Thank you for the feedback!Never A Night Like This - PG 13
~Part 49~
~*~*~*~*~*~
Hadley hummed Christmas Carols under her breath, as she pranced around the living room decorating.
“So what happened after you asked her?” Jessica said excitedly as her and Willow sat on the floor, organizing Tara’s old Christmas decorations.
“She cried.” Willow smiled. “She said yes, of course.”
“Wow.” Jess breathed. “My little Willow is growing up.”
“We all have to sometime right?” Willow grinned and passed Hadley another Angel window ornament.
“Mama said she might be home early.” Hadley giggled.
“That’s right, and with Lily too.” Willow smiled at her daughter.
Tara had taken Lily out to Christmas shop as Willow and Hadley stayed home to continue decorating. Lily was getting worried that she didn’t have anything to put under the tree for
her best friend, so Tara took Lily to the side and asked her if she wanted to do a little last minute shopping with her. Lily grinned and grabbed her coat, kissing Hadley on the cheek
before leaving with the older blonde.
“How come I couldn’t go?” Hadley frowned.
“Because I think mama and Lily need to finish some last minute things before tomorrow evening.” Willow smiled and pulled Hadley into her lap.
“Christmas Eve!” Hadley squealed and looked over at Jessica. “Are you going to have dinner with us Christmas day?” She asked, her voice full of hope. Hadley took a liking to the brunette, she liked when Jessica would play hide and go seek with Lily and herself.
“I will be here, yes.” Jess smiled and passed the little girl another Angel ornament.
“Yay!” Hadley giggled and stood up. “I’m going to finish decorating.”
“You do that.” Willow smiled. “So you’re going to head home in a few days?”
“Yes, my parents know I’m here, they don’t seem to mind too much.” Jess smiled nervously. “I mentioned your name and they were all with the understanding.”
“Your parents are very persistent.”
“Yup.” Jessica sighed. “I just need to find me a nice young woman who will not break my heart.”
“You’ll find her.” Willow smiled softly.
~*~*~*~*~
“How about that one?” Lily pointed to a Barbie doll. “Hadley doesn’t have that one.”
Tara studied it. “Pregnant Barbie?” She grinned. “You want to get that one for her?”
Lily nodded and clapped her hands when Tara took it off the shelf.
“Miss Maclay? I’m tired.”
Tara smiled and put Lily in the shopping cart. “Just a few more stops, then we’ll head home okay?”
Lily nodded sleepily and sat in the cart. “I can’t wait to meet my Auntie.” She smiled.
“Soon you won’t have to wait anymore.” Tara smiled, going through the clothing department.
“Mom says she’s not as mean as my Nana is making her out to be.”
“I’m sure she’s a very nice young woman.”
“Like Aunt Tori, right?” Lily’s brown eyes looked up at Tara.
Tara smiled softly. “Right, like Aunt Tori.” She got used of Mikey and Lily calling Tori their Aunt. She was waiting for the day that they’d slip and call her mama.
“Hadley would love that shirt!” Lily pointed to a baby blue sweater with small sparkles on the front.
“She would.” Tara picked it up and smiled. “We’ll have to see after.”
“When is my mom coming to get me?” Lily asked.
“Five more days.” Tara tucked some brown hair being Lily’s ears. “How are you?”
“I miss her, but I’m okay.” Lily shrugged. “You and Miss Rosenberg are great to me.”
“We love you Lily.” Tara softly spoke. “You’re like our own daughter.”
“Does that mean Hadley’s my sister?” Lily smiled widely. “I’ve always wanted a sister. My aunt Em used to be like my big sister, but I barely rember her.”
“Yes, you are like sisters. Now let’s go and finish up so we can get back home and help finish with the decorations.” Tara laughed.
~*~*~*~*~
Faith sat in the Bronze waiting for Buffy to arrive. The blonde had agreed to do the last sweep on her way from walking Dawn and Tori home.
