Hello sweet kittens
I have returned, bearing gifts of update-y goodness
But first...
willohand: Thanks for reading, I'm glad you like it
& now, a nice long update for you all - I hope you enjoy.
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It was Saturday afternoon, an hour and a half before the scoobies were due to arrive at Willow and Tara’s house; there was a large chicken roasting in the oven and several vegetables boiling on the cooker top. Willow had taken over the cooking, insisting that Tara put her feet up and relax; Julia was helping to set the table and Lydia had disappeared upstairs.
“Tara, do these potatoes need salting?”
“No, they’re fine. Oh, but the gateaux needs taking out of the freezer.”
“Already done.”
“Thanks sweetie.”
Satisfied that nothing further needed to be done in the kitchen, Willow joined Tara on the couch in the living room.
“Do you know what Lydia’s doing?” The redhead asked her love as she absently stroked the soft hairs on the back of Tara’s neck.
“I think she’s getting changed.”
“Into what?”
“A frog.” Tara suggested with a giggle, then instantly regretted her attempted joke as Willow’s movements stilled and a look of sheer terror spread across the redhead’s face. “I’m sorry, not really a frog, her clothes, she’s changing her clothes. She said she wants to wear one of her pretty dresses.”
“Oh, okay.”
“Lydie wouldn’t turn herself into a frog anyway; she’s as scared of them as you are.”
“Mommy? Can you help me get the plates down please?”
Julia had considered climbing up onto her stool and taking the plates out of the cupboard herself, but, without her sister’s help, that plan was impossible.
A few seconds after Willow had stood up to help Julia, Lydie’s soft voice called from upstairs.
“Tada.”
Tara climbed the stairs and found Lydie, stood in the middle of the landing, half tied up in knots, struggling to force her arm through the wrong strap of a pale blue pinafore dress.
“I think this dress doesn’t fit me any more.” Lydia stated forlornly.
“Sure it does sweetheart, you just need to put it on properly. Here, let me help.” Tara comforted the youngster, pulling the dress off over Lydie’s head and shaking it to straighten it out.
“Honey, your t-shirt’s all inside out, look, the label’s on the outside, and at the front.”
After turning the white polo-neck t-shirt the right way out, Tara picked up the dress, unhooked the dungaree fastenings and popped open the buttons at the waist of the skirt. Lydia stepped into the dress and Tara crossed the straps behind the little girl’s back and snapped them shut at the top of the front bib.
“There you go sweetie, all beautiful.”
“Can you help me with my tights?”
“It’s too warm for tights honey; just put some ankle socks on. Oh, where are those ones with the little blue ribbons? They’d go perfect with your dress.”
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“Ryan’s here.” Julia announced eagerly as her little cousin ran down the street, his parent’s sauntering leisurely behind with Alicia in her stroller.
The twins bounced off the couch, racing to be the one to open the front door, giving each other playful little shoves along the way. Julia’s hand landed over Lydia’s on the door handle and the door was flung open with every ounce of the little girl’s combined strength.
“Will you two go careful with that door; you’ll pull it off its hinges one of these days.” Willow scolded her daughters as the door in question crashed against the wall behind it.
“Sorry mommy.” Lydie and Jules chorused, running down the garden path to greet their cousin.
The children instantly ran through the house and out into the back garden.
“Can we let the rabbit out of his hutch mommy?”
“Okay, just make sure he stays out in the garden, I don’t want your Auntie Anya freaking out.”
Buffy arrived a short time later and everyone sat around in the living room waiting for Dawn and Kate.
“So where is that little sister of yours anyway Buff?” Willow asked curiously, hoping the slayer would blurt out whatever it was that Dawn had been being secretive about.
“I have no idea, she wouldn’t tell me, all I know is that they’ve gone out of town for something.”
“Out of town?”
“Yep, and before you ask, I don’t know where exactly.”
“Well you’re no good for getting the inside scoop are you?”
“Sorry Will, Dawn’s all grown up now, with her own life and her own home.”
“And it’s harder for you to snoop now that she doesn’t live with you.” Xander interjected knowingly.
“Exactly.”
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“Kids, come in and wash your hands.” Willow called outside as she mashed some of the potatoes up and piled them onto three plastic plates for the children.
“Do you need any help?” Buffy asked from the entrance to the kitchen.
“Yeah, could you take the chicken out of the oven?”
“No problem. So how come you’re the cook today? Not that I’m complaining, but Tara usually cooks when we all get together.”
“No particular reason, why should Tara have to do the cooking all the time? I’m perfectly capable of roasting a chicken and boiling some vegetables you know?”
“Calm down Will, I was only asking.”
“Oh, right, sorry.”
“What’s going on? How come you’re all edgy?”
“Nothing, no reason, I’m not edgy, I’m perfectly normal, well, as normal as it’s possible to be, ‘cos you know, there’s not really such a thing as normality, it’s all to do with social consensus and an individual’s own ideas and expectations. But, I’m not edgy, I’m fine and good.”
