Laragh--Congrats on the DIBS!
I'm really glad that you're enjoying the fic. I know I've said it before, but I always get a happy little quiver when I see your name. It's like JK Rowling leaving me feedback on a fantasy novel I've written! Thanks taking the time to point out particular moments, humor doesn't come easy to me, but there are just these moments that seem to write themselves with this fic, and that line from Willow was one of those.
Maggie--Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy what they get up to at the beach!!
Zampsa1975--I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the chapter...ah, that Xander. He's a silly guy. I'm glad you enjoyed Xander's banter with Giles!
Hey JustSkipIt--Again, happy shudder that a great writer is diggin' my fic...two fangirl sighs in one night! Yeah, Ira and Sheila, such a pain right? Don't worry, Willow's a clever girl, we'll see how long Sheila's rule actually stays in play!
Hope you like the beach stuff!
love_2003--Great to see you back! Yeah, I think because Ira was such a non-presence in the show it's easier to make him kind of okay. Sheila though...total bitch.
Thank you so much to everyone who is reading (especially reviewers) but I love you all the same!
Update follows immediately:
• Title - Wave
• Author name – LonelyTara
• Email Address -
9kodama@gmail.com
• Rating - PG-13, eventually R
• Disclaimer - This is a romantic and light-angst AU piece with plenty of adventure. Don't sue me, I'm not stealing anything, just borrowing!
• Feedback-Please, please!
• Summary- Wave is a season 2 AU. On Halloween, Willow meets a strange and beautiful blond girl, and becomes determined to find her. When they connect, Willow's life will be changed forever...
• Notes-Thanks to everyone who will read. Some of the dialogue in this chapter may come from BtVS episodes, but I don't think so...This chapter is huge, hope you enjoy.
Chapter Ten: The Day it Rained
“I was ready, but then the frogs came and took the coffee!” Willow cried, sitting up convulsively in her bed. She took a deep, gasping breath. As she sat there, she realized she was safe, in her own room, not trapped on a frog-swarmed beach. Her breathing slowed.
“Stupid dream,” she muttered.
Willow lay back down in bed for a few minutes, waiting to see if sleep would claim her again, but it didn’t. She rolled over and looked at the clock. 6:52. Willow climbed out of bed and padded over to her balcony door, pushing the blinds aside. From her vantage point she had a beautiful view of the neighborhood, painted in a pale rose glow from the newly risen sun.
“No more vamps,” she whispered happily. “Time to go see Tara.”
She showered and dressed in record time, hiding her swimsuit beneath a grass green t-shirt and a pair of denim shorts. For a minute Willow debated the merits of sneakers over flip-flops, but then she decided sneaks were best, in case of non-vamp demony encounters in the early morning. With that vital decision made, Willow emptied out her rainbow-strapped backpack and filled it with a pair of towels, a bottle of sunscreen, and a few granola bars pirated from the kitchen. She slid the pack on and headed out to get Buffy and Xander, pausing only for a moment in the kitchen to write her parents a note telling them her plans for the day.
The walk to Buffy’s house was a little eerie. Everything was so quiet, so still, the only sounds she heard were her own footsteps and the querulous coo of morning doves. By the time she reached Revello Drive there were a few people out and about, mowing lawns, washing cars, she even saw group of bicyclers sail down the street like geese flying in formation.
A gaggle of bikers, she thought, and giggled. Willow was still laughing when she reached the driveway to the Summers house.
“Aw cruddly craps,” she muttered. The house was dark.
Willow stood at the end of the walk wringing her hands. She wanted to go up and ring the bell, but what if Mrs. Summers was still sleeping? Buffy had already come home late from curfew once on her watch…Willow imagined ringing the bell and Mrs. Summers answering, looking tired and startled. That look in her eye, a disappointment, maybe even sadness, that the girl who was supposed to be a good influence on her daughter could be so thoughtless.
“Willow?” Mrs. Summers asked.
“I didn’t mean to wake you,” Willow said loudly, caught up in her own little scenario.
“Uh, Willow, I wasn’t sleeping. I was out for a run.”
Willow turned and saw Buffy’s mom standing next to her at the edge of the driveway, in all her running finery. She was even wearing one of those bands to keep sweat from going in your eyes.
“Mrs. Summers?”
“Yes, that’s me, Willow. And I’m awake.” She smiled. “Are you here to see Buffy?”
“Uh huh,” Willow said, blushing crimson. “I got here, and there weren’t any lights on, and so I didn’t want to ring the bell,” she trailed off, feeling silly.
“Because you were afraid you’d wake me?” Joyce asked.
Willow shrugged and grinned weakly.
“You’re a very thoughtful girl,” Joyce said kindly. Willow felt a little rush of relief at the woman’s words. “Why don’t you come in? Buffy’s not up yet, but it’s too pretty a day to sleep in anyway.”
“Thanks Mrs. Summers,” Willow replied.
She followed Buffy’s mom up the driveway to the house. When Joyce opened the door, she waved Willow through, locking it behind them.
“Have you had breakfast yet, Willow?” She asked, pulled her sweatband out of her hair. “Would you like something to eat?”
“No, but thanks, Mrs. Summers,” Willow replied. Breakfast was not on the schedule. She had to get Buffy up, and take her to get Xander, so she could go and see her girl.
“Buffy told me you’re all going to the beach today?”
“Yeah,” Willow said happily, telling herself sternly that she must not picture Tara in a string bikini in front of Buffy’s mom.
Too late, her traitorous brain chuckled. Willow could feel herself blushing again.
Luckily Buffy’s mom was bending over untying her sneakers. “If you want to go upstairs and try to wake her up, feel free, Willow. I can’t promise there won’t be whining and flailing, but if you’re willing to take the chance you’re welcome to give it a shot.”
“Thanks Mrs. Summers,” Willow squeaked, trying to banish the image of Tara waving to her from the surf, hair shining in the sun, while at the same time she never wanted it to go.
“I’ll get you girls some juice while you’re up there.”
“Kay,” Willow said, dashing up the stairs.
When she got to Buffy’s room she knocked once, softly, calling out the slayer’s name, but she didn’t answer. Willow sighed and opened the door, then immediately dissolved into giggles. Buffy’s room was dark with the curtains drawn, but Willow could still see the slayer was sleeping all tangled in the sheets, hair going every which way, and her rump stuck up in the air.
“Buffy,” Willow chuckled. “Time to wake up.”
“S’no school today,” Buffy moaned, pulling her comforter over her face. “Leave me lone, Mom.”
