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Well, this is it folks - the final chapter in my little tale. It has been a privilege to post amongst such gifted and loyal writers, not to mention the thrill at knowing so many of you have read and enjoyed this fic. The whole Kitten community is the most incredible gathering of warm and supportive Tara and Willow lovers to ever grace the planet. You have all rocked my world. Thanks and Happy New Year.
Unparalleled Love
Author : Lovers4Ever
Feedback: I'd be honored
Distribution: Just let me know first.
Spoilers: This story takes place shortly after the conclusion of the last season of BtVS, season 7. There’s an ever so slight crossover with Angel.
Rating: R
Pairing: W/T
Disclaimer: I own none of these characters. I am making no money by writing this story, but having this opportunity to bring these two women back together when they should never have been parted makes me feel very rich indeed.
Summary: This is a highly angsty story of reunion and healing. It starts a few months after the last season of Buffy. There’s a lot of emotional bloodletting, as it were, but there will be warm fuzzies in the end. Really. Also, there’s a slight diversion from canon: for purposes of this story (and my own psyche.)
This story comes courtesy of TKOLove, without whom this love story and one other could not have been written.
Unparalleled Love
Chapter Eight
What started as mutual affection and familiarity was growing into something stronger for Tara and Willow. Tension, of a sexual nature, was sliding into their heretofore relaxed interactions. Sleeping in each other’s arms was causing Willow and Tara to wake up aroused and frustrated. Each was subconsciously waiting for something, a sign or a feeling, that would signify this union was genuine and not formed out of love’s habits.
Willow helped Tara locate an obstetrician and everyone came along for the baby’s first sonogram. They didn’t just wait in the lobby, either. Dawn, Xander, Buffy, Willow, Tara, Dr. Serrano, and her nurse all piled into the small examining room. Willow stood closest to Tara and they shared emotional smiles while Tara’s stomach was prepped. Everyone was exuberant. Dawn brought her camera. After squirting some gel on Tara’s belly to facilitate the process, the doctor started sliding the scanning apparatus around in search of the fetus.
Buffy pointed at one of the monitors. “Look, there’s the heartbeat!” They all leaned in closer, waiting for an image to appear on the screen. Dawn snapped a few pictures while they waited. The screen showed blobs of gray floating around and then suddenly there it was! Dawn jumped up and down grabbing Buffy’s arm. Tara instinctively reached out and took Willow’s hand, squeezing it hard. Xander put his arms around everyone and stared at the little body with its little parts.
The gang ooh’ed and aah’ed and had goofy smiles plastered on their faces. Each Scooby proudly took on the role of honorary parent. “Would any of you like to operate the transducer?” Dr. Serrano asked, while motioning with the scanning probe. No one in the gang had expected this turn of events. They all begged off quickly, not feeling worthy of the task.
Tara let go of Willow’s hand and said, “Will you do it?”
“No, no, no. I would do it wrong, maybe hurt you or the baby.”
“You can’t hurt her with this. Just make sure to keep it in motion,” the doctor added.
“Because holding it in one spot could send out sound waves that might hurt the baby’s eardrums,” Willow said as if she were quoting a textbook.
“See, you’ve already read up on this. Give it a try,” Tara gently implored. Willow could deny Tara nothing. Forcing her hands not to shake, Willow took the wand in her hand and tried to mimic the doctor’s earlier movements.
“Will, just pretend it’s a big computer mouse,” Xander suggested.
“You’re a natural, Dr. Rosenberg,” Buffy said cheerfully while Dawn took more pictures. “Can we find out the sex yet? Dawn and I have been practicing our ‘it’s a girl’ dance.”
“Now hold on,” Xander responded. “Just give me a minute and I’m sure I could come up with a superior ‘it’s a boy, nyah, nyah, nyah, nyah, nyah’ dance.”
“Would you guys cool it! You’re making Tara laugh and her tummy is doing all the dancing. This is hard enough when she’s not moving,” Willow lamented. But Willow did use the wand adeptly, chasing down the baby’s elusive form and bringing it up on the screen for all to see. “I’m not seeing any telltale private parts.”
The doctor explained that it was too early for gender determination; it would come during a sonogram later in the pregnancy.
Willow looked to see if Tara was disappointed at having to wait awhile to know the gender of the baby. Tara looked right at Willow and mouthed the word “girl.” Willow was so astonished by this secret information she almost dropped the transducer. She quickly handed the equipment back to the doctor who pointed out to everyone the baby’s major body organs. She also took some measurements and said Tara was on schedule for delivery around April 9th.
