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! Another early update:) As always…if you see anything that needs fixing, PM me. Enjoy:) ********************************************
Chapter 24
Willow and Tara sat on the Rosenberg’s living room floor a few feet apart with Chelsea between them. The infant had been crawling back and forth between the girls, taking the soft plush baby blocks from one to the other and depositing them in their laps. Once Chelsea filled Tara’s lap she would sit up clapping, giggling and cheering for herself. Then she would start over and take them all back to Willow. The game had been going on for some time and all three of them were enjoying themselves immensely.
Ira had retreated to his study while Jen and Sheila remained at the dinner table; sipping coffee, chatting and occasionally looking up whenever Chelsea cheered.
Jen smiled as she glanced in the direction of the living room. “You must be very proud of Willow.”
Sheila nodded, “We are, she’s an exceptional person.”
“And she is absolutely wonderful with Chelsea. I have to admit, when Tara first told me about their plan, I was skeptical.”
“Umm hmm, so was I. Babies are not easy and I was worried she’d gotten in over her head, but I can also see why she’s so taken with Chelsea. She is just the sweetest little thing. You are one lucky grandma!” Sheila chuckled, “I still can’t believe you’re a grandmother, it feels like just yesterday we were crawling around on the floor with those two.”
Jen shook her head and laughed, “No one was more surprised than me. When Tara told me she was pregnant, you could have knocked me over with a feather.”
“I bet that was some conversation.”
Jen shook her head, “She was so terrified to tell me, she waited until she was four months along before she said a word. Which took away all of her options.”
“Was that something she considered?”
“Yes, but there was no way she would have gone through with it. There’s too much love in her heart.”
Sheila nodded in agreement, “Well, it looks like she made the right decision and she really is a fantastic parent for someone her age. Raising a child is difficult even under the best of circumstances.”
Jen smiled, “Never have truer words been spoken and thank you. I’m very proud of the way she is handling things and she gets better everyday, especially since Willow came along. She’s a good influence.”
“Well, no one is happier than me to see Willow interacting with real people rather than her laptop.” Sheila leaned closer and whispered, “We had to lie about not wanting to buy her a car, just to get her out of the house.”
Jen snorted with laughter. “Well, your strategy seems to be working.”
Tara glanced towards the dining room when she heard her mother’s distinct laughter. “Do you think they’re talking about us?”
Willow looked up at Tara, taking her attention from the baby in her lap. “Probably,” She smiled sweetly, “But it couldn’t be any worse than the dinner conversation.” Tara smirked and raised an eyebrow. “Don’t look at me like that, I was only four! Besides, it kinda did…feel good.” Willow squirmed as the blush rose up her neck and across her cheeks.
“I thought you said you didn’t remember doing that?”
Willow leaned towards Tara and whispered, “Well, I lied okay? When you’re mother launches into a story in front of your girlfriend and her mother about how you decided to strip your clothes off and ride your bicycle naked down the street in front the entire population of Sunnydale while shouting,
I’m free! I’m free! And this feels so good! You tend to try and back-peddle. No pun intended.”
Tara slapped her hand over her mouth laughing at the adorable redhead. “Hey,” Willow said, pointing at Chelsea. “Your time is coming. She’s already trying to pull her diaper off. I bet you’re gonna be a little exhibitionist, aren’t you?”
Chelsea giggled and clapped her tiny hands together.
“See?” Willow smiled proudly.
Tara shook her head as she continued to laugh and scooted closer. “I liked that, by the way.” She whispered.
“What?”
Suddenly feeling shy, Tara ducked her head and whispered. “When you called me your girlfriend.”
Willow grinned widely, feeling the tingly sensation rush through her chest. “So, do you wanna maybe…” She said, pointing upstairs.
“Yes please!” Tara replied, standing and picking Chelsea up out of Willow’s lap. She held out a hand, pulling Willow off the floor and the three of them headed for the stairs.
“Tara?” Jen called across the room.
“Yes?” She replied as she turned to face her mother.
“It’s getting late and I think we should be leaving soon. Chelsea needs to get to bed and you two have school tomorrow.”
