Glimpses

By Jessie

E-mail: ande9953@uidaho.edu

Feedback: Yeah, great, but is nice this is the first time I have ever shared what I have written.

Rating: PG

Couples: the normal ones.

Spoilers: yes

Copyright: I wrote it but sadly I don't own Willow, Tara, Buffy, Xander, Anya, or Dawn. I don't like Spike, so he isn’t in here, anyone else is mine.

Summary: well all the stories I put on this thread will be like little glimpses of Tara's and Willow's life. And I want good stuff to happen to them so it is happy stuff with little angst.



Part 1



It has been four months, twenty-one days and six hours since Tara moved out, but who's counting? Willow thought glumly. I miss her. She is my everything. I said I would always find her, but I can't seem to find my way back to her. I got lost. Oh Tara, how do I find my way back to you? And if I do, will you take me back? Cause I barely survived you leaving me the first time, if you left again, or if you said we couldn't try again there would be no reason to live, not really.

"Earth to Will," Xander cut into her thoughts. "You okay?" He asked concernedly.

"Oh, sorry. I was doing the 'Spacey Willow' again wasn't I? What were you saying?"

"Thinkin' about Tara huh? Why don't you go see her? I am bet she would want you to, I mean you are doing so well, it has been months since you have done any magic at all." Xander pointed out delightedly.

"Uh, maybe, I mean I'd love to see her, of course I would, it's Tara but I don't think I could handle being turned down. My heart couldn't take it." Willow said sadly.

"You don't know what she'll say unless you talk to her. Listen to me, I am being all helpful guy." Xander joked trying to lighten the mood a bit. "You have her schedule memorized. Why don't you accidentally bump into her?" Xander thought this was a grand idea and smiled to himself.

"She'll know it was not accident." Willow said pessimistically.

"Will, you have to try. You aren't you without her, I mean you are, but not the happy-go-lucky you, more like your vamp self minus the skanky, touchy-feely, want to drink everyone's blood parts. You have the brooding gay part down though. You know I think I may have just stuck my foot in my mouth, but lately I have been doing that a lot and I think I will just bury my head in this book in front of me." Xander finished feebly and quickly buried his head into the book in front of him.

"Xander is right. You need to get Tara back so you can have sex and be happy again." Anya added, her usual helpful self.

"Ahn!" Xander blushed. "Remember the list of topics we don’t discuss? That is one of them." Xander whispered harshly to his fiancée.

"Oh come on Xander, you know I am right. Why doesn't anyone say what they mean when they are human?" Anya whined.

"Willow still in the room here." Willow announced loudly in hopes of squashing all conversations about her sex life. "You know I think I will go home. Tell Buffy she can go out and have fun before patrol, I can watch Dawn."

"Sure thing Will!" Xander answered in a fake happy, almost ecstatic tone. "And Will, talk to Tara."

"Uh, yeah, I'll think about it." Willow answered as she hurriedly made her way out of the store.

The walk home was quite peaceful, too peaceful in Willow's mind because it gave her mind free time to roam the 'Tara Issue.' What should she do? She covered many possibilities and outcomes during the walk. She was so intent in her thoughts that she didn't see Tara on the front steps until she had nearly bumped into her. "Tara." Willow breathed almost inaudibly.

"W-Willow, c-can we talk?" Tara asked nervously. Willow didn't move, she just stared unable to tear her eyes away from Tara. "I-in-inside." Tara stuttered.

"Of course!" Willow fumbled with her keys to unlock the door. "You could have waited inside." Willow said gently as they entered the house.

"I g-gave back my k-key a few months ago, I gave it to B-Buffy." Tara eyed her surroundings nervously. She hadn't been in the house since she talked to Buffy a three months before.

"Dawn isn't home, she won't be for another hour or so. Buffy won't be back until late. Have a seat. Did you want something to drink? A snack? Anything? I could fix something or order something if you want me to. Whatever you want." Willow broke into her babble mode in her nervousness.

"I'm fine." Tara allowed a smile to grace her lips, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Let's just talk. There are some things that we need to talk about." Tara got through without stuttering at all.

