Christmas Miracles! Book Two.
Summery:Second book to Christmas Miracles, A continuing account of a christmas story.
Characters: Buffy, Dawn, Giles, Tara, Xander, Willow
Chapters: 8
Completed: Yes
Comments: Gimmie!
Revelations.
Everyone stood stunned at what they had just seen. She was standing right there before them. How could she be she was dead. Wasn't she? They all saw the body removed from the home, she was taken out in a gurney. "Tara?" She spoke again the redhead was scared, but most of all confused. She had just kissed Freda from work not Tara. What had happened? where is Freda? These were all the questions on everyone's minds except for one person.
"Why is everyone staring at me?"
The blond witch hadn’t realized that she wasn't in heaven anymore. Giles walked over and examined her; he couldn’t help but hug her, his big English arms wrapped around her. He let go and stepped back, everyone took turns hugging her. Except one person, Willow. She couldn’t stand to only see her one last time, if that is what this was. Her eyes welled and reddened, she wanted to touch her and kiss her, she wanted to tell her everything, how much she missed her, how much she died each day without her. So much but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. She ran to the kitchen and leaned against the counter heaving and crying.
"Will!?" Tara went after her. No one followed they all knew that Willow needed this time alone with the blond. "What's wrong? I don’t understand? Why did you run from me?" Her gaze locked on Willow’s, eyes pleading for her soul-mate to explain.
"Tara?" she wasn’t sure what to believe not after The First had played those tricks on her mind. "Baby?" her tears streaming in waves. "But how?" she sighed.
"What do you mean Will, how what?"
"Your dead."
"no I’m not." Tara protested.
"I saw you die."
"when?"
" Three years ago, you were shot by Warren." The redhead's eyes filled with hurt reliving thoughs dangerous emotions.
The flash back hit her. "I wonder if they are making up?" lots of smiles. "I hope they are, that's the best part" more smiles and pleasant sighs. "Your shirt..." She remembered that she started to fall. But she never felt the ground, she was in a warm light, it was so comforting on her cheeks. "Oh god!" she remembered it, all of it. They had just made up; they were getting ready to go to city hall to look for the records. She started to feel flush, what had happened? How had she come back? "Willow how? What? I don’t understand." she paused. "I missed you, I missed everyone. what happened? how did I come back? why did I come back?" Her words not pieced togeher, showing her thoughts out loud, she was so confused and now distraught. Her eyes moved over the kitchen trying to make better sense of this, of everything.
Explanations.
Before Willow could speak the kitchen filled with a bright warming light, an apparition shimmered into existence. "Willow, call everyone in here, please." The soft motherly voice spoke.
Before the redhead knew what she was doing she was already in the front room. "You guys need to see this." she walked back as if unable to control what her body was doing, she felt almost robotic.
"Buffy" the soft motherly voice spoke when she saw the blonde slayer enter the kitchen.
"Mom?"
Dawn started to cry she was scared, very scared.
"Mommy?"
"Yes girl's, it's me, I have come here because of Tara. We think some explaining has to be done."
"Yes that would be a good start." Giles spoke up.
"Where should I begin? It started three years ago, When Willow had lost Tara, and girls, you should of told me sooner, I mean all those times that I had made comments or statements, well never mind." She went on after being sidetracked from her thoughts and explanations. "After Willow had lost Tara and invoked that large purple man, she caused a rift in the spirit realm. The Powers that Be started watching her closely, her down fall in magick, her rise from it, and her work to over come the fears of the craft." She smiled at everyone as she spoke. "You see, dark times are ahead for Willow, she will be brought to a place that she needs a center, a guide, someone that can insure she wont go back to the darkness." Turning to Willow. "Willow, honey, We aren’t afraid that you will go back, we just can't lose such a powerful force, and I couldn’t stand to not be able to see you and my daughters once your time comes, here in heaven." she smiled. “Tara is here in a reflection of a Christmas Miracle. She won’t be returning to the after life. She will stay here and be with Willow, to guide and protect her."
"I'm only a reflection?" Tara interjected.
"No honey, your Tara, your human." Joyce replied.
"whew, I'm glad I'm me and not my insect reflection." she laughed, along with everyone else finally understanding her joke from Willow's previous explanations and Tara's atempts.
"But how was she able to come back?" Dawn interrupted also.
"Dawnie, do you remember that day, when everyone stood up for Tara? When her family tried to take her away?"
Everyone nodded.
"That was the day that everyone enabled a bond, a strong bond that would apply in life and death, after that day the bond became stronger and stronger."
"So Tara is here because of our love?" Dawn questioned.
"Yes and No." Joyce's voice full of hesitation on how to explain this delicate situation. "Tara is here because she was loved so much, that the Powers couldn’t see sending anyone else, she is the perfect one, she is the only one that can do this."
Tara smiled she had never been revered this way, when someone was only talking about her, not she and Willow but just her.
"Mr-Mrs Summer's." she tried to not show her nervousness but her studdar seaping through briefly.
"Yes Tara."
"What am I supposed to do? I mean guide Willow how? She has already overcome so much on her own, I couldn't possibly help her more than she has on her own."
"Tara, sweetie, you and Willow will know in time what she needs, you are here to help her yes, but also she is going to be helping you, everything will be revealed in time." she smiled softly.
Dawn and Buffy were so confused why was thier mother helping the Powers, why wasn’t she relaxing and enjoying her rest? "Mom." Buffy finally spoke again. "I don’t understand why you are here, telling us. Why didn’t they send some uber power being to tell us about Tara? Why did it happen this way? What I mean is. Why did they disturb you? How come you aren’t in heaven?"
Her mother smiled brightly. "Because Buffy, we all have talents, and special abilities mine are with explaining to the living."
Buffy had seemed shocked she hadn’t realized that when she found out she was the chosen one; so many other people's talents would surface.
Xander's heart began to pound and flutter, he started to think about Anya and what she was doing, he missed her terribly. "Mrs. Summers, can I ask a question?"
"Sure Xander, Honey."
"What about Anya?"
She smiled. "Anya is doing what she loves."
Xander smiled "Is there anyway I can talk to her? After that day I cant stop thinking about what happened to her and what went through her mind when it happened. I cant help but think if I had been closer by I could of helped." He started his own babble of explanations.
"Xander, you didn’t know." Willow interrupted
"I just," He sighed deeply. "She was my girl, I love her, and she was the only one that had ever understood me. She loved me for who I am."
"Xander!" Willow's voice was a bit irked.
"What? Come on, she was."
"Did we all forget how madly in love I was with you?"
He looked sheepish "I know Will, but I was only able to see you as a friend, and then when I didn’t it was too late, you were with Oz."
"Xander just know she loves you dear, and she is very happy now." Joyce interjected before everyone lost sight of why she was here.
"Joyce, will Tara remember what she was like as Freda?" Giles questioned.
"That is completely up to Tara, She can choose to keep the memories, or she can choose not to."
"Mrs. Summer's. Can you tell Anya something for me?" Coming out of the deep thinking Joyce's words had settled him into. Xander interupted.
The chimes of Willow's grandfather clock sounded it was now one am. "Oh is that time right? I must be going, Buffy, Dawn I love you girls with all my heart, I am very proud of what such strong beautiful women you are becoming." Before anyone could question or speak about this more, the kitchen was back to its normal light and her figure was gone.
"I wish we could have had more time" Dawn's eyes were misted, her features holding the infinite sadness of loss.
"Me to Dawnie." Buffy hugged her sister. "Me too." she repeated one more time at almost a whisper.
"We should all try and get some sleep." Giles broke the silence.
"I have enough beds for everyone." Coming out of deep thought of what had just been revealed and set forth for them to think about. Willow smiled with the notion of the sleeping arrangements.
Sleeping arrangements.
Willow looked at Buffy with worry and concern. "Are you all right?" she couldnt help but question how seeing her mom would effect the slayer and Dawn. She hoped there were no hard feelings about what had transpired only a few hours ago.
"I'm great Will."
"Buffy." she gave her a knowing look.
"Alright, does it show that much?"
"I know you Buffy, I saw everything you went through after she died, after you died, most of it was my fault."
