar eagerly returned the kiss, locking her fingers into Willow’s hair to pull her even closer.
“I love you too, Will” Tara whispered and rested her forehead against Willow’s, both Wiccans were breathing in the sweet smell of their girlfriend’s skin and were tasting the even sweeter taste of the other’s lips. “Can you hold me, please?”
Willow let Tara nest into her arms while she kept caressing her soft blonde hair.
“How do you feel, Willow?” Tar asked after a few minutes of silently hearing her girlfriend’s peaceful heart beats.
“I feel wonderful, my love” The redhead calmly answered and kissed the top of Tara’s head. Her hand never stopped caressing her hair, making Tara feel giddy and sleepy.
“I mean about last night, it’s okay if you’re a little confused or shocked” Tara said, never moving from her resting place.
“I’m not. I feel…Relieve, to be honest. Relieve because of what I thought was the worst mistake I ever did wasn’t really my fault. A part of me in angry because that bastard used me, tried to destroy us, another part of me feels like we can rest now, we can move on from all that shit in our pasts and another part of me feels like that darkness I have inside will never leave. And in a way, it’s true, the only difference is that now I know the darkness within me, now I know how to fight it…now I know how to beat it and control it… And Amber….I’m not so sure about that yet, baby, I only truly care that our baby girl has a normal live and can chose what she wants in life…”
“I’m so proud of you, Will” Tara said looking right into those emeralds eyes that meant life for her.
“And I’m proud of you, Tare”
They kissed again, this time more passionately than before. The Wiccans bathed into an ocean of love until oxygen became a real issue.
After a few minutes of love filled silence, Willow told Tara to wait and left the room for a moment only to return with three big folders, which turned out to be photo albums.
“Would you like to see some pictures, baby?” Willow asked and placed two albums on the coffee table and one on her lap.
“I’d love to, honey”
“This is something you don’t know about Faith” Willow began.
“There are a lot of things I don’t know about Faith” Tara said causing Willow to let out a small laugh.
“Well, this is one” Willow said and opened the album.
The first page didn’t show any photos, it was actually a portrait of Willow smiling shyly, while her hand unconsciously stroke the tiny bump on her belly. Under the perfectly drew portrait, in bright skillful drew letters it said ‘Red’s pregnancy and Lil’s Red 1 year’.
“She drew that?” Tara asked, mesmerized by the portrait. The light that seemed to emanate from her, the radiant glow of motherhood shinning in her eyes…
“She did. Actually, she organized all this albums and drew pictures and wrote comments on them. It all was Faith” Willow commented proudly.
“She did it all?” Tara asked, clearly shocked and impressed by this new revelation.
“She did.”
“She really enjoys the family life, doesn’t she?” Tara said.
“She does. It used to surprised me too, but I got used to it” Willow said and turned the page.
The pages were marked to indicate dates or places or the month of Willow’s pregnancy. The redhead would comment how beautiful the small drawings Faith had made were or what a great memory that picture brought back.
Tara was smiling at how excited Willow was and her heart was racing with happiness at seeing the photos of pregnant Willow, always smiling in every picture, sometimes accompanied by Giles or a young man Willow identified as Percy or members of the coven Willow would babble excited about. The blonde was so happy that didn’t say anything when she noticed the bags under Willow’s eyes in the first few pictures, obviously taken in the early stages of her recovery, she also didn’t said anything when she felt a pang of anger towards that enemy that kept her away from her beloved Willow and from being present during those moments.
“Look, here we are!” The excited redhead giggled when the page titled ‘Baby Red’s here!’ showed a single picture of an exhausted looking Willow in the hospital bed, while staring at the sweet baby in her arms with adoration, love and happiness. The tiny baby had reached out with her tiny hand and placed it right over her mother’s breasts, as if hugging her…
“You look so tired. Was it hard? Amber’s birth, I mean” Tara asked.
“It wasn’t hard, it was exhausting, yes, painful, as you can’t imagine and…” Willow sighed and trailed off.
“And…what?”
“And totally worthy” Willow finished smiling widely, then she leaned again, feeling the need to kiss Tara again.
They pulled apart, both women wearing silly grins on their faces and stared at each other for a few minutes in silence.
The next pictures and the second album were of baby Amber. It some of them she’d be alone, or in Willow’s arms, or being held by a teary eyed Giles, a shocked but grinning like crazy Faith, or by a happy Percy and/or several members of the coven she had seen in other pictures, some member who held their own children in their arms. There was even one of a blushing Willow while breast feeding Amber! Tara couldn’t help to laugh at seeing that.
“My Goddess…You let Faith take that picture?” The amused Tara asked her girlfriend.
“No way. She sneaked into my room, said ‘Hey Red, look up!’ and took it. I can laugh now, but back them it was a sooo embarrassing” Willow explained.