"Okay, talking is good. I mean it helps sort things out. Helps people understand each other. Talking is good." She repeated.

"I was hoping that we could talk about u-us." Tara began.

"Is there an us? I mean, I know there is you and me, but is there still and us? Or is there even a possibility there being an us again?" Willow asked hopefully.

"Of course there is still and us. We will always be an us. Remember when you said that you would always find me? Well it works both ways. I just couldn't help you get through your addiction. You had to do that yourself for yourself; not for me or anyone else. You had to quit because it is what you wanted to do. I had to leave because I just couldn't watch." Tears began to burn Tara's eyes.

"I know." Willow answered sadly. "I wish it had never happened, but I am stronger now. And I know you had to leave. I understand that, it was the right thing to do. I was so afraid though. I thought that I had lost the person I loved most in this world, and I didn't know how to get you back. I am so sorry. I never meant to hurt you like that. If I could take it back I would in a second, a tenth of a second.

"I was hoping that we could maybe meet for lunch Friday. We have to start slow. I can't just go back to how things were before any of this happened. But I think lunch would be a good start." Tara looked at will questioningly.

"I would love more than I can express. You name the time and place and I will be there a half hour early." Willow smiled hugely.

It was a first, and led to many more dates.



Part 2: About one year later



"Where are you taking me?" Tara asked Willow curiously.

"It is a surprise. I'm not telling, you'll just have to wait and see." Willow smiled back at her girlfriend sweetly.

"Tara stood in front of the closet in a bra and panties looking at the contents inside. "Well do I need to dress up?" Tara questioned.

"Actually, I think you are wearing too much." Willow laughed, Tara blushed. "You can wear whatever you like." Willow, who had been sitting on the bed, stood and covered the few steps to Tara and wrapped her arms around Tara's middle. Tara leaned back into the embrace closing her eyes. "Mmm, love you." Willow kissed Tara's neck. "I am taking you to a very special place. I will meet you downstairs." Willow placed one last kiss on Tara's cheek and left the room they shared.

"You're not being helpful." Tara called after Willow. Deciding on a deep blue skirt and red top Tara quickly dressed. Five minutes later she walked down the stairs to meet Willow who was waiting at the bottom with a big smile on her lips. "I guess I am ready." Tara sighed, she knew she wasn't going to get anything else out of Willow.

"Great, let's go!" Willow grabbed Tara's hand and excitedly pulled her out the door.

Climbing into the driver's seat of the little blue Kia that she and Tara were the proud new (well new two months ago) owners of Willow checked all the mirrors and every other button within reach to find everything in perfect working order. Tara buckled her seat belt and smiled at Willow, who started the car and made her way out onto the street, with the blinker and everything. Willow babbled away as she drove. She covered many topics, from her love of driving this car to what she thought it would be like to be an aunt. The fact that Anya and Xander had only been married 7 months and didn't plan on having children for quite some time didn't faze her; she wanted them to have a child and talked as if Anya were already pregnant.

"Well, here we are!" Willow smiled happily as she noticed the look on Tara's face. Pure joy.

"OH Willow! This is where we made love the first time after we got back together!" Tara blushed at the memory. Climbing out of the car she surveyed the area around her. The tall trees loomed high over her head shadowing the area and keeping it slightly cooler than the regular scorching heat that summer brought to Sunnydale. The grass was a deep rich green and so thick. It was like heaven, reminding Tara of the field that used to be her hideout when she was little and didn't want to run into her father and his temper. A fond memory of a safe place. Tara didn't notice Willow pull out the picnic basket from the trunk she was so immersed in her memories.

Willow quietly set down the basket next to Tara and wrapped her arms around her, this was a position she never tired of; she loved the feeling of holding Tara. Tara would always leaned back ever so slightly and tilt her head so that her cheek touched Willow's. "I brought goodies." Willow whispered into Tara's ear. Keeping one arm around her girlfriend Willow picked up the basket with the other and then she and Tara made their way to sit under the tree they had deemed and their own. It was a huge cedar tree, and gave off such a sweet aroma.

