Sorry for the delay in posting. RL and I have been having a disagreement. I feel that it should leave me alone so I can work on my story and it feels that my attention needs to be elsewhere. Currently we have agreed to disagree. I have included two updates today. I’m not sure when the next one will be since I am waiting for the rest to be beta’d. Also time is limited for me for the next few weeks since I am getting ready for my auditions. Any kittens that can act and live in South Florida wanna audition for a part in the play I am directing? Anyway I hope you like the updates, and sorry again for the delay.
Jennpurr: Yes the bribery worked! Tummy rubs hmmm! Here is the alone time promised. Cheesy and trite it is, but I hope you still like it.
Oh and Puff, like I promised in your thread, here is an update, well make that two!
Enjoy.
Wendy Rae
Part Eight * * *
Willow floated through the next day. She kept telling herself that it was Thursday, one day closer to Friday. She had seen Tara a couple of times that day and each time her smile grew brighter and stayed longer. It amazed her that since they had been dating she had seen Tara around campus often. During their estrangement after the breakup she had not seen her at all. It seemed now, almost as if the blonde was going out of her way to run into her. That thought gave her tinglies.
After her classes were done she made her way to the magic shop to meet Tracy for their study session. She practically skipped into the shop.
“Good afternoon!” she sang to Anya who looked at her in bemusement. “Is Buffy here?”
“Hey Willow, yeah she’s in the back training. You look happy. Did your study friend turn into an orgasm friend?” Anya asked, knowing the answer but wanting to see if she could get a rise out of Willow.
“No Anya,” Willow sighed putting her bag down on the research table.
“Tara was in earlier, she looked pretty happy herself,” Anya imparted in her offhand way, looking back down at the inventory list she was going over.
“She did?” Willow asked moving to the counter where Anya stood. The ex-demon looked up at the excited redhead. “What did she say? Did she say anything about me?”
“As a matter of fact she did.”
“Well? What?” demanded Willow, her eyes bright with excitement.
“Is this like girl talk? Are we going to giggle and squeal?” Anya asked suddenly, her eyes brightening at the thought of learning something new.
“Anya!”
“Oh very well, she said you two had had a date last night and it went well, everything was moving along nicely and she couldn’t wait to go out with you again,” Anya told her. Willow squealed and jumped up and down clapping her hands in delight. “So we’ve done girl talk now?” Anya asked looked pleased with herself.
“Yes, we’ve done girl talk!” Willow called out over her shoulder as she made her way toward the back. “Thanks!”
“Hey Will,” Buffy greeted. She was working with the dummy, raining punches and kicks on it.
“Hey Buffy!”
“So how did it go last night?” she asked. Buffy continued her workout as Willow gave her a minute-by-minute description of her date with Tara. The blonde Slayer had finished and was drying off with a towel when Willow got to the part about Dawn interrupting them.
“That’s my sister, the Key, as in buttin
sky,” Buffy said drolly turning around. “Oh hey Tracy,” she greeted the brunette, surprised to see her. Willow turned around also and smiled. It faltered at the pale look on the other girl’s face.
“Hey Tracy, are you okay?” she asked moving toward her friend.
“Hey. No I’m fine, I just have a headache. Uh, Anya said it was okay to come back here.”
“Yeah, it’s fine,” Willow replied with a wave of her hand. She shared a look with Buffy. “So you ready to study?”
“Yeah!” Tracy turned around and led the way back to the table.
“I see your new friend found you!” Anya said brightly as the two made their way to the research table.
Tracy found it hard to concentrate on their homework. Her mind was buzzing with the partial conversation she had overheard in the training room. This could be the information Myra needed. She was almost free of her sister. Relief washed over her. Once she gave Myra what she wanted she could leave. She and Jenny could leave and never look back. Tracy forced herself to pay attention to Willow, all the while dreaming of her escape.
* * *
“So the sister is the Key,” Myra said crossing her legs she smiled, looking very pleased with herself.
“So that’s it right Myra?”
“Hardly. I need that book and I will need something from the girl. And I still need the witch,” Myra spat glaring at Tracy.
“I had Willow show me around the Magic Box today. I didn’t see the book but I think I know where it might be if they have it,” Tracy imparted to her.
“I want that book tomorrow. And I want something from the girl. Tomorrow Tracy, or you know what will happen,” she threatened. Tracy felt tears sting her eyes and she began to shake. She crossed her arms in front of her, wincing as she encountered the bruises on her upper arms. Mementos from Myra. Tracy wanted to say no to Myra, needed to say no, but she couldn’t, because Myra held her daughter.
“What do you need?” she sighed defeated. Myra smiled maliciously, pleased that Tracy gave in.
