Title: Wishes Do Come True
Author: angieb86 b.k.a. Angela
Feedback: Please Do. I know I need it. It's been a long while since I've posted anything anywhere.
Spoilers: None.
Setting: AU. Willow and Tara meet in the most magical place on earth...They get to know each other with the help of some new friends and some old ones, too.
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Please don't sue me ME. I'm a broke college student.
Notes: Well, this is the last chapter of this story before the epilogue. It's been a blast writing it, and I hope you guys enjoyed it.
Sorry about the sex scene guys, I really felt that it just didn't fit in the story. But, there will be some sex in my next fic,
Morning Glory, so look for it soon!
I'll post feedback on the Epilogue.
I want to give a HUGE thank you to the lovely FIRESIGN for beta-ing this for me. This chapter would NOT have happened if it weren't for her. . .Seriously. So thank you!
Here you go, guys. Hope you like it!
++++++++++++++++++++++
Chapter 11BThe credits were finally rolling on Spice World, and Tara and Willow had drained two beers a piece. Willow was laying on the couch with Tara snuggled next to her. They both looked at the last cookie on the plate.
“You want it, Will?”
Willow reached for the cookie and broke it in half. “We can share. . .”
Tara smiled and took the half Willow handed her. “Here. You eat it. . .” Tara said as she fed the cookie to Willow. Tara watched as Willow’s delicate lips wrapped around the proffered dessert. She smiled as Willow thanked her for the treat. Tara wiped a crumb from the redhead’s lip. “Mmm. . .Who knew cookies could be so sexy?”
Willow’s eyes fluttered closed as she felt Tara’s finger glide across her bottom lip. Tara couldn’t suppress the soft moan that escaped her lips when she watched Willow’s eyes close. The redhead’s eyes slowly opened again, watching Tara closely. A small smile crossed her lips as she gazed into the deep blue of Tara’s eyes. “Do it again.”
Tara smiled back as she lightly ran her fingertip across Willow’s lip. She gasped as she felt the redhead’s tongue flick the tip of her finger. She felt the redhead’s laughter, a soft vibration that moved her body lightly. “Gotcha,” Willow said with a laugh.
Willow’s laughter subsided as she felt Tara’s gaze bore into her. She looked at the blonde laying next to her, her chin resting lightly on Willow’s shoulder. She turned her whole body so she could get a better view of the princess. . .
her princess. “What is it, Tara? You’ve got your serious face on. . .”
Tara let out a small sigh as she continued to stare at the girl laying next to her. “You’re beautiful. . .Do you know that?”
Willow blushed lightly. “So says Cinderella. . .”
“I’m not that wonderful, Willow. . .And I really hate to burst your bubble, but I’m not a real princess,” the blonde stated with a shrug and a small smile.
Willow ran her hand down Tara’s cheek. “You are to me, Tara.” She pulled the blonde’s face to hers, leaving a trail of kisses upon her forehead and cheek. Tara shuddered under the feel of the redhead’s lips on her skin. “Mmmm. . .”
Willow turned Tara’s head toward her and lightly brushed her lips across Tara’s full ones. She pulled back and smiled. “Soft. . .”
Willow watched as Tara’s eyes darkened a shade. She slid her hand down the blonde’s arm and grabbed her hand. “Tara, I don’t want to do anything that you’re not comfortable with, but. . .”
Tara looked up at the redhead. “But what?”
Willow took a deep breath. “I want nothing more than to make you feel good right now. . .“ Willow looked away from Tara’s intense stare. “It might be the cookies talkin’. . .”
“I hope not,” Tara said as she pressed her lips to Willow’s. The redhead’s hands automatically tangled in the blonde’s long tresses, pulling them lightly. Willow heard Tara’s groan of approval and she continued to run her hands through the girl’s hair.
Tara was in heaven. She loved the feel of Willow’s lips upon hers and the feel of the redhead’s slender fingers slipping through her hair.
Goddess, I can’t believe I’m doing this. . .Does this make me a skanky ho? I don’t think it does. . .I really like Willow, and she really likes me, too.Tara’s internal babble immediately stopped when she felt Willow drag her fingertips down her spine and felt the redhead’s tongue trace her bottom lip. Tara shivered as Willowhand found the edge of her camisole and snaked it through, roughly running her nails across the small of Tara’s back. A small smile spread across Tara’s lips as she began kissing the redhead more fervently.