Willow quickly spread out a blanket over the grass for them to sit on. She then pulled out the first course, fruits of many varieties. She had orange and apple slices, peaches and pears, blueberries and huckleberries.

"I didn't know what you would want, so I brought everything." Willow smiled and shrugged. "What do you think?"

"It is wonderful. These make a meal all by themselves. This is so sweet darling." Tara finished in a whisper not quite an inch from Willow's lips. Closing the distance Tara kissed her fiery haired girlfriend passionately. The deep kiss ended when both girls needed to take a breath. "I am you know."

"What?" Willow breathed.

"Yours." They both smiled at each other. The love shining in their eyes for each other was so deep that anyone witnessing it would have longed for such a love that would seem so unattainable for the average person. But when looking closely it was easy to see that there could be nothing less between these two, and everyday that love just grew deeper and stronger.

"Marry me, be with me forever and ever. You are my other half, my better half." Willow then pulled a deep purple velvet box from the picnic basket and opened it slowly to show Tara the ring held ever so carefully inside.

Tara's hand flew to her mouth and tears glistened in her eyes. She inhaled and exhaled deeply, her breath catching in her throat. She reached a hand toward the beautiful ring shakily. Millimeters from it she stopped and looked into Willows eyes. "Yes, oh yes darling."

Willow then reached in and pulled out the ring and placed it on Tara's left ring finger. The ring was braided; one gold strand one white gold strand and one silver strand with a small heart shaped diamond in the middle. "The gold represents me and my red hair, the white gold your blond, the silver, it holds us together and the heart our love." Willow smiled as she slipped the ring into place.

"It is the most beautiful ring, I love it!" Tara was astounded, completely taken aback. She had not expected this. It just made her love Willow more, and it amazed her that Willow was able to do all this without accidentally giving anything away. Not having any other words to express how she felt Tara kissed Willow. It was the most tender and passionate kiss ever between two people. The only other beings that could ever hope to feel a kiss like it would be angels.



Part three



Special Altar Supplies: white, red and black ribbons threaded through the rings to be exchanged; two white candles carved with the names of the couple; a small white taper used for lighting; chalice of wine or juice; a bell. A third white candle is lit on the altar before the ceremony begins



When everyone is assembled, Tara and Willow walk in together. The two witnesses, Buffy and Xander, stand behind Tara and Willow who stand before the altar and the officiating Priestess. A circle was cast with one side left open for Willow and Tara. Then the Priestess sealed the circle.

"Come, Goddess. Be with us as we celebrate this joining in love of Willow and Tara. Pour out upon us all your blessings." The Priestess rings a bell twice. "Hear me you guide and guardians of Tara Maclay and Willow Rosenburg. What you once did for one, you must now do for two. By the power of the Goddess, I charge you to perform your tasks with love and compassion, blessing this couple each day anew." The Priestess spoke to the Tara and Willow. "True partnership is not to be undertaken lightly. It requires much love, commitment, trust, and work. Many times it also requires compromise of desires. Life's path may become rocky with illness, periods of troubles, sorrow, or a host of little nagging difficulties. Look upon these as tests of your love and dedication to each other. Each of you is giving your heart and dreams into the keeping of the other. Do not break the trust you have been given, for it is sacred before the Goddess. If you can speak in honesty before the Goddess Herself, answer 'I will.'"

"I will." Tara and Willow answer in unison. The Priestess points to the white, carved candles, and says, "Here are the outward symbols of your inner dedication to each other. Before these witnesses, light the candle of your chosen mate and pledge your troth."

The Priestess lights the little taper and hands it to the Tara, who lights Willow's candle and says; "I have chosen you above all others. I share with you my love and the light of the Goddess."

The Priestess hands the lighted taper to the Willow, who lights her Tara's candle and says; "I have chosen you above all others. I share with you my love and the light of the Goddess."