"You didn’t know that I was happy Will, you couldn’t have known."
"But I was so selfish."
"You only did what you thought was right."
"But after your mom appeared in the kitchen, is everything ok?" Her eyes full of concern again.
"It was harder on Dawn" she thought for a moment. "I just know that when I do die for good." she eyed her best friend. "I know I will be happy and with everyone that I love!" she smiled and hugged Willow tight.
"Ouch!"
Buffy pulled back quickly. "What?" She looked at her friend for impending doom, cuts and scrapes. But then relized there couldn't of been, there wasn't a battle.
"Slayer grip." She smiled and pulled Buffy into another hug. Buffy smiled and hugged her back, this time with less slayer strength.
"you should get some sleep, you and Tara have a lot of catching up to do!"
Willow took a deep breath then sighing. “I know that is what I'm afraid of."
"That she won’t want to be close?"
"That she is mad at me for going all Witchie Woman."
"She will understand Will." Buffy looked into the hurt eyes and smiled. She touched the witch's hand. "she loves you."
"I love her too, but what if we go back to where we were three years ago? I cant handle it again Buff." Willow lightly squeezed the hand that was apon hers.
Buffy took a deep breath. "It will be ok, you wont ever know till you get in there and talk to her."
Willow smiled and hugged her again. "Thanks Buffy"
Willow's tap on the door was light. "Tara, it's me." her voice was small and unsure. "Is it ok if I come in?"
Tara's smile was bright and radiant, she walked over to the door from the vanity of the dresser, she opened it wide enough for two people. "Why did you knock sweetie?"
"I didn’t know if you were still awake."
"But why did you knock?"
"Oh um, well I wasn’t sure If you wanted me in here." Her meek voice returning.
"Of course I do, where else would I want you?"
Her face was unsure of how to respond. "Madagascar?"
Tara laughed. " I don’t think so." she pulled her close and hugged her. "It feels so good to have you back in my arms." she smiled. "I thought about this everyday, well what seemed to be like everyday."
"You did?"
"Oh god yes! I love you Willow, I always have."
"I love you too Baby." Willow squeezed her once and then let go. She walked over to her closet and pulled out a blanket.
"Does someone need a second blanket?"
"no, I ummm, well I thought that I would need it."
"How come?"
"Well it gets really cold down stairs, heat rises." she made a nervous smile.
"Why would you be sleeping down stairs?"
"Because that is where the couch is!"
"No, No, Will why aren’t you going to be up here with me? Is something wrong?"
"I didn’t think you would want me up here, y'know getting used to life again, adjusting into the New Year."
"Well if I'm going to adjust, I need my Willow." she smiled and sat down on the bed.
A warm feeling and smiled flushed over Willow's face, Tara had said she needed her, that felt great. It was the one thing she wanted for Christmas, to have her Tara back, and here she was. So why did she still feel a bit bummed. "I have something for you."
"Oh, what is it?"
"Birthday and Christmas presents from the past years."
"Presents! For me, awww Will." she smiled brightly. "Want to wait till morning?"
"Morning is good, or now." she returned the smile. "I just hope you like them!"
"I will adore them!"
"But you don’t even know what they are."
"They are from you right?"
"Yeah."
"I will love them!"
Willow smiled and walked over to the bed, "So how do we do this?" she was seriously unsure of all of this, she wasn’t able to react, she had no idea how to act, where to begin, what to say.
"Well you lay down and then I lay next to you. You close your eyes and I do the same."
Willow interrupted. "Not that."
Tara mused in the reaction,it was exactly what she hoped for. " I know but I wanted to see what you would say." Willow smiled, it was a very real smile that only Tara could see, the one that always warmed her heart to near boiling. She spoke again “Will, we wont know till we try it, We wont know what is to fast, or to slow. We will only know what is perfect." She raised her hand to Willow's and took it in comforting hold, "Let’s just try sleeping. Everything else can wait."
"I suppose we don’t have to be in such a furry hurry." she smiled, sitting down next to the Blond.
"That’s better." Tara's words warmed the room,they both lay down on the bed, Willow looking up at the ceiling and Tara trying to get comfortable.
"It's just a little noisy up here y'know" she pointed to her head like so many times in the past. Tara snuggled up like she always had; kissing Willow's cheek she smiled up at her. "It will get easier, I promise." she lightly yawned.
"It already is!" she said lightly under her breath.
Christmas Morning.
They all woke at different times, some earlier than others. Dawn was the first to rouse she stretched and walked the long hallway to Buffy's room, she lightly pressed the door open and saw her sister sprawled out in a deep sleep, "Buffy." Her voice soft, she kinda nudged her. "Buffy wake up, Its Christmas, pretty papered presents to tare through." She nudged her again. "Buffy." This time her voice was louder.
"uhhhh."
"Get up its Christmas!"
"Uhhh five more minutes."
"Come on!"
"Uhg, fine." She stretched and opened her eyes sleepily.
"Yay!" They both left the room heading for the stairs.
Giles was in the kitchen reading a news paper that he had gone out early for, it looked to be the "New York Times". The article was on ancient artefacts of the metazoic, the TV was on low volume as he sipped his warm cup of tea, you could hear the announcer for the Macy's day parade. "Look Bob here comes the Harrison High School band, don’t they sound wonderful!"
"Morning Giles." Buffy entered the kitchen still lazily asleep
"Happy Christmas Buffy!" Giles looked up from his paper and smiled at her. "sleep well?"
"Like a log." she retorted.
"Hey Giles, you’re looking Christmas-y!" Dawn had just staggered in, she was full of excitement and a bit of cheer even though the early morning had unexpected surprises. "Where is Xander?"
"He went out for doughnuts." Giles answered.
"Oh." Dawn looked a little disapointed. "presents? can we Buffy?"
"We should really wait for Tara and Willow, plus Xander is bringing back yummy doughnuts."
"Can I please just open one?"
"ummmmm" Her hesitation was very high.
"Please just one.... Come on Buffy!"
"Oh alright, but just one, then you have to wait for everyone else to get up."
"Yippee!" she ran off to the front room.
Giles set down his paper. "Buffy I've been thinking."
"about what Mom said?"
"yes."
"I spent most of the night thinking about it also."
"It just doesn’t make sense, there are no prophecies of a mighty witch having times of peril." He looked into her eye's with serious'ness written all over him.
"There aren’t?"
"No, I called a friend I have in a Coven and they have never heard of any bit of what Joyce said."
"What if it isn’t a mystical force she is going to have to deal with?"
"Then what could it be?"
"Life."
"But why would she need Tara to make sure she doesn’t go back to the dark?"
"I don’t know, your the Watcher, aren’t they supposed to teach you this stuff?"
Giles gives Buffy one of his famous looks, and continues on contemplating the earlier transpirations.
Dawn smiled at the new sweater Buffy had gotten her, she was just about to pick up a second one to try and sneak a peak of what was in side when Xander's voice startled her.
"Hey, Hey, I bring sustenance!" He called out to any that could hear him.
"Merry Christmas Xander!" Dawn smiled from in front of the tree trying to look remotely innocent.
"Merry X-mas to you too Dawnster." he smiled, he had apparently not seen her trying to peek into the small pink gift bag.
"What kind of doughnuts did you get?"
"Oh a little cream filled, a lot of chocolate, some old fashions and other assortments of yummy dough-goodness" he smiled.
Dawn stood up following Xander to the kitchen.
Buffy, Giles, Xander, and Dawn stood in the kitchen making idle chatter.
"This is good coffee Buf'!" Xander commented as he sipped and took a bite of his chocolate bar.
"Just a part of waking up." she smiled.
"Yes when you have Foldgers in your cup!" Dawn laughed and took a bite of her jelly doughnut.
"Oh dear." Giles was in young adult hell, but it wasn’t as bad as he made it out to be, he loved the time he spent with the Scooby gang, his life was never as full when he wasn't around them, his family. He stood up and walked to the stove pouring hot water into his cup, using the tea bag again from his first cup he dipped it in and out.