The gang became quiet as the reality of the situation hit home. This baby really existed. It wasn’t just a dream conjured from some other dimension. It was coming whether they wanted it or not. But they definitely wanted it.
The doctor printed several images of the baby as she and the nurse put the equipment away. The nurse cleaned up most of the residual goo, then she handed Tara some tissues to finish the job. As the rest of the group filed out of the examining room, Tara handed Willow some tissues, too. “Can you help? This stuff is everywhere.” Willow took the proffered tissues and tried to de-goo Tara as best as possible, although her hands were shaking slightly. They slept in the same bed each night, but this simple act seemed to offer more intimacy than Willow knew how to handle. Just the two of them were left in the office now. Willow couldn’t keep her eyes off of the slight swell of Tara’s stomach. As Tara stood up and pulled her clothes back into place, she noticed that Willow’s shoulders were shaking and there were tears on her cheeks.
Without warning, Willow dropped to her knees in front of Tara. She placed her hands on Tara’s hips and tenderly whispered into her belly. “We’re all waiting for you. We can’t wait to meet you, baby girl.” Then Willow wrapped her arms around Tara’s lower back and pressed her cheek into Tara’s belly, holding on to Tara much as one holds onto a life preserver all alone in the bobbing sea.
Now Tara was crying, too. She put her hands on top of Willow’s head and stroked her hair.
Willow stood up and, in a strangled voice, asked “How does that work?”
Sniffling, Tara said, “How does what work, sweetheart?”
“I already love her. I haven’t even met her and I already love her so much!” Willow sobbed as Tara pulled her close. This baby bonded them together and redefined their roles in this reality. They stood holding each other, feeling complete at last, each woman finally forgiving herself for being the lover who survived.
Buffy peeked in to let them know the doctor needed her examining room back. She didn’t need slayer senses to see something intense was going on and she ducked out immediately after delivering the message. Willow and Tara relaxed their embrace, keeping their arms entwined, and their faces just inches apart.
"So, what else do you know about this baby, this girl baby? You've been holding out on me." Willow teased.
Tara smiled and thought about it a minute. "I guess I should have told you that earlier. I didn't know if you wanted to be surprised."
"Oh, I was surprised."
"Well, I know she has a pretty mean kick." They both giggled.
"True enough." Willow was glad to be let in on what Tara knew about the baby. Still, Tara’s reticence at confiding in Willow before now only served to feed Willow's fears. She feared Tara was keeping her distance and preparing for the time when she and the baby would be on their own and living apart from the Scoobies.
"That's about it, really. I don't know which of us she'll look like." Willow looked away and her body grew tense in Tara's arms. Tara hadn't realized until then what this could mean to Willow, and she felt stupid and insensitive. Now she understood that Willow was afraid the baby would look like her, which meant she would also look like Tara's dead lover. Try as she could, Tara couldn't see this as a bad thing. How could Tara make Willow see that her heart isn't haunted by a dead Willow to the exclusion of all others?
"There is something else important about this baby I haven't told you yet," Tara said, bringing Willow's gaze back in focus with wary anticipation.
"Okay," Willow said timidly.
Before going on, Tara placed the palm of her right hand on Willow's cheek, letting it linger for a tender caress. Looking deep into Willow's expectant eyes, she revealed, "Her mother is crazy in love with you."
Willow's mind was so busy running down a different pathway that she didn't process Tara's statement right away. Her mind was already veering headlong down a path that had Tara and Willow junior -- junior to another Willow -- setting up house somewhere far away. The possibility that Tara's love was aimed at the Willow she held in her arms didn't register immediately. Willow's face went slack as comprehension dawned. Slowly, through gathering tears of happiness, she smiled. "Oh God, Tara…I love you, too. I was so afraid you'd move out and start a life without me before I could tell you how I feel."
"That would have been dumb," Tara teased as they touched foreheads.
"Yeah, the dumbest." There was nothing to stop them now; not fear of rejection or the inability to move beyond past loves. Both women could feel barriers crumbling and a shared future beginning. Seeing her heart's desire mirrored in Tara's eyes, Willow's attention was drawn down to Tara's lips. She was drawn to those full, inviting lips as Tara was drawn to hers. With her hand still on Willow's cheek, Tara pulled Willow's mouth to hers. They came together in a rhapsodic kiss. Willow put her hands on each side of Tara’s face and held their lips together. Tara grabbed fistfuls of Willow’s clothes and pulled her close. It was a dream realized. Tara’s lips worshipped Willow's enchanting mouth while Willow worked on committing Tara's delectable lips to memory, again.