“Buffy,” Willow repeated, walking into the room and poking at the back of her friend’s leg. “It’s not your Mom, it’s Willow. Come on, time to wakey wakey.”
“Uh, uh,” Buffy said petulantly. “No foolin’ me.”
“Come on, Buffy,” Willow pleaded, pulling at the comforter. Buffy gripped the blanket tightly and try as she might, Willow couldn’t budge it. One hard tug actually made her shoes slide forward on the carpet, she was barely able to keep herself from tumbling onto the bed.
“No luck then?”
Willow spun around, clutching her hands to her chest. “You’re really quiet,” she told Mrs. Summers accusingly.
The older woman just laughed. “It’s something that they teach moms in the parenting guidebook,” she deadpanned. “Maternal ninja skills are a necessity when you have a teenage daughter.” She laughed when Willow just stared at her. “I’m just kidding, Willow.”
“I know that,” Willow said, laughing awkwardly. “Of course,” she murmured thoughtfully, “If there really were a secret society of ninja moms, you would tell people you were just making up stories.”
“You have such an imagination,” Joyce laughed.
“That’s me, all with the imagining,” Willow said, secretly wondering if her mother might be head of a mighty ninja clan. The speculation was dismissed in an instant. Her mom didn’t spend time on anything that didn’t lead to a steady stream of speaking engagements.
“Let me see if I can give you a hand here,” Joyce replied. She walked up to Buffy’s bed and tickled the girl’s feet, moving her hand an instant before the slayer started to kick and flail, using the opening as a chance to tug the comforter off the bed. “Buf-fy,” she drawled in a singsong voice. “Time to wake up. You have company.”
“Mommy,” Buffy whined, “It’s Saturday, why am I being punished?”
“I poured you some orange juice, all cool and frosty in a cup downstairs. I’ll make you some of your favorite cinnamon buns.”
“Not hungry,” Buffy grumped. “Sleepy. Let Buffy sleep.” The slayer pushed her head under her pillows.
Mrs. Summers looked over at Willow with a smile. “It’s time to pull out the big guns,” she said, winking.
Buffy’s mom walked around to the head of the bed and leaned over her daughter. “Aren’t you supposed to go swimsuit shopping today?” She said in a loud whisper.
“I’m up!” Buffy cried, sitting ramrod straight up in bed, pillows flying everywhere. “Don’t shop without me.”
Willow let out a shout of laughter and then clapped her hands over her mouth. When Buffy saw her best friend standing at the end of the bed she wrapped her arms over her head, blushing.
“Mom,” Buffy thundered. “I have total bed head. And no fair—my Mom and my best friend joining forces against me, it’s just not right. ”
“It’s just me,” Willow said, dropping her hands. “It’s not like I haven’t seen sleepover head before.”
Buffy dropped her arms back down and grinned sheepishly. “Yeah, you’re right. I just had this momentary terror that Xander was here too and I just hadn’t spotted him yet.”
“Oh, he’s in the closet,” Joyce said. “Better view.”
Buffy and Willow both stared at her, open-mouthed. “Just kidding girls,” Joyce laughed.
“Mom,” Buffy said, sounding scandalized. “No more joking about boys hiding in my closet. It’s disturbing.”
“I’ll do my best not to traumatize you in the future,” Joyce teased. “Why don’t you come down and have some juice while Buffy gets ready,” she told Willow. “Fresh squeezed.”
“From the juice master,” Buffy scoffed. “Machine squeezed.”
“Buffy says the juicer makes the orange juice taste like technology,” Joyce told Willow, shrugging.
“I like technology,” Willow said. She was so happy that Buffy was up, and eager for the slayer to get ready to go, that she would’ve gone downstairs for a drink even if Mrs. Summers had said it tasted like dirt. Well, maybe not dirt, but something less delicious than technology, certainly.
“Right this way, Miss Rosenberg,” Joyce said, waving her toward the door.
“Why thank you Mrs. Summers,” she replied with a little bow.
“You two are way too cheerful this early in the morning,” Buffy pouted.
“Ignore her, Willow,” Mrs. Summers quipped. “She’s just jealous that we’re morning people.”
Buffy’s mom pulled the door closed, but Willow could still hear her best friend’s muffled “As if.” The slayer came downstairs just as Willow finished her second glass of orange juice. Buffy was wearing a white tank and shorts, and Willow could see the strings of a nut-brown bikini top tied behind her neck. She’d completed the ensemble with a ponytail that swung back and forth behind her head.
“I thought we were going swimsuit shopping,” Willow said, pointing at the slayer’s neck.
“Yeah huh,” Buffy agreed, nodding. “This is just in case I can’t find something I like.”
“Clever,” Willow said.
“I know.” Buffy looked around, her brow furrowed. “I thought my mom made juice?”
“Uh,” Willow began, casting a guilty glance at the two empty glasses sitting in front of her.”
“You drank my juice?” Buffy asked.
“You said you didn’t want it,” Willow said plaintively. “You told your mom that it would taste bad.”
“Buffy, stop teasing Willow,” Joyce said, strolling into the kitchen.
Willow’s mouth dropped as Buffy began to laugh. “Don’t do that Buffy,” Willow sighed. “You had me all freaked.”
“Sorry, Will,” Buffy said, still laughing. “You ready to head out?” Before she could complete her sentence Willow was on her feet, bouncing. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
“Bye girls,” Joyce said, giving them a little wave. “Have fun.”
Buffy and Willow called out their farewells and made their way out of the house, into the cool morning air. As they made their way to Xander’s house, Willow listened to Buffy chat away happily about the different stores they could visit to check for swimsuits on their way to the beach. Getting Xander up and out of bed wasn’t nearly as bad as Buffy. He was downright cheery after he got done complaining about the chest palpitations they’d given him when Buffy pounded on the basement window.
“You know we’re the only people in Sunnydale awake this early on a Saturday morning, right?” Buffy told them “I mean besides parents and old people.”
“Buffy—” Willow began, laughing.
The slayer held up a hand. “I’m fully willing to admit that there are young people who never went to bed, but that doesn’t count.”
“But I saw the flock of bicyclists.”
“Old,” Buffy said dismissively. “Tara and Giles are so going to be sleeping.”
“She’s right Will,” Xander yawned, stretching his arms over his head. “They aren’t gonna be up. And if we wake G-man up he’s gonna be all grumpy. Reserved, British grumpy, but still, all with the grump.”
They turned the corner onto the street that led to Giles’ townhouse, even from that distance Willow could see the terracotta tiled roof burnished in the early morning sunlight. She fought the urge to break out in a Xander snoopy dance. Just a few minutes and she’d see her girl.