The next hundred of pictures showed a growing Amber in different places: playing in the park with Willow, Willow reading to her daughter; the redhead with baby Amber, Faith and Giles having a picnic, Amber wearing that cute purple outfit Willow had described. Amber taking her firsts steps towards a proud and teary Willow, Amber smiling showing only two tiny teeth. Amber sitting on the grass, arms crossed, pouting and frowning, obviously upset at something. Amber running clumsily and giggling at the same time while trying to get away from Willow. A tiny Amber curled up while cuddling with Faith, both fast asleep…
Willow stopped at seeing tears running down Tara’s cheeks. She didn’t want to make her girlfriend cry, that hadn’t been her intention when she decided to show her the albums. The redhead closed it, placed it on the coffee table and wrapped her arms around Tara and let her sob into her shoulder.
“Tara, I’m really sorry. I didn’t think…I’m so stupid…I shouldn’t have made you look at those pictures, it’s too soo…I’m so sor-” Willow was cut off by Tara’s finger pressing her lips but a second later, Tara’s tears coated lips replaced the finger.
“You don’t have to apologized, Will, there’s nothing to apologize for. I just…I just got a little overwhelmed by…” Tara tried hard not to cry
again. “All those moments… I wasn’t there to see our daughter’s first steps…or when she lost her first tooth…and I…”
“Shh…I know, Tara, I know…We’ll make new memories, we as a family, please, don’t…don’t let this hurt you more…We’ll make new memories, you, me and our daughter… I’ll go put these away” Willow said and although she didn’t want to, the redhead let go of her girlfriend for a moment to take the albums away, all the way cursing herself for being so stupid. Willow returned a moment later and cuddled with Tara again.
“You didn’t have to put them away, I wanted to keep looking the photos” Tara said after a minute of silence, while Willow stroke her hair soothingly while resting her head on Tara’s shoulder.
“I know, but it’s still too soon, my love…” Willow whispered. “Hey, baby, what you say if we go to the car and start getting ya settle?”
“Really? Do I have to move?” Tara whined, almost pouting.
“We have time now before Faith and Dawn come back with Amber”
“Okay. Can we surprise Amber later? Tonight, I am cooking” Tara said.
When Willow moved to stand up the blonde got a full view of Willow cleavage and that sight made her gulp so she quickly pulled Willow on top of her and kiss her fiercely.
“Wow” Willow breathed out after pulling apart.
“Maybe we should stay…and…y’know…” Tara said between kisses, while tracing a path down Willow’s jaw line and neck as her hands made their way to Willow’s jean clad butt and squeezed the covered flesh.
“Tara, oh God…Tara, baby…please…” Tara obviously misunderstood Willow’s plea because she used her hold on the redhead’s butt to slide her thigh between Willow’s legs, making her cry out a ‘Holy Goddess!’ when said thigh made contact with the roaring volcano that now constantly burned between Willow’s legs.
“I want you so much Will…” Tara’s mouth was ravishing Willow’s neck and collarbone while her hips began a rocking motion, giving them both the friction they needed.
“Tara…Goddess, baby…Please…Tara, please, stop…” Willow finally managed to breathe out and as soon as the word left her mouth Tara stopped all her movements and stared at her girlfriend shocked. She definitely wasn’t use to hear Willow asking her to stop…
“What is it, Will? Was I being to forceful? I’m so-o so-orry if I was pushing you, I-I didn’t meant to. I-” Tara was hyperventilating and it was Willow’s turn to cut her off by pressing a finger to her lips. The redhead was especially shocked, since she hadn’t heard Tara stuttering since they got back together and it pained her.
“Tara, you could never push me, you hear me? You could never” Willow said firmly, making sure her girlfriend was listening to every word. “If I asked you to stop is because I don’t want our first time together to be because of some lusty moment. I want this to be especial, I’m not saying I wanna wait a year but…maybe until we’re alone and the situation is more relaxed and less…” Willow trailed off, looking for a good word.
“Emotional?” Tara tried to help.
“Exactly. We both are…a little bit emotional right now, and I think we should be relaxed and more stable...Do you get what I mean?” Willow was still breathing heavily.
“Yes. I know you’re right, I just…can’t stop myself sometimes…”
“Good, I’m glad we agree. Now, can you remove your thigh cos you’re killin’ me, baby….” Willow breathed out and her head fell on Tara’s chest after the blonde gave her an ‘oops’ smiled and removed her thigh. The redhead sighed and waited until her racing heart calmed down.
They both agreed that it was best to go and unpack Tara’s stuff, before they got carried away…again….
Okay guys!!! That was the part one!!! I hope you guys enjoyed it... second part will be done in a day or two...
i love 'em now 
