New Fic: There You Are

[Scout]

Happy B-day, DW! But you know, I need to know who that bird is and what it wants. It's not going to follow them around until Michelle graduates from college, is it?



Looking forward to more of this wonderful story!

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"Tara's not dead at all - she just has a new group of writers." - Sassette

[LeatherQueen]

Happy Birthday, and nice update! And I, too, thought that bird was dead. But no... it's back and I'm sure it means trouble.

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"But when they're playing your song on the jukebox in Hell, you might as well dance." - K. Simpson


"Futile... like a FOX, baby!" - Tara in The Late Shift by wiccachica

[sparrow]

One big HAPPY BIRTHDAY hug to DW.



Quoth the raven, never more

And, yet, I just can't seem to care


I'm not coming back

[xita]

Happy Birthday! And what a lovely update! I think I worry that even with w/t's efforts to not have emily feel left out, she will anyway... and the bird.. hee.. survived.. bastard!

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

Willow: (to Tara) I could heal.

Tara: (to Willow)And we’re gone.

[Thanatopsis]

Happy Birthday DW. Thanks for the update. Instead of focusing on that damn bird, cause that's all I've done the last few posts, I offer you a lovely song on the anniversity of your birth. *sings* This is your birthday song. It isn't very long.

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Dawn: I gave birth to a pterodactyl.
Anya: Oh my god, did it sing?

[The Rose24]

Arrrggghhh!!! That stupid bird. When are we going to know its story?

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.

Tara: Willow, I got so lost.
Willow: I found you. I will always find you.

Willow: Hi, um Tara. I was wondering maybe you want to go out some time for coffee? food? Kisses and gay love?

[VampNo12]

First I wish you a very Happy Birthday DarkWiccan ! As for the update it was wonderful, and I loved how sensitive Tara was to Emily's needs (of course with a special person like Tara who always looks out for the needs of others I am not surprised). Tara knows that with a newborn there is an adjustment factor, especially in getting the baby on a schedule. Therefore, W&T will be focusing on Michelle and she doesn't want Emily to feel neglected. I just hope Emily doesn't take Tara's idea about spending the night at Joseph's as a negative. In other words, Emily seems comfortable with Tara's explanation, but with Joseph she opens up to him about her fears, so I am curious to how she truly feels.



Loved the image of Tara's "two sleeping angels" quietly sleeping in the bedroom, and can I just say damn bird die already ! Looking forward to the next part, and hopefully some insight into why the raven is watching Emily.

[fairydust]

That gosh darn bird....lol....I am so happy that Willow and Tara have their own little family. It is so sweet

I hope Emily deals well with all the changes going on in their lives.....I need more! And soon!!!!! lol

*****Faye*****I LOVE YOU JENNA

[MadeinNZ]

I know this is off topic but just wanted to say - Xita - your avatar keep me mesmerised for quite a while. There is something about slow motion. Very cool.



Edited to add: Whoops - I just noticed there was an avatar thread for these kind of comments so I'll repost there.

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"When someone falls for Willow, they stay fallen" - Normal Again

Edited by: MadeinNZ at: 6/28/02 1:45:26 am

[Rocktoddy]

Hmmm... I suppose it's a day too late to wish you 'happy birthday' huh?

Oh well, still hope you had a wonderful day!

Wow, 23... somehow I figured you were much older... ya know, with your amazing talent and writhing skills and all...

As for the update... Yay! This fic is so sweeeet... Tara stroking her new baby's blond hair... sigh... just little things like that are making the butterflies in my tummy extra buttery...

"They kill mice, hmmm..."-Crazy Brain-Sucked Tara, Tough Love
"You mean like a 'sexy' peanut butter sandwich?"-Willow, No Matter Where You Go by DarkWiccan

[Shinnen]

Happy Birthday DarkWiccan! *I think I'm a little late to greet* BUT Belated Happy Birthday!



If ya told me your birthday was yesterday I'd draw a little something for ya. But just hang on, I'll get around to something. and you're the same age as me.... cool... and so wonderfully talented!



Well... one thing you could do is chat to me a little on Yahoo! Messenger. I'm divine_right (stupid name but what can I do... that was my email since I was 15 years old)



CheerZ

Shinnen

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

When I Am Standing On My Head, The Sky Is So Deep And The Sea Is So High.