The Priestess snuffs the taper. She takes the three ribbons, one by one, out of the cauldron as she describes them. "These ribbons symbolize the Triple Goddess in Her aspects of Maiden, Mother, and Wise One." She draws out the white ribbon. "White is the Maiden, the bringer of new life and new goals. She draws out the red ribbon. "Red is the Mother, the Creatrix of growth and sometimes changes." She draws out the black ribbon. "Black is the Wise One, the keeper of the cauldron, the one who ends all life and prepares for new beginnings. This is the patter of all life-paths, that our lives begin new cycles, they grow, and then they either change to new beginnings or they die. Can you accept this?"

"I can." Tara and Willow say in unison.

The Priestess gives Tara's ring to Willow and says; "Place this ring of troth upon the hand of your chosen and make your vow.

Willow placed the ring on Tara's hand and said; "This is my beloved and this is my friend. You are my once-in-a-lifetime, my miracle. May our lives intermingle and our love grow as we become one. You are all I could ever need in my life... my friend.... my lover... my everything."

The Priestess gives Willow's ring to Tara and says; "Place this ring of troth upon the hand of your chosen and make your vow."

Tara places the ring on the Willow's hand and says; "This is my beloved and this is my friend. You are my once-in-a-lifetime, my miracle. May our lives intermingle and our love grow as we become one. You are all I could ever need in my life... my friend.... my lover... my everything."

The Priestess raises the wine chalice high and says; "By the power of the Goddess granted to me by Her and Her earthly representative I declare before all here that these two are joined in partnership. Goddess, and Your Priestess, I ask that You bless this fair company with joy and happiness. To Freyja and all the goddesses. Blessed be!" The Priestess hands the chalice to the couple, who drinks and hands it back to her. She drinks, then passes the chalice around to any others present. When the chalice is returned to the altar, the Priestess says; "Let us rejoice with our friends and celebrate their special time. For the Goddess is honored by joy and love."

The circle is closed and the wedding celebrations continue. The priestess gives the ribbons to the Willow and Tara to be used to celebrate anniversaries. Willow and Tara kiss deeply.





Part Four: 2 years after wedding

"I can't do this, I just can't. I was wrong, I take it back." Willow whimpered through the pain.

"Darling it is too late, you can't take it back now. You have to do this." Tara held Willow's hand. Actually, Willow had a death grip on Tara's hand, which was numb from the lack of blood that made it to the hand. "Just breath Willow."

"That breathing technique doesn't work. Who ever came up with it lied." Willow very nearly growled. "I'm never doing this again."

"Think about the fact that when this is over we will have a sweet baby girl." Tara said sweetly.

"That may never happen, she isn't coming out." Willow finished in pain. "Where is the doctor?"

"She will be here any minute." Tara said soothingly.

2 hours later:

"She is so beautiful." Tara whispered. A smile upon her face as she watched her and Willow's 28-minute-old daughter. "And she has quite the appetite." She watched as the baby nursed from Willow's swollen, milk filled breast.

Willow smiled as she watched her tiny daughter nurse. She had red hair in wisps, the lightest of blue eyes when she opened them, and the fairest of skin. She held her tiny hands in fists as she nursed. "Sophie Joy Rosenberg-Maclay you're a beautiful girl." Willow whispered. Looking up into Tara's eyes she saw tears that matched her own. Having no words to express the joy they both felt they kissed instead. Sophie opened her unfocused blue eyes just in time to see her mothers kiss. She was done nursing for the time being. Willow reached to cover her breast and then handed the 6 1/2 pound bundle to Tara.

"Everyone else wants to come in I bet. Do you feel up to seeing everyone?" Tara asked tenderly.

"Mmm, sure I feel wonderful, I can sleep later." Willow smiled.

"Here you take her back and I will go get them all." Tara said handing Sophie back to Willow. A few minutes later everyone walked slowly into the room to welcome the newest Scooby to the world.

For all the loss they had felt over the years, welcoming Xander and Anya's son Jack and now Sophie made it worth it. They knew now why it was they kept fighting the evil when it seemed like it never made a dent. Making the world safe for this new generation was enough for them all. They would continue to do so for these little ones and for the little ones still to come.