Tara woke to the sound of the closing door, she rolled over to look out the window, this was her first white Christmas. She leaned back and looked at the sleeping Willow tree. She smiled, 'how do you do it? you look so innocent, I know you are dreaming, but I wonder what it is about, should I wake you? Would it be so wrong of me? I just want to smother you with sweet kisses, and hold you in my arms forever, just listen to your cute morning babble, I know you are embarassed because that is the only time you do it. It's so cute to hear you tell me of your dreams, Oh God Willow would it be that wrong of me?' tugging at the desire to wake her, she thought for a moment, to decide on what way she would like to rouse this beauty. Studying her for a moment she smiled, the perfect idea, really brilliant! She leaned down to her and kissed her cheek, snuggling into her. "Morning sweetie." she whispered in her ear. "time to get up, Santa Buffy has come early." she smiled, she knew Willow wasn’t Christian, so she had to come up with a good Santa idea. She waited a few moments for that little perky redhead to murmur her awake'ness. "Will, time to get up." she kissed her neck softly and nuzzled it.
"awww but I want the puppy with the purple stripes."
"purple striped puppies if you wake up!"
she smiled and faked sleep. "All aboard space Willow exploration!"
Tara smiled. "you’re not asleep."
"am to, see." she makes apparent fake snoring.
"Vixen." Her voice sounding very sultry.
Willow rolled over so she was facing Tara; she smiled excitedly and then yawned. "What time is it?"
"Nine thirty."
"already?"
"Mhmm."
"But my dream wasn’t even to the good part yet." Her voice was alittle disapointed.
"what’s the good part?" Her brow lifting as if to punctuate the question.
"this." Willow leaned over and gave the blond dream goddess a sweet intimate kiss on the lips.
"Mmm, you have to dream to get those kisses?" Her eyes were still half shut from the kiss.
"not anymore!" Willow smiled brightly.
"Wanna get up?"
"we have to get up?"
"eventually." a thin devious smile apeared on her lips.
"awww" she rolled over and pulled Tara close to her.
"But not right now, if you don’t want to!"
"goodie, coz I don’t want to!" Willow stated excitedly. Tara snuggled them deeper under the covers.
"Think we should wake them up?" Dawn was getting impatient.
"In a little bit Dawnie, it was their first night back together." Buffy smiled. She was glad to have her friend back too, but she didn’t think that was Dawn's reasoning for getting them up.
"Maybe we should." Xander was thinking that maybe Tara had some kind of thought on where Anya was.
"Alright, I'll go and get them." Buffy stood from her stool that was at the counter, she found her way to the stairs. "Sorry Will and Tara." she muttered to herself.
Presents.
The bottom of the tree was littered with presents. Papered in varieties, covering small and large boxes, some were odd shapes, others the normal square. "Here you go Buffy!" Willow handed the slayer one of the presents that was designated for her.
"Thanks Will." she smiled and tore the wrapper off. "Aww Xander its lovely."
"Yah, I saw it at Sears and thought it would be easier to use that then the standard widdling knife" he smiled brightly.
Tara watched as they unwrapped all of the presents, her heart was happy to be back with her family and especially her Willow!
"Tara we're sorry that we don’t have anything for you, we just kinda didn’t know you would be here." Buffy felt horrible opening the presents infront of Tara.
"It's ok Buffy, I didn't either!" she smiled.
"Tara, here is one for you!" Dawn smiled and handed her the black velvety box with the single small bow.
"For me?" Tara's intrest peeked, when she heard Dawn's voice, she hadnt expected anything at all.
"Yep, says To Tara!"
"But..."
"Open it!" Dawn insisted. Everyone stopped and waited to see what was inside.
Tara smiled, and lifted the box, the little hinge made a small squeak.
"Oh my goodness." She almost gasped.
"What is it?" Buffy asked.
"It's... it's beautiful!" Her eyes started to warm with happy tears.
"what is it?" Dawn repeated Buffy's question.
"It’s a silver heart locket, with an inscription." She brushed away the little tears building in her eyes.
"what's it say?" Dawn pressed once more, everyone but Willow and Buffy staring in disbelief that it must have been another miracle.
"My Always." she looked up and smiled. Pulling it from the box, she let it dangle, and shine for a moment. Unhooking the clasp she put it around her neck and let it be visible to the world. Buffy smiled she knew exactly who it was from. Willow. She knew all about the present that Willow would leave under the tree every year. She thought it was always sweet, she never knew what was inside the present, but she did know that it was a sweet thing, and it kept her going.
"its pretty who was it from?" Dawn asked gazing apon the shine.
"Yes who gave it to you Tara?" Giles asked, unaware of the meaning behind the inscription, which Dawn must have forgotten, she was there the day Willow told that to Tara.
Tara blushed. "Willow." Everyone smiled and went on with their presents, not wanting to make a big scene out of it. A few hours passed as everyone started to clean up, the day had started out better than anyone could have expected, individuals started bustling about, papers and ribbons getting put in thier place or trashed, unwrapped presents being placed under the tree so they would always have a reminder of such a wonderful morning and evening. Willow walked into the kitchen and screamed.
"BUFFY!! THE HAM!"
Scoobie family dinner.
Dinner was delicious they ate a beautiful ham that Buffy and Willow had glazed; everyone had helped make one of the dishes that was served.
Willow groaned. "Ohhh to much nog."
Xander laughed. "Will you always drink to much eggnog."
"but it's so yummy."
"Aww baby." Tara rubbed her hand.
"Well it’s only once a year so I say more nog for every one, except Willow!" Buffy smiled and intervined.
"I think I need to be rolled away." Dawn rubbed her tummy.
"That was a rather nice dinner I would say, by far the best! " Giles smiled while standing to take a few of the dishes to the sink, Xander following in picking up a few more of the dishes.
"Even with the Ham scare?" Willow questioned.
"Yes especially the ham scare." Giles smiled at Willow with a loving adoration, he and Xander walked off to the kitchen.
"So who wants to sing Christmas carols?" Dawn smiled as she stood to help gather dishes.
"Oh maybe after my stomach ache goes away Dawnie." Willow looked up with droopy eyes.
Tara was about to ask Dawn what song she wanted to sing when soemthing interupted her.
"Christmas Carols are the best, favorite part of the year." A voice came from the entry into the dining room. Everyone turning to look except for Giles and Xander who were in the kitchen.
"Kennedy?"
Tara looked at everyone and then mouthed to Buffy,Who's Kennedy?
"Yep that's me!" She smiled and walked in, Willow stood up and stared straight at her. Kennedy walked over and hugged her, then pulled out a sprig of mistletoe and hung it over their heads. "I think this entitles me a holiday kiss from my girlfriend."
"G... Girlfriend?" Tara stood up looking very confused.
"I know I didn’t stutter. yes girlfriend, Willow is my girlfriend."
"No she isn’t." Dawn spoke up.
"What was that, Munchkin?" Kennedy smiled at Dawn.
"She isn’t yours." She crossed her arms over her chest.
"What are you talking about Dawn, of course she is, this is our house. That is our room, which we sleep in." She made a hand gesture to the upstairs.
"Not anymore." Dawn started to unleash her Summer's attitude.
Kennedy looked back to Willow. "Is she on drugs?" she whispered slightly. Tara staring on in confusion.
"It's true." Willow spoke up.
"That I’m your girlfriend?" Kennedy retorted."or that I'm not?"
"That you aren’t." Tara spoke stepping next to Willow, reaching and interlacing her fingers with Willow's.
"Oh and who are you?" she copped an attitude.
"I’m Tara." she stated bluntly.
"Tara is dead, you don’t need to lie."
Buffy stepped in; she wasn’t going to let their Christmas miracle be ruined. "That is Tara, Kennedy. I think it would be best to drop the attitude."
Giles and Xander stepped back into the dining room hearing all of the commotion."Hey look its a Harris family Christmas!" he joked, Giles elbowing him in the ribs. “ouch." He chuckled. "Yep it is." he laughed again, people looking to see what he was talking about and then realized it was Kennedy, their attention went back to her.
Kennedy's brow lifted. "So then what’s it going to be Willow? Me or her?"