[snuggle79]

Great update! And happy birthday DW! Sorry, for being late!

Oh baby, want me to rub your tummy? She likes it when I ... stop explaining things.

Hi, um Tara..how are you? well...I was wondering maybe you want to go out some time...for coffee? food? Kisses and gay love?

[KJchicago]

Belated birthday greetings Dark Wiccan!! I'd like to say that I am your number one fan, but I think that I have to compete with many kittens to earn that honor.



I love all your fan fiction. I especially love your future W-T and their family. And Emily is so cute. Can't wait to see her in the role of big sister.

[nika]

Hey DW sorry for the lateness...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!!!!! The update was great btw. That bird's got my feathers all ruffled, it reminds me of Odin's messengers. Looking forward to more W/T crunchy goodness.

[Grimaldi]

very sweet update hope you had a great birthday

Dude, we're surrounded by perverts!

Worm, are you ready to die in the cleansing apocalypse?

Its not my fault that you're a little geek with no sense of humor

[kpmuse]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DW!!!!



Thanks for the update today! Tara is the most wonderful mother! Well, I always knew she would be!

Willow really came through for her family even with the early trepidation she felt. Way to go Willow!

I love this story! I wish we could have seen Willow and Tara this way on our tv screens, married and with children! What a great story!

Kristine


Tara & Willow Forever

Edited by: kpmuse at: 6/28/02 8:07:22 am

[tkheaven]

Quote:

---

Um... uh... I have nothing to say to that...

---

Did that come out wrong?

I did say that came out a bit more freaky than it sounded in my head, ya know what I mean? Weird dreams can sometimes be interesting. Anywho..I know it's a bit late but HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I hope you had a great day! Great update! Just when I thought that bird was done for..hmmm, what else do you have up your sleeve there, mistermister...

Tk's new and improved "GrrArgg"

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Tara was similarly riveted, her body on slow burn as Willow's lips parted and her mouth opened, the food slipping inside and being consumed. Never in her life had Tara ever wanted to be a chicken casserole so badly...Later that night..."It's good to be a chicken casserole," Tara murmured, before passing out. ~ Answering Darkness by Sassette

[Miss1234Kitty]

Happy birthday!



Emily's a brainy-type too! But I always knew that anyway.



Thanks so much for the update. Gee, I go away for my prom for 1 day. 1 day, and I come back to find that all of my faves have been updated with the exception of Unexpected Consequences. Does anyone know where Lisa is?



I should go away more often.



No, I don't like that idea either. Thanks, DarkWiccan.



Gem

Tara: There's just so much to work through... and can you just be kissing me now?

[DarkWiccan]

Thank you guys so much for all your birthday wishes! For those of you who are curious... My day went like this:



Work... followed by... performing in a show wherein I get shot...(I adlibbed the line "your shirt..." no one got it... mostly because it was just *my* shirt that was covered in blood and nobody elses... but it's the thought that counts...) then after the show I had rehearsal for another show.... then I went home, popped in my Buffy S2 DVD's and then went to bed...



No cake... no prezzies... just a day... but all your notes were my presents and they were the best ever!!!



***Loco2 -- Yes, there will be W/T family sweetness... like i said before... this is an epic piece so stuff is going to be left in the air so as to provide me more toys to play with as the plot progresses.



***Everyone going on about the bird -- two words: Plot. Device. the answers are there... just not clear yet... hang in there while things *slowly* come into focus



***xita -- Perceptive as always, milady... we'll just have to see....



***VampNo12 -- Yup, Tara's a sweetheart, I just love her...



***MadeinNZ -- Yes...avatar gooood



***Rocktoddy --

Quote:

---

ya know, with your amazing talent and writhing skills and all...

---

Yes...my girlfriend agrees I am known for my "writhing" skills... ahem... can't believe I just said that...



***Shinnen -- Excellent! I now have you logged into my buddy list



***tkheaven -- LOL... I was teasing you ... I knew what you meant Yes, weird dreams are always interesting... this morning.. for example... I dreamt I was lying on *my* bed in the lobby at work chatting with the assistant HR manager... nothing sexual about it... just thought it was weird that my bed was in the lobby at work...



Anyhoo--



Update over the weekend!



Thanks again everybody!!