“Oh…okay.” Tara answered back, her face crestfallen. “I um, just left something up in Willow’s room.”
Jen eyed her daughter curiously. “Well, why don’t I hold Chelsea while you go up and find whatever you left. Don’t be long though, okay?”
“Yes ma’am,” Tara said as she handed Chelsea over to her mom.
***************************************
Willow closed her bedroom door, sighing and falling back against it. It seemed to her like Tara had just gotten there and it was already time for her to leave.
No words were spoken as Tara held her hands out, beckoning Willow to her. The redhead complied, pushing herself off the door and drifting into her girlfriend’s waiting arms.
Tara held Willow close, burying her face in the auburn locks and nuzzling the girl’s neck. She inhaled the gentle fresh scent of Willow’s shampoo and tightened her grip.
I could so get used to this.Willow was having similar thoughts as she wrapped her arms tighter around Tara’s waist. “This is really…nice.” She whispered.
Mmmmhh very,” Tara agreed.
“You feel so warm and soft.” Willow breathed as she lovingly pressed a kiss to Tara’s neck and then another and another, slowly moving up her jaw towards the grand prize.
Tara moaned softly, rubbing circles across Willow’s back and thoroughly enjoying the moment. When she felt Willow kissing closer to her mouth she turned her head and lightly brushed their lips together, but the light chaste kisses soon turned passionate and before they knew it, they were kissing intently. Their mouths were opening and closing against the other, with tongues colliding in a frenzied dance. Several minutes passed before Tara forced herself to release the redhead and take a breath.
They were still gripping each other tightly, with slightly sweaty foreheads pressed together and their bodies shaking with desire.
“I need to get going.”
“I know…”
“I’ll see you in the morning though,” Tara whispered, her breath mingling with Willow’s.
“Yeah,” Willow replied, still snuggling close to Tara.
Tara pulled her arms down from around Willow’s neck and gently cupped her cheeks. She took a small step back as she gazed into the emerald green depths of Willow’s expressive eyes. The girl was looking up at her with such affection that Tara couldn’t resist bringing their lips together again.
They kissed for several long moments before moving apart. “I’m sorry,” Tara said finally.
“It’s okay, Chelsea needs to get to bed and so do we. Besides, the faster we go to sleep, the sooner we’ll get to see each other again.”
Tara smiled at Willow’s logic; she did have a point. “I’ll pick you up at seven? That’ll give us a little time to…”
“Yeah,” Willow smiled, “You can come over earlier, if you want.”
Tara smiled in return, “I’ll try, it depends on little Miss you know who.”
“I know, but seven at the latest?” Willow questioned.
“Yeah, at the latest…” Tara’s words trailed off as she felt Willow’s lips on hers once again.
***************************************
The phone rang and Willow jumped, answering it within a few seconds. “Hey.”
“Hi, I didn’t wake you again, did I?” Tara asked.
“No, I was hoping you’d call,” Willow replied in a whisper.
“I must have picked up the vibe.”
“I must be sending some pretty strong signals and here I thought I was just lying in bed.”
“You’re snuggling with your puppy, aren’t you?”
“Umm, various sounds of hesitation…”
“I’m totally jealous. I mean, what does he have that I don’t?”
Willow smiled dreamily and clutched the stuffed puppy tighter. “Absolutely nothing,” She whispered.
Tara was also in bed and rolled onto her stomach to get more comfortable. She sighed wistfully.
I wish I was that puppy right about now.“Tara?”
“Hmm?”
“When did you know?” Willow asked as she picked at her puppy’s ear.
Willow was vague, but Tara completely understood the question and wasn’t surprised by it either. “Well, if I had to pinpoint a moment, I guess it was the other night at the football game.”
“Oh…” Willow felt a twinge of disappointment. After all, that was only a few days ago and she thought it would have been much sooner.
“When I saw you up there, with Chelsea and then I hugged you, all I could think about was kissing you. That’s when I
really knew, but I’ve felt differently for awhile. Ever since that day Chelsea started crawling.”
“Really?” Willow asked, feeling the tears begin to form in her eyes.
“Yeah, what about you?”
“Same day,” Willow whispered, “When you picked up Chelsea…you’d never looked more beautiful. I’m…I’m sorry I ran out of there like a total freak.”