Slamming back her second beer, Faith turned her head just in time to see Buffy walking towards her. “There’s my sexy lady.” She smiled and held out her hand for Buffy to grab.
Buffy smiled and walked in between Faith’s legs. “Miss me?” She asked, tracing the scar on Faith’s lip.
“Absolutely.” Faith grinned and kissed Buffy’s finger. “Want a drink?”
“Absolutely.” Buffy gave a sultry grin. “But a beer’s fine too.” She smirked.
“Later baby.” Faith whispered, squeezing Buffy’s other hand before turning to the bartender and ordering two more drinks. “How’d the sweep go?”
“Dusted two vamps.” Buffy proudly beamed. “Tori dusted one with her witch-foo.”
“Dawn threatened?” Faith asked, knowing that it was one of the triggers to getting Tori to use her magic.
“Yes, I was busy with one vampire, while another took Dawn by the throat.” Buffy shivered. “He was this close,” The blonde slayer pinched her fingers close together to demonstrate, “to biting Dawn.”
“Go Hazel.” Faith nodded, handing a beer to Buffy. “So all is good then?”
“Yup. They’re a little shaken up, but they’ll be fine.” Buffy smiled softly. “And what haveyou been up too?”
“Thinking.”
“About?”
“Us.”
Buffy raised an eyebrow and leaned in closer. “Good things?”
“I wouldn’t think anything less of us.” Faith smiled cheekily. “I hope Red and Tare get married soon.” She took a swig of her beer.
“As far as I know they have the big day planned for early spring.”
“Tori asked when we’re going to get married.” Faith laughed.
Buffy laughed as well. “Married? Us?”
“Exactly. I can’t even think about how either of us would propose.” Faith grinned, staring at Buffy.
Buffy tried to picture it, but shrugged. “I dunno.”
Pushing her beer aside, Faith grabbed Buffy’s hands in her own and put on her serious face.
“Hey babe, let’s get hitched.” A smile tugged at her lips …
“Okay.” Buffy swallowed, never breaking eye contact with her
girlfriend.
Faith’s smile disappeared. “W-what?”
“Okay, let’s get hitched.” Buffy said again.
“Seriously B?” Faith sat back and frowned slightly.
“Why wouldn’t I be serious?”
“I…married…us?” Faith shook her head. “I think I drank too much, I could swear you just agreed to get married.”
“Well, you can handle your beer Faith, pretty well actually. You were not imagining anything.” Buffy kissed the back of the dark slayer’s hand.
“Faith?” A voice said behind Buffy.
Faith’s eyes shifted to a shorter female. “Kiki?” Her eyes went wide; she jumped off her stool and hugged her friend. “How are you?”
“Good.” Kira smiled and looked at Buffy. “Hey…Buffy.”
The blonde slayer smiled and shook hands with the newcomer.
“So what brings you by Sunnydale?” Faith asked.
“You.” Kira smiled. “You said I could stop by around this time, Oh God, did I interrupt anything?” She stepped back and observed the couple.
Buffy was the first to speak up, she felt a little uneasy when Faith bolted from such a serious conversation. “Nope, nothing at all…I’m going to head over to Willow’s for a bit.” She grabbed her coat and started to take off.
Faith noted the annoyance in Buffy’s voice. “Hey B, wait up.” She grabbed her girlfriend’s hand and turned her around to look at her. “What’s the hurry?”
“I need air and you need time to catch up.” Buffy said quietly.
“Is this about-”
“Faith, it doesn’t matter, it’s not like you were being serious
anyway.” Buffy freed herself from Faith’s grip.
“You were serious?” Dark eyes studied light hazel eyes.
Buffy shook her head and sighed. “I’ll be at Willow’s.” She looked over Faith’s shoulder and waved to Kira. “Nice seeing you again.”
~*~*~*~*~
Tori sat behind Dawn on the couch, her arms wrapped around the petite waist of her girlfriend. “Sorry about earlier.” She murmured into Dawn’s neck.
