TITLE: Baby Makes Three
AUTHOR: Finey_McFine
RATING: PG13
DISCLAIMER: Willow, Tara and any other BtVS characters, as well as some random dialog, belong to Mutant Enemy. ALL other original characters belong to me! Mention of any ‘real’ people in this fic is brief and pure fantasy.
SUMMARY: Totally AU! Willow Rosenberg is a senior at Sunnydale High. She and her friends are bullied relentlessly until Willow stumbles upon a huge secret and decides to take matters into her own hands. There is no Hellmouth, just lot’s of teen angst, self discovery and of course Willow/Tara goodness...eventually.
Thoughts are in italics FEEDBACK: Yes! Any glaring issues…please send me a PM!
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Hi Everyone and Happy Sunday! I’m not sure I’ll have the time to update next week. I’m busy on both of my days off, but I will try...no promises though. Anyway...........enjoy!**********************************************
Chapter 11
After an awkward first couple weeks, Willow soon fell into a comfortable routine. She would arrive at the Maclay house before one and Jen would already have Chelsea fed and down for a nap. Willow would immediately dig into any unfinished homework or she would read ahead to make things easier with her busy schedule. Chelsea would awaken between two and three and the redhead would change, feed and spend the rest of the afternoon entertaining the infant until Tara got home; usually around five or six.
In preparation for her babysitting duties, Willow had throughly researched infant development and had decided to use her time with Chelsea to focus on some of the things she’d learned. It hadn’t really crossed Willow’s mind until Sheila mentioned, that Willow herself, had been crawling at eight months, the age Chelsea was now. That was when the obsessive research had started and Willow put together a development plan based on her age and current skill level. She decided not to mention it to Tara, for fear the girl would think she was insane.
Willow was on the floor with Chelsea, setting up soft blocks and allowing the infant to knock them over. The baby would squeal in delight each time the blocks tumbled; amusing herself and Willow. The redhead would set the blocks up in a different pattern each time. Sometimes square, sometimes rectangular and some by color. Each time she moved the blocks further away, forcing Chelsea to figure out how to get closer. Most of the time, the infant would fall to her belly and roll, but out of the blue she fell forward onto her belly, pushed up on her hands and knees and began to rock back and forth.
“Oh my gosh!” Willow exclaimed and jumped in front of Chelsea to encourage her on. “That’s it...come on sweetie, you can do it!”
Concentration was etched across the little girl’s face, but she soon became tired and fell to the floor.
“Woo hoo! Great job munchkin, you’re almost there!” Willow said as she swooped Chelsea up in her arms and smothered her with kisses. The baby giggled happily, but soon began pushing off of Willow, eager to get back to the game.
Willow sat her close to the blocks when she heard the familiar jingle of keys and the front door open.
“Honey, I’m home!” Tara joked as she entered the house.
Willow giggled and called out to Tara, “Hey, we’re in the family room! Come here, quick, you’ve got to see this!”
Tara dropped her stuff by the door and hurried into the family room.
“Hey, what’s going on?” The blonde chirped as she dropped to the floor next to Willow.
“Watch this...” Willow said as she gathered the blocks and set them up again just out of arms reach.
Chelsea just sat for a few seconds watching and then motioned for Tara to pick her up; making no move for the blocks.
Tara reached for her and Willow stopped her, “Wait, not yet. Chelsea, hey sweetie the blocks are over here. See? Come on sweet-pea, let’s show Mommy what you can do.” Willow motioned towards the soft colorful toys, even knocking a few over to get her attention, but all of her efforts were to no avail as Chelsea only had eyes for her mother.
The baby began to fuss and Willow sighed deeply, utterly defeated. “Fine, pick her up,” The redhead pouted.
Tara giggled and picked up her daughter. “Tara, I swear...she almost crawled. Just now, right before you walked in the door.”
“Really?!”
“Yes, but now she couldn’t care less. It’s like when you hear your car making a funny noise and you take it to the mechanic, only when he starts the car and listens there is no funny noise. Then he looks at you like you’re crazy...kinda how you’re looking at me right now.” Willow finished, crossing her arms defiantly across her chest. “You don’t believe me!”
