Willow wiped the tears away from Tara's face ever-so-gently with the back of her hand...
"I know..." Willow said, understanding. "...and I meant what I said...I can't compete with your memories..."
Tara's heart jumped into her throat...
"...but that doesn't mean we can't make some new memories of our own..." Willow said, smiling.
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Chapter EighteenFor the first time in what had seemed like an eternity, Tara felt hope...hope in the form of a chance - a chance to build their love again...
"I would like that..." she said, smiling.
"So would I...so how about we start on that right now...it's kinda weird...you know? I feel like I know you...but I really don't know anything about you...and you...you probably know everything about me, don't you?"
"Why don't you refresh my memory..." Tara said, flashing a crooked grin...no matter how many times she heard them...she loved Willow's stories...especially the ones about Willow as a child...
The two talked for hours...sharing stories about their past...the day seemed to fly by. But Willow noticed that Tara delicately avoided any conversation regarding 'their' past...and although she didn't want to compete with a memory...she still wanted to know what kind of history the two witches shared...it was obvious that they had been romantically involved...but to what extent? How long had Willow been here before? How had they defeated Kaliphicus? There were so many questions yet unanswered...
"Tara?"
"Hmmm?"
"I know that I've asked you a lot of questions today...and you've been really great about answering all of them...but...I kind of noticed something..."
"What's that?"
"You have kind of conveniently left out a lot about us...about you and Willow's...the 'other' Willow's past..."
Tara looked down, sheepishly. "I know..."
Willow could see the discomfort her question was causing...and she didn't want to hurt Tara...but she wanted to know...she needed to know...
"I'm sorry...maybe I shouldn't have asked..."
"N-no...it's okay...you have a right to know...I guess I was just hoping you would just r-remember it all, you know?"
"Yeah...I know...I wish I did remember, Tara... I want you to know that..."
"You do?"
More than you'll ever know...
Willow nodded.
"We were very close, Willow... i-intimately so..."
"I kinda figured that we were...given the instant attraction and all...so we're girlfriends? Or...geez...girlfriends...that sounds so hokey...do you even use that term? Girlfriends, I mean..."
"Willow...we're more than girlfriends..."
"Well, yeah...I know...hello - the whole 'intimate' thing..."
"No, Willow...there's more..."
"What is it?"
"Willow...y-you're my wife..."
To Be Continued....