Dawn snickered. "You actually think she needs to choose, she’s gonna pick Tara."
"Willow is that true?" Her eye's glaring into Willow's.
"Kennedy you know Tara's and my background, how could you even question it?"
"You’re going to pick her over me?"
"Kennedy, are you that brain dead?" Dawn spoke up again.
"Hey squirt, I think Willow can fight her own battles."
Buffy was about to speak up when another voice did. "Back off of Dawn." Tara's voice was very assertive.
Willow turned and looked at her, she was shocked that Tara had spoken up normally so shy of confrontation. She was proud of her. "Kennedy, you can stay for a visit, but we aren’t together anymore, this is my house, and I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to stay with Tara and I." Her voice was clear that there was no arguing her and she had put on her resolve face for even more effect.
"But Willow, how could you after all we have been through.?" Kennedy was still trying to battle for Willow, she didnt like to lose thing, especially her things.
"oh you mean The First?"
"yeah."
"Kennedy, Don’t you get it, Tara and I have been through much more, she was there for me when I was addicted to magick. She was there for me when I relized I was gay." Willow smiled sheepishly at Tara remembering thier first time, but then pulled herself back on to topic and returned her attention to Kennedy. "She is my first, my last, my always. Nothing can change that." She gave Tara's hand a squeeze. "I hope you understand and can accept that."
Kennedy nodded.
They all silently sighed in relief that there wasn’t a big scene, and it was handled in a mature and adult manner.
Giles was proud.
Goodbyes are Hard.
It was a quarter past nine, Dawn was bringing down her suitcase. "I think that is everything, clothes, presents, towels al'a Willow!" she smiled.
"Aww I wish we would of had more time." Tara's soft voice spoke to Giles and Buffy.
"We wish we could too Tara, but Buffy has to be back in Rome for the new girls that are coming in, and I have to get back to rebuilding the council, It would of been lovely for us to stay, but unfortunately time won't permit us to." His face looked a bit sullen.
"I understand." she smiled and gave him a large hug.
"Yes have to get back to the slayage of things." Buffy smiled and hugged Tara.
"Do you really have to go Xander?" Willow's eyes were sad.
"Yah have to get back to the building of things, Just got this really big account." He smiled. "Giles is a great customer!" his grin even larger. He hugged Willow tight. "Take care of her Will, we all love her and couldn’t stand to lose her again."
"I know, me too! Gonna guard her with all the magicks in the Southern hemisphere!" she smiled.
Tara looked over at her when she heard the words of magic, she raised a brow and gave Willow a look of don’t you dare.
"Tara, y'think you and Willow could come and visit me?" Dawn questioned. "When you two get settled back into life together?" She added quickly,her eyes hopeful.
Tara was brought out of her glare at Willow when she heard Dawn's question. She turned her soft blue gaze to Dawn's own reflecting blue. "We'll see, Dawnie." The blond wiccan smiled and hugged her tight. She and Willow practically raised her while she was growing up and Buffy was out saving the world from mass destruction, corruption, evil schemes you name it she saved us from it!
In the middle of the big group bye bye's Kennedy had snuck out, she would send for her things later. She didn’t want to make a big goodbye scene, she was more of a quiet leaver or atleast now she was.
"Where is Kennedy?" Buffy asked while looking around.
"She was here a moment ago." Xander replied. Starting to look around also.
"I need to tell her about the slayer project in Rome." she sighed "well maybe we can catch her on our way out of town."
Her tone rather huffy and vengeful, her arms crossed against her chest in the thought of Kennedy."Or maybe a bunch of psycho rabid squirrels will..."
"Dawnie!!!" Tara interrupted.
"What?" she spoke innocently and looked at everyone.
They all laughed and then hugged goodbye one more time. Waving goodbye from the front door Willow and Tara watched thier family pull away. "I'm gonna miss them." The redheads voice was small.
"I know sweetie, I will too." Tara paused for a moment. "But Easter will be here soon, and so will Spring Equinox."
Willow turned around her eyes full of happiness and joy. "You mean?"
Tara's eyes shined in the moonlight that was pouring down through the open door, she nodded yes."Mmhmm!" The two girls met in an embrace that was full of pure and enduring love.
Us!
The New year had already come and gone, the girls were settling into life on the home front. Thier love being re-newed, adjusting to each other's new quirks. A moment being spent in each other's arms.
Tara and Willow watched the fresh snow blanket the yard and street from the front bay window. “So how does it feel to be alone and just us?" Willow whispered in her ear. Continuing to watch the snow fall.
"Magnificent." she smiled wrapping the redheads arms around her tighter.
The evening's sky was clear every star in the sky could be seen perfectly thier reflections glinting on the window from the candle light. Tara smiled and had a thought she wanted to do something with Willow that she hadn’t done in a long time. She turned around in her lovers arms and faced her. "Will you dance with me?"
"Always." The red head smiled and leaned in kissing her softly on the lips.
Unwrapping Willow's arms from her body she took her wrist lightly and lead her to the middle of the front room the dim light guiding her way. Lifting her hand lightly, music started to play.
Willow marveled at Tara's unblemished features in the candle light, her mind was taking in and filing away this moment, the moment she knew she could never be more happier in. Her Tara was home, and she planed to keep it that way. With just as much thought of her beautiful woman dancing with her, she still felt horrible that she hadn't gotten Tara more presents, she deserved it, infact she deserved the moon, the star's, the universe.
Willow sighed; her mind was set in upset mode now. "I’m sorry you didn’t get much for Christmas." her brows furrowing at the thought.
"I did!" she smiled and kissed her again softly. "I got you." She laid her head on the goddess's shoulder as they danced.
(Softly playing in the back ground is 'Hero' by Enrique Iglesias.)
"Willow?"
"yeah?" her voice soft.
"I remember some things as Freda."
"You do?"
"Yes, and... And...”
"What is it baby?" Willow's eye's were full with concern.
"I remember your pain; I remember the conversation in the park."
"But how?" Her brows furrowed in confusion.
"I don’t know, it’s... It made me feel so loved, and I." She sighed. "I wish that it had
been me that you were talking to."
"It was you baby, just not as hot!" Willow grined at Tara.
Tara's smile was soft. "I just feel so special when I'm with you."
"You are special, and a million times more."
They continued their dance. The night seemed to be ticking into the early morning, but neither noticed. “Do you remember anything else?" Willow was wondering if she had remembered the mistletoe kiss.
"Something about E-Bay, yes defiantly there was something about E-Bay." she
paused, "Is Anya selling things on E-Bay?"
Willow looked at her, her eyes were in shock. "You don’t know, do you?"
"Know what?"
"When the latest apocalypse almost happened, Anya died."
"oh god, I'm so sorry." Her eyes started to well with tears of grief.
"It hit Xander pretty bad." Willow's eyes were also reflecting the pain.
"When Xander was talking to Joyce I just assumed he was wondering about alternate dimensions."
Willow's eyes told her the story, she could see it all. "It must not have been her on
E-bay then."
Tara's words hoarse with the knowledge. "It was just something very Anya."
Willow brushed a few stray hair's behind Tara's ear and smiled. "Can we talk about this later? I just want to focus on you." She smiled at the one that made her dreams come true and could take her over the moon. A thought poped into Willow's head as she was taking in the past few weeks of the last year. She grew a glint in her eye's. "Tara I want to show you something."
Tara looked into Willow's eye's and smiled. She knew that look all to well, without question she nodded. The girls blew out the candles and Willow lead Tara up the stairs.
Conclutions. (preview and sneak peak)
D'Hofrins voice was loud and boisterous. "HALFRECK!" He was determined to find Anyanka, she had hood winked him for the last time. She had died and he saved her from a semi-mortal death, but no, he was not going to let her get away with this, she owed him big time and this was the last straw. "HELFRECK!" His voice more determined and stronger in it's tone.
"Yes D'Hofrin." Helfreck had just appeared. She looked frazzled and she looked a bit dazed. "What is it?" She knew very well this was about Anyanka and that she was in big trouble now, just maybe she could hold him off till she could alert her that there was nothing she could do any longer.
"Bring her to me."
"Who?"
