Hello kittens
Wow, it's been ages since the last update, I do hope people are still interested in this tale of mine.
Okay, I really, really wanted to do replies to the last lot of feedbacks, 'cos there were some very good points raised, but, I think I've already made you wait far too long for an update, so, I'm gonna post the update and then I might be back later with replies (depending on whether I have time). Oh, but, I'd like to say a very big
THANK YOU to everyone who did leave feedback.
So anyway, the update - It's quite long, but, I'm not really sure about it, I think I've been away from this fic for too long, it's not flowing too well, but, it's an update so, that's better than nothing at all right?
Okay a quick "
Previously in TRD..."
There's a new Slayer (Emily) complete with watcher (Eddie) who is a potential love interest for Buffy - cue Willow trying to play cupid.
& now, on with the story.
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“You didn’t? Oh my god Buffy! What did he say?” Willow was speaking animatedly on the phone to her best friend whist Tara helped the twins with their homework, although Lydia was more interested in finding out about her Grandpa Giles’ friends from England.
“Are Mommy and auntie Buffy talking about Grandpa Giles’s friend? What’s his name Tada?”
“Eddie.”
“Is he nice?”
“Yes, he’s very nice and very clever, just like Grandpa Giles. Now get on with your homework.”
Lydia concentrated, for all of two minutes, on her very easy sums before her interrogation continued.
“Does auntie Buffy like Eddie lots?”
“I think she does.”
“Does she love him?”
“She’s only known him since this morning honey, she just has a little crush I think.”
“Do you think they’ll get married?”
“I don’t know Lydie.”
“But Mommy thinks that they should get married doesn’t she?” Lydia smiled knowingly.
“Lydia, it’s a little too soon to be planning weddings, they’ve only just met.”
“Do you think auntie Buffy will ask us to be bridesmaids? Oh, if she waits until after baby Eleanor’s born then Eleanor could be a bridesmaid too, and Alicia of course.”
“Sweetie, don’t get too carried away okay? They might not get married at all.”
“Why not? If I was lots bigger I’d marry auntie Buffy, she’s very pretty. Why doesn’t Eddie want to marry auntie Buffy? Well, maybe auntie Buffy doesn’t want to marry him. Silly boy, just expecting auntie Buffy to marry him, just because he’s clever, he can’t be that clever or he’d want to marry auntie Buffy wouldn’t he Tada?”
“Lydie, I think you just talked yourself round in a circle. Whatever is meant to happen with your Auntie Buffy and Eddie, it will happen in its own time, you can’t rush these things sweetie, you just have to trust that everything will work out as it’s meant to in the end.”
“Like with you and Mommy?”
“That’s right honey.”
Seemingly satisfied with the conclusion of the conversation, Lydia returned to her homework just as Willow hung up the phone.
“How’s Buffy?” Tara enquired, knowing full well that Willow was just bursting to relay all of the gossip.
“She’s fine, a little embarrassed though.”
“What happened?”
“She kind of, accidentally, walked in on Eddie when he was in the shower. She said that he was all cool about it, but I could hear Emily chuckling away at her in the background.”
“How did that happen? Surely she knew that he was in there?”
“She said not, he was tired from the flight here and told Buffy that he was gonna catch up on some sleep, she thought he’d gone straight to bed, but he’d decided to take a shower first. So anyway, Buffy went to the bathroom and, because she’s used to living alone now, she didn’t think to knock, she just, walked right in, just as Eddie was stepping out of the shower.”
“So she saw…”
“Everything.”
“Poor Buffy.” Tara stammered as she fought back giggles.
“Poor Eddie.” Willow added and as her gaze met Tara’s they both burst out laughing.
“Mommy, when can we meet Eddie and Emily?” A, by now, extremely curious Julia enquired of her chuckling mother.
“Oh, actually, very soon sweeties, I’ve invited them over for dinner, they’ll be here at six.”
“What?” Tara’s laughter had ended as she glared accusingly at her love.
“Uhm, is that not okay?” Willow, Julia and Lydia all turned nervously curious eyes to a slightly miffed looking Tara.
“Willow.” Tara looked to the twins and then nodded towards the kitchen, indicating that the discussion would be better continued away from inquisitive ears.