* * *
“It’s Friday!” Willow gasped opening her eyes wide when the alarm went off. “It’s Friday!” she jumped out of bed and rushed to the shower. Willow sang as she hurriedly washed, happiness rolling off her in waves.
“Whoa, what’s with the Sondheim?” Buffy asked from the bottom of the stairs. She watched as Willow skipped down the last few steps. Buffy laughed as Willow grabbed her and twirled them both around.
“It’s Friday!”
“Yeah, so?”
“Buffy, it’s
Friday!” Willow repeated a large grin on her face.
“Again with the so.”
“It’s Friday and Tara is going to spend the weekend with me!” Willow’s eyes were shining.
“Way to go Will!” Buffy cried happily. “So she’s staying here this weekend?”
“No, we are going “away” for the weekend,” was the smug reply.
“Away?” Buffy asked her eyes widening. “Away away? Where to?”
“It’s a secret,” Willow giggled, before twirling Buffy around again. Both girls were giggling when Dawn stomped down the stairs.
“Geez keep it down you two!” the teen grumbled at their antics.
“But Dawnie, it’s Friday!” Willow cried out.
“Yeah, Dawn, it’s Friday!” Buffy exclaimed getting into the spirit. Dawn rolled her eyes at the weirdness of the two.
“Whatever,” she shrugged. She walked around them and made her way to the kitchen.
“So you are going away huh?” Buffy asked turning back to her friend.
“Yes, we need some uninterrupted time together, you know to talk and such,” Buffy grinned and raised her eyebrows knowingly.
“Talk. Right,” she said meaningfully.
“Yeah, to talk,” insisted Willow.
“Uh huh.”
“Well maybe not
just to talk,” Willow blushed.
“You don’t say,” Buffy couldn’t help but laugh at her friend’s discomfort. “Will, this is great! When do you guys leave?”
“After school.”
“And you won’t tell me where?” Buffy wanted to know.
“Nope!” grinned Willow. “I will call to check in though,” the redhead assured her best friend.
“Okay, I guess that’ll have to do,” Buffy sighed and pretended to pout.
“Uh, can I borrow the car?” Willow asked hopefully. Buffy just laughed.
“Sure.”
“Oh Buffy!” Willow threw her arms around her friend, hugging her tight. “It’s Friday.”
* * *
Willow parked the Jeep outside Stevenson Hall and ran a nervous hand through her hair settling it. She took a deep breath and looked at herself in the rear view mirror.
“Okay now, no babbling, be cool, calm and collected. This is a good thing, we want this. We don’t want to be a total spaz; we want her to like us, to love us and to want to live with us again. So again, calm, cool, and collected,” she told herself sternly. The redhead got out and headed inside. Standing outside of Tara’s door Willow took a deep breath before knocking.
After a moment the door swung open and Willow felt a dizzying sense of déjà vu encompass her. The room behind Tara looked vaguely familiar, as it was filled with Tara’s belongings. Willow was reminded of the times she would visit Tara before they became lovers, when they would just cast spells. Willow suddenly longed for those innocent times. She was inexplicably sad as those memories washed over her. Her heart was heavy and she would have turned around and left if Tara had not drawn her into the room.
“Sweetie, what’s the matter?” she asked concerned seeing the look on Willow’s face.
“I’m sorry, this just reminds me of coming to your room to do spells when we first met,” Tara met her gaze with compassion. “I just missed that,” Tara gave her fingers a gentle squeeze. Tears sprang to Willow’s eyes before she blinked them away. “But none of that,” she said, forcing herself to move from the past. “It’s going to be a good weekend,” was the firm command.
“The best,” Tara agreed softly. She lowered her eyes before looking back up. Tara moved into Willow’s arms, pulling the other woman close.
The two young women looked into each other’s eyes searching for answers to questions not yet asked. Tara smiled softly and lowered her lips to Willow’s. The kiss was brief and yet it lingered. They broke apart and looked at each other again.
“You ready?” Willow asked softly.
“Yes,” Tara answered, answering both the asked and unasked question. They moved apart reluctantly, yet eagerly because each knew they had plenty of time. Tara grabbed her overnight bag and her book bag. Willow took the overnight bag from her. With large smiles the two women left the dorm room.
* * *
“Hi Anya, it’s Tracy, Willow’s friend,” she paused. “Is she there?” Tracy asked the shopkeeper when she answered the phone.
“No she’s not.”
“Uh, do you know when she might stop by?” Tracy felt a surge of raising panic. Myra would not be pleased with this development.
“She and Tara went away for the weekend to have lesbian sex,” Anya answered promptly in her blunt style. Tracy wasn’t sure how to respond.