“I didn’t say that...I mean if you
say she did...” Tara teased.
“Tare,” Willow whined, “Come on, it’s true!”
Tara couldn’t hold out any longer and began to laugh at Willow’s pouty face. It was utterly adorable.
“I’m sorry, I just couldn’t resist teasing you. Let’s try again, okay?”
Willow nodded eagerly and gestured for Tara to join her, “Okay, but you have to come over here, behind the blocks.”
Willow set up the blocks and Tara sat Chelsea down, then moved over next to Willow. The girls were on their hands and knees with their thighs, arms and shoulders touching ever so lightly. Tara glanced towards Willow; with their faces only inches apart, giving the blonde a very close, very intimate view of the babysitter.
Tara’s breath caught in her throat as her eyes danced across Willow’s delicate features. Her bright green eyes and the paleness of her skin accented by hundreds of tiny freckles sprinkled across the bridge of her nose and cheeks. When Willow smiled and began to encourage the baby to crawl, Tara swooned and nearly fell over.
“Hey, are you okay?” Willow asked, none the wiser.
“Um yeah, I just uh...lost my balance. Super klutz here!”
Tara’s cheeks blushed bright red, completely embarrassed that she’d nearly been caught staring. Her feelings were confusing, spiraling out of control and she could not figure out why she was so drawn to Willow. Why was Willow’s smile having such an effect on her? Other people had smiled at her before and she hadn’t nearly fallen over.
Tara decided that now was not the time for processing, she needed to focus on her child and the task at hand. So she shelved the thoughts and did her best to suppress her blossoming feelings towards her daughter’s babysitter.
Willow on the other hand was so completely focused on getting Chelsea to crawl, she missed the entire display unfolding next to her. She had her resolve face on and nothing was going to stop her from achieving her goal.
“Come on Chels, you can do it.”
Tara changed her position and sat cross legged with her hands out stretched, “Come on baby, come to Mommy. Come on...” She encouraged.
Chelsea locked eyes with Tara and smiled brightly. She suddenly fell forward onto the palms of her hands. Tara gasped audibly and her first instinct was to lunge forward and catch her baby, but instead she felt a warm hand on her arm. “It’s okay Tare...watch,” Willow said.
Tara’s heart was in her throat, but she swallowed hard and simply nodded as she watched her daughter on hands and knees begin to rock back and forth until she tentatively started to crawl forward.
Tara gasped again, “Oh my God!! She’s doing it!”
“See? I told you!” Willow exclaimed, feeling vindicated.
Chelsea crawled slowly, just a few inches, before tiring and collapsing onto her belly. Tara squealed, swooping in and lifting the baby into the air.
“You did it Sweetie! Mommy’s so proud of you!” Tara said as she rubbed noses with Chelsea and pulled her in for a hug. “Wow, that was amazing.”
As Tara gushed and snuggled the child to her chest, Willow sat completely mesmerized. She was mildly aware of the dopey grin plastered across her face and hoped she didn’t look like a complete idiot, but she just couldn’t pull herself away from the girl’s aqua blue eyes. Tara had never looked more beautiful. The way her eyes twinkled, the fullness of her lips and the glow from the wispy tendrils of blonde hair that fell around her face. Willow’s heart swelled with warmth as she fought the urge to reach out and tuck the errant hairs behind Tara’s ears. Then, with that last thought, as if struck by lightening, Willow began to panic and bolted up off the floor.
“I have to go!” She blurted out, so loud and unexpected that it made Tara jump.
“Okay...” Tara mumbled, the disappointment rolling off her in waves. Something had happened, something changed and Tara had no idea what it was.
“Sorry, it’s just that I-I-I have um...homework! Yes, homework a-a-and my parents are expecting me for dinner a-a-and I um, I just...need to go. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Willow stammered as she ran around gathering her things and rushed out the door.
“Bye,” Tara whispered as the redhead disappeared from the room and was gone. Tara sat with Chelsea in her lap in the stone cold quiet of her house...completely defeated.