“Why sorry?” Dawn asked, her fingers lacing into Tori’s.
“You looked so scared when that vampire almost…” Tori swallowed.
Dawn turned her head slightly and looked into her girlfriend’s eyes. “Baby, it’s okay, I’m okay.” She whispered.
“Are you sure?” Tori whispered back.
Smiling softly, Dawn brushed her lips across her girlfriend’s cheek. “I promise.”
Breathing a little better, Tori tightened her grip on Dawn’s waist and nuzzled her neck.
“Buffy sure kicks ass.”
“That’s what slayers do.” Dawn giggled.
“And I got this for my mom and this for my dad…” The teens heard a small voice at the door before it opened, revealing Tara and a sleepy but talkative Lily.
“That’s cute sweetie.” Tara smiled and put down her shopping bags. “How about we put these in the closet and I get you ready for bed.”
“Okay!” Lily grabbed her little shopping bag and placed it inside the closet. “Hi Dawn, hi Aunt Tori.” She skipped along in the foyer waving to the two young women as she went
upstairs to Hadley’s room.
Tara smiled and looked at her sister and Dawn. “How was your evening?”
“Good, aside from almost getting bit by a vampire.” Dawn shrugged.
“Tori dusted the bastard though.”
Tara’s eyes went wide. “You staked him?”
Tori shook her head slowly. “Um, I actually made him go poof by magic.” She whispered.
“Oh.” Tara frowned and walked over to the teenagers. “Are you okay?” She asked, placing her hand on Tori’s knee.
“I’m fine.” Tori said honestly. “I’m more worried about Dawn, she was the one attacked.” Dawn smiled softly. “I’m fine. I tell her that I’m fine and she still worries.”
Tara grinned. “She loves you Dawnie, of course she’s going to worry.”
“There’s my baby!” Willow smiled, walking out of the kitchen. She walked up behind her fiancée and kissed her shoulder. “How’d the shopping go?”
“Great!” Tara turned around and wrapped her arms around Willow’s neck. “Lily bought Hadley a present.”
“You’re the best mother ever!” Willow grinned and kissed Tara softly. “I can’t wait until we have our own little one, to raise together.” She whispered.
“Who wants to bet he or she will be so spoiled?” Tori smirked.
“Where’s Hadley?” Tara asked, taking Willow’s hand as they made their way up the stairs.
“Jessica is reading to her. Hadley wanted to wait up until you and Lily made it home.”
“Sorry we took so long love.” Tara kissed Willow on the cheek. “We made a stop at the ice cream parlor.” She whispered.
“Oh, without Hadley and I?” Willow raised an eyebrow.
“You decorated without Lily and me.” Tara quirked her own eyebrow.
“True.” Willow sighed and grinned, reaching Hadley’s room. “Looks like Lily had a busy evening.”
Tara and Willow peeked through the bedroom door and saw Lily already in her jammies, curled up beside Hadley, sleeping peacefully. Hadley was still awake, listening to Jessica
read, her little fingers combing through her best friend’s hair.
Closing the door shut, Tara turned around and pinned Willow to the wall. “Soon okay?” She whispered.
“Soon…what?” Willow gasped as Tara trailed her fingers along the outline of her breasts.
“We marry and make love and make a baby.” Tara’s voice was full of love.
“Does it have to be in that order?” Willow grinned cheekily.
Hearing someone come through the door, the two lovers broke apart and went to check on the intruder. “Buffy?” Willow watched as her best friend rummaged through the fridge.
“Oh, hey Will.” Buffy turned around and put the bread on the counter. “Mind if I eat?”
Willow giggled. “No, help yourself.”
“What’s up?” Tara asked as Buffy slayed her sandwich.
“Nothing’s up, why would you say something’s up?” Buffy stopped slaying her sandwich.
“Because for one, your piece of bread is now practically mush and two, you’re all frown-y.” Willow noted.
Putting down the butter knife, Buffy sighed. “Just a little…things are a little misunderstood with Faith and I.”