Cheers

DarkWiccan

[fairydust]

I forgot to say happy birthday I feel really bad now. Well, anyhoo, I guess better now than never

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DW!!!!!! *hums the jaunty tune*

*****Faye*****I LOVE YOU JENNA

[pacou]

Happy Btirthday!

I know, im very late, too and im really feeling very very bad right now! Im a bad kitten. Bah.

But at least i didnt forget to wish you a belated happy birthday! Maybe im not that bad. Maybe. *sigh*



Oh and great update.



-Viv-

[singgirl]

sorry your birthday was uneventful. But, happy belated birthday anyway. can't wait till you reveal some of the mystery shrouding that damn bird! lata gata!

[Lonewolf22]

DarkWiccan: First off let me say Happy Belated Birthday to you DarkWiccan, I would have said it yesterday but my computer was all wonky and I couldn't get on online last night to read or to congratulate you.



About the update, Great update, I really loved the way that Tara explained to Emily why she had to stay over at Xander's place, it shows just how truly loving she really is.



Like everybody else here I also knew that Emily was brainy-type, she takes after her Mama.



Loved the scene when Tara stood over the bassinet and was just looking at Michelle and touching her little head, just fantastic. I can't wait to read more.



Lonewolf

[vmpIrslAr]

I'm with everybody on the whole "hating the bird". Are you getting all Hitchcock on us the black birds?

Great update once agian

VmpIrslAr out.



"she's my everything."

[DarkWiccan]

Less talk.. more update



Here We Go!

____________________



Willow and Tara sat patiently in the hallway at Sunnydale Elementary School. Tara held an awake, but drowsy, Michelle in her arms while Willow rummaged through the diaper bag searching for the infant’s pacifier.



“I think we must have left it at home”, the redhead announced after several more minutes of unsuccessful scavenging.



“Well, I think she’ll be okay”, said Tara, “If she starts to get fussy we can always give her a bottle.”



Willow started to nod her head in agreement, but suddenly stopped, her eyes getting wide. “Uh, Tar…”



“Tell me you remembered the bottle”, the blonde sighed.



“Um, well…” her wife replied, “I remembered the bottle in the sense that I remembered to take it out of the fridge to bring with us… but… I kinda forgot to put it in the bag.”



“Oh, Will…” Tara gently chided.



“Well, I’m sorry”, the hacker responded, “But with the whole not sleeping for the past three days…”



“I know, I know”, her lover soothed. “It’s alright. We’ll deal with it. She’s pretty sleepy right now, so hopefully she’ll just nod off completely.”



An attractive African-American woman stepped out into the hall from the school’s administrative offices. She looked over to the two women and smiled.



“Mrs. Rosenberg-Maclay?” she asked.



“Yes?” They both answered, looking up to her, her grin widening.



“I’m Charlotte Geary, Emily’s counselor”, she said, introducing herself, “Please join me in my office.”



Willow and Tara nodded and rose, following Charlotte past the front desk and toward the back of administration. Her office was comparable to any other school counselor’s office the pair had encountered throughout their own school days. The walls were lined with bookshelves, there were the occasional incidence of student photos and drawings all signed with love to “Miss Geary”, a few plaques adorned the wall along with a couple of diplomas. Willow and Tara sat opposite the counselor at her desk, Michelle making a few soft sounds of protest at the sudden influx of movement.



“What a beautiful baby”, Charlotte complimented, “She’s so tiny, how old is she?”



“Four days”, Willow answered proudly, but wearily none-the-less.



“Well, congratulations”, said the counselor, “I had no idea you were expecting.”



“Emily didn’t mention anything?” Asked Tara, concerned.



“We’ve only been in session for a little over two weeks”, Miss Geary explained, “and I haven’t yet had the opportunity to speak with Emily one on one, though I look forward to doing so.”



“Emily told us that she didn’t know about her test scores”, Willow replied, “But she is very excited at the notion of being promoted to fourth grade.”



“So you’ve spoken with your daughter about this?” Charlotte clarified.



“Of course”, Tara answered, “We keep a very open dialogue with our children, Miss Geary. Before we make any kind of decision that may affect Emily’s life, we always make sure it’s what she wants first.”



“Please, call me Charlotte”, the woman smiled, “And that is a very admirable and rare quality to find in a parent these days. I must say it’s refreshing.”



“What steps do we need to take now”, asked the redhead.