Fearing another visit from Buffy, Willow and Tara parted slowly, peppering each other with small kisses and caresses. Dabbing the last of their tears with tissue, Tara said, "The Fates must be laughing their asses off about this…us."
Willow smiled. "Yeah, I'll bet we're all they talk about today at the Executive Fates' water cooler." Laughing, they strode arm-in-arm out of the examining room.
On the way home from the doctor’s, the gang stopped at the health food market and bought all the ingredients for dinner, starting with baby back ribs, baby corn and baby carrots…
**
That night in bed, Willow spooned behind Tara as usual with her hand on Tara’s belly, only this time Tara placed her hand on top of Willow’s and guided Willow’s hand in a southerly direction. Willow's breath quickened with delight at knowing Tara was attuned to her thoughts. The gates were opened on all their pent up passion for each other. Willow’s hands rested between Tara's legs, just snug enough to feel Tara's heat. And there was plenty of heat. Tara pushed her hips forward slightly into Willow's hand. Willow didn't need any hints as to what her lover wanted. Willow put her lips to Tara's ear and whispered, "I love you so much, baby." Then she moved over and eased Tara onto her back. "I need to look at you."
Tara pulled Willow close and with their lips almost touching, she whispered, "I need you. I'm kind of out of control right now." Willow reacted by letting out a shuddering breath and quickly feasting on Tara with her eyes. So much for taking it slow and savoring the moment. Willow realized that those maternity books weren't kidding about a pregnant woman's libido. She moved her hand from between Tara's legs, eliciting a small sigh and whimper from her lover. Willow quickly found the hem of Tara's silky nightgown and slipped her hand underneath the fabric in pursuit of Tara's center. She ran her hand up Tara's thigh and Tara spread her legs in response. Willow looked down at Tara's face and wanted to cry at the sublime beauty she saw there. Then she smiled broadly when she discovered Tara was naked under the gown. Tara gathered Willow into her arms and kissed her just as Willow's hand reached its destination. Their mouths devoured each other, a symphony of lips and tongues and desire. Tara pulsed her hips into Willow's hand as Willow stroked and filled her. Tara had not overestimated her heightened aroused state as she loudly moaned Willow's name in addition to a few random deities. She climaxed almost immediately, her body convulsing and wrapping itself around Willow.
Willow covered Tara's face with kisses while she lay panting and sweating. Each kiss was followed by whispered declarations of love. Tara propped herself up on one elbow and placed a finger on Willow's mouth. "Sleeping with you and not being able to ‘be’ with you had me wound up like a clock."
Willow's eyebrows bobbed up and down as she mumbled, "Ya think?"
Having regained her strength, Tara rolled on top of Willow and, looking her straight in the eye, said, "And now we've reached the portion of our program where you need to get naked." Willow was only too happy to comply but she stopped Tara from pulling off her own nightgown. "Please, let me do it," she asked. Willow pulled down each strap of Tara's nightgown and kissed each shoulder as it was exposed. Ever so slowly, Willow pulled the smooth fabric down her lover's torso, kissing newly revealed skin as she went. She paused in her undressing of Tara just before exposing Tara's breasts. Willow slowly ran the back of her knuckles over each nipple. The feel of the silk between her fingers and Tara's attentive peaks made Willow's body clench all over and she had to close her eyes to stop from ravaging Tara right then and there. Tara clenched Willow's shoulder, hard. "God Will, are you trying to kill me?" Seeing a wave of distress cascade over Willow's face, Tara quickly added, "I'm kidding. Sweetie, it's incredible. You're incredible." A little smile crept across Willow's face. "Tara, you're just so…breasty. I know it's because of the baby, but I'm like a woman possessed. Is that healthy? I mean I worry that I could be a character on a PBS kids' show. The Breast Monster!" Willow assumed a low, gravely voice and continued, "Must have breasts. Breasts. Breasts. Breasts."