“I’m sorry baby; I didn’t think you’d mind.” Willow quickly apologised as soon as they entered the kitchen.
“I know sweetie, it’s okay, normally I wouldn’t mind at all, but, I guess I’m just feeling tired and a little irritable and uhm, non-hostess-y at the moment, does it have to be tonight?”
“Well I kinda figured that, Giles, Eddie and Emily will probably appreciate it if the first proper meal they have after practically a full day of travelling, is something that Buffy didn’t cook.”
“You told them we’d cook a proper big meal for them? Couldn’t we just, call for a pizza?”
“I’ll do all of the cooking baby, the twins can help me. All you’ll have to do is sit with your feet up and get some rest.”
“Do they have to come here? Dawn and Kate can cook, can’t they go there?”
“They’re out of town for the week, doing that training course thing for their new jobs, remember?” Tara gave a small sigh and an extremely adorable pout and Willow moved to wrap her sweetheart in her arms. “Do you really not want them to come? I can call Buffy and cancel it if you want?”
“I just want a nice, peaceful family night. Am I being all unreasonable?” Tara asked solemnly.
“No, you’re being tired and pregnant and cute and I’m sure Buffy and the British gang will understand.” Willow assured her love.
“Tada, please can Grandpa Giles and his friends come for dinner? Please?” Lydia and Julia’s pleading voices floated through from the dining table, where they had been secretly listening to their parents’ conversation.
“I can never say no to that twin puppy-dog eyes thing. Okay, they can come here for dinner, but you three have to do all of the cooking.”
“Okay.” Lydia agreed hurriedly. “We’ll even clean all the dishes too.”
“Well, I can’t really ask for more than that.”
“Go on up to bed and get some sleep, I’ll wake you before everyone gets here.”
Tara was gently ordered to bed for a nap with three tender, sweet kisses from her three precious girls.
A little under two hours later, when Willow ascended the stairs to gently wake Tara, everything was ready for the arrival of their guests. A large, fresh lasagne was warming in the oven; eight places had been set at the dining table; Lydia and Julia were dressed in sand-coloured, embroidered combat pants and pale pink tops with beaded butterflies on the front; even Willow had managed to get changed into something a little more presentable than her comfortable old jeans and faded red UC Sunnydale t-shirt.
“Tara.” Willow whispered as she eased open the bedroom door, only to find that Tara wasn’t asleep as she should have been. “Hey you’re supposed to be sleeping missy.”
“I was, but our little one decided to tell me it’s time to wake up.” Tara smiled as she lovingly stroked her small bump.
“Kinda gives a whole new meaning to internal body clock. Go get freshened up baby, everyone should be here in about twenty minutes.”
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“Hello Rosenberg’s and Maclay.” Buffy called as she entered Willow and Tara’s home, making her way through to the kitchen, where Willow was checking on the lasagne. “Isn’t it about time that you two got married and settled on one surname so that poor Tara’s not all odd one out any more?”
“They’re not married? I thought they were having a kid together?” Emily exclaimed as she followed Buffy into the kitchen with a bottle of wine and a bottle of sparkling mineral water which the older slayer had left in the car.
“Aren’t you a little young to be old fashioned?”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude, I just, well, in your situation, when a child kinda, uhm, well, has to be planned, I guess I just figured that you’d make the choice to get married first.”
“We’re not having an actual uhm, wedding, we’re having a blessing and we want our whole family to be blessed, so we’re waiting until after Eleanor’s born so that she can be involved and included.” Tara answered Emily’s query with an easy confidence as she joined everyone in the kitchen.
“Oh okay, so it’s like, a big happy union of the whole Rosenberg-Maclay clan and Eleanor, being part of the clan, deserves to be there in a cute little frilly dress getting chewed up chocolate cake all over everyone’s posh clothes. That’s cool.”
“Yeah, because parties are always so much more fun when you get covered in chewed up food.” Buffy commented dryly. “Speaking of little ones, where are those nieces of mine?”
“Last I knew they were in the living room watching cartoons. Actually I’m surprised they didn’t ambush you as soon as you walked in the door, we’ve been getting a million and one questions about Giles friends from England for the past two and a half hours.”