"Anyanka." D'Hofrins voice was like thunder and filled with anger.
Characters: Buffy, Dawn, Giles, Tara, Xander, Willow
Chapters: 8
Completed: Yes
Comments: Gimmie!
Revelations.
Everyone stood stunned at what they had just seen. She was standing right there before them. How could she be she was dead. Wasn't she? They all saw the body removed from the home, she was taken out in a gurney. "Tara?" She spoke again the redhead was scared, but most of all confused. She had just kissed Freda from work not Tara. What had happened? where is Freda? These were all the questions on everyone's minds except for one person.
"Why is everyone staring at me?"
The blond witch hadn’t realized that she wasn't in heaven anymore. Giles walked over and examined her; he couldn’t help but hug her, his big English arms wrapped around her. He let go and stepped back, everyone took turns hugging her. Except one person, Willow. She couldn’t stand to only see her one last time, if that is what this was. Her eyes welled and reddened, she wanted to touch her and kiss her, she wanted to tell her everything, how much she missed her, how much she died each day without her. So much but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. She ran to the kitchen and leaned against the counter heaving and crying.
"Will!?" Tara went after her. No one followed they all knew that Willow needed this time alone with the blond. "What's wrong? I don’t understand? Why did you run from me?" Her gaze locked on Willow’s, eyes pleading for her soul-mate to explain.
"Tara?" she wasn’t sure what to believe not after The First had played those tricks on her mind. "Baby?" her tears streaming in waves. "But how?" she sighed.
"What do you mean Will, how what?"
"Your dead."
"no I’m not." Tara protested.
"I saw you die."
"when?"
" Three years ago, you were shot by Warren." The redhead's eyes filled with hurt reliving thoughs dangerous emotions.
The flash back hit her. "I wonder if they are making up?" lots of smiles. "I hope they are, that's the best part" more smiles and pleasant sighs. "Your shirt..." She remembered that she started to fall. But she never felt the ground, she was in a warm light, it was so comforting on her cheeks. "Oh god!" she remembered it, all of it. They had just made up; they were getting ready to go to city hall to look for the records. She started to feel flush, what had happened? How had she come back? "Willow how? What? I don’t understand." she paused. "I missed you, I missed everyone. what happened? how did I come back? why did I come back?" Her words not pieced togeher, showing her thoughts out loud, she was so confused and now distraught. Her eyes moved over the kitchen trying to make better sense of this, of everything.
Explanations.
Before Willow could speak the kitchen filled with a bright warming light, an apparition shimmered into existence. "Willow, call everyone in here, please." The soft motherly voice spoke.
Before the redhead knew what she was doing she was already in the front room. "You guys need to see this." she walked back as if unable to control what her body was doing, she felt almost robotic.
"Buffy" the soft motherly voice spoke when she saw the blonde slayer enter the kitchen.
"Mom?"
Dawn started to cry she was scared, very scared.
"Mommy?"
"Yes girl's, it's me, I have come here because of Tara. We think some explaining has to be done."
"Yes that would be a good start." Giles spoke up.
"Where should I begin? It started three years ago, When Willow had lost Tara, and girls, you should of told me sooner, I mean all those times that I had made comments or statements, well never mind." She went on after being sidetracked from her thoughts and explanations. "After Willow had lost Tara and invoked that large purple man, she caused a rift in the spirit realm. The Powers that Be started watching her closely, her down fall in magick, her rise from it, and her work to over come the fears of the craft." She smiled at everyone as she spoke. "You see, dark times are ahead for Willow, she will be brought to a place that she needs a center, a guide, someone that can insure she wont go back to the darkness." Turning to Willow. "Willow, honey, We aren’t afraid that you will go back, we just can't lose such a powerful force, and I couldn’t stand to not be able to see you and my daughters once your time comes, here in heaven." she smiled. “Tara is here in a reflection of a Christmas Miracle. She won’t be returning to the after life. She will stay here and be with Willow, to guide and protect her."
"I'm only a reflection?" Tara interjected.
"No honey, your Tara, your human." Joyce replied.
"whew, I'm glad I'm me and not my insect reflection." she laughed, along with everyone else finally understanding her joke from Willow's previous explanations and Tara's atempts.
"But how was she able to come back?" Dawn interrupted also.
"Dawnie, do you remember that day, when everyone stood up for Tara? When her family tried to take her away?"
Everyone nodded.
"That was the day that everyone enabled a bond, a strong bond that would apply in life and death, after that day the bond became stronger and stronger."
"So Tara is here because of our love?" Dawn questioned.
"Yes and No." Joyce's voice full of hesitation on how to explain this delicate situation. "Tara is here because she was loved so much, that the Powers couldn’t see sending anyone else, she is the perfect one, she is the only one that can do this."
Tara smiled she had never been revered this way, when someone was only talking about her, not she and Willow but just her.
"Mr-Mrs Summer's." she tried to not show her nervousness but her studdar seaping through briefly.
"Yes Tara."
"What am I supposed to do? I mean guide Willow how? She has already overcome so much on her own, I couldn't possibly help her more than she has on her own."
"Tara, sweetie, you and Willow will know in time what she needs, you are here to help her yes, but also she is going to be helping you, everything will be revealed in time." she smiled softly.
Dawn and Buffy were so confused why was thier mother helping the Powers, why wasn’t she relaxing and enjoying her rest? "Mom." Buffy finally spoke again. "I don’t understand why you are here, telling us. Why didn’t they send some uber power being to tell us about Tara? Why did it happen this way? What I mean is. Why did they disturb you? How come you aren’t in heaven?"
Her mother smiled brightly. "Because Buffy, we all have talents, and special abilities mine are with explaining to the living."
Buffy had seemed shocked she hadn’t realized that when she found out she was the chosen one; so many other people's talents would surface.
Xander's heart began to pound and flutter, he started to think about Anya and what she was doing, he missed her terribly. "Mrs. Summers, can I ask a question?"
"Sure Xander, Honey."
"What about Anya?"
She smiled. "Anya is doing what she loves."
Xander smiled "Is there anyway I can talk to her? After that day I cant stop thinking about what happened to her and what went through her mind when it happened. I cant help but think if I had been closer by I could of helped." He started his own babble of explanations.
"Xander, you didn’t know." Willow interrupted
"I just," He sighed deeply. "She was my girl, I love her, and she was the only one that had ever understood me. She loved me for who I am."
"Xander!" Willow's voice was a bit irked.
"What? Come on, she was."
"Did we all forget how madly in love I was with you?"
He looked sheepish "I know Will, but I was only able to see you as a friend, and then when I didn’t it was too late, you were with Oz."
"Xander just know she loves you dear, and she is very happy now." Joyce interjected before everyone lost sight of why she was here.
"Joyce, will Tara remember what she was like as Freda?" Giles questioned.
"That is completely up to Tara, She can choose to keep the memories, or she can choose not to."
"Mrs. Summer's. Can you tell Anya something for me?" Coming out of the deep thinking Joyce's words had settled him into. Xander interupted.
The chimes of Willow's grandfather clock sounded it was now one am. "Oh is that time right? I must be going, Buffy, Dawn I love you girls with all my heart, I am very proud of what such strong beautiful women you are becoming." Before anyone could question or speak about this more, the kitchen was back to its normal light and her figure was gone.
"I wish we could have had more time" Dawn's eyes were misted, her features holding the infinite sadness of loss.
"Me to Dawnie." Buffy hugged her sister. "Me too." she repeated one more time at almost a whisper.
"We should all try and get some sleep." Giles broke the silence.
"I have enough beds for everyone." Coming out of deep thought of what had just been revealed and set forth for them to think about. Willow smiled with the notion of the sleeping arrangements.
Sleeping arrangements.
Willow looked at Buffy with worry and concern. "Are you all right?" she couldnt help but question how seeing her mom would effect the slayer and Dawn. She hoped there were no hard feelings about what had transpired only a few hours ago.
"I'm great Will."
"Buffy." she gave her a knowing look.
"Alright, does it show that much?"
"I know you Buffy, I saw everything you went through after she died, after you died, most of it was my fault."