“Guys, I have a plan,” Willow chided. They stepped onto the path that led to Giles’ courtyard. “We’ll knock really softly and if nobody answers then I’ll go around and knock on Tara’s window.” They came to a stop in front of Giles’ door.
“Let’s just hope she doesn’t have a preexisting heart condition,” Xander said loftily.
Buffy gave a little snort. “You’re a goof, Harris.”
“I blame exhaustion,” he replied.”
Willow chuckled. “Sure Xander.” She held up a hand to knock, only to have the door open before she could make contact.
“Well you three are up early,” Giles said, looking a bit surprised.
“We were worried you’d still be asleep,” Willow said. “We were gonna knock really quietly.”
“Well it’s a good thing I was already awake, because you certainly weren’t speaking quietly.”
“Oops,” Buffy giggled.
“Yes, well, come on in, you three, before I get complaints from the neighbors,” Giles teased.
The trio walked in and Giles closed the door behind them, locking it. Willow took a step and found herself bumping into Xander’s back as Buffy slammed into her.
“What gives, Will?” Buffy said.
“Ask Xander,” Willow said. The boy was just standing and staring, his head tipped back.
“Is there a reason we’re all standing in my doorway?” Giles asked, sounding less than amused.
“Something smells really good,” Xander said dreamily. He took a few steps forward, still scenting the air.
Willow sniffed and a warm, sweet, rich scent washed over here. “Oh wow, something does smell yummy.”
“Super-yummy,” Buffy agreed.
“Tara’s making breakfast,” Giles said, slipping past them as he wiped his glasses.
Buffy walked over to the sofa and flopped down. “Geeze Giles, indenture servitude much?”
Giles’ eyes widened and he began to sputter. “I assure you, Willow,” he said finally. “I didn’t ask her to. The smell woke me up.”
“Tara likes to cook,” Willow said, smiling. She passed by the watcher and peeked into the kitchen. “Morning, baby,” she said happily.
“Hi Willow,” Tara said, looking over her shoulder with a smile.
“It smells really good in here,” Willow said, stepping into the kitchen.
“My Mom’s s-secret recipe,” she replied.
“Can I help?” Willow asked.
“I could use a plate to put these on,” Tara said.
Willow grabbed a plate and set it on the counter near Tara’s hand, then stretched up to give her a kiss on the cheek. Tara made a happy sound and turned her head, leaning in for a proper kiss. Willow closed her eyes and leaned into the soft, tender heat of Tara’s lips. She felt the girl’s teeth graze her lower lip, followed almost instantly by the gentle brush of her tongue. Willow brought a hand up to Tara’s head, pressing her closer.
“Hi,” Tara panted breathlessly when they pulled apart.
“Hi to you,” Willow said, “It’s nice of you to make breakfast.”
“The breakfast, shoot,” Tara said in a rush, turning back to the stove and flipping her pancakes.
“Sorry,” Willow said, feeling anxious. “Did they burn? I distracted you.”
“They’re fine,” Tara replied, turning back to her with that perfect crooked smile. “I wanted to do something nice for Giles, and for you.”
She kissed the tip of Willow’s nose, her cheek, and then brought their lips together again. After a moment of kisses she gave Willow a quick peck and dipped her spatula into the pan, sliding pancakes onto the waiting plate two at a time.
“Funny shapes!” Willow said excitedly.
“My specialty,” she replied. She poured more batter into the pan, and then slid an arm around Willow’s waist. “Want to see another one of m-my specialties?”
“Ooh yes,” Willow murmured.
“I’ve been sent to see if I should grab plates and stuff for the coffee table,” Buffy said from behind them.
Willow turned and saw the slayer in the doorway, smiling. “Hey Buff.”
“Hey Will, morning Tara.”
“Hi,” the blonde said over her shoulder. She turned back to the stove and began flipping her latest batch of pancakes.
“Xander and Giles didn’t want to interrupt the smooch fest, but I’m hungry,” Buffy teased.
“There’s no smooch fest,” Willow said. She blushed when she heard Tara mutter ‘unfortunately’ under her breath. From Buffy’s grin, Willow knew the slayer had heard her too. Willow grabbed a stack of plates and silverware and thrust them at the slayer. “I’ll bring the butter and syrup.”
Buffy backed out of the room making kissy faces.
“That gives me ideas,” Tara murmured.
Willow turned to see Tara watching her, smiling. The blonde slipped more pancakes onto the plate, dropped the spatula, and pulled Willow into her arms, kissing her deeply.
“Mmm,” she said, pulling back. “That’s the way to start the day.”
“Hooray for smooch fests,” Willow said happily. “Best breakfast ever.”
“Breakfast of ch-champions,” Tara said with a smile.
With a few more minutes of work the batter was gone, and a delicious golden-brown plate of fantastic shapes were arrayed on the plate, ready to be eaten. Some of the shapes Tara had created were so delicate that Willow didn’t know how the batter had stayed together.
“All right,” Tara said, lifting the plate and giving Willow a kiss on the cheek. “Time to eat.”
Willow grabbed the butter and syrup, and they walked out into the living room together, Tara holding the plate of pancakes in front of herself carefully. When they reached the coffee table, Giles, Buffy and Xander began to applaud.
“Ooh,” Buffy said, giggling.
“Ahh,” Xander sighed.
“Really you two,” Giles began, and then his eyes drifted closed. “My, that does smell heavenly.”
Tara sat the platter down and clutched her hands together. Buffy’s eyes went wide and Xander’s mouth dropped open.
“Funny shapes?!” They cried together.
“Told you,” Willow whispered. “Shape-y goodness, very cool.”
“I m-made a few d-different kinds,” Tara told them. She grabbed a fork and slid it beneath a pancake. “Dancers are for you, Buffy,” Tara said, sliding a pancake shaped like a pirouetting ballerina, complete with tutu, onto the slayer’s plate. “And for you, Xander,” she continued, sliding a pancake his way. “Stakes, to thank you for using holy water.” Willow and Buffy burst out laughing while Xander ducked his head, blushing.
“What kind did you make for me?” Willow asked, bouncing.
“Flowers, of course,” Tara replied. “But roses don’t come out so well, so I hope daisies are okay.”
“So cute,” Willow enthused, looking at the golden flower on her plate. She sat down at the coffee table Indian-style and grabbed the syrup.
“I guess that means rectangles for us then,” Giles asked, eyeing various shapes on the plate.