“Well, signing of paperwork, of course, uh… Emily will need to take an equivalency test in order to get credit for her third grade year before she can be promoted. She will pass with relative ease, I’m sure. Of course she will be given the opportunity to study prior to the exam. The only concern I really have is how well she will be able to adjust to being around children older than herself. Since she is only advancing one grade-level she should be fine. Plus, there is the added bonus of being with a familiar teacher. Her second grade teacher, Ms. Henckle, was just transferred to fourth grade after our previous fourth grade teacher Mr. Banfield accepted a job out of state. It was Ms. Henckle who first brought Emily to my attention.”



“Emily has often spoke fondly of Ms. Henckle”, Tara noted, “I’m sure she’ll be incredibly excited to be in her class again.”



“As is Ms. Henckle to have her”, Charlotte grinned. “Ms. Henckle is also the fourth grade G.A.T.E. teacher. Gifted And Talented Education. Emily will be learning at an even more accelerated rate than just advancing her grade level can provide. She will be grouped with other students like her who have a thirst for knowledge and an aptitude for learning. Two things that do not always go hand in hand.”



“Yes, I know G.A.T.E.”, said Willow. “I was a student in the program myself.”



“Excellent”, commended Miss Geary, “then you’re familiar with what a wonderful program it can be for motivated students like your daughter.”



“Are you sure this won’t be too much too fast”, queried Tara. “I mean, I know that Emily is very bright, but she’s always just been a girl her age, to me anyway. She’s always enjoyed school and done well in her classes…”



“Mrs. Rosenberg-Maclay”, Charlotte cut-in, “given Emily’s recent test scores it would not be unreasonable to suggest that your daughter’s intelligence level could be bordering on genius. If not in fact be genius.” Tara’s jaw snapped shut with an audible pop. “I assure you that this move is nothing that Emily can’t handle, provided that she has the support and encouragement of her parents. She does have your support?”



“Of course she does”, Willow fervently replied, “That’s not even a question. My wife is just concerned with overwhelming our daughter, as am I. I would feel a lot better about this if we met again after you’d had the opportunity to actually meet Emily yourself and even after that I’d rather have her here when the final decision is made.”



“I agree”, commented Tara.



“Again, I find your concern and involvement with Emily’s life to be almost awe-inspiring”, stated the counselor. “ I can set up a meeting with your daughter later in the week, your presence is welcomed and encouraged.”



“We’ll be here”, the redhead affirmed.



******



Outside of the school, Michelle tucked neatly in her stroller, the two women made their way back toward home. It was a little past noon and the sun was high, beating down on them with the gentle heat of the California summer. Willow was pushing the stroller and Tara had placed one of her hands on top of her wife’s, their fingers lightly interlocking as they walked the tree-lined streets.



The walk was surprisingly quiet. Neither woman really felt the need to speak. They were both tired from the up and down nature of the last few nights of caring for their new baby and now had even more to think about in regards to their older child’s welfare.



Ghaena had been kind and very patient in her tutorials with Emily over the past seven months. But somehow, in the past few days since Michelle’s birth, the priestess had seemed suddenly agitated with the slow going nature of Emily’s training. She had insisted on stopping by every day to meet with the young redheaded girl to teach her even more. Tara had finally become firm with the brunette, making it clear that the weekdays were for Emily’s schoolwork, not to mention that with an infant in the house things were hectic enough as it is and they all needed a few days, if not even a few weeks to adjust to the change.



Ghaena had gone off in a huff, muttering something unintelligible under her breath. Both Willow and Tara had been surprised and a little alarmed with sudden strange attitude the woman they had come to know as a friend had unexpectedly acquired.



They turned up the walkway to their little home to find the slayer once again occupying the front steps. She had a beaming smile on her face, always a welcome change from her normal look, which generally implied bad news.



“Buffy, what are you doing here?” Asked Willow as she lifted Michelle out of the stroller.



“Waiting”, she smiled.



“For us?” said Tara, the question painfully obvious. Or so she thought.



“As a matter of fact, nope.” Buffy cheekily replied.



“Um, then… who are you waiting for at ‘our’ house”, Willow inquired, her tone playful though confused.



“Him”, the slayer smiled, standing from her seat. The married couple turned to see a taxi pulling to a stop and a weary watcher stepped out.