"You didn’t know that I was happy Will, you couldn’t have known."
"But I was so selfish."
"You only did what you thought was right."
"But after your mom appeared in the kitchen, is everything ok?" Her eyes full of concern again.
"It was harder on Dawn" she thought for a moment. "I just know that when I do die for good." she eyed her best friend. "I know I will be happy and with everyone that I love!" she smiled and hugged Willow tight.
"Ouch!"
Buffy pulled back quickly. "What?" She looked at her friend for impending doom, cuts and scrapes. But then relized there couldn't of been, there wasn't a battle.
"Slayer grip." She smiled and pulled Buffy into another hug. Buffy smiled and hugged her back, this time with less slayer strength.
"you should get some sleep, you and Tara have a lot of catching up to do!"
Willow took a deep breath then sighing. “I know that is what I'm afraid of."
"That she won’t want to be close?"
"That she is mad at me for going all Witchie Woman."
"She will understand Will." Buffy looked into the hurt eyes and smiled. She touched the witch's hand. "she loves you."
"I love her too, but what if we go back to where we were three years ago? I cant handle it again Buff." Willow lightly squeezed the hand that was apon hers.
Buffy took a deep breath. "It will be ok, you wont ever know till you get in there and talk to her."
Willow smiled and hugged her again. "Thanks Buffy"
Willow's tap on the door was light. "Tara, it's me." her voice was small and unsure. "Is it ok if I come in?"
Tara's smile was bright and radiant, she walked over to the door from the vanity of the dresser, she opened it wide enough for two people. "Why did you knock sweetie?"
"I didn’t know if you were still awake."
"But why did you knock?"
"Oh um, well I wasn’t sure If you wanted me in here." Her meek voice returning.
"Of course I do, where else would I want you?"
Her face was unsure of how to respond. "Madagascar?"
Tara laughed. " I don’t think so." she pulled her close and hugged her. "It feels so good to have you back in my arms." she smiled. "I thought about this everyday, well what seemed to be like everyday."
"You did?"
"Oh god yes! I love you Willow, I always have."
"I love you too Baby." Willow squeezed her once and then let go. She walked over to her closet and pulled out a blanket.
"Does someone need a second blanket?"
"no, I ummm, well I thought that I would need it."
"How come?"
"Well it gets really cold down stairs, heat rises." she made a nervous smile.
"Why would you be sleeping down stairs?"
"Because that is where the couch is!"
"No, No, Will why aren’t you going to be up here with me? Is something wrong?"
"I didn’t think you would want me up here, y'know getting used to life again, adjusting into the New Year."
"Well if I'm going to adjust, I need my Willow." she smiled and sat down on the bed.
A warm feeling and smiled flushed over Willow's face, Tara had said she needed her, that felt great. It was the one thing she wanted for Christmas, to have her Tara back, and here she was. So why did she still feel a bit bummed. "I have something for you."
"Oh, what is it?"
"Birthday and Christmas presents from the past years."
"Presents! For me, awww Will." she smiled brightly. "Want to wait till morning?"
"Morning is good, or now." she returned the smile. "I just hope you like them!"
"I will adore them!"
"But you don’t even know what they are."
"They are from you right?"
"Yeah."
"I will love them!"
Willow smiled and walked over to the bed, "So how do we do this?" she was seriously unsure of all of this, she wasn’t able to react, she had no idea how to act, where to begin, what to say.
"Well you lay down and then I lay next to you. You close your eyes and I do the same."
Willow interrupted. "Not that."
Tara mused in the reaction,it was exactly what she hoped for. " I know but I wanted to see what you would say." Willow smiled, it was a very real smile that only Tara could see, the one that always warmed her heart to near boiling. She spoke again “Will, we wont know till we try it, We wont know what is to fast, or to slow. We will only know what is perfect." She raised her hand to Willow's and took it in comforting hold, "Let’s just try sleeping. Everything else can wait."
"I suppose we don’t have to be in such a furry hurry." she smiled, sitting down next to the Blond.
"That’s better." Tara's words warmed the room,they both lay down on the bed, Willow looking up at the ceiling and Tara trying to get comfortable.
"It's just a little noisy up here y'know" she pointed to her head like so many times in the past. Tara snuggled up like she always had; kissing Willow's cheek she smiled up at her. "It will get easier, I promise." she lightly yawned.
"It already is!" she said lightly under her breath.
Christmas Morning.
They all woke at different times, some earlier than others. Dawn was the first to rouse she stretched and walked the long hallway to Buffy's room, she lightly pressed the door open and saw her sister sprawled out in a deep sleep, "Buffy." Her voice soft, she kinda nudged her. "Buffy wake up, Its Christmas, pretty papered presents to tare through." She nudged her again. "Buffy." This time her voice was louder.
"uhhhh."
"Get up its Christmas!"
"Uhhh five more minutes."
"Come on!"
"Uhg, fine." She stretched and opened her eyes sleepily.
"Yay!" They both left the room heading for the stairs.
Giles was in the kitchen reading a news paper that he had gone out early for, it looked to be the "New York Times". The article was on ancient artefacts of the metazoic, the TV was on low volume as he sipped his warm cup of tea, you could hear the announcer for the Macy's day parade. "Look Bob here comes the Harrison High School band, don’t they sound wonderful!"
"Morning Giles." Buffy entered the kitchen still lazily asleep
"Happy Christmas Buffy!" Giles looked up from his paper and smiled at her. "sleep well?"
"Like a log." she retorted.
"Hey Giles, you’re looking Christmas-y!" Dawn had just staggered in, she was full of excitement and a bit of cheer even though the early morning had unexpected surprises. "Where is Xander?"
"He went out for doughnuts." Giles answered.
"Oh." Dawn looked a little disapointed. "presents? can we Buffy?"
"We should really wait for Tara and Willow, plus Xander is bringing back yummy doughnuts."
"Can I please just open one?"
"ummmmm" Her hesitation was very high.
"Please just one.... Come on Buffy!"
"Oh alright, but just one, then you have to wait for everyone else to get up."
"Yippee!" she ran off to the front room.
Giles set down his paper. "Buffy I've been thinking."
"about what Mom said?"
"yes."
"I spent most of the night thinking about it also."
"It just doesn’t make sense, there are no prophecies of a mighty witch having times of peril." He looked into her eye's with serious'ness written all over him.
"There aren’t?"
"No, I called a friend I have in a Coven and they have never heard of any bit of what Joyce said."
"What if it isn’t a mystical force she is going to have to deal with?"
"Then what could it be?"
"Life."
"But why would she need Tara to make sure she doesn’t go back to the dark?"
"I don’t know, your the Watcher, aren’t they supposed to teach you this stuff?"
Giles gives Buffy one of his famous looks, and continues on contemplating the earlier transpirations.
Dawn smiled at the new sweater Buffy had gotten her, she was just about to pick up a second one to try and sneak a peak of what was in side when Xander's voice startled her.
"Hey, Hey, I bring sustenance!" He called out to any that could hear him.
"Merry Christmas Xander!" Dawn smiled from in front of the tree trying to look remotely innocent.
"Merry X-mas to you too Dawnster." he smiled, he had apparently not seen her trying to peek into the small pink gift bag.
"What kind of doughnuts did you get?"
"Oh a little cream filled, a lot of chocolate, some old fashions and other assortments of yummy dough-goodness" he smiled.
Dawn stood up following Xander to the kitchen.
Buffy, Giles, Xander, and Dawn stood in the kitchen making idle chatter.
"This is good coffee Buf'!" Xander commented as he sipped and took a bite of his chocolate bar.
"Just a part of waking up." she smiled.
"Yes when you have Foldgers in your cup!" Dawn laughed and took a bite of her jelly doughnut.
"Oh dear." Giles was in young adult hell, but it wasn’t as bad as he made it out to be, he loved the time he spent with the Scooby gang, his life was never as full when he wasn't around them, his family. He stood up and walked to the stove pouring hot water into his cup, using the tea bag again from his first cup he dipped it in and out.