Oh yeah. . .she likes me.++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Willow awoke the next morning in a tangle of sheets and limbs. Willow swatted at something draped across face. She picked up the offending object to find she was holding a bra above her face. “What the. . .”
She attempted to sit up but found that Tara’s pajama clad left leg was firmly draped across her thigh, the blonde’s knee dangerously close to Willow’s nether regions. Willow stopped moving, afraid to rouse the blonde lest her private parts be assaulted by Tara’s patella. Her stillness only seemed to stir the blonde. Willow braced for the impact as Tara took a deep breath and shifted her body closer to Willow. She wrapped her left arm tighter around the redhead’s midsection before settling back down into slumber. Willow relaxed her body as she heard Tara’s breathing deepen.
Whew, that was a close- “Ahhhh, shit.” Willow couldn’t restrain the loud moan and expletive that escaped her lips as Tara’s knee slowly pressed into her clit. Her slender back arched as the blonde’s knee dipped lower and repeated the movement. Willow’s eyes flickered shut as she tried to regain her composure enough to wake the sleeping girl. Her breath ragged and Tara’s knee driving her insane, Willow finally found her voice and called out. “Tara. . .I
really need you to wake-FUCK!” Her last expletive got Tara to wake up. Tara looked at the lithe redhead laying next to her, noticing that her chest was heaving and her face was flushed. Tara immediately sat up and hovered over Willow, her knee still lodged between the poor girl’s thighs.
“Goddess, Willow! Are you okay?” Tara asked, concerned written across her lovely features. The look of concern turned to one of confusion as Tara watched Willow drag her slight hands up her torso, across her breasts and through her silky flame-colored hair. She took in Willow’s slightly parted lips and she finally chanced a look into her eyes. What she saw there sent a shiver straight through her body.
Why is she looking at me like that? The still half-sleep woman looked down and saw that her knee was firmly set between Willow’s thighs. She blushed deeply and quickly moved her leg away from the redhead. “Willow. . .I-I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. . .”
Willow was finally able to sit up, straightening out her clothes and wiping her hand across her forehead. She looked at Tara sitting next to her and saw the smirk grow on her face. A pout appeared on Willow’s face. “Are you really laughing at the fact that your knee just tried to take advantage of me?”
Tara laughed. “No, I’m laughing at the fact that you have my bra clutched in your hand. Where did you get that? I didn’t even take it off last night.”
“I don’t know why you’re laughing, woman. I woke up and it was covering my face! You know, that’s two nights in a row that I’ve slept here and woken up with a random article of clothing on my face. Now I know where Colter gets it from,” the redhead added with a smile.
Tara smiled. “Yep. . .That’s my boy.”
“Aren’t you supposed to pick him up this morning?”
Tara’s eyes widened as she searched for her alarm clock that had been knocked off the bedside table. She finally found it and looked at the time. “Shit! I’m going to be late for work!”
Willow watched as Tara quickly got out of the bed and headed toward the bathroom. The redhead giggled and looked on in amusement as Tara hopped from one room to another, grabbing the things she needed for work. She returned to the bedroom half-dressed with a toothbrush hanging out of her mouth. She looked at Willow who was still laying in the bed, holding her bra. “Willow, you should really put the bra down. I mean, unless you want it as a souvenir,” she said with a smile.
“Oh, I have plenty of souvenirs,” she retorted, rubbing the huge hickey on the left side of her neck. “Can’t wait to show Buffy and Faith this one. They’re going to be so proud.”
Tara laughed at the girl and threw her some clothes. “I have just enough time to drop you off at the resort before I go to work. So, get dressed for me please?”
“Yes, ma’am. Anything for you.” Tara smiled and returned to her morning duties. About 5 minutes later, a fully dressed Tara appeared in the doorway of the bedroom as Willow put on her last shoe. Willow stood up and turned toward Tara. “Don’t forget those cookies for Colter. I’d hate to see my little buddy upset with no chocolate chip-y goodness.”
Tara turned and raced to the kitchen to get the cookies as Willow followed. Willow could hear Tara rummaging through the kitchen as she walked by. She didn’t have enough time to get out of the way as Tara came barreling out of the kitchen door and straight into the startled redhead. Willow couldn’t help but grunt as her back was forced into the wall, Tara pressed into the front of her body and the wall digging into her back.
Tara looked down at the smaller woman and smiled. “How do we always end up in these. . .compromising positions?”
Willow shrugged. “Guess we’re just lucky like that.”