A little blush tinted Tara’s cheeks pink. “They’re n-not rectangles,” she replied.
“Then?” Giles asked, looking confused.
Tara reached out with her fork and flipped one of the pancakes. The batter had been laid so that a thin line ran along the left side of each rectangle, a slender seam.
“A binding line?” Giles asked. Tara nodded and the watcher’s face brightened as he smiled. “You made us books?”
Tara nodded and slid the pancake onto Giles’ plate. He took a bite and waved his fork. “Delightful and delicious. They’re wonderful, Tara.”
Buffy, Xander, and Willow mumbled their agreement around mouthfuls of pancake.
“Eat, baby,” Willow said, swallowing.
Tara settled down and moved a few book-cakes onto her plate. Less than twenty minutes later everyone was sitting around the coffee table, completely sated. In the case of Buffy and Xander, a little over-sated.
“Absolutely magnificent, Tara,” Giles said, brushing the corner of his mouth with a napkin. “I don’t think I’ve ever had pancakes I enjoyed so much.”
“T-Thanks,” she said, blushing again.
“Ooh,” Buffy groaned. “So yummy, but so filling.” She reached down and rubbed her stomach. “I think all my pancake dancers expanded into pancake sumo wrestlers in my belly.”
“Well, you did eat enough for a pancake Swan Lake,” Willow laughed.
“Ugh,” Xander said. He was so full he’d actually had to unbutton his pants, which set the girls giggling. “I’m gonna explode. At least you’ll burn ‘em off quick, Buff. I’m gonna feel this way four times longer than you.”
“Did you g-get enough to eat, Willow?” Tara asked.
Willow nodded, chewing a mouthful of scrumptiousness while she cut into her third daisy pancake.
“They’re so good I want to eat a million,” Willow said after she swallowed. “But I think this third one might be my limit.”
“I’ll make them for you whenever you want,” Tara replied, leaning into Willow playfully. “I could even do chocolate chip.”
Willow’s eyes went wide. “That would be awesome,” she sighed, taking another bite.
“Don’t talk about food,” Buffy and Xander whined simultaneously.
Willow and Tara burst into laughter. Willow could see Buffy and Xander fighting it, but then they gave in and started laughing too. Even Giles grinned broadly at them, cleaning his glasses with a handkerchief.
“So,” Willow said teasingly as she finished her last piece of daisy-cake, watching Buffy and Xander droop over the table, dozy with food. “I guess you guys are too full for the beach huh?”
Xander sat up straight and shook his head. “Nuh uh, beach, cold weather, sunbathing beauties. I’m not gonna miss out on that.”
“Xander enjoys cold and shiver girls,” Willow told Tara. She giggled when the blonde’s eyebrows shot up.
“Willow,” Xander hissed. “Ixnay on the iveryshay.”
“Whatever others’ motivations might be, mine are pure,” Buffy said archly, straightened up and glaring. “We are so going to the beach.”
“You just want to go shopping,” Willow laughed.
“And?” Buffy asked. ‘There’s nothing impure about that!”
“Are you going to c-come with us Mr. Giles?” Tara asked softly.
Willow turned to look at the watcher, and saw Buffy and Xander perk up too. Giles stared at them all for a moment with a little smile on his face, and then shook his head ruefully.
“Far be it from me to intrude on your frivolity,” he told them, pushing up from the sofa and collecting the plates and silverware scattered on the table. “No, I’ll leave the pleasures of sun and sand and sea to the young. It’s a warm house and a good book and a full pot of tea for me.”
“Your loss,” Buffy quipped.
Willow followed the watcher into the kitchen, carrying the butter and syrup that she’d brought out earlier.
“You’re sure you don’t want to come along, Giles?” She asked. “You can read at the beach, we won’t make fun. I can even rent you an umbrella, keep you all shady.”
Giles just shook his head. “While I do appreciate it, Willow,” he replied, placing the dishes in one side of his double sink and running hot water into the other. “I think a nice day of peace and quiet contemplation is just what the holiday ordered.”
“As long as you know you’re welcome to come.”
“I do, Willow, thank you.” Giles squeezed soap into the stream of hot water and a froth of white bubbles began to rise. There was something in his expression, a stillness that Willow couldn’t put her finger on. She hoped the watcher wasn’t too disappointed to be staying home alone.
“Well, I guess we’ll see you later then,” Willow said, turning toward the kitchen entryway. Giles made a small noise of agreement that stopped Willow in her tracks. The watcher sounded relaxed, happy. A slow grin spread across her face. “Have an awesome day, Giles. And tell Ms. Calendar I said hi.”
“Thank you, Willow. And I’ll be sure to tell Jenny—” Giles broke off, clearing his throat. “Tricky girl,” he chuckled.
“That’s me,” Willow laughed, walking back toward her friends.
Tricky Willow, she thought.
Angel would be so proud.
* * *
Willow, Tara and Buffy walked out of the changing stalls, and found Xander sitting in a chair, slouching and covered in bags, last in a long line of disgruntled husbands, fathers and boyfriends. The boy was glowering and tapping his foot, craning his head every few seconds to look at the clock on the wall. Willow elbowed Buffy and nodded toward him. The slayer took one look at Xander and burst into giggles.
“Huh?” Tara asked.
“Look at Xander,” Willow chuckled.
“Poor guy,” she replied, obviously trying not to laugh. “I’m surprised he can breath under all those bags.”
“There aren’t that many,” Buffy protested softly. When Willow and Tara threw her a look she grinned and shrugged. “It’s not my fault that last store was having a sale. And they’re not all mine,” she reminded them.
“Buffy!” Willow and Tara squealed simultaneously.
Willow looked over at Tara, surprised at her girlfriend’s reaction. The blonde was blushing furiously, cheeks burning as bright as Willow knew her own must be. It couldn’t just be because of her swimsuit. At their second stop Tara had found an adorable bikini/surf short combo, the suit sky blue and shorts in white with matching blue tropical flowers. Willow had never been as grateful to Buffy as she was in the moment when she’d persuaded Tara that the suit was perfect. The slayer had even found a matching set in a deep evergreen for Willow.
But Willow was embarrassed, blushing, because while Tara was trying on suit after suit at the first shop where they stopped, Willow had gone shopping for an outfit for their date, enlisting Buffy’s help after she swore her to secrecy. After two pre-date dates scavenging through clothes her mom had picked for something that wasn’t humiliatingly dorky, Willow was determined to have something nice for her first official date, something special, for Tara. Maybe her girl had had the same idea?