“Oh, I see,” she thought quickly, searching for a way to salvage the situation. “Uh, how late are you going to be open? Willow gave me a list of books that I might be interested in, you know about witchcraft.”
“Are you doing magic? Because if you are you can’t hang out with Willow,” Anya said sternly. Tracy could almost see the frown on the shopkeepers face.
“No, I can’t do magic, but Willow suggested some books on the
history of witchcraft,” she explained quickly not understanding Anya’s warning.
“Oh, well, that’s okay then. We are here till eight. Please bring your money,” Anya said happily before hanging up. Tracy chuckled softly, ruefully shaking her head at the quirky shopkeeper.
One problem was down one to go she thought. The news that Willow was not going to be around threw her for a moment. She knew Myra would not be happy about this.
* * *
“I still can’t believe they kept your bedroom the same,” Tara said with a giggle as she looked around Willow’s bedroom. The bed with its wicker headboard had a white comforter on it. Hanging over the bed was a mobile of geometric shapes. Along one wall, near the French doors that lead outside sat a fish tank with brightly colored rocks and a plastic castle, but no fish. The walls were still covered with the myriad pictures and posters.
“Yeah, well I like it,” Willow answered with a shrug. She put down her bag. “Uh, you can have the guest room,” she gestured toward the far wall. Her heart breaking with the thought but she was preparing herself nonetheless. Tara purposely set her bags down next to Willow’s, her eyes boring into the redhead’s. The blonde had made her decision and she intended to stand by it regardless. Willow’s eyes widened.
“Tara?” she questioned, her voice soft, not daring to believe.
“I like it here too,” Tara’s answer was firm. A slow grin spread over Willow’s face. She reached out and gently touched Tara’s cheek before taking the blonde’s hand.
“Come on, let’s put the groceries away.” Smiling, the two witches went to the kitchen.
* * *
“How do you expect me to get some of her blood?” Tracy asked. Myra stalked toward her, invading her personal space.
“How else?” she questioned with a sneer.
“But Myra, do you expect Buffy to just sit around while I politely ask for Dawn’s blood?” Tracy asked disgust making her bold.
“Enough Tracy! I need the brat’s blood, how you get it is up to you. But if you don’t bring it to me I will kill her. Do not doubt me in this.”
“Myra, I can’t kill Dawn,” she almost cried at the thought of taking a human life.
“I don’t care if you do or not, but bring me her blood or your daughter dies,” Myra said bluntly.
“How am I going to keep Buffy busy while I get it?” Tracy asked in defeat, her head hanging down.
“I think I may have a way. But I won’t forget this,” Tracy blanched at her tone.
* * *
Willow and Tara made a game out of cooking dinner. They stood close together and would exchange soft kisses whenever their hands would touch. They began to accidentally, on purpose, brush against each other and all preparation would stop while they kissed. Willow could feel her body hum with the suppressed desire. The lingering looks Tara was giving her were not helping matters much. She gave serious consideration to chucking dinner and dragging the blonde to the bedroom. Shaking her head to push away the thoughts Willow turned her attention back to the matter at hand.
Tara smiled softly as she watched Willow out of the corner of her eye. The redhead was frowning slightly in concentration. She found her heart swelling with joy and love at being with the other woman. Tara knew there were still things they needed to talk about and to deal with, like trust and Willow’s addiction, but she also knew in her heart that this was right. This was where she was supposed to be. They would face the problems together. It would be hard she knew and dealing with Willow’s addiction was not going to be easy since she herself was not going to give up magic, but they would deal with it all together. The lines of the song they had all sang when Xander had accidentally summoned the demon Sweet came to her mind. “What can’t we face if we’re together.” She nodded. It was true, they could face anything together. Tara sighed happily. The next step had been taken; another weight had been lifted with her decision to be with Willow again. Now, her body was allowed free reign and she was having trouble keeping her desire in check.
***
Part Nine Dinner had been a light festive affair with lots of laughter and teasing. The two women had subconsciously pushed all the serious things aside, this weekend would be about fun, about them, about reconnecting, about restoring their relationship. Monday would be soon enough to deal with all the other issues that needed to be resolved. They had giggled and talked, in seemingly their own language, touching often and at times lapsing into silence as they gazed into each other’s eyes.
After dinner they made short work of the cleanup and decided to take their showers early and get ready for bed. The two settled down in Willow’s bedroom to watch a video. Each knew what they wanted to happen but was a little unsure how to approach that level of intimacy after being apart for so long. So they hid their nervousness and followed each other’s lead.