They shared a laugh and walked toward the door, holding hands.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tara pulled up to the resort and watched as Willow got out of her car. She turned around and leaned on the window. “So. . .Am I going to see you before tomorrow morning? Our plane leaves at 8.”
“I don’t know, Willow. I have the afternoon planned with Colter. And I have to be at work early again tomorrow.” Tara saw the look of disappointment on the redhead’s face. “I’ll tell you what. . .How about I ask Colter if it’s okay if you hang with us on our afternoon out. I’m sure he won’t say no,” Tara added with a smile. She smiled even brighter as she watched Willow’s face light up.
“Really?”
Tara smiled. “Yes. I’ll call you when I get off work okay, but right now, I have to go before I lose this job. See you later, Will.”
Willow stood up straight and waved to Tara as she drove away. She turned and walked toward the main building. She stopped in the cafeteria and bought some breakfast. The redhead found an empty and clean table near the window and sat down to eat. It was barely after 8 o’ clock, yet there were several people already in the pool, splashing and having a good time. She turned sharply when she heard a tray slam down on the table. She looked up to see Rachel sit down, wearing almost the exact same outfit that Tara had on. The only difference was that Rachel had a lot more cleavage hanging out for the world to see.
A lot.
The redhead kept her eyes trained on her breakfast tray as Rachel greeted her. “Good morning, Willow,” she said cheerily.
Willow smiled. “Sounds like a good morning for you.” Willow looked around and back at her tray. “Where’s Beck?”
Rachel couldn’t hide the lop-sided grin and the blush that crept up her cheeks. “She’s, umm. . .still asleep. Kinda worn out, I guess.”
Willow laughed. “Worn out from what?”
The blush deepened on the girl’s fair skin and inched down to her neck and chest. “Hey, there were years of pent-up. . .
stuff that needed to be expressed!”
“No wonder the girl’s still asleep. . .you probably drained the life out of her,” the redhead replied as she ducked a lemon slice that was thrown in her direction. “What is with you Maclay women and throwing things at my face?”
“Don’t know. . .” Rachel said as she laughed. “But there’s one thing I
do know, and it’s that my sister really likes you. I’ve never seen her so excited about anyone before. I don’t know what you’ve done to her. . .but it’s workin’. And I think I just might be okay with it.”
“Well, that’s good. I umm, asked her if she would come visit me during her next vacation from work. I hope she comes. . .I don’t want today to be the last time I see her.”
Rachel patted the redhead’s hand and gave her a smile. “I’ll make it my solemn duty to make sure she comes to see you.”
Willow smiled at the girl. “I hope you can.”
Rachel and Willow both turned as they heard another tray slam down next to Rachel. Rachel looked up and smiled as Beck sat down next to her. “Morning, baby.”
Rachel leaned over and gave the girl a kiss on the cheek. “Morning to you, too, sleepyhead.”
Beck smiled at the girl again before turning to Willow. “Good morning, Willow.”
“Morning, sleepyhead. Are ya well-rested?” the redhead asked with a grin.
“Yeah, yeah. Go ahead and rub it in. And by the way, I am well-rested.” Beck took off her sunglasses and hat and set them next to her on the table, digging in to her breakfast. “Did Tara get off to work okay this morning, Willow?”
“She was almost late this morning, but I think she made it on time.”
Rachel spoke up. “Well, that’s good. You know, for being the happiest place on earth, they really are sticklers for punctuality. I mean, I’d understand if Mickey Mouse was late, but Cinderella. . .”
“Hey, Cinderella is important at the Magic Kingdom. I mean, that whole amusement park is centered around
her castle,” Willow said.
Beck and Rachel giggled. “But you’re not biased at all, are you?”
The redhead giggled lightly. “I guess I kinda am. . .But who can blame me?”
Beck smiled at Willow. “I told you. . .the Lesbian Holy Grail.”
All three women shared a smile and continued eating their breakfast in silence.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Willow laid next to the pool, soaking in the warm Florida rays, next to the big pool. It was already after two in the afternoon, and Willow had already sent Buffy and Faith back to the room. They splashed around in the pool for a while, but when the splashing had turned into a heavy petting session between the newlyweds, Willow sent them back to the room, claiming they would scare away the little children littering the pool area. The noise around the pool had calmed down considerably as families went back to their rooms to prepare for lunch and amusement park time. Willow had been laying by the pool for over an hour, and even though she knew she was red as a lobster, she couldn’t find the energy to get up. So she laid next to beautiful blue pool, eyes closed and enjoying her last full day in wonderful Disney World.