“Did you buy something secret?” Willow asked.
Tara’s mouth dropped open. “I-I, uh—” the girl stammered, her blush darkening.
Suddenly Buffy was standing between them, putting an arm around each of their shoulders. “Now, it seems to me that this conversation is making you both very nervous,” she said, voice dripping with false solemnity. “I vote that we pretend this little moment never happened and go put Harris out of his misery. The beach calls.”
“Th-thanks, Buffy,” Tara murmured.
“Yeah, what were we talking about, anyway?” Willow said, grinning.
“Exactly,” Buffy said nodding. “Let’s go get Xander. I need some sun.” Without another word, the little blonde turned and started walking toward Xander.
“Is it me or did Buffy just get us to thank her for stopping trouble that she started herself?” Willow asked. She looped an arm through Tara’s as they followed the slayer toward their fidgeting friend.
“She did,” Tara giggled. “Very sneaky. Buffy’s a lot smarter than she gives herself credit for.”
“I tell her that all the time, she never believes me,” Willow said, grinning and shaking her head.
“Tell me what?” Buffy asked, looking over her shoulder.
“Nothing,” Willow and Tara replied.
Buffy opened her mouth to speak and then closed it again, a small smile curving her lips. “I guess turn about is fair play.” She shrugged and turned back to Xander, reaching out to tap his foot with her shoe.
At the light touch he sat up convulsively, bags sliding all over the place. “Thank god,” Xander groaned, pulling all the bags back together and climbing to his feet. “I thought I was going to die of literal boredom. It’s a terrible way to go.”
“Poor Xander,” Willow said, taking a few bags.
“W-What are we going to do with all these bags?” Tara asked as the left the shop. Each of the girls was carrying a few, and Xander was still pretty loaded down on either arm.
“We’re gonna drop them off at my house on the way,” Buffy said. “Then we can change and stuff too.”
“Your house isn’t on the way,” Willow replied, flashing Buffy a little smile.
“Yeah,” Xander agreed, “It’s the opposite of the way.”
“Ah,” Buffy replied sagely, holding up a finger. “But it is the way to my Mom, and her jeep. She’ll give us a ride to the beach.”
“Are you sure she’ll want to?” Xander asked. Willow giggled, but he ignored her. The boy was clearly very worried about missing out on his shivery girl time.
“If she attempts to refuse, then she will face the pout,” Buffy declared ominously.
Thirty minutes later Mrs. Summers dropped the happy group off at the beach, no pouting required, although Buffy had been given quite a bit of teasing over the pile of bags they came back with. Willow was gratefully that Buffy didn’t mention some of the non-swimsuit items weren’t hers, and she could tell Tara was relieved too. The redhead was practically quivering with curiosity, but she didn’t snoop, she didn’t want to spoil whatever surprise her girlfriend might have in store.
“You guys just call me when you’re ready to head out,” Mrs. Summers said. Buffy leaned forward through the open car window to give her mom a kiss on the cheek. “Behave yourselves.”
“Don’t we always?” Buffy asked.
Mrs. Summers let out a little chuckle. “Willow, you’ll make sure everyone behaves, right?”
Willow nodded, laughing as she saw Buffy pout. “I will do my best.”
“It was a pleasure meeting you, Tara,” Mrs. Summers said, giving the blonde a little wave.
“You t-too, M-Mrs. Summers,” she replied, ducking her head.
Buffy’s mom drove off with a wave and the group turned as one toward the ocean. The day was a little cool, but still so warm for November that Willow could almost pretend it was the end of summer. The sky was blue, filled with big, puffy white clouds, and the roar of the waves was loud, peppered with the high cry of birds and laughter of the people scattered around on the beach. She took a deep breath, reveling in the brine-sweet smell of the sea air. Tara’s warm arm slipped around her waist and Willow smiled.
“Let the beaching commence!” She cried happily.
“Beaching,” Tara murmured. “Like we’re whales?”
Willow blushed as Buffy made a little noise of outrage. “I'm so not a whale,” the slayer huffed.
“I meant like with the going to the beach, and the having of much fun sunbathing and running around and splashing and munching on snacks,” Willow babbled, pointing at the cooler Xander carried slung over one arm.
“She’s so easy,” Buffy laughed to Tara, fake pout transforming into a broad grin.
“I love it when she b-babbles,” Tara replied, giving Willow a little squeeze.
“You two!” Willow giggled, and then she pointed at Xander again. “And you,” she laughed.
“Me?” Xander cried, eyes bugging. “What did I do? I’m just standing here?”
“Exactly,” Willow replied. “You didn’t save me.”
Xander’s mouth dropped open, and then he closed it, but then it fell open again. “Wha?” He sputtered.
“You look like a fish, Harris,” Buffy laughed, opening and closing her mouth.
“We better get him down to the water then, before he dries out,” Willow replied, chuckling.
“You two,” Tara said, echoing Willow, but she was smiling, clearly trying not to laugh.
“Oh sure,” Xander sulked, “Everybody pick on the pack mule.”
“Finally admitting that you’re an ass, Harris?” Cordelia Chase’s strident voice rang out, ending the laughter of the four friends like a switch being thrown, and giving Willow a nasty chill.
The brunette strolled up to them, strutting in a bright red bikini with a matching black and red sarong tied around her waist. She pushed her sunglasses down her nose to stare at them all, smirking. Within seconds she was surrounded by her usual gaggle of vapid girls, Harmony Kendall first at her heels as usual. Cordelia’s gaze flickered to Tara and her eyes widened.
“Who’s this?” Cordelia asked, a wide smile spreading across her face. “You’re cute, and you dress well,” she admitted grudgingly. “Why are you hanging out with the freaky geek squad?” Then she noticed Willow’s arm gripping the blonde’s waist.
“Is that it?” She asked incredulously. “Rosenberg have you gotten even weirder? Are you two girlfriends?” Her voice was high, shrieking, the Coredettes all began giggling away.
Yes, Willow thought. Her body was trembling so hard, she was so angry, that she imagined for a moment what it would be like to reach out and slap Cordelia Chase right across the face.
She’s my girlfriend. Willow opened her mouth to say the words, and then closed it again. Her parents. She had to tell her parents first. Willow gave Tara’s waist a little squeeze, and then slipped her hand out from around the blonde, using it to wave toward Cordelia.
“Tara, this is Cordelia. Xander and I have a long-standing branch of the ‘I Hate Cordelia Club’ organization. I’m the president, and Xander’s the treasure. And I’m happy to report that Buffy’s recently been elected secretary.”