Willow sat on the floor at the foot of her bed, leaning against it, her knees drawn up and her hands clasped around them. Her eyes were intent on the movie. Tara lay on her side her head held up by her palm. Her free hand played idly with Willow’s hair. Tara loved the feel of the soft coppery hair.
Tara was not really paying attention to the movie, her mind wandering between the plot and the redhead seated in front of her. She smiled fondly as she watched Willow watch the movie. The other woman was engrossed, her attention firmly on the movie. Tara liked that about Willow, her single mindedness. When she was focused on something, a problem, homework, a computer, nothing else existed. Tara herself had benefited from it. Willow had spent long hours focused on Tara’s body, studying it, her reactions, delighting in each new discovery. Her body tingled with the remembrance. She shifted slightly and felt her face flush.
Tara’s fingers slipped through Willow’s hair easily. She moved to trace light patterns on the back of Willow’s neck. The blonde grinned when Willow absently waved her hand, as if shooing away a mosquito.
She tickled her neck again and once more Willow waved. Tara moved closer, giving into the temptation that had been plaguing her and placed her lips softly on the base of Willow’s neck. The redhead groaned and cocked her head to the side.
“Vixen,” Willow said softly, closing her eyes, enjoying the sensation of Tara’s lips moving along her neck. Tara placed small, hot, kisses along the column of Willow’s throat. “Hmm,” Willow managed. Smiling Tara moved to the small perfectly shaped ear. Her tongue traced the edge of Willow’s ear, before her teeth nipped at the lobe. Willow shuddered with pleasure.
“Okay, teeth! Teeth in new places!” Willow stood up her eyes wide and her face flushed. Smiling seductively Tara sat up, her eyes sparkling.
“You didn’t like that?” she asked innocently. Willow took a deep calming breath, willing her heart to stop pounding so loud.
“Oh I liked it,” she answered with a nod. Tara’s smile grew and Willow felt her knees turn into jelly. The blonde lay back and propped herself up on her elbows. Willow moved closer to the bed, stopping as she ran into the end. Tara’s foot playfully rubbed her thigh. Willow’s eyes bulged as she took in the magnificent form of her beloved. Tara’s sleep shirt was stretched tight over her chest, her nipples standing out, slightly raised. Willow felt her mouth go dry at the sight. All thought left her mind. Tara, recognizing the glazed look, smiled seductively.
“You see something you like?” she asked softly, her voice low, seductive. Willow, unable to speak nodded. Her mouth opened and closed, no sound escaping, not even her usual vowel sounds. “Is there something you’d like to do?” Willow nodded again. Willow’s feet moved as she tried to walk closer not noticing the bed that was impeding her motion. Tara bit back a giggle. Her smoldering eyes though raked over Willow’s trim form as her mind revisited visions of the other woman’s body pressed against hers.
“Tara,” Willow croaked. Her lips were parched, her throat dry. It was almost as if she were dying of thirst and the only thing that could slake her thirst was the woman lying before her.
“Come to me Willow,” whispered Tara, her eyes hungrily devouring Willow.
Willow moaned, the desire in Tara’s voice striking a chord deep in her chest. She climbed up on the bed. Moving on all fours she crawled up Tara’s body until they were face to face. Willow held her body aloft, denying them both the contact they craved. She looked down at the woman beneath her in wonder. This wonderful woman still wanted her, still loved her, after everything that had happened, after everything Willow had done to her. Tara looked back at the woman that held her heart and soul. The blonde slowly reached up and tenderly brushed back a lock of Willow’s hair, tucking it behind her ear.
Tears pooled in Willow’s eyes and her throat constricted painfully. She felt as if she didn’t deserve this woman. In fact she
knew she didn’t. Tara’s love and trust humbled her. Willow had known intellectually what she had done to Tara, but now her heart knew and her heart cried for the pain that she had caused. Tara was a good soul, a beacon in a bare landscape, an oasis in an arid desert. Willow was drawn to her and could do no more than circle her, begging to be let into the light. Willow’s soul ached to merge, to join with Tara’s. She
wanted it, she
needed it. More than magic, more than air to breathe, she
needed this woman. Willow was filled with wonder at Tara’s capacity to love and to forgive. She vowed then to spend the rest of her days making it up to the blonde, to worshipping her, to loving her.
Silent tears slid down her cheeks. Tara gently cupped her cheek and with her thumb rubbed away a tear.
“Tara, I’m,” Willow swallowed painfully. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
“I know baby,” Tara said softly, her thumb still stroking Willow’s cheek.
“I never meant to hurt you,” Willow told the blonde, her voice tight with anguish. “I’m going to spend my life making it up to you,” she vowed.
“Just kiss me Willow,” Tara pleaded softly, her lips aching for Willow’s touch. “Please.”