Willow opened one eye as she felt someone staring at her. She turned her head toward the door of the main building and she sat up as she saw the most beautiful sight in the world. Tara was walking toward her, a tote bag in her hand and a black bikini on her body. Tara saw the redhead sit up, and she waved at her as she made her way to Willow’s chair. As she approached, she gave the girl a smile and sat down in the lounge chair next to her. “Hey there, good lookin’. Looks like you got attacked by a squirrel on your neck.”
Willow smiled at the girl. “These darn Floridian squirrels. What are you doing here? Where’s Colter?”
“He’s in Rachel and Beck’s room getting changed. They should be out here in a few minutes. I got off work a little early and Rachel called and told me you were sitting by the pool, so I went to pick up Colter so we could come here for a swim. Is that okay? I mean, if we don’t really go anywhere?”
“Of course it’s okay. I’m fine as long as you’re here,” Willow said with a smile.
Tara reached over and grabbed the redhead’s hand and squeezed it. She smiled back at Willow. “Glad to hear that.”
They let their hands fall as they heard pounding footsteps coming toward them. They both turned to see Colter, Rachel and Back making their way to the pool. Colter bounded up to Willow and threw his arms around her. “Hi, Willow!”
Willow held the boy close to her. “Hi, there to you, buddy! How are you?”
“I’m fine and ready to go swimming with Beck and Aunt Rachel! Come on, you guys!”
He went up to Tara’s chair and gave her a kiss on the cheek before jumping into the shallow end of the pool.
Beck and Rachel followed suit, taking off their shoes before jumping into the clear blue water with Colter. Willow watched the three of them splash around, laughing and giggling. She looked over as she heard Tara sigh.
“What’s going on in that beautiful brain of yours, Cinderella?”
Tara laughed. “I just feel. . .happy, that’s all,” she said with a smile.
Willow nodded. “I get that. Is it kinda like at this very moment in time, your life is exactly how you want it to be, and you’re who you want to be, and you’re where you want to be. . .and you’re sitting next to the girl of your dreams who looks like a sexy angel from heaven in her nice black bikini?” she finished with an grin.
Tara blushed and laughed at the girl. “Yeah. . .Something like that.”
Willow turned back toward the water, her smile growing wider. “That’s what I was thinkin’ too. . .”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
After frolicking in the water with beck and Rachel, Colter had finally passed out from exhaustion, and he laid cuddled up to Willow in her lounge chair. Willow was grateful for the simple contact, his body and wet clothing cooled the redhead’s skin from the blistering sunburn she was suffering. Tara was still next to her, laying on her stomach, the straps of her bikini tucked under her arms and her beautiful skin glistening in the afternoon sunlight. Rachel was laid out next to her sister, her earphones jammed into her ear, listening to music while she attempted to catch some rays.
Beck was on Willow’s other side sitting in a lounge chair under an umbrella. Willow looked at the girl, amusement written all over her features. Beck was looking at Rachel’s bikini-clad body with a smile. She caught Willow’s stare and immediately averted her eyes. Willow laughed. “Hey, don’t stop the intense staring just because of little old me.”
Beck smiled. “I can’t help it. She’s beautiful. And she’s mine now. If it weren’t so damn hot out here, I might even do my happy dance.” She smiled again and looked back to Willow. “We’re damn lucky ladies, Will.”
Willow giggled. “We sure are. And you’re extra lucky. You have an umbrella.”
“Hey, I might not get sunburned, but I still get dark. Nothing could be worse than going to my high school graduation looking like a blueberry.”
Willow looked confused. “A blueberry?”
“Yes, a blueberry,” Beck explained. “You know how when light colored people tan, they get browner? Well, when brown people tan, we get purple. It’s only attractive on those African girls. Not on me. And I get really bad tan lines. It’s highly unattractive.”
Willow laughed. “Well, now I know why you’re always wearing a hat.”
“That’s not the only reason. It’s also because I never feel like doing my hair. I’m kinda bad in the hair department. I usually let Rachel do it if it’s imperative that it needs to be done.”
“Your own personal hairdresser. . .Nice.”
“Well, in the past, it definitely had its benefits. I got to sit between her legs,” Beck said with a laugh.
“You know I can hear you, right?” Rachel said from her seat.
Beck and Willow laughed and lapsed back into silence, looking out into the blue water and smiling to themselves.