Tara woke to the sound of the closing door, she rolled over to look out the window, this was her first white Christmas. She leaned back and looked at the sleeping Willow tree. She smiled, 'how do you do it? you look so innocent, I know you are dreaming, but I wonder what it is about, should I wake you? Would it be so wrong of me? I just want to smother you with sweet kisses, and hold you in my arms forever, just listen to your cute morning babble, I know you are embarassed because that is the only time you do it. It's so cute to hear you tell me of your dreams, Oh God Willow would it be that wrong of me?' tugging at the desire to wake her, she thought for a moment, to decide on what way she would like to rouse this beauty. Studying her for a moment she smiled, the perfect idea, really brilliant! She leaned down to her and kissed her cheek, snuggling into her. "Morning sweetie." she whispered in her ear. "time to get up, Santa Buffy has come early." she smiled, she knew Willow wasn’t Christian, so she had to come up with a good Santa idea. She waited a few moments for that little perky redhead to murmur her awake'ness. "Will, time to get up." she kissed her neck softly and nuzzled it.
"awww but I want the puppy with the purple stripes."
"purple striped puppies if you wake up!"
she smiled and faked sleep. "All aboard space Willow exploration!"
Tara smiled. "you’re not asleep."
"am to, see." she makes apparent fake snoring.
"Vixen." Her voice sounding very sultry.
Willow rolled over so she was facing Tara; she smiled excitedly and then yawned. "What time is it?"
"Nine thirty."
"already?"
"Mhmm."
"But my dream wasn’t even to the good part yet." Her voice was alittle disapointed.
"what’s the good part?" Her brow lifting as if to punctuate the question.
"this." Willow leaned over and gave the blond dream goddess a sweet intimate kiss on the lips.
"Mmm, you have to dream to get those kisses?" Her eyes were still half shut from the kiss.
"not anymore!" Willow smiled brightly.
"Wanna get up?"
"we have to get up?"
"eventually." a thin devious smile apeared on her lips.
"awww" she rolled over and pulled Tara close to her.
"But not right now, if you don’t want to!"
"goodie, coz I don’t want to!" Willow stated excitedly. Tara snuggled them deeper under the covers.
"Think we should wake them up?" Dawn was getting impatient.
"In a little bit Dawnie, it was their first night back together." Buffy smiled. She was glad to have her friend back too, but she didn’t think that was Dawn's reasoning for getting them up.
"Maybe we should." Xander was thinking that maybe Tara had some kind of thought on where Anya was.
"Alright, I'll go and get them." Buffy stood from her stool that was at the counter, she found her way to the stairs. "Sorry Will and Tara." she muttered to herself.
Presents.
The bottom of the tree was littered with presents. Papered in varieties, covering small and large boxes, some were odd shapes, others the normal square. "Here you go Buffy!" Willow handed the slayer one of the presents that was designated for her.
"Thanks Will." she smiled and tore the wrapper off. "Aww Xander its lovely."
"Yah, I saw it at Sears and thought it would be easier to use that then the standard widdling knife" he smiled brightly.
Tara watched as they unwrapped all of the presents, her heart was happy to be back with her family and especially her Willow!
"Tara we're sorry that we don’t have anything for you, we just kinda didn’t know you would be here." Buffy felt horrible opening the presents infront of Tara.
"It's ok Buffy, I didn't either!" she smiled.
"Tara, here is one for you!" Dawn smiled and handed her the black velvety box with the single small bow.
"For me?" Tara's intrest peeked, when she heard Dawn's voice, she hadnt expected anything at all.
"Yep, says To Tara!"
"But..."
"Open it!" Dawn insisted. Everyone stopped and waited to see what was inside.
Tara smiled, and lifted the box, the little hinge made a small squeak.
"Oh my goodness." She almost gasped.
"What is it?" Buffy asked.
"It's... it's beautiful!" Her eyes started to warm with happy tears.
"what is it?" Dawn repeated Buffy's question.
"It’s a silver heart locket, with an inscription." She brushed away the little tears building in her eyes.
"what's it say?" Dawn pressed once more, everyone but Willow and Buffy staring in disbelief that it must have been another miracle.
"My Always." she looked up and smiled. Pulling it from the box, she let it dangle, and shine for a moment. Unhooking the clasp she put it around her neck and let it be visible to the world. Buffy smiled she knew exactly who it was from. Willow. She knew all about the present that Willow would leave under the tree every year. She thought it was always sweet, she never knew what was inside the present, but she did know that it was a sweet thing, and it kept her going.
"its pretty who was it from?" Dawn asked gazing apon the shine.
"Yes who gave it to you Tara?" Giles asked, unaware of the meaning behind the inscription, which Dawn must have forgotten, she was there the day Willow told that to Tara.
Tara blushed. "Willow." Everyone smiled and went on with their presents, not wanting to make a big scene out of it. A few hours passed as everyone started to clean up, the day had started out better than anyone could have expected, individuals started bustling about, papers and ribbons getting put in thier place or trashed, unwrapped presents being placed under the tree so they would always have a reminder of such a wonderful morning and evening. Willow walked into the kitchen and screamed.
"BUFFY!! THE HAM!"
Scoobie family dinner.
Dinner was delicious they ate a beautiful ham that Buffy and Willow had glazed; everyone had helped make one of the dishes that was served.
Willow groaned. "Ohhh to much nog."
Xander laughed. "Will you always drink to much eggnog."
"but it's so yummy."
"Aww baby." Tara rubbed her hand.
"Well it’s only once a year so I say more nog for every one, except Willow!" Buffy smiled and intervined.
"I think I need to be rolled away." Dawn rubbed her tummy.
"That was a rather nice dinner I would say, by far the best! " Giles smiled while standing to take a few of the dishes to the sink, Xander following in picking up a few more of the dishes.
"Even with the Ham scare?" Willow questioned.
"Yes especially the ham scare." Giles smiled at Willow with a loving adoration, he and Xander walked off to the kitchen.
"So who wants to sing Christmas carols?" Dawn smiled as she stood to help gather dishes.
"Oh maybe after my stomach ache goes away Dawnie." Willow looked up with droopy eyes.
Tara was about to ask Dawn what song she wanted to sing when soemthing interupted her.
"Christmas Carols are the best, favorite part of the year." A voice came from the entry into the dining room. Everyone turning to look except for Giles and Xander who were in the kitchen.
"Kennedy?"
Tara looked at everyone and then mouthed to Buffy,Who's Kennedy?
"Yep that's me!" She smiled and walked in, Willow stood up and stared straight at her. Kennedy walked over and hugged her, then pulled out a sprig of mistletoe and hung it over their heads. "I think this entitles me a holiday kiss from my girlfriend."
"G... Girlfriend?" Tara stood up looking very confused.
"I know I didn’t stutter. yes girlfriend, Willow is my girlfriend."
"No she isn’t." Dawn spoke up.
"What was that, Munchkin?" Kennedy smiled at Dawn.
"She isn’t yours." She crossed her arms over her chest.
"What are you talking about Dawn, of course she is, this is our house. That is our room, which we sleep in." She made a hand gesture to the upstairs.
"Not anymore." Dawn started to unleash her Summer's attitude.
Kennedy looked back to Willow. "Is she on drugs?" she whispered slightly. Tara staring on in confusion.
"It's true." Willow spoke up.
"That I’m your girlfriend?" Kennedy retorted."or that I'm not?"
"That you aren’t." Tara spoke stepping next to Willow, reaching and interlacing her fingers with Willow's.
"Oh and who are you?" she copped an attitude.
"I’m Tara." she stated bluntly.
"Tara is dead, you don’t need to lie."
Buffy stepped in; she wasn’t going to let their Christmas miracle be ruined. "That is Tara, Kennedy. I think it would be best to drop the attitude."
Giles and Xander stepped back into the dining room hearing all of the commotion."Hey look its a Harris family Christmas!" he joked, Giles elbowing him in the ribs. “ouch." He chuckled. "Yep it is." he laughed again, people looking to see what he was talking about and then realized it was Kennedy, their attention went back to her.
Kennedy's brow lifted. "So then what’s it going to be Willow? Me or her?"
Dawn snickered. "You actually think she needs to choose, she’s gonna pick Tara."