Seeing no other way to stop Willow's babble, Tara pulled off the rest of her nightgown. That did the trick. Willow stopped talking and her jaw went slack as she looked at Tara's reclining, naked form. During all of this, Tara's hands were touching and fondling every part of Willow she could reach. Willow was trying to concentrate on the magnificence of Tara's body, but Tara's hand had squirmed underneath her and was now exploring places that caused Willow's body to rock against her lover's hand. Keeping her legs apart so Tara's hand didn't miss a beat, Willow straddled Tara's leg and began to show two perfect breasts the reverence they deserved. If she didn't have the distraction of breast lust, Willow would have climaxed as quickly as Tara. The simultaneous distractions of making love to Tara's breasts while Tara's hand flicked and stroked in equal measure kept Willow's mind in an unfocused frenzy. Willow nuzzled each of Tara's breasts, kissing each in smaller and smaller circles until her tongue landed on a succulent nipple. Licking each like an ice cream cone, Willow pulled as much of the taut breasts into her mouth as she could and Tara moaned at the sensation of having a part of her inside of Willow's hot mouth, massaged by her hot tongue. Willow trailed one hand down Tara's side, causing Tara to shudder involuntarily. Willow nudged her leg against Tara's center and glided her hand down to her lover's core. Tara's hips started to gyrate and the lovers rocked against each other again and again in a tumultuous journey toward a cliff they wanted to jump off together. And they did. Both lovers had the forethought to strangle their cries of passion with a searing kiss. Their bodies braided together, the lovers rolled back and forth across the short expanse of the bottom bunk enjoying the aftershocks of their bliss.
"How did we do that?" Willow said many moments later when she had breath enough to talk. "It's like a synchronized dance, only I haven't been to any of the practice sessions." Willow had her arm and leg stretched over Tara, avoiding the tummy.
"We can work on synchronized moves, but I think it would take away some of the fun," Tara replied. She could feel Willow's smile against her breast. "Where are my manners?" Willow said, quickly sitting up. "Proper etiquette dictates that the pregnant woman's lover must always provide snackage after intercourse." She jumped from the bed and put on her robe. Willow sat on the edge of the bed, being careful not to hit her head on the top bunk as she stared adoringly down at Tara. "Just name the craving, Baby. Watermelon, olives, you name it." Tara responded with a wicked grin while the fingers of her hand subtly walked their way under Willow's robe and up her thigh. Willow quickly grabbed Tara's hand in her own. "That's not currently on the menu, Missy, but things can change if you play your cards right. But seriously, Sweetie, I think you need some juice and maybe some sleep." Tara pulled Willow's hand to her lips and kissed it on the knuckle. "I love how you take care of me," she said as she turned Willow's hand over and kissed her palm. "I love how you take care of the baby before she's even arrived." Tara placed Willow's hand on the swell of her belly. "But mostly, I just love you." Tara brought Willow's hand again to her lips, only this time she slowly pulled the delicate index finger into her mouth and circled it with her tongue. Willow's ability to speak was dwindling. "I'd love some juice and a glass of water," Tara said. "And hurry back."
"kay," was all Willow could manage.
Xander’s carpentry skills proved considerable as the two lovers tested the sturdiness of the bunk beds for the remainder of their stay. Any concerns Willow may have had regarding Tara’s stamina were unwarranted.
The Scooby gang began to notice clues that something was different between the two witches. It may have been Tara humming “I’m under your spell”, or the way they both went to bed at the same time earlier and earlier each night, or it may have even been the sudden disappearance of the whipped cream. It couldn’t have been their cries of passion because Willow made sure to cast a soundproofing spell each night, morning, afternoon or evening it was needed. Xander, Dawn and Buffy each felt like something very wrong had been made right and each of them selfishly warmed themselves in the glow given off by the lovers.
Around the holidays, Willow made an offer that was accepted on a house for sale nearby; right behind Xander’s house, as a matter of fact. Willow and Tara would be moving out of Xander’s in January. The house’s location helped everyone to accept the witches’ departure. Both yards had a fence but Xander quickly installed a gate between his yard and theirs for easy access. They all started referring to Tara and Willow’s house as “Xanex” which was short for “Xander’s Annex”. Then someone remembered that Xanex is the name of an anti-anxiety drug and the name seemed even more appropriate. Willow and Tara’s house was a calming place to be. Yes, there was a flurry of activity going on as they prepared for the baby, but each Scooby felt at home and part of something special every time they walked through the door into Xanex.
Willow bought a state-of-the-art digital camera and they all appointed Dawn official family photographer. In order for him to receive digital pictures, Willow also bought Giles a laptop computer. It sat in a box in his flat until Buffy's next visit where she showed him how to set up an e-mail account. Dawn's pictures covered the refrigerators in both houses. She was going to place them in a photo album once she found the perfect one. Not just any album would do for these pictures:
Sonogram:
The first shot was of the look on Dr. Serrano’s face when they asked if all Scoobies could be in attendance.
Next was a shot of Willow working the sonogram equipment.
Lastly, Dr. Serrano took a shot of all of them grouped together holding up the printed sonogram pictures for the camera.