“I take minutes of all us saying how much we hate Cordelia,” Buffy drawled. “Sometimes my wrist gets sore from all the writing, but I’m willing to live with the pain.”
“But now I think she’s just lonely and wishes she could hang out with some people who actually have a measurable IQ. It’s sad really.” Willow finished, glaring at the taller girl.
Cordelia’s mouth was hanging open. She stared at the quartet for a moment and then blinked, shook her head. “I—” she began, faltered. “You—whatever!” She said, and stormed away, the Cordettes following after her in a row, like ducklings.
“W-wow,” Tara murmured. “And I thought the vampires in this town were scary.”
Buffy and Xander watched the retreating cheerleaders with identical gleeful grins. Willow slipped her arm back around Tara’s waist, giving her girlfriend a small smile. A gust of wind rolled over the beach, setting folks running and squealing in every direction, kites began to dot the blue sky. Xander watched a group of young women run by, laughing. Buffy grabbed his arm and gave it a little tug.
“Come on Harris, let’s get the food and blankets set up before all the good spots are taken.”
“Uh huh,” Xander said numbly.
When Buffy and Xander were out of earshot, Willow turned to Tara and took the girl’s hands in her own.
“I’m so sorry, baby,” she whispered. Willow felt her lip quiver, and hoped she wouldn’t start to cry.
Tara’s eyes went wide. “What? What are you sorry for, Will?”
“I should’ve told Cordelia that you’re my girlfriend.” She looked down at the sand, tears blurring the sand beneath her feet. “I’m so proud that you’re my girlfriend, I don’t want you to think that I’m not. I just haven’t told my parents yet and Cordelia has such a big mouth. Buffy calls her the wicked mouth of the west. And I don’t want them to find out like that—”
“Will,” Tara began.
“I understand if you’re mad,” Willow murmured miserably. She stopped when she felt a gentle hand pushing her chin up.
“I’m not mad, Willow,” Tara was smiling at her, really smiling, blue eyes bright and shining. “I love that you’re worried about me, it’s very sweet. But I understand, you have to come out in your own time.” She paused, brushing a lock of hair off of Willow’s cheek. “The only person I ever told was my M-Mom, before I met you.”
“Really?” Willow asked as a tear slipped down her cheek. “And you’re not mad?”
“I’m not mad,” Tara replied, reaching up to wipe the tear away. “And later on I’ll kiss you and prove it.”
Willow grinned broadly. “Promise?”
“How can I resist my rosy girl?” She kept hold of Willow’s hand and leaned toward the water. “Come on, we’re supposed to be having fun, remember?”
Willow nodded, laughed, and let her soul mate lead her toward the sea.
The next few hours passed in a blur of bright happiness. After helping Xander sculpt a mermaid on the line where sand and sea overlapped, leaving the dirt wet and compact and perfect for sculpting, they decided to go for a walk. When Buffy and Xander turned back so the slayer could sunbathe, Willow and Tara braved the water and found it perfect, sun-warmed as just-cooled bathwater. They floated together watching the sky and sneaking kisses as waves rocked them slowly up and down.
“I love you,” Willow said, cradled in Tara’s arms. “You make me so happy.”
Tara pressed her lips to Willow’s hair. “And I love you. I didn’t know,” she paused, a little hitch in her voice. “I didn’t know I could ever be this happy.”
Willow leaned back against Tara so that she could look up into the girl’s blue eyes, an echo of the sky above their heads. “I’ll try to make each day a little happier than the last.” Tara gave a little laugh and Willow raised an eyebrow at her. “What, you don’t think I can?”
“No silly girl,” Tara replied, shaking her head. “You already do.”
They spent a little while longer basking in the water, enjoying the sun, but then Willow’s stomach began to growl and Tara insisted they head back to the beach for lunch. Buffy and Xander took a break from sunbathing and girl-watching, respectively, happy to partake of the sodas, chips, and sandwiches Mrs. Summers had packed for them. Soon enough the cooler was empty accept for frigid water and a few chunks of ice.
“Your mom is the best,” Xander sighed, lying back and rubbing his stomach.
“You’re just saying that because she remembered you like pickles on your ham sandwiches.” Buffy laughed, and then gave a little shudder. “Bread-n-butter pickles, by the way? Completely wrong and gross, Xander.”
“Says the girl who likes to eat her chocolate pudding with mozzarella cheese sticks,” he replied airily, closing his eyes.
“You eat that too, Xander,” Willow giggled.
“Yeah!” Buffy exclaimed. “That makes you double wrong and gross.”
“Before this culinary debate becomes t-too epic,” Tara giggled, “How about we make a truce?” She dug into the bag that held the towels. “Frisbee, anyone?” She asked, holding up a purple disk.
“Ooh, Frisbee!” Willow exclaimed happily. “I’m on your team,” she told Tara. “And you two are on a team. It will help you learn to accept Xander’s love of hideously sweet pickles.”
Buffy and Xander pretended to grumble for a moment, but the Buffy snagged the Frisbee out of Tara’s hand and they ran off, laughing.
“Let’s get ‘em,” Willow told Tara, holding out her hand.
The Frisbee game was fast and furious. Willow darted around like a little hummingbird, catching the toy whenever it came near her, then passing it to Tara. They’d realized pretty quickly that Tara had a mean arm. With the slightest shift of her wrist she could send the Frisbee arcing and curving in the most amazing patterns, but somehow they still seemed to glide back to Buffy or Xander in time to be caught.
They lost the sun after a little while, the white clouds darkening to a pale gray, spreading to blot out the blue of the sky. There was no thunder, and no lightning, but the crowd on the beach still thinned out in the absence of sunshine. Xander made a spectacular catch, diving into the sand to grab the disk, curving in the air to land on his back. He held up the Frisbee in victory, and as if it were a sign, the heavens opened.
People shouted and groaned as the rain began to fall, groups all over the beach gathered up towels, radios, coolers, and toys, making a run for their cars. Buffy and Willow ran toward a stand of umbrellas with a little shriek, followed closely by a very sandy Xander.
“Rain, rain go away,” Buffy grumbled, arms crossed tight over her chest.
Willow gave the slayer a smile and was about to finish the rhyme when Xander nudged her.
“Hey Will,” he asked softly. “What’s Tara doing?”
She looked around and realized that her girlfriend hadn’t joined them under the shelter of the umbrella. Willow looked back toward the water. Tara was still sitting calmly on her towel, chin propped on the knees she’d drawn up to her chest. As she watched, Tara smiled and stuck out her tongue, catching raindrops. Willow stepped out from under the umbrella and walked off toward her girl.