++++++++++++++++++++++
It was nearing dinner time when the sun finally disappeared behind the building, leaving the pool area in a nice cool shadow. Beck and Rachel had gone back to their rooms an hour before, claiming tiredness, but Willow and Tara knew the real reason. “Ah, young love,” Tara said as she flipped over onto her back and looked at Willow and Colter. “Willow, did you put any sunscreen on today?”
“Yes, but I think it evaporated about 3 hours ago. Colter’s been protecting me, though,” she said as she looked down at the sleeping boy. He began to stir and eventually opened one bright blue eye, looking over at Tara with a sleepy smile. “Hey, Mom.”
Tara smiled at her little boy. “Hi, honey. Did you sleep well?”
He nodded, sitting up fully and looking at Willow. “You make a nice pillow, Willow.”
Willow laughed at the boy, giving him a kiss on the top of his head. “Thank you, buddy.” She looked over at Tara. “Are you hungry? I think dinner may be in order. . .my treat.”
Tara began gathering her things. “Sounds good to me. Are you hungry, baby boy?”
“Yes,” he replied, jumping up and helping Tara pack away their things. “How about a picnic like we used to, Mom?”
“It’s up to Willow, baby. It’s her treat after all.”
Colter looked over to Willow. “Is it okay if we have a picnic, Willow?”
Willow took one look at those big blue eyes and had no choice but to say yes. “If a picnic is what you want, then that’s what you’re gonna get.”
Willow felt her heart melt once again at the huge smile the boy gave her. “Yay! Let’s go pick out food from the cafeteria! Mom, do we still have our picnic blanket in the car?”
Tara smiled. “We sure do. I’ll go get the blanket and our extra clothes while you go pick out food with Willow, okay?”
“Okay. Come on, Willow!”
Colter dragged the redhead through the cafeteria, picking up sandwiches and chips and cookies as he tore through the place. He also got an apple for Tara. “Mommy likes apples with caramel sauce on them, but she always gets the caramel all over her fingers and her shirt,” Colter said with a laugh as he threw a banana onto the piled up tray.
Willow blushed furiously as she pictured Tara with covered in caramel sauce.
That’s not sexy. . .That’s not sexy. . . She sighed in defeat.
It’s incredibly sexy. . .Willow and Colter got in line to pay for the food. Tara finally reappeared with the blanket and extra clothes. She took in Willow’s flushed appearance and put her hand on the redhead’s back. “Are you okay, Willow?”
Willow’s eyes widened. “I’m fine! Finey Mcfine fine! Just sunburned, is all. Can’t help but look like a lobster right now,” she said followed by a nervous laugh.
Tara gave her a crazy look, but decided to save the questioning for a later time. She turned to Colter and the huge amount of food he had piled up on the tray for their picnic. “You plan on feeding an army today, baby?”
Colter giggled. “No, Mommy, it’s just for the picnic. Look! I got you an apple!”
Tara smiled and leaned down to kiss him on the forehead. “Thank you, sweetheart. This should be some picnic.”
Willow paid for the food and they started walked back out into the pool area. “So. . .where are we going?” Willow asked.
Colter grabbed her and Tara by the hand and led the way. “I’ll show you, Willow. It’s me and Mom’s secret spot.”
Willow looked to Tara to make sure it was okay. Tara smiled at the redhead, letting her know it was okay as Colter dragged them to the back of the complex. They finally came to a small cluster of trees set a decent ways back from the steady traffic of the sidewalk. As they walked up to the shaded area, Tara took the blanket and spread it atop the lush green grass. They all took a seat as Willow took out the bag of food. Willow spread the smorgasbord of food Colter picked out. They ate, laughing as Colter fed them both peanut butter sandwiches and cookies. By the time they had all been fed, the only food that remained was the fruit. Long after they finished eating, they remained sitting on the blanket, telling stories and watching people walk by.
Tara laughed as Willow told her about her job. “So you play solitaire most days you’re at work?”
“Pretty much. I have my own office and my name on a golden plaque. And I have the highest solitaire score in the building,” Willow said proudly.
“Ooh, golden plaque. . .Sounds fancy.”
Willow shrugged. “For it to have such a cool name, it’s not all that cool of a job.”
“Well, what is your official job title?”
“I am the Director of Financial Analysis for Wright Medical Company.”
Tara gave Willow a grin. “And unofficially?”
“Solitaire extraordinaire!”
Colter and Tara laughed at the redhead. “That unofficial job title is very much T-shirt worthy. What do you think, baby boy?”