"Willow is that true?" Her eye's glaring into Willow's.
"Kennedy you know Tara's and my background, how could you even question it?"
"You’re going to pick her over me?"
"Kennedy, are you that brain dead?" Dawn spoke up again.
"Hey squirt, I think Willow can fight her own battles."
Buffy was about to speak up when another voice did. "Back off of Dawn." Tara's voice was very assertive.
Willow turned and looked at her, she was shocked that Tara had spoken up normally so shy of confrontation. She was proud of her. "Kennedy, you can stay for a visit, but we aren’t together anymore, this is my house, and I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to stay with Tara and I." Her voice was clear that there was no arguing her and she had put on her resolve face for even more effect.
"But Willow, how could you after all we have been through.?" Kennedy was still trying to battle for Willow, she didnt like to lose thing, especially her things.
"oh you mean The First?"
"yeah."
"Kennedy, Don’t you get it, Tara and I have been through much more, she was there for me when I was addicted to magick. She was there for me when I relized I was gay." Willow smiled sheepishly at Tara remembering thier first time, but then pulled herself back on to topic and returned her attention to Kennedy. "She is my first, my last, my always. Nothing can change that." She gave Tara's hand a squeeze. "I hope you understand and can accept that."
Kennedy nodded.
They all silently sighed in relief that there wasn’t a big scene, and it was handled in a mature and adult manner.
Giles was proud.
Goodbyes are Hard.
It was a quarter past nine, Dawn was bringing down her suitcase. "I think that is everything, clothes, presents, towels al'a Willow!" she smiled.
"Aww I wish we would of had more time." Tara's soft voice spoke to Giles and Buffy.
"We wish we could too Tara, but Buffy has to be back in Rome for the new girls that are coming in, and I have to get back to rebuilding the council, It would of been lovely for us to stay, but unfortunately time won't permit us to." His face looked a bit sullen.
"I understand." she smiled and gave him a large hug.
"Yes have to get back to the slayage of things." Buffy smiled and hugged Tara.
"Do you really have to go Xander?" Willow's eyes were sad.
"Yah have to get back to the building of things, Just got this really big account." He smiled. "Giles is a great customer!" his grin even larger. He hugged Willow tight. "Take care of her Will, we all love her and couldn’t stand to lose her again."
"I know, me too! Gonna guard her with all the magicks in the Southern hemisphere!" she smiled.
Tara looked over at her when she heard the words of magic, she raised a brow and gave Willow a look of don’t you dare.
"Tara, y'think you and Willow could come and visit me?" Dawn questioned. "When you two get settled back into life together?" She added quickly,her eyes hopeful.
Tara was brought out of her glare at Willow when she heard Dawn's question. She turned her soft blue gaze to Dawn's own reflecting blue. "We'll see, Dawnie." The blond wiccan smiled and hugged her tight. She and Willow practically raised her while she was growing up and Buffy was out saving the world from mass destruction, corruption, evil schemes you name it she saved us from it!
In the middle of the big group bye bye's Kennedy had snuck out, she would send for her things later. She didn’t want to make a big goodbye scene, she was more of a quiet leaver or atleast now she was.
"Where is Kennedy?" Buffy asked while looking around.
"She was here a moment ago." Xander replied. Starting to look around also.
"I need to tell her about the slayer project in Rome." she sighed "well maybe we can catch her on our way out of town."
Her tone rather huffy and vengeful, her arms crossed against her chest in the thought of Kennedy."Or maybe a bunch of psycho rabid squirrels will..."
"Dawnie!!!" Tara interrupted.
"What?" she spoke innocently and looked at everyone.
They all laughed and then hugged goodbye one more time. Waving goodbye from the front door Willow and Tara watched thier family pull away. "I'm gonna miss them." The redheads voice was small.
"I know sweetie, I will too." Tara paused for a moment. "But Easter will be here soon, and so will Spring Equinox."
Willow turned around her eyes full of happiness and joy. "You mean?"
Tara's eyes shined in the moonlight that was pouring down through the open door, she nodded yes."Mmhmm!" The two girls met in an embrace that was full of pure and enduring love.
Us!
The New year had already come and gone, the girls were settling into life on the home front. Thier love being re-newed, adjusting to each other's new quirks. A moment being spent in each other's arms.
Tara and Willow watched the fresh snow blanket the yard and street from the front bay window. “So how does it feel to be alone and just us?" Willow whispered in her ear. Continuing to watch the snow fall.
"Magnificent." she smiled wrapping the redheads arms around her tighter.
The evening's sky was clear every star in the sky could be seen perfectly thier reflections glinting on the window from the candle light. Tara smiled and had a thought she wanted to do something with Willow that she hadn’t done in a long time. She turned around in her lovers arms and faced her. "Will you dance with me?"
"Always." The red head smiled and leaned in kissing her softly on the lips.
Unwrapping Willow's arms from her body she took her wrist lightly and lead her to the middle of the front room the dim light guiding her way. Lifting her hand lightly, music started to play.
Willow marveled at Tara's unblemished features in the candle light, her mind was taking in and filing away this moment, the moment she knew she could never be more happier in. Her Tara was home, and she planed to keep it that way. With just as much thought of her beautiful woman dancing with her, she still felt horrible that she hadn't gotten Tara more presents, she deserved it, infact she deserved the moon, the star's, the universe.
Willow sighed; her mind was set in upset mode now. "I’m sorry you didn’t get much for Christmas." her brows furrowing at the thought.
"I did!" she smiled and kissed her again softly. "I got you." She laid her head on the goddess's shoulder as they danced.
(Softly playing in the back ground is 'Hero' by Enrique Iglesias.)
"Willow?"
"yeah?" her voice soft.
"I remember some things as Freda."
"You do?"
"Yes, and... And...”
"What is it baby?" Willow's eye's were full with concern.
"I remember your pain; I remember the conversation in the park."
"But how?" Her brows furrowed in confusion.
"I don’t know, it’s... It made me feel so loved, and I." She sighed. "I wish that it had
been me that you were talking to."
"It was you baby, just not as hot!" Willow grined at Tara.
Tara's smile was soft. "I just feel so special when I'm with you."
"You are special, and a million times more."
They continued their dance. The night seemed to be ticking into the early morning, but neither noticed. “Do you remember anything else?" Willow was wondering if she had remembered the mistletoe kiss.
"Something about E-Bay, yes defiantly there was something about E-Bay." she
paused, "Is Anya selling things on E-Bay?"
Willow looked at her, her eyes were in shock. "You don’t know, do you?"
"Know what?"
"When the latest apocalypse almost happened, Anya died."
"oh god, I'm so sorry." Her eyes started to well with tears of grief.
"It hit Xander pretty bad." Willow's eyes were also reflecting the pain.
"When Xander was talking to Joyce I just assumed he was wondering about alternate dimensions."
Willow's eyes told her the story, she could see it all. "It must not have been her on
E-bay then."
Tara's words hoarse with the knowledge. "It was just something very Anya."
Willow brushed a few stray hair's behind Tara's ear and smiled. "Can we talk about this later? I just want to focus on you." She smiled at the one that made her dreams come true and could take her over the moon. A thought poped into Willow's head as she was taking in the past few weeks of the last year. She grew a glint in her eye's. "Tara I want to show you something."
Tara looked into Willow's eye's and smiled. She knew that look all to well, without question she nodded. The girls blew out the candles and Willow lead Tara up the stairs.
Conclutions. (preview and sneak peak)
D'Hofrins voice was loud and boisterous. "HALFRECK!" He was determined to find Anyanka, she had hood winked him for the last time. She had died and he saved her from a semi-mortal death, but no, he was not going to let her get away with this, she owed him big time and this was the last straw. "HELFRECK!" His voice more determined and stronger in it's tone.
"Yes D'Hofrin." Helfreck had just appeared. She looked frazzled and she looked a bit dazed. "What is it?" She knew very well this was about Anyanka and that she was in big trouble now, just maybe she could hold him off till she could alert her that there was nothing she could do any longer.
"Bring her to me."
"Who?"
"Anyanka." D'Hofrins voice was like thunder and filled with anger.