“You have a secret.”
“No I do not. Why would you think that?”
“Come on Willow, I’ve known you since we were fifteen, and you’ve never been able to keep a secret. Fess up Rosenberg.”
“I’m not saying a word.”
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Everybody sat down to eat and was soon engrossed in conversation.
“How’s school Lydie?” Dawn asked as she helped the little girl cut a piece of chicken.
“It’s good, we had to go to the principal’s office the other day.”
“You two got in trouble?” Xander joined the conversation, shocked that the twins had had to visit the principal.
“No silly, we’re good girls.” Lydia giggled. “Some big boys and girls were being mean to us and the principal made them apopanise… appollenise… uhm, say sorry to us.”
“Apologise.”
“That’s right.”
“Why were they being mean sweetie?”
“Because we have two mommies and they think that that’s bad. But it’s not bad is it? Mommy and Tada said that real love is about two souls that belong together and it has nothing to do with whether you’re a boy or a girl. Love is never a bad thing, that’s right isn’t it?”
“That’s right. And if those bullies give you any trouble again, you just tell one of us and we’ll get it sorted out for you.”
“That’s what Mommy and Tada said.”
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“That wasn’t as unpleasant as I expected, in fact, it was almost as good as Tara’s cooking.” Anya complimented the redhead in her own unique way once everyone was finished eating.
“Uhm, thanks, I think.” Willow gathered the last of the empty plates and carried them through to the kitchen.
Tara followed her love into the kitchen to take a bottle of wine out of the fridge.
“Are you ready for this baby?” Willow whispered as she wrapped her arms around Tara’s waist.
“Yeah.” The blonde leaned her head back onto Willow’s shoulder, luxuriating in her love’s embrace.
“I love you.”
The two lovers returned to the dining room hand in hand and once Tara had poured everyone some wine (and apple juice for the children) Willow cleared her throat to get everyone’s attention.
All eyes turned to the redhead, who was stood at her sweetheart’s side; her finger’s entwined with the blonde’s and an excited smile lighting up her face.
“There was a reason we invited you all around for dinner today, we kinda have an announcement to make.”
“I knew you had a secret.” Buffy interrupted triumphantly.
“Yeah okay Buff, you were right, we do have a secret.”
“So come on Willow, spill already, the suspense is killing us.” Dawn prompted, noticing that the redhead was practically bubbling with excitement.
After a quick, loving glance at Tara, Willow turned back to her family and blurted out.
“Tara’s pregnant. We’re gonna have a baby.”
Willow and Tara were quickly engulfed in hugs and the room was filled with excited voices.
“Oh my god, that’s amazing.”
“I’m so excited; I’m gonna be an auntie again.”
“I’m so happy for you guys.”
“Congratulations on your conception of a new life.”
Once the hugs were over, Xander walked over to Willow and gave her a congratulatory pat on the back.
“Way to go Will, at least you know you’re not firing blanks.”
As a hush descended on the room and everyone’s eyes turned questioningly to the dark haired man he began to frown at his own statement.
“Wait, how does that work?”
Willow smiled fondly at her oldest friend and gave him an affectionate, friendly kiss on the cheek.
“Well obviously they did a spell.” Anya answered the question before Willow had the chance.
“Thank you Anya.” The redhead scowled at the ex-demon.
“It probably involved lots of chanting and they would have had to get all hot and sweaty.”
“Thank you Anya.” Willow repeated, louder this time.
“Anya honey, maybe we should let Willow tell us about the baby.” Xander tried to stop his wife as he realised that Willow was nearing boiling point.
“And lots of orgasms too; orgasms are very good for making babies. Isn’t that right Willow?”
The feel of Tara’s hand gently rubbing her back was the only thing that stopped Willow from screaming at that moment. She closed her eyes and took a deep, calming breath.
“Yes Anya, we did a spell, thank you for explaining that for us.” The redhead’s anger was evident from the way she forced the words out through gritted teeth.
“You’re very welcome Willow.” Anya beamed proudly, completely oblivious to Willow’s irritation.
An uncomfortable silence followed as nobody was quite sure what to say to break the tension in the room. Tara silently rubbed soothing circles over her love’s back and Anya glanced around the room wondering why nobody was speaking.
The silent tension soon became too much for Lydia and Jules, who softly, in unison asked
“What’s an orgasm?”
A second later the dining room was filled with laughter.
The twins just shrugged at one another, completely baffled by the grown-up’s behaviour.
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I promise you will find out what Dawn & Kate's news is soon, I just felt that this update was already too long without me trying to squeeze a second announcement in.
Anyway, I hope you liked it
Hugs
Jeanne
by stillrunning » Tue May 31, 2005 11:36 am 
?
-ful update, and that tis saying alot 
, We'll see 
Thank you so much, that means the world to me. 
Well, we might be seeing more of assertive Tara in future updates 
I wondered where you'd gotten to - I've been missing you sweetie.
.