Colter nodded. “I think so, too, Mom. Add it to the list.”
Willow looked confused. “You guys have a list?”
Colter nodded. “It helps us remember all the funny things that people say. And one day, we’re going to make one into a real shirt.”
“We’ll get one made soon, baby.”
“Okay,” Colter said as he attempted to suppress a yawn. Willow patted the boy on the back. “Are you getting sleepy again, buddy?”
He nodded his head and crawled next to Willow, putting his head in her lap and closing his eyes. Tara crawled to Willow’s other side, placing her head on her shoulder and grabbing her hand. They smiled at each other, enjoying the relative privacy of their picnic spot now that it had gotten dark outside and the stars were sneaking out one by one.
Willow sighed, a small frown gracing her once smiling features. “I’m really going to miss you guys, Tara.”
Tara sat up and looked at the redhead. “And we’re going to miss you, too, Willow. I know Colter going to miss having you to cuddle with.”
“I’m definitely going to miss his cuteness. . .How did you manage to have the perfect son? He’s the sweetest boy I’ve ever met.”
Tara squeezed the redhead’s hand. “Well, obviously he gets it from me.”
Willow laughed. “No doubt.”
Tara kissed Willow on the cheek. “Hey, I have an idea. . .How about we deposit the sleeping prince with my sister and sneak into the pool for a little nighttime swim?”
Willow smiled. “Sounds like a plan to me.”
Tara took out her cell phone and dialed Rachel’s number. “Little Sister, where are you?”
“Hey, Tare. We’re at Epcot watching the fireworks show. What’s up?”
“Nevermind then. I was going to see if I could leave Colter in your room, he fell asleep.”
“I’m sorry, sis. I’ll call you when we get back, we can take him for the night if you need us to. Mrs. Wood is our room chaperone, so I don‘t think she will mind him staying in our room.”
“Okay. Thanks, Rach.”
“Love you, sis. Bye!”
Tara hung up the phone. “Rachel’s a no-go. She’s not at her room.”
“Well, what about my room? I can call Buffy and Faith.” Willow reached into her bag and grabbed her phone. It rang twice before Buffy answered. “Willow! What’s up?”
“Hey, Buff. Are you guys in the room?”
“Yeah, we’re watching television. You need something?”
“Is it okay if we drop off Colter while we go for a swim? He’s asleep, so he won’t be any trouble.”
“Of course, that’s fine. Come on by!”
“Great! Thanks, Buffy. I owe you one.”
“No prob, Will. See you in a few.”
Willow hung up her phone. “Buffy will watch him. You ready?”
“Yep. Do you think you can carry him?”
“I got him, can you get everything else?”
Tara nodded as she stood up and began collecting their belongings. Willow stood up and picked up the sleeping boy. He stirred a little before settling his head on Willow’s shoulder, throwing his arms around her neck. Willow smiled, looking at Tara as she gathered all of their things and stood up. “You ready, sweetie?” Tara asked quietly.
Willow nodded and they walked toward Willow’s room. Tara knocked on the door. Faith opened it to let them in. Willow carefully laid the sleeping boy on her bed. As she laid him down, he reached out for her hand and sleepily mumbled her name. “Willow. . .”
She softly ran her hand through his hair and gave him a kiss on the forehead. “I’m right here, sweetheart,” she said quietly. “Go back to sleep. . .”
He took a deep breath and fell back asleep. Willow gently pulled her hand from Colter’s and covered him with the blanket they used for their picnic.
She looked up to Buffy and Faith. “I don’t think he’ll wake up any time soon,” she whispered to them. “But be careful. . .He has sneaky socks.”
Willow and Tara left the room. Buffy and Faith looked at each other. Faith was the first to speak. “Look who has Mommy syndrome already. . .You’d think
she raised Lil’ T.”
Buffy nodded in concurrence. “Our little redhead is flying the coop. . .and packing a princess and a kid. Well, at least it’s a cute kid.”
“Yeah, and a smokin’ hot princess.” Faith added.
That comment earned Faith a punch in the arm. “Ouch.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tara and Willow made it back to the pool area. They stripped off tank tops and shorts. Tara was the first to slip into the water. Willow watched as she slid underneath and swam the length of the pool. Tara made her way back to the side of the pool Willow was on. Willow was perched on the edge of the pool, her legs swinging back and forth through the cold water. Tara approached the redhead, wiping the water from her face and pushing back a few strands of wet hair that stuck to her forehead. Willow had never seen a sight so sensual.