Willow looked down at the woman and slowly lowered her body. At the contact both women sighed. Their bodies merged effortlessly. Tara wrapped her arms around the redhead. Willow gently brushed aside a lock of Tara’s hair, her eyes still drinking in the sight of the other woman. Willow ached to kiss her. Her heart was pounding so hard she wondered if Tara could feel it. Her nervousness was gone, but she didn’t want to rush anything, she wanted to savor every moment, every sensation, and every touch. Willow smiled down at Tara, her fingers gently tracing the blonde’s features.
Willow moved closer, inching her lips nearer to Tara’s. They were so close they were breathing the same air. Their lips were mere inches away. Willow’s skin tingled. Her eyes bore into Tara’s. She felt the blonde’s breath hitch. Willow smiled slowly again before gently lowering her lips to Tara’s.
The kiss didn’t deepen. Their lips lingered, enjoying the texture, the taste. Slowly, almost imperceptivity Willow’s tongue gently traced Tara’s lips, remembering them, paying homage to them, before slipping easily into the woman’s parted lips.
The two women moaned as their tongues touched. The kiss was still gentle, loving, as their tongues moved over one another. Neither was in a hurry, they let their bodies become reacquainted. Tara’s hands moved along Willow’s back before slipping underneath her sleep shirt, her breath catching as she encountered Willow’s hot flesh.
Willow’s hands cupped Tara’s face. She broke the kiss and looked down at the woman beneath her. Willow’s eyes shone with love and her lips were moist from the kiss. Tara felt her heart skip a beat as she looked into Willow’s eyes. Those glorious eyes were filled with love, desire and still a hint of sorrow. Tara knew then that Willow would forever carry the scars of what she did. That reassured her like nothing else could. She silently vowed to spend her life erasing the sorrow from Willow’s eyes.
Suddenly Willow’s face grew bright as a large smile spread across her lips. She giggled and Tara raised an eyebrow.
“I’m happy! I can’t help it baby, I’m happy!” Tara chuckled at her enthusiasm.
“I’m happy too,” the blonde agreed.
“Well, we’ll be happy together.”
“Together with the happies,” giggled Tara.
“Up with the happy, down with the frown!” Willow exclaimed. The two women dissolved into giggles. Willow shifted and lowered her head to Tara’s shoulder. Tara wrapped her arms around the redhead and held her close. Each was content. Tara ran her hands up and down Willow’s back, pushing her shirt up to touch skin.
After a few moments Willow moaned and pushed her body into Tara’s. The blonde’s fingers had sent shivers of desire through her. She moved her head and began placing kisses along Tara’s throat up to her jaw line. Her tongue and teeth gently grazed the sensitive flesh.
Tara’s breath caught as she moved her head, revealing more of her throat for Willow. The redhead suckled and tasted the blonde’s throat. Tara’s hips jerked forward as Willow bit down on the tender flesh at the base of her throat. Time became suspended at Willow moved her lips back up Tara’s throat. She bit down and suckled, marking Tara as hers.
“Oh Willow,” Tara gasped, her fingers in Willow’s hair, pulling her closer.
Their surroundings melted away; there was nothing outside of the haze of desire that encased them. Willow moved her hand down, grazing Tara’s breast. The already erect nipple hardened further. Tara gasped as Willow pinched the nub through her shirt.
Willow’s mouth was everywhere, on Tara’s throat, on her chin, her jaw, and her ear, driving Tara further. The blonde’s body reacted and moved beneath Willow’s, straining to get closer. Willow took possession of Tara’s lips in a scorching kiss, leaving them both breathless.
“Wow,” Willow said after tearing away from the kiss. She took a deep gasping breath.
“What’s wrong?” Tara asked quickly, confused as to why Willow had stopped.
“Nothing. I’ll be right back,” Willow said making a move to leave.
“Will!” Tara protested. “You are
so not leaving this bed!” Willow smiled and kissed Tara on the mouth, evading Tara’s insistence to deepen the kiss.
“I’ll be right back,” she said softly. Willow quickly got up, slipping out of Tara’s embrace.
“Will!”
Willow just chuckled. She moved around the room, turning off the television, snapping off the bright overhead light, turning on the soft bedside lamp. Willow went to her bag and rummaged around. Tara sat up and watched her in disbelief. The blonde could not believe that Willow had gotten out of bed, had stopped their lovemaking.
“Willow, what are you doing?” she asked impatiently. Willow gave a cry of triumph and skipped back to the bed. She plopped down and looked down at her hand. Willow kept the object in her hands out of sight.