“You’re not a freak, just confused. It’s a big change…for both of us.”
“Yeah…” Willow sighed as a comfortable fell over them.
“Speaking of changes,” Tara said, “My schedule is changing a little. I meant to tell you earlier, but we kinda got sidetracked.”
“Sidetracked in a good way.”
“Yes, a
very good way.” Tara smiled, breathing a little heavier.
“So…you were saying?”
“Oh yeah, my schedule,” Tara giggled lightly, “Anyway, since we’re only cheering for the boys basketball team every other Friday, we decided to only practice a couple days a week. It’ll be Tuesday, Thursday until six and Friday night games. We don’t travel with the team, so when they’re away, I’ll have Fridays off as well.”
Willow was silent as she took in Tara’s words. How could this be? How could they now have even less time together just when they want to start spending
more time together.
“Will, are you still there?” Tara asked after hearing nothing but silence on the other end of the phone.
“Huh? Oh yeah, I’m just kinda bummed.”
“I understand and I know you’re depending on the money. I still plan on paying you the same amount.” Tara said honestly.
“Oh, no baby, it’s not about that. In fact that’s a whole other conversation. It’s just…I mean we’re finally together-together and now we’re gonna have even less time
together.” Willow finished her ramble in a flurry to silence on the other end of the phone. “Tare? Tara?”
Tara cleared her throat and flopped over onto her back, with a dreamy smile etched on her face and began twirling some hair around her finger. Willow had referred to her as
baby. It was the first time Willow had used any endearment and Tara was elated. She had called Willow sweetie quite a few times without even thinking; it was something she’d picked up from her mother and she was used to saying it to Chelsea. So it seemed natural to say it to Willow as well. Willow never said anything about whether she liked it, but the lack of protest was proof enough.
“Tare?”
“Oh, s-sorry.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I was just thinking that it’s actually a good thing and we’ll be able to spend even
more time together.”
“How do you figure? Now you don’t need me on Wednesdays anymore or every other Friday.” Willow pouted.
“Will, I
always need you.”
Willow smiled, “You’re very sweet, but I just don’t…”
“You’re missing the point sweetie, I still need you to sit for me on Wednesdays and Fridays, at least until I get home from school. Then we can hang out together for the rest of the day.”
“Oh…oh! Cool, now I see your point. Durrr, big dummy here! I-I just wasn’t thinking and went all panicky for a minute. I guess it’s a good thing I have you to slap me with logic.”
“First of all, you’re not a dummy and secondly…of all, you’re the most logical person I know.”
Willow laughed, “You sound cute when you’re trying to be funny.”
“And you’re cute
all the time.”
Willow smiled to herself, enjoying the mutual flirting. “Tare, do you think we can start eating lunch together everyday? I mean, I know we’re going to be riding to school together and then hanging out after school, but I thought it would be nice, you know, to see each other during the day and, and oh gosh, that makes me totally sound like needy clingy girl, doesn’t it?”
Tara chuckled, knowing she’d never tire of hearing the adorable babble. “Will, you’re not needy or clingy. You’re just you and I lo…I would love to have lunch with you everyday.” Tara finished in a whisper, having almost blurted out something that should not be said for the first time over the phone.
“Do you want me to pack us another big lunch for tomorrow?”
“How about I take us out, my treat?” Tara offered.
“It’s a date! Hey, I’ve never actually left campus during the official school day before. I um…I’m not sure that I can.” Willow said, sounding apprehensive.
Tara laughed out loud. “Sweetie, you leave early everyday.”
“I know, but this is different. This is kinda like skipping or something.”
Tara sighed, “I guess you’re a rebel then.”
“That’s me, Willow ‘The Rebel’ Rosenberg!”
“So Miss Rebel, I’ll see you in the morning?”
“Bright and early.”
“Okay, I guess it’s time for me to go. I need to get some sleep before my sweet little alarm clock goes off.”
“Tare,” Willow whispered, “Thanks for calling and for tonight.”
“Anytime,” Tara breathed, “I’ll see you soon.”
“Bye Tare.”
“Bye Will.”