“What’s all that about?” Xander asked.
Buffy shrugged. “Rain madness?” She bristled when Xander gave her a funny look. “Hey, you asked me and how am I supposed to know? Ask random questions, expect random answers.”
In a matter of moments, Willow was back by Tara’s side, crouching down next to the girl. “Are you okay?” She asked softly.
She was surprised when Tara turned toward her with a happy smile. “It’s beautiful isn’t it?”
“It’s raining,” Willow replied.
“Exactly,” Tara said, nodding. She patted the blanket next to her and Willow took a seat, leaning her head on Tara’s shoulder. “Mom and I love, loved, rainy d-days. Look,” she said, gesturing out toward the ocean. “Look at the rain as it meets the water, as it pebbles on the land.”
As reluctant as she was to take her eyes off her gorgeous, rain-soaked girlfriend, Willow raised her head. She watched for a moment and then nodded her head, fascinated by the misty line where the sky touched the sea. It was impossible to tell where one began and the other ended. “It’s like they’re reaching for each other,” she said, giving a little shiver as a new burst of rain tapped her head, brushed her skin.
“That’s exactly it,” Tara agreed. “This is the earth, reaching for the sky, the sky reaching for the earth, the air their willing messenger.” She paused. “Mama Papa and Father Rangi,” she murmured.
“Huh?” Willow asked.
“It’s a myth my mother told to me,” Tara explained. “From the Maori people of New Zealand. They believed that the earth, Mama Papa, and the sky, Father Rangi, were so in love that they held each other day and night, forever. But then their children needed room to grow, and so they had to be apart. The Maori believed that Rangi cried out in grief at their separation and those tears became the rain. And at the same time Mama Papa cried out and her tears became the mists, rising up from the land to meet the rain.”
“Wow,” Willow sighed. “It’s kind of sad that they have to be separate.
“A little,” Tara agreed. “But they could always see each other, and each drop of rain, each bead of mist, was a kiss, a declaration of their undying love.”
“Wow,” Willow repeated.
Tara gave a little giggle, nodding her head and taking Willow’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “M-Mom always took me outside to play when it rained, she said it was just sharing the love.” She smiled, but there was a sadness to it. “I promised my mom I would never stop playing in the rain. So as long as there’s no thunder and lightning I’ll sit and watch, or go for a walk. Sometimes,” she began, and then paused, blushing.
“Sometimes what?”
“Sometimes I even dance in the rain,” she murmured. “It reminds me.”
“Reminds you of what?” Willow asked.
Tara kissed Willow on the cheek. “It reminds me that we can find a kind of perfection, even in imperfect things. Like the sky meeting the earth on a rainy day at the beach.”
Willow’s heart swelled. Tara was so wonderful, so sweet, and now she had to wise to the list as well.
I love you, Willow thought happily.
How I love you. “Dance with me?” She asked.
“What?” Tara replied.
Willow stood up and held out a hand. “Dance in the rain with me, Tara Maclay.”
Tara took Willow’s hand stood slowly, never taking her eyes off of the redhead. Willow blushed at the intensity of Tara’s stare, the way the girl’s mouth was parted, breath coming faster. She slid an arm over Willow’s shoulder, one around her waist, and then pressed her cheek to Willow’s cheek. Willow began a slow, waltzing step, delighted to find that Tara moved in synch with her perfectly. There was none of the awkwardness that had plagued her last dancing experiences at her bat mitzvah. After a few spins the rain got fatter and faster, but it was still warm. Tara began to giggle.
“Tickly raindrops?” Willow asked, murmuring into the girl’s ear.”
“Nuh uh,” Tara replied. “Buffy and Xander. They look like sad puppies that got caught out in the rain.”
Willow turned them a little faster and chuckled when she saw Buffy and Xander, still standing under the umbrella, clutching their things and looking hot and mope-y.
“You are in swimsuits you know,” she called, laughing aloud now. “It’s not like a little rain is going to hurt you.”
Buffy and Xander looked at each other with twin expressions of surprise and dropped all the stuff they were holding, darting back out from under the umbrella and renewing their Frisbee game. Willow and Tara continued their dance. After a little while they began to relax into one another. Willow gave a happy sigh as their bare stomachs touched, she slid her hands up and down Tara’s bare back, lightly brushing the string that held the blonde’s bikini in place.
I shouldn’t think of how easy that would be to untie, Willow thought, pulling Tara even closer.
So warm, so yummy.
Xander and Buffy’s Frisbee game got bigger and wilder, Buffy using her slayer strength to send Xander running up and down the beach after the whirling projectile. Willow and Tara’s dancing slowed until they were just standing on the sand, holding each other. Willow turned in Tara’s arms, leaning back against her with the blonde’s arms crossed over her chest, head propped on Willow’s shoulder. They cuddled, watching the rain kiss the ocean.
“So,” Tara murmured into Willow’s hair. “Good day?”
“Amazing day,” Willow replied, digging her toes into the sand. She could feel Tara’s heart beating, strong and slow. “Perfectly imperfect.”
“I’m glad we got to share a rainy day.”
“Me too.” Willow turned her head and kissed the nearest bit of skin she could reach, the underside of Tara’s jaw. She was delighted when the girl gave a little shiver. “I want to share all the rainy days,” she said softly, hoping that Tara would hear the weight behind those words.
Willow could picture it so clearly. They would wait for some Halloween, the anniversary of the day they’d met, and there would be polished beech wood chairs, honey-gold like Tara’s hair, all decorated with clusters of blush roses tied with sky blue ribbon. And Tara would walk down an aisle made of blue silk, weighed down by stones smoothed by the sea, the woman a beautiful a vision all in white. And they would be handfasted, there by the ocean, each of their friends tying a silken ribbon around their hands in a rainbow of colors. And after they were married, and the sky gave way to rain, they would dance, just as they had when they were mere girls, dance and laugh and love.
I want to marry this girl, Willow thought happily.
And then she was there. She was dancing and laughing as the rain misted on her face, an ivory dress hugging her curves. Tara was laughing too, cheeks flushed with joy, hair swept up in a beautiful twist that left tendrils drifting past her cheeks. The agate pendant she’d worn on their pre-date date, years before, was a perfect accent to her gown. They gave a little spin and Willow saw their friends—their true family—all around them.