“There’s something I wanted to say before we, uh, go any further Tara,” she began seriously. Her heart was racing and she felt a full-blown babble coming on. “Uh, I really want to say this and I’m not sure I’ll get it right, well, I know I won’t get it right, because I never say anything right, but I really want to say this right. I mean because if it didn’t come out right it would be wrong and I don’t want it to be wrong, not that I’m all about being right, but I don’t want this to be wrong.”
“Willow, just say it,” Tara interrupted gently. Willow took a deep breath and looked at her hands.
“Tara, I love you. More than anything, you know that right? You’re my everything.”
“I love you too, Will,” Tara replied softly. Willow smiled brightly loosing herself in Tara’s gaze before visibly tearing her eyes away.
“Because I love you, I don’t want makeup sex.” Tara raised an eyebrow and Willow blushed.
“I, uh, I mean I
do want makeup sex, but not,” Willow sighed frustrated at her inability to get what she wanted to say out. “Okay, let me start over. You mean everything to me. I want to say again how sorry I am for what I did. It tears me up inside to know how much I hurt you. I don’t ever want to do that again. But I can’t promise that I’ll never hurt you,” she said sadly. “I want to be in a relationship with you Tara and sometimes in relationships things happen and people get angry or don’t think and do or say things that can be hurtful. I hope to never knowingly or willfully hurt you Tara.
“I learned a valuable lesson after you left me Tara. I learned that things happen, arguments happen, but if we are in a relationship
we work them out, together,” tears came to Tara’s eyes. “So I can’t say I’ll never hurt you or that you won’t hurt me, we can only try. And I’ll spend my life trying.
“So, with that in mind,” she took a deep breath and braced herself. “I want to spend my life with you Tara. I want to
make a life with you. I want to wake up with you each morning and go to bed with you each night and all that stuff in between. I want it
all. And if,” she paused and swallowed painfully, “if you don’t want the same thing I’ll understand. Really I will, but I need to know what you want before we go any further,” her eyes were wide and hopeful, praying that Tara wanted the same thing.
“Willow the day I met you my life changed,” Tara began her eyes looking down as her hands twisted nervously. “I saw things and did things and
felt things I’d only read about,” she looked up her eyes boring into Willow’s. “You made me feel alive, you made me feel real and special. I loved you so much that it hurt. This time apart made me realize that that was not necessarily a good thing,” Willow’s heart plummeted at her words. “I equated my self worth with how you felt about me. I think that’s why what you did hurt me so much. It made me think that you didn’t value my opinions or me. But this time away showed me that I could live without you and that I was more than Willow’s girlfriend.”
“I, I understand,” Willow said softly, her head lowered, trying to keep the tears from falling.
“I don’t think you do Will. I said I
could live without you, not that I would or wanted to,” Tara said softly. Willow’s head jerked up, her eyes wide, not daring to believe.
“You mean?” Willow asked almost afraid of the answer.
“I mean,” was the emphatic answer. Willow’s lower lip trembled and she seemed to stunned to reply. She had been given a gift, a rare and precious gift.
“I want to make a life with you too Willow,” Tara told her leaning closer pinning Willow with her eyes. “You are the first thing I think of in the morning and the last thing I think of before I fall asleep. I know it’s trite and cheesy but it’s true,” Tara shook her head ruefully. “I love you. You are my always and I can’t,” she paused, a flicker of pain crossing her features at the thought. “I can’t be without you.”
Willow leaned in and placed a kiss on Tara’s lips. The blonde tried to deepen it but Willow drew back. She grinned cheekily at Tara as the other woman playfully pouted.
“Ok then, now that that’s out of the way,” Willow chuckled. She looked down at her hands again gathering her courage. “I, uh, I want to give you something then, a symbol of my love and commitment. I saw it last month at a little shop and it just called to me. I knew then that if I was lucky enough to have you back then I wanted you to wear this. I want you to wear this as a sign of my commitment, not only to you, but to us,” Willow looked down again and opened the small velvet drawstring bag. Tara looked as well, trying to see what fell into Willow’s palm. She caught a glint of silver.
“Tara would you wear this?” Willow asked softly, trepidation filling her voice. She opened her palm, revealing a silver band about a quarter of an inch wide. Engraved on the ring was a series of raised intertwined knots. “The shopkeeper told me that the knots show how intertwined our lives are, and that they represent never ending life. To me this represents us.” Tara looked at the ring in Willow’s hand. It was beautiful and the sentiment behind it made her heart beat faster.
“So would you? Would you be my everything?” Willow asked her eyes filled with longing. Tara raised her eyes to look at the redhead. Tears spilled from her eyes. They shone with love and devotion. Willow wanted her. Really wanted her. Wanted to
belong to her, wanted Tara to belong to her. Tara was overwhelmed with emotion.