****************************************************************
After Willow left, Tara didn’t really have time to over think the situation. Chelsea became fussy and Tara took her to the kitchen, sat her in the highchair and fed the little girl dinner. Then it was bath time, some mommy-daughter time, nursing and into bed. By the time Tara was done she was suitably exhausted. She plopped down on her bed, reached for her book bag and pulled out her algebra book.
The large text flopped onto the bed and Tara simply stared, as if she expected it to magically open and feed her with knowledge. Unfortunately, the book laid still and Tara’s tired mind began to wander.
The algebra book was the same book that Willow had returned to her. The same book that had spent time in Willow’s backpack and the same book that undoubtedly spent time in Willow’s bedroom; perhaps even on her bed. Tara ran an index finger down the front of the cold hard surface.
Willow’s room. What was it like? Was it big? What was on the walls? Tara had no idea, it suddenly occurred to her that she’d never seen Willow’s bedroom because she’d never even been to Willow’s house.
Why not? She thought.
Well, maybe because she’s never invited you over, duh. Tara scoured her brain, trying to remember if she’d
ever been to Willow’s when she was little, but soon gave up. She hardly remembered Willow, much less her house. Tara frowned and set the heavy text aside, lying down instead and feeling a thousand pangs of guilt again for not taking the time to get to know Willow better. Even now, they saw each other nearly everyday, shared special moments and Tara still had not one single clue into Willow’s life.
You need to learn to be a better friend Tara. Her last thought as she drifted off to sleep.
*****************************************************************
In all the time Willow was forced to deal with the Cordettes, she’d always come to the conclusion that they were a bunch of brainless nincompoops. Now, she realized she’d been completely wrong. Well, at least about one Cordette in particular.
Willow was pleasantly surprised to find that Tara Maclay was far from brainless. In fact, Tara was quite the opposite and the more she got to know her, the more she genuinely liked the girl and the more she liked Tara, the more confused she became. Her feelings of ‘like’ were traveling the bullet train well beyond those of friendship, the lines were starting to blur and Willow had no idea how she should be dealing with these feelings. They scared her and caused her to do dumb things, like jump up and run out of someones house like a crazy person.
This particular inner monologue was the main reason Willow skipped lunch with her friends and instead chose the solitude of the library. Not to mention the fact that seeing Xander relentlessly flirt with Anya, made her stomach all acidy. He was like a rabid dog in his pursuit of the new comer and was ignoring Willow to the point where she felt completely invisible.
Willow rounded the corner of a tall stack of books, seeking out her favorite table in the back of the library. When she saw that it was taken, she frowned and visibly slouched. She was so busy making various faces that it took several seconds for it to register that the person occupying the table was Tara.
Willow stopped and took a moment to observe the girl, before moving towards the table. Tara looked tired, frustrated and on the verge of tears.
“Tara?” Willow said as she neared the private table.
Tara looked up, immediately recognizing the voice and gave Willow a small wave, “Hey.”
“Hi. What are you doing here? I thought you always went out for lunch.” Willow said as she slid into a chair on the opposite side of the table. “Oh um, is...is this okay?” Willow asked, seeking permission to join the blonde.
Tara nodded, “Of course,” She smiled sweetly. “I usually do go out, but I kinda screwed up.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, by the time I got done with everything last night, instead of doing my math homework...I sorta fell asleep. I didn’t do the work, didn’t study, I have a test tomorrow, I’m totally confused and if I don’t pass with at least a ‘C,’ I’m gonna get an ‘F’ this semester.” Tara said, out of breath and causing Willow to chuckle. “You’re l-laughing at me?” Tara pouted, a tad hurt by Willow’s actions.
“Oh no, I...I’m sorry,” Willow reached across the table and covered Tara’s hand with her own; suddenly feeling guilty for laughing and for not staying to help Tara the night before. “I um, I’ve just never heard ‘Tara-babble’ before.”
Tara responded with an adorable half smile, immediately calming with the gentle touch, as Willow reassuringly squeezed her hand before letting go.
“I can help,” Willow said with a hopeful look on her face.
Tara shook her head, “No, you do too much already, especially for me, plus aren’t you already helping Xander and Anya?”
“Pfft, those two don’t do anything but make googly eyes at each other. I gave up on them a long time ago, besides I need an excuse to get me out of those awkward study sessions anyway.”