Every time I think she’s sexy, she does something that completely resets the whole scale. . .Tara put her hands on Willow’s thighs, sending a shiver up the redhead’s body. “Are you going to get in, Willow?”
“Yes, I am. . .I just want to get acclimated first,” Willow replied.
Tara slid her hands up Willow’s thighs to her waist. She leaned up to the redhead’s ear and whispered, “You really want to waste all that time getting acclimated?” And with a swift pull, Tara dragged the squealing redhead into the icy water. She splashed around trying to get away from Tara, but the blonde held steadfast to Willow’s waist, tickling her mercilessly as the winded girl flailed about in the pool. Willow snaked far enough away from Tara to place her feet on the pool floor, but Tara pulled Willow closer to her, their faces inches apart. Willow stopped her flailing as she felt Tara pushing her toward the edge of the pool. She felt and heard the slap of her back hitting the wet brick on the edge of the pool. She gasped as Tara held her there, staring intently. Willow couldn’t help but get excited.
Take-Charge Tara. . .Yummy.Tara leaned in closer to the redhead. “So. . .what do you want to do?”
Willow smiled as she closed the gap between them. She felt Tara’s hot breath on her lips as she got closer to her destination. She flinched and jerked around as the bright beam of a flashlight hit her in the eye. “Hey!”
Both girls looked up to see a security guard standing near them, her flashlight trained on the two women. She reached out a hand to help them out of the pool.
“I’m sorry, girls. As much as I would love to see the rest of that show, the pool’s closed.” She reached down again and pulled Willow out of the water. “If I let the hot lesbian couple swim after hours, then I‘d have to let the annoying high school kids taking over this place swim, too.”
Tara and Willow grabbed their towels and wrapped up. “We can still sit out here, right?”
“Not even supposed to do that, but as long as you’re not in the water, feel free to stay out here and. . .
chat," she said with a grin. “I’ll be back around here in about half an hour.”
Tara dried her hair with her towel and sat down on one of the lounge chairs. “I really don’t fancy running into her again tonight. Do you want to just head back to the room? I think I need to get Colter home soon. I don’t want to ruin anyone’s chances of getting laid tonight. . .well, except
my chances.”
Willow smiled at the girl and took her hand. “Come on.”
They walked hand in hand the short distance back to Willow’s room. She knocked lightly on the door and Buffy answered. “Hey, guys,” she said as she moved out of the doorway to let them in. Willow was shocked to see Faith laying next to Colter, his head resting on her shoulder. She was also shocked to see one of her shirts balled up and clutched in Colter’s hands.
“We’re guessing he had some kinda nightmare. He started crying in his sleep, and didn’t stop til I found one of Red’s shirts and gave it to him. He cuddled up to me and put the shirt under his chin and fell right back to sleep. Damn, Will, you already got the kid spoiled rotten.”
Tara put on her tank top and went over to the bed and scooped him up. “I-I’m sorry, you guys. I hope h-he wasn’t too much of a bother.”
Faith smiled. “Blondie, your boy is a saint. Cutest thing I’ve ever met. He was no trouble at all.”
Tara smiled at the dark-haired woman as she tried to grab the rest of her stuff. Willow grabbed the bag and the blanket. “I’ll walk you guys out.”
They walked past the pool area and into the chilly cafeteria in the main building. Several of the shuttle buses were pulling up, and the place was about to get extremely crowded. They hurried across the road to the parking lot, Willow digging in Tara’s bag for her keys. She found them and pushed the unlock button. Tara laid the boy on the backseat and quietly shut the door. She turned back to the redhead, who was looking at the pavement.
“Willow. . .”
The girl looked up at Tara. Tara smiled and stretched out her arms. “Come here, sweetie.”
Willow accepted the hug. She loved the way Tara’s arms felt around her neck, and she loved the way her own arms felt wrapped around the blonde’s waist. Tara smelled of chlorine and vanilla; Willow inhaled deeply, logging the blonde’s scent in her memory. She ran her hands up and down the smooth expanse of Tara’s waist and back, committing to memory the feel of Tara beneath her fingertips. Willow eventually pulled back and rested her forehead upon Tara’s. “Will I see you in a few months?” Willow asked.
Tara gave her a soft kiss on the lips and her trademark lop-sided grin. “Guess you’ll have to wait and see. . .”
She gave the redhead another kiss and got into her car. She cranked it, and gave Willow one last wave before driving off.