“Yes, Willow, yes,” she answered simply. Willow smiled brilliantly and took Tara’s left hand and slipped the ring on Tara’s middle finger. Since they couldn’t have a traditional ceremony, she didn’t want the ring on the traditional ring finger. Willow looked at the ring on Tara’s finger, nothing had looked more right to her.
“I promise to love you for the rest of my life,” Willow said her voice tight with all the emotion she felt for the other woman. “I promise to be faithful and true. I promise my life to you. All that I am, and all that I ever will be is yours,” she pledged solemnly before kissing the band, sealing her vow with a kiss. Tara’s breath caught in her throat. The sight of Willow kissing the ring on her finger caused such a wave of love to course through her, she thought she might faint. Her finger tingled where the rapidly warming band touched her skin.
“Oh Willow,” she sighed. “I love you,” she whispered her eyes shining. “Oh, but I don’t have anything for you!” she cried out in dismay. Willow grinned impishly. She opened the bag again and something fell out into her palm. Willow opened her palm to reveal another, matching ring. Tara smiled her lopsided smile and took the ring. She looked at it, twirling it through her fingers. The blonde reached for Willow’s left hand and looked deep into her eyes as she slipped the ring on to the redhead’s middle finger.
“Willow I promise to love no other for as long as I live. I promise to keep you safe and always be there for you as long as there is breath in my body. I pledge my heart, my body and my soul to you. All that I am and all that I will be is yours,” she repeated the words Willow had spoken just moments before. She also bent her head and kissed the band. Willow’s heart was so full she thought it would burst.
Locking eyes, the two women linked hands and their fingers intertwined. They leaned in as one and kissed deeply. Willow leaned in further, gently lowering Tara to the bed. They didn’t break apart as they continued to kiss. Tears were falling from their eyes, mingling together, joining as one.
Their hands came apart and began to roam, shirts were pushed up, fingers grazed erect peaks and still the kiss remained unbroken. They finally broke apart, gasping for air. They feverishly undressed each other, revealing to their eyes the bare beauty each had longed to see, to touch, to taste, these long months.
“You are so beautiful,” whispered Willow worshipfully. Tara blushed and lowered her eyes before raising them again. She grinned coquettishly at her love.
“Thank you,” she replied. Tara didn’t try to deny it or not believe it. The shine of Willow’s eyes told her that she believed it and that was all that mattered. Willow swallowed hard.
“God Tara, I love you so much.”
“I love you too Will.”
“I want you so much I ache,” Willow managed around the lump in her throat.
“I’m yours Willow, I’ve always been yours,” Tara told her. “You can have me.”
“Vixen,” teased Willow grinning.
“I’m your vixen.”
“Always,” the redhead whispered.
Willow lowered her body fully over Tara’s, their legs intertwining naturally. Both women sighed as their flesh touched. They had waited so long for this. Their hands moved slowly, then with more purpose. They explored, each still knowing the other’s body. There was an added element though, an intenseness that had never been there before.
Willow took Tara’s earlobe in her mouth and bit down on it gently, causing Tara to cry out softly and her hips to jerk forward. Willow slipped her thigh between Tara’s legs, groaning as the liquid heat seared into her. Her lips moved down Tara’s throat, gently kissing the red mark she had left earlier. Willow’s finger sought out an erect nipple, tweaking it. The redhead’s mouth moved down and covered the other. Her tongue swirled around the aching peak, causing Tara to moan aloud again. Tara pulled Willow’s head closer, her body reacting to the gentle suction.
Willow’s hand moved further down over her stomach, reaching the crisp honey brown curls. She lovingly ran her fingers through the increasingly damp curls. Tara raised her hips, begging for Willow to touch her heated center. Willow, smiling moved to the other pebbled peak, taking the tip between her teeth and flicking her tongue over it. Tara’s breath grew ragged and sounded loud in her ears.
“Willow please,” she gasped, begging Willow to touch her, to take her. She could feel the lips around her nipple stretch into a smile. Willow slid her fingers gently through the blonde’s curls, sliding through the wetness pooled there, reaching the hard bundle of sensation. “Oh God!” Tara cried out at the first touch.
Her hips began to move with the motion of Willow’s hand. Tara took deep gasping breaths, holding on tight to the redhead. Willow released her nipple and began inching her way down Tara’s body, kissing every inch on her journey downward.
“No, please stay,” Tara managed, pulling her lover back up, “I want you to stay here, I want to hold you,” she lovingly stroked Willow’s cheek. The redhead smiled and settled herself over the blonde. She stroked Tara gently, igniting the fire into a white-hot intensity. Willow kept her eyes on Tara watching the myriad of emotions flicker across her face. Tara struggled to keep her eyes open, to return Willow’s gaze. Willow slowly, tenderly entered Tara. The blonde arched her back and opened her legs further for Willow.