Giles visits:
This picture was a group effort instigated by Buffy. It shows Giles asleep on Xander’s couch during a holiday visit. Rupert Giles is completely covered and surrounded by stuffed animals amassed by Willow for eventual residence in the baby’s room. One whimsical stuffed monster wearing Giles’ glasses peers down on the Watcher disapprovingly. It was a thing of beauty and Xander confessed later that the strain of working so quickly and quietly while trying not to crack up laughing, “nearly made things fly out of my nose!”
Giles was completely surprised to receive the picture as an e-mail attachment from Willow after he’d returned to England. He hadn’t known anything about the stuffed animal episode until receiving the picture. Buffy prolonged his torment by installing the picture as wallpaper on Giles' computer screen. He was neither amused nor computer literate enough to undue the damage.
Baby naming day:
This picture shows Tara’s belly with the words “Baby Joanna Rosenberg Maclay lives here” written in bold magic marker. Tara’s wearing a shy smile of embarrassment at having to bare her stomach for the camera. She wasn’t at all shy later about telling Xander he grabbed the wrong markers when they all decided to decorate her torso. The markers were permanent and took many weeks of scrubbing before they disappeared. More than one person at the doctor’s office giggled in the hallway after catching sight of Tara’s billboard belly the next time she was there for an appointment.
Tara and Willow came up with the name Joanna after much deliberation. They decided to meld together the names of loved ones who were gone. They combined the names of Buffy’s mom Joyce, Tara’s mom Diana, and former lovable demon Anya.
“But my middle name is Ann, so my name is kind of blended in there too,” Buffy pointed out.
“Um, Buffy, Jewish faith precludes naming children after people who aren't dead,” Willow gently informed.
“Oh.” Then, after she’d thought about it for a minute she asked, “How many times does a girl have to die to qualify for inclusion into this Jewish name game?”
“Consider yourself included,” Tara cut in with a smile.
Popcorn shot:
Willow couldn’t resist taking this picture near the end of Tara’s term. Tara is sitting on the couch with Xander and Dawn on either side of her. They seem to be engrossed in something on television and aren't even looking at the camera. There’s a bowl of popcorn resting on top of Tara’s sizable belly. Xander and Dawn each have a hand on Tara’s belly as though watching television, eating popcorn and feeling a baby kick were the most natural ways for anyone to pass an evening.
She's here!:
First pictures of the new baby were not limited to the refrigerator. They covered practically every surface of Xander's House and Xanex. If Dawn had to pick her favorite, it would be the day they brought Joanna home from the hospital. The gang had celebrated and passed the infant around endlessly through the day. The new aunts and uncle finally left so the baby could take a nap. Dawn returned later to take even more pictures. She found Willow and Tara asleep in each other's arms on the papasan chair with the also-sleeping Joanna between them. Dawn made sure not to wake them as she grabbed one more shot.
**
Willow's dream:
It's a glorious summer's day. Everything seems to be happening in slow motion. Willow is standing near a fence in what might be her own backyard, talking to someone on the other side. Willow can't see the person she's talking to, but she knows who it is. The yard is awash in color from flowering plants and trees of many kinds with a nice lawn in the middle. On Willow's left arm is an infant boy with copper colored fuzz covering his head. She's not cradling him in the normal fashion. She's discovered he burps better with his body facing down, straddling her forearm and his head near her elbow. She rubs his back and slowly turns to watch a little blonde girl laughing and running through the flowers in pursuit of a butterfly. The little girl has flowing golden hair and twinkling blue eyes. Willow is laughing now because she notices a butterfly is clinging to the top of the little girl's head even as she chases another. Willow squints into the sun and looks toward the trellis that connects to the back of the house. She smiles at Tara, who is sitting in a willow twig chair in the shade with her arms outstretched. Tara needs the baby so he can finish nursing. Willow kisses the boy all over his happy face as she walks him to his other mother. He is soon back to his meal and contented while his parents share a tender kiss. Willow joins her daughter in the butterfly chase, scooping her up and lifting her high to follow the colorful, flying insects. They turn in circles, both faces lifted toward the sky.
They're home.
Willow and Tara are home.
-fin
Edited by: Warduke at: 4/18/04 10:09 am
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..I like the direction of the story
. I can anticipate things heating up between our
; what with going from the couch to the top bunk to the spooning of Tara
, and yes who will the baby look like?
Hhmmm.
. Cant wait to 
more, I am trully a fan of your fic... Happy Holidays to you, hope the New Year brings many blessings for you and your loved ones..
I truly loved Willow's reaction to Tara being pregnant.
. I guess you can't describe all of their life to the grave, heh... still you've create a lot of potential for story-lines here.
that have like 100 pages or so
cos I just love kids 