“They’re talking to Eddie, making sure he’s good enough for their aunt Buffy.” Tara chuckled as she gave this update of Jules and Lydie’s activities.
“We should rescue him before they start telling him what flowers you should have at your wedding.”
“Wait, wedding? What? Who? Huh? Willow Rosenberg what have you been saying to those little girls?”
“Me? Why do I have to be the one who said something? I didn’t say anything; it was Tara was who told them that you have a crush on him.”
“I do not have a crush on him.”
“So why were you spying on him in the shower?”
“I wasn’t sp… hey! No ganging up on the slayer, I’ll whoop all of your asses.” Buffy threatened weakly, looking anything but intimidating with her arms folded across her chest and her bottom lip jutted out in an indignant pout.
“Well, I’m scared.” Emily chuckled as she made her way into the living room.
“You know, she’d laugh at you less if you just admit that you like Eddie.” Willow advised her best friend.
“I know, it’s just, well, you know my track record with guys; it doesn’t exactly spell happily ever after does it?”
“Well, that’s because you always fall for the wrong guy. It’ll be different with Eddie, he’s a good guy, a nice, smart, polite guy who understands about the slayer stuff and has a pulse, which is always a bonus. It’ll be nice to see you all happy and in love Buff.”
“Thanks Will.”
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“I gotta say Will, you’re become quite the culinary expert, this is a lot nicer than the pizza I was gonna order would have been.” Buffy complimented as she tucked into her slice of lasagne.
“Well, I can’t take all the credit; my little assistant chefs were a big help.” The twins grinned proudly as their mom acknowledged their hard work.
“We grated the cheese and sprinkled it on the top and we mixed the cheese sauce and washed the tomatoes too, but we didn’t chop them up because we’re not allowed to touch the sharp knife.”
“So are you two gonna be chefs when you’re bigger then?” Emily enquired, wanting to get to know the little girls better.
“No, I’m gonna fly an air-plane.” Julia answered enthusiastically.
“And I’m going to make poorly animals better.”
“They are both very good things to do.
“Mommy and Tada say that we can be anything that we want to be.”
“Tada, that’s cute, I guess it’s less confusing than you both being called mommy.”
“Tada’s not our mommy.” Lydia chuckled at the absurdity of Emily’s assumption. “Tada’s our daddy. Our real daddy was no good, so we chose Tada to be our daddy instead ‘cos she’s the best daddy in the whole wide world.”
“I’m sure she is.”
“Eddie, do you want to be a daddy one day? Because I think auntie Buffy would be a very good mommy.” Julia slyly resumed her matchmaking mission by bringing Eddie into the conversation, causing both he and Buffy to almost choke on their food.
“Julia!” Willow tried to scold her daughter, but the laughter in her voice made the reprimand less than convincing.
As the evening progressed and moved into the living room everyone settled into various comfortable and occasionally enthusiastic conversations, including updates of the lives of the Scoobies; exotic tales of life in England; the exchange of several embarrassing ‘high school’ and ‘drunk’ stories; deep and philosophical theories of life and the universe and, of course, numerous attempts at matchmaking.
At eight thirty, Lydia and Julia’s synchronized sleepy yawns signalled that it was time for the twins to get ready for bed and the guests to make their way home.
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I promise I won't make you wait too long for the next update, & it'll be better than this one was too.
Feedback please,
just so I know that people are still reading & enjoying.
Thank you.
Hugs
Jeanne
Love it!!
by singgirl » Wed Jun 15, 2005 8:28 pm 
1234 what do you think I want more 
*groan* Eleanor?....... that name sounds like it belongs to some 83 year old woman with white hair and arthritis in her right hip. You know.... An Eleanor would most likely be found standing on her fount porch shaking a broom at passing children and yelling "Stay off my front lawn you Hooligans!" hehe....(funny visual) 
, not sure how that works, but thanks sweetie. 
*sigh* Oh well. Thanks for the funny visual 
Smile sweetie... cause... I like the name... I really do.. honest 
see? there....isn't that better? 
I was sad though that we didn't get any twin-sized goodness this time around. I gotta say that I love those two little tykes 
. 
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