“Oh Will,” she whispered as her hips rocked with the rhythm that Willow’s hand set. Willow moved in and out, pushing ever deeper, adding a second finger. Her fingers began to move faster, harder, deeper. Tara’s back arched and came off the bed, her head moved from side to side, her breath rasped deep in her chest. Tara’s moans of pleasure filled Willow’s ears with their siren song. She moved her thumb, grazing the pulsating knot of Tara’s pleasure. Tara gasped loudly. Their bodies moved against each other, straining toward Tara’s release. The blonde held onto Willow tightly. Their sweat mingled, causing them to slide easily against each other.
Willow’s hand continued to move, pressing deeper she could feel Tara’s insides start to constrict. The redhead knew Tara was not far off. Tara felt her body soaking up Willow’s knowing touch. She wanted to keep her eyes open. Tara wanted Willow to see her as she fell into bliss.
She wanted to see Willow. Tara felt the sensation start in her toes, moving up her legs to settle firmly between her legs. The warm flush covered her. Tara felt herself rushing toward that precipice that Willow always took her to. Her body moved of its own violation, straining toward release. She felt Willow’s lips on her heated skin. Suddenly in a rush of pleasure she soared, bright light exploded behind her eyelids as liquid heat spread through her. Her hips strained upward as Willow’s fingers were encased deep within. Tara fell back, her body quivering with her release. The blonde wanted the feeling to last, to never stop. She felt Willow tenderly push away her sweat soaked hair. Her breathing slowly came under control. Her eyes though still remained shut. Tara felt Willow’s lips again on her flesh and she hummed with pleasure. Willow’s kisses became firmer, passionate. Willow’s tongue traced patterns down Tara’s chest, taking the hard pebbled flesh in her mouth. Tara felt her body responding again. This time she didn’t stop Willow’s progress down.
When Willow’s mouth reached its destination both women groaned. Willow took a deep breath, her mouth watering as she breathed deeply of her lover’s scent. Willow lowered her head and her tongue slipped through Tara’s folds searching for and finding Tara’s pulsating center. Her tongue moved over the knot, through the valleys and grooves, drinking the nectar as if only that sustained her.
Willow easily slipped two fingers into Tara’s center. Her fingers moved in time with her tongue. This time Tara came hard and fast crying out Willow’s name. Willow nuzzled her cheek into the damp curls not wanting to leave. But Tara began pulling on her, wanting her to come up to her.
“Wow,” she gasped, wrapping her arms around Willow. Tara loved how they fit together. She hugged Willow taking a deep breath. “Oh Willow,” she sighed. The redhead snuggled closer and giggled.
“Everything work out okay?” Willow asked with a self-satisfied smirk.
“Oh God yes!” Tara exclaimed loudly. “All with the goodness here,” Willow giggled. “Pretty pleased with yourself huh?” teased Tara looking at the other woman.
“Yep!” agreed Willow with a nod. “Pleased girl here. Or well you should be pleased girl, I’m smug girl.” Tara giggled and kissed Willow’s forehead.
“I am pleased. Very pleased.”
“I’m glad,” the two fell silent for a moment.
“Willow, I love you,” Tara said seriously. Willow raised her head and looked down at the other woman.
“I love you too.”
The two women looked into each other’s eyes and time lost all meaning. They could have been looking at each other for a few minutes or a few hours even, neither knew. All the answers to questions asked and unasked were in the depths of their eyes. Love was given freely, apologies and forgiveness accepted. They felt the pain that had been locked tight around their hearts loosen and finally break free. The last step had been taken. The past was now finally the past and the future was beginning. As one they smiled, feeling the glow of their love encompass them. They moved together and their lips met in a soft kiss.
“It’s my turn,” Tara whispered pushing Willow away and rolling the redhead over onto her back. Willow looked up at her trustingly. “Grab hold love, it’s going to be a
long night,” Tara said huskily with a rakish grin. Willow’s laugh quickly turned to a pleasure soaked moan.
***
Edited by: Ghostwriter at: 8/24/02 11:50:27 am
by spazz07 » Tue Aug 06, 2002 1:20 am 
Love Buffy and Dawn being all suportive of our fav couple. 
Great stuff Wendy, good luck with the play 
I was really missing an update! Grrr for Dawn! Interrupting them not only once, but twice! 
The pic in my avatar shows me at the age of 15 months. 
. 
That was so sweet! OMG I almost cried when I read the commitment part. 
at: 8/25/02 4:15:07 pm