Willow stood in the parking lot until she was sure Tara had made it back to her apartment. She began a slow walk back to her room.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Willow, Buffy and Faith were waiting for their plane to start boarding. It was just after 8:00 in the morning, and all three women had a rough time getting up that morning. Willow had the roughest time. She knew as soon as she got on that plane, it might be the last time she would be seeing Tara. And it broke her heart.
“You okay over there, Red?” Faith asked.
Willow gave her a sad smile. “Yeah, I’m alright.”
Faith gave her a pat on the shoulder. “You’ll see her again. There’s no way she ain’t coming to Sunny D to see ya.”
“I hope so, guys. . .I hope so.”
Buffy looked up as she saw a flash of blonde speed toward them. She smiled as she recognized who it was. The small blur was heading straight for Willow. As Colter made contact, it knocked the wind out of the startled redhead, but she closed her arms around him anyway. “What are you doing here, buddy?”
He finally let go of her. “I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to you last night ‘cause I was sleeping.”
Willow looked up to see Beck and Rachel walking up to their seats. She looked around to see if Tara was farther behind. “Sorry, Willow. She couldn’t make it. She couldn’t risk being late for work again.” Rachel reached into her pocket and pulled out an envelope. “But she did send me to give you this.” She handed the envelope to Willow and put her arm around Beck. “We really just wanted an excuse to come see you before you left,” Rachel said with a smile.
“Aw, thanks, guys. I’m gonna miss both of you.”
“Hey! What about me?!”
She pulled the boy into another hug. “I’m going to miss you most of all!”
“And Mommy, too?” he whispered in her ear, not letting go.
“Yes, sweetheart. And your Mommy, too.” She let go of the boy as she felt tears build up in her eyes. “You guys better head back, we’re going to start boarding here in a little while.”
Beck shook her head. “We’re not leaving ‘til we see you up in the sky. Those were our exact instructions.”
Colter nodded. “Yeah, and I’m supposed to make sure you don’t open that envelope until you get into the sky.”
Willow looked at Rachel with a smile. “Well, what were your instructions?”
Rachel shrugged. “I was instructed to drive here. She gave all the hard stuff to them.”
The group shared a laugh as the flight to California was called to board. “Well, that’s us, guys,” Willow said as she stood up. She went over to Beck and Rachel to give them a hug. “Bye, guys. Thanks for coming to see us away.”
“You’re welcome, Willow. Take care of yourself, okay?” Rachel said as she squeezed the girl one more time before letting go.
Willow smiled at the three of them. “I will, guys. Have fun.”
They waved at her as she walked toward the gate with her boarding pass, Buffy and Faith waiting for her. She turned around once more before turning the corner in the long hallway leading to their plane.
She looked at Colter as he waved goodbye to her. She gave him a smile and a wave back and disappeared.
Colter looked up to Rachel with tears in his eyes. “Don’t tell Mom I cried.”
Rachel pulled the boy into a hug. “I won’t, buddy. Don’t worry.”
Beck took hold of Colter and Rachel’s hands. “Come on, guys. Let’s head back to town.”
They all glanced once more at the gate Willow went through, and turned to walk back to the car.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Willow settled into her seat on the plane. She took a deep breath and wiped her eyes, still wet from the tears she’d held back. She took out the envelope that Tara had given her. She saw her name written on the outside of it in flowing cursive.
She opened the envelope and took out a letter. As she read it, tears fell down her face.
Dear Willow,
In my whole life, I’ve never met a woman who looks at me the way you do. I miss you already. . .And this is really hard for me, but I’m giving you the check back. I can’t take this money from you. It’s too much. I appreciate what you did for me and my son, and yesterday was one of the happiest days I’ve had in a long time. You do make me smile, Willow. And you make me happy. . .and you make me feel sexy. You make me feel safe. And most importantly, you make my son feel safe. He’s never taken so quickly to anyone who’s not family. He told me that he wasn’t going to cry when you left, but I know he did. He’s a sensitive boy, and he really likes you. I don’t know if you know this, but he kept your shirt (I hope it wasn’t an important shirt). It was still clutched in his hand when I woke him up this morning. I’m sorry that I couldn’t be there. . .I wanted to be.
Willow, I miss you. Never doubt that. And Colter misses you. Please call us when you get back home. We’d like to know you made it home safely.
Until we meet again. . .
Tara+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Hope you liked it. . .The epilogue will be up hopefully sometime tomorrow night. Please don't hate me if it isn't. . .Thanks for reading, guys!