“Willow, I can’t ask-”
“You’re not, I’m offering. No strings attached, please?”
Tara sighed deeply realizing she didn’t really have a choice. She could either accept the help or fail. It wasn’t that she wanted to decline, it was a great excuse to spend more time with the adorable redhead, but after Willow’s abrupt exit the night before...Tara was hesitant. After several long seconds, Tara finally acknowledged with a reluctant nod.
“Great!” Willow semi-shouted, “Oops sorry, what are you having trouble with?” She asked, lowering her voice.
Tara shrugged her shoulders, “All of it?”
“Let me see your book,” Willow said as Tara slid the text book across the table, “Hmmmm, word problems huh?”
Tara nodded, “They make no sense to me. It’s like, If you have 4 pencils and I have 7, how many pancakes will fit on the roof? Purple, because aliens don’t wear hats.” Tara dead panned as Willow broke out in a fit of giggles.
Finally pulling herself together, Willow stood and scooted her chair next to Tara so they could both see the book. “It’s okay Tare, I promise we’ll get it done and by tonight, you’ll fully understand. I guarantee it!”
“Thanks Will,” Tara said sincerely.
******************************************************************
Thirty minutes later, with about five minutes to spare before the lunch bell rang, Tara’s homework was complete.
“Thanks again Will, you have no idea how much I appreciate the help.”
Willow’s bright green eyes met with blue and she grinned goofily. “What?” Tara asked.
Willow shrugged, “No one hardly ever calls me Will, I like it.”
“Well, no one calls me Tare except you, so I guess we’re even,” She said with a wink. “But um, not even Xander?” Tara cringed, she had no idea why she asked that question and hoped the distain in her voice didn’t show.
“He usually calls me Willster or Willsterama or something equally embarrassing. He can be so obnoxious sometimes,” Willow said with a slight bit of annoyance. Thinking back to how Xander’s been acting lately.
“Oh, I uh kinda th-thought you guys were s-sort of an item...” Tara was now treading on uneven ground. She wanted to know, but at the same time felt a sharp twinge of jealousy at the mere thought.
“Oh no, we’re just friends. We used to go out but we broke up.”
“How come?”
“He stole my Barbie,” Willow said flatly, receiving a quirked eyebrow from the blonde. “We were five.”
“Oh.”
“I don’t actually date a whole lot...lately,” Willow could feel the crimson creeping up her neck.
“Why not?”
God Tara, shut up! You don’t want to push her into dating someone!“Well, when I’m with a boy I like, it’s hard for me to say anything cool, or witty, or at all...I can usually make a few vowel sounds, and then I have to go away.”
Tara giggled, sometimes Willow was just too cute. “It can’t be that bad.”
“Trust me, it is. Spazz, party of one! What about you? I bet the boys are just lining up outside your door.”
Please say no, please say no... Tara ducked her head, “There’s a few, but I don’t r-really have the time to date anymore.”
“Oh, well I could babysit...i-if you wanted me to.”
Willow!!! You idiot! “Um maybe, I dunno. I haven’t really since...” Tara shrugged her shoulders.
The conversation was growing more awkward by the second and both girls were relieved when the lunch bell finally rang.
Willow nodded in understanding, but desperately wanted to know the backstory on Chelsea. “So, I guess I’ll see you tonight?”
“Tonight, after practice as usual.”
“I’ll stay, if it’s okay, to help you study for your algebra test?
Tara smiled sweetly at the prospect of spending more time with the redhead, even if it was just platonic. “Sounds like a plan. Bye Will.”
“Bye Tare.” They said as they exited the library into the busy halls of Sunnydale high.
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I really hope Willow just cuts her hours at the DoubleMeat and makes Chelsea her priority. She's such a little angel. 
It would mean less risk of interacting with Whore-delia and her minions. Can't go wrong there.
!!!!
!
.
), but I must say I'm surprised by how the girls are getting close, even if they have confusing thoughts right now. I honestly didn't think it was possible for it to happen so soon after reading the first chapter, they had such strong hatred feelings about each other. Kudos for Finey McFine on this wonderful writing and for making it possible 