“Oh, sorry, want to talk about it?” Willow asked. Faith and Buffy had never really argued now that they’d rekindled things, so to see Buffy so distressed, it concerned the red head.
“Nah, it’s nothing, something small.” Buffy shrugged and leaned back. “Kira’s in town.”
“The one that traveled around with Faith?” Tara asked.
“That would be the one. They’re at the Bronze right now.”
“Is that why you two had…I mean-” Willow began but shut up right away.
“No Will, things just got all serious for one second, only to find out that she was kidding and I wasn’t, then Kira came along and here I am.” Buffy took a deep breath.
“I’m sorry Buffy.” Willow hugged her best friend.
“Buffy? Faith’s outside.” Tori came into the kitchen and grabbed a glass from the cupboard.
Buffy took another deep breath and walked past her friends.
“Is she okay?” Tori asked.
“She’s fine.” Tara spoke softly. “Who wants to play a game of cards?” She asked, taking out a deck of cards.
“Oh me! Can we play strip poker? No, we can’t play that, you two are sisters, that’s wrongand I don’t want anyone seeing my baby naked…oh no no, no one can see Tara naked but
me.” Willow babbled, turning bright red.
“I take that as a yes?” Tara chuckled and pulled Willow in for a deep kiss.
“Oh yes.” Willow breathlessly murmured.
“Oh ew.” Tori snickered, walking out of the room.
~*~*~*~*~
“Where’s Kira?” Buffy asked, walking onto the porch.
“Motel.” Faith replied. “B, what was that back there?” She asked about the scene in the Bronze. “Kira thought it was her that made you upset.”
“It wasn’t her.” Buffy said calmly. “I’m sorry about that, I’m just…so confused Faith.”
“About what?” Faith spoke quieter, taking Buffy’s hand and sitting them on the porch swing. “What are you confused about?”
“Us.” Buffy smiled weakly. “I mean, not us as in ‘us’ but when you made the whole hitched comment, I thought you were being serious.”
Faith swallowed. “Buffy…” Sighing, the brunette looked out past the street before turning back to her girlfriend. “A part of me was serious. I mean, I never even pictured us getting
married until Tori mentioned something, and I always thought you deserved someone better than me.”
“Faith-”
“No, listen to me.” Faith silenced her girlfriend. “I meant what I said, let’s get hitched, let’s go and get married and tell the world to fuck off, because you and I belong together.”
Buffy smiled at Faith’s words. “You have a way with trying to be romantic.”
Faith slid off the swing and knelt in front of the blonde. Clearing her throat, she smiled. “Hey Buffy, let’s get hitched.” She used such a soothing, loving voice.
Buffy cupped Faith’s face in her hands and kissed her. “Yes.” Came the only reply before the two melted into a heartbreaking kiss.
~*~*~*~*~
Special thanks to LadyB - Marie, for inspiring me with the Faith/Buffy proposal. Thank you.
~Holly~
"I've got this ache, and I thought it was for sex, but it's to tear everything to fucking pieces." Ginger - Ginger Snaps
"I am a tongue whore...you gave me tongue, what am I supposed to do...sit back and keep my mouth shut?" -Me-
"I know who you really are...you're the one who cries when you're alone." - Where Will You Go? - Evanescence
at: 11/18/03 2:17 pm
Well, I don't normally reply because I haven't had the time, but for the few seconds, I do! I started reading at Extra Flamey, but then I found it here so I read through the updates and alas here I am, awaiting another update. Great writing, love your creativity and ideas 
. We all 
to your great writing. Teehee, hope your computer doesn't go wacko again! 
more!
! *thinks about it* 
..
. Love sammi xx
Hey there!
and 
are going to have a 
! YAY!!!! 
This is a bad thing. You know if I didn't know better I would think that that would push Dawn and Tori even closer together. 
Hadley and Lily are so cute. 
It would be too sad. 
Can't wait to 
at: 11/26/03 10:28 am