“Giles!” the redhead said with joy and surprise.



Buffy went to help with the older man’s bags as he moved to greet the two women with loving arms.



“Let me see, let me see”, he smiled, looking down at the little babe in Willow’s arms. “Oh, she’s beautiful”, he sighed happily. “May I?” he asked, indicating he’d like to hold her.



“Of course”, Willow grinned, carefully passing her daughter into her old friend’s arms.



Michelle’s eyes were wide and full of wonder as she looked up at the new face smiling down at her. Giles tenderly placed his forefinger in the infant’s grasp, his grin spreading across his whole face as the tiny girl held on with a vice-like grip. “Oh my”, he breathed, a tear forming in the corner of his eye, “Tara, she looks just like you.”



The wiccan smiled and walked over to Willow, wrapping her arms around her in warm affection.



In Giles’ arms, Michelle’s face scrunched up slightly and she began to cry a little, suddenly finding the unfamiliar face a little too so. “Sh, tut, tut, tut”, Giles cooed, reaching into his jacked pocket and pulling out a small red, blue and yellow colored rattle and gently shaking it in front of the girl’s face. Michelle stopped her crying and instead became mesmerized by the colorful noise-maker. But it only lasted a moment before she once again resigned herself to tears. “Uh-oh”, Giles smiled, “I think she wishes her mother.” Willow stepped in and reclaimed her baby, but this did not even calm her.



“I think she’s hungry”, the redhead surmised. Tara nodded in agreement. “I’ll just take her in and uh…”



“Right”, Tara smiled, seeing the milk stain quickly forming on Willow’s right-breast where she had spontaneously begun to lactate at the sounds of Michelle’s cries. Yet another of Mother Nature’s quirks. “I guess you’d better.”



Willow hurried inside, blushing furiously despite that fact that both Giles and the slayer were blissfully unaware of her predicament.



“Why don’t we go inside and sit down”, Tara offered, noting the watcher’s fatigue from the long flight. “Giles, I can make you some tea if you’d like.”



“Thank you, Tara, that would be wonderful”, he smiled and the three of them went inside.



******

TBC...

Edited by: DarkWiccan at: 6/30/02 9:09:47 pm

[The Next Tara Maclay]

Yay! an update.

[VampNo12]

Great update DarkWiccan! Wow not only is Emily smart, she may also be a genius. I loved the approach W&T took with the guidance counselor, excited about the prospect of Emily moving ahead, but at the same time wary of putting any undue pressure on their child. It was smart to want to make sure Emily be included in the process, so she truly understands what this move to the 4th grade, as well as the "G.A.T.E program entails.



I am further intrigued by Ghanena's strange behavior. As noted by W&T in the past she has been patient with Emily, but now all the sudden Ghanena seems to have a need to accelerate Emily's learning. I am curious if this has anything to do with the raven, who seems to not want to die !



Lastly, glad to see Giles is back, I loved how emotional he got when he noticed the resemblance Michelle has to Tara (a beautiful image to behold). Also I found it funny and practical that when Michelle was crying (due to hunger), Willow's breast began to lactate (ie emphasizes the connection between mother and child). Can't wait for the next part!

[MadeinNZ]

Hooray - update city. Isn't Giles a sweety? He's like a grandfather coming to see his new grandchild. And what's the deal with Ghaena? She's wigging out about something. That can't be good. Hope you feel in the writing mood.

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"When someone falls for Willow, they stay fallen" - Normal Again

[Thanatopsis]

Nice update. I like the exploration Tara and Willow are giving to Emily's skipping a grade. Is that maybe what's making Ghaena crazy? Also nice to see Giles again and him being so much like a grandfather.

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Oh, trusty soda machine. I push you for root beer, you give me coke.

[Jennpurr]

WOW... DW please forgive me for such late feedback. I just caught up on 3 updates.



I am totally loving this story, very much. You know, I had wondered for awhile if the Raven wasn't Ghaena? I don't think so though. It's very intriguing to me, however. Can't wait till you unravel the mystery.



Awww... the baby looks like Tara. I loved Giles's interaction with Michelle. That was very cute.



Can't wait for more.

Jen

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"Alyson Hannigan is a frickin' amazing kisser."Amber Benson

Edited by: Jennpurr  at: 6/30/02 7:42:16 pm