Buffy was waving, crying, an absolute vision in a blue bridesmaid dress, just a few shades darker than the silken wedding aisle. Next to her, another woman dressed in bridesmaid blue, a taller, younger woman with dark, wavy hair who seemed familiar somehow. Xander was watching too, a little heavier, hair shorter, beaming in a tux. His arm was around a slim, smiling woman with sandy hair. Giles was there too, older, grayer, but still his tweedy self. Jenny was on his arm.
Willow was surprised to see Angel moving through the crowd like a ghost, apparently unseen by any of the other guests as he sidled up behind Giles and Jenny. She was concerned about his safety should the rain end, the skies clear, but Angel was smiling, utterly unconcerned, so Willow just grinned at him. Suddenly the vampire took Jenny’s hand and whirled her around on the little raised platform that served as their dance floor, moving in an elegant waltz. On one turn Willow was shocked to see his face change, going ridged, fanged, yellow-eyed. But on their next pass he was normal, smiling Angel again. Willow felt her racing heart slow.
She heard Tara say her name softly and she brought her gaze back to her wife.
My wife, Willow thought, filled with more happiness than she would’ve believed her frame could hold.
Forever and always. She brought a hand up to Tara’s cheek and the blonde leaned in for a kiss.
“Willow?”
Willow blinked once, slowly, and felt the slight tilt of vertigo. She reached out and steadied herself by gripping Tara’s arms more tightly. She was surprised to feel warm, damp skin instead of soft silk, and looked back to see her girlfriend, in her adorable swim suit.
So real, Willow thought, feeling a bit dazed.
It was so real.
“Are you okay?” Tara asked, turning Willow to face her.
Willow just nodded, even though she really wasn’t sure.
“Did you doze off?” Tara asked, a little smile curving the corner of her mouth. “Too much toasty cuddling in the rain?”
“I wasn’t sleeping,” Willow said, feeling a blush creep up her cheeks. “I was thinking…imagining, I guess.”
“Happy imagining?”
“Very happy,” Willow said, thinking of the beauty of the wedding she’d daydreamed. But then the memory of Angel’s eerie behavior flared in her mind. “And a little weird at the end there.”
“Do you want to tell me about it?” There was a hint of laughter in Tara’s voice.
“I do,” Willow said, ducking her head as she blushed. “But it’s a little…” she trailed off.
“Embarrassing?” Tara asked.
“I guess that depends,” Willow said, looking up into those bright blue eyes that made her heart sing. “On whether you want to get married someday.”
Those blue eyes went wide. Tara’s mouth opened, closed, opened again. “A-are y-you asking me to m-marry you?”
“No!” Willow exclaimed. “I mean, yes, I mean, someday…someday you want to be more than just girlfriends, right?”
Tara smiled and tilted her head. “I shouldn’t tease you when you’re being so serious, huh?”
“Wha?!” Willow exclaimed, “You were joking?” She reached down and began to tickle the blonde mercilessly.
After a few minutes of squirming and laughing Tara raised her hands. “I give, sorry, I r-really wasn’t trying to make fun.” She bit her lip and gave Willow a shy glance. “Did you really imagine what it would be like, to be m-married?”
Willow smiled at Tara, nodded.
“How was it?” Tara asked.
“Wonderful,” Willow said simply. “Everything was so beautiful. You were so beautiful.”
Tara pulled Willow closer, whispering in her ear. “Will you tell me all about it? Where did we have the ceremony?”
“Here,” Willow murmured, lying her head on Tara’s shoulder. “There were chairs set up in the sand, and an aisle made of blue silk. And you were all in white, and I wore ivory. We had a handfasting.”
“That would be wonderful,” Tara replied, kissing the top of Willow’s head. “It doesn’t sound strange. It sounds amazing.”
“It was,” Willow agreed. “At least, I imagined it would be. But then,” she began, paused.
“Then what?”
“It was like I wasn’t imagining anymore. I was really there, at our wedding, and we were dancing while everyone watched. It was raining,” she added with a chuckle. “And we laughed and laughed.”
“Still doesn’t sound strange,” Tara said. “It sounds perfect.”
Willow nodded. “But Angel was there, in daylight. At first he was just wandering around, but then he grabbed Ms. Calendar and started dancing with her. I thought he vamped out, but when I looked again he was back to normal.”
“Okay,” Tara agreed. “That is more than a little weird.”
“And it was just so real,” Willow said, voice soft but insistent. “People were laughing and clapping, I could feel the fabric of your dress beneath my fingers, I could even smell your perfume.”
Tara leaned back and looked Willow in the eye. “Have you ever known something before it would happen? Or dreamed something that came true?”
“Huh?” Willow was shaken by the solemn look on Tara’s face. “Like precognition? Psychics?”
“Like seers,” Tara replied.
“So it’s a real, witchy thing?” Willow babbled. “You think that I saw something that’s really going to happen?”
Tara gave a little shrug. “I d-don’t know, Will. My g-grandmother, my mom’s mom, had a few visions, but my mom said visions are usually a bit messy…things get j-jumbled up from different places and times that will be important to the one having the vision.”
Willow didn’t know which she felt more keenly, relief that her odd vision of Angel might be an overactive imagination, or regret that if Tara was right, her vision of the wedding wasn’t likely to play out as she’d seen it.
She gave a little sigh. “So we won’t get our ocean wedding?”
“I didn’t say that,” Tara replied, giving Willow a gentle squeeze. “It might be a different place, or a different time, we might wear different clothes, people might come or go.” She paused. When Tara spoke again, it was in a shaky whisper. “But I do want to marry you.”
“Are you proposing?” Willow teased.
Before Tara could answer, there was the soft sound of a throat clearing. Willow and Tara turned and found Buffy watching them, looking more than a bit embarrassed.
“Hey guys,” the slayer said, wringing her hands. “I’m really sorry to interrupt, but the food’s all gone and Xander says he has wet sand trapped in places he cannot speak of.” Buffy shuddered slightly. “Is it okay if I call my mom to come and get us?”
Willow looked at Tara and the girl nodded, smiling. “Sure Buff.”
“And we’re still on for the Bronze tonight, right?” Buffy asked, bouncing up and down a bit. “It’s going to be amazing. Please say you’re still going to go. You have to go!”
“We’re g-going, promise,” Tara agreed.
“Excellent!” Buffy cried, running back toward a sulky Xander.
“She seems awfully excited about the B-Bronze,” Tara murmured.
“Buffy does enjoy a good partying now and then,” Willow said, chuckling. She looked back over the water, where the rain and the sea still blended like a watercolor painting. “I hope you had a good time today.”
“I did,” Tara said, nodding. She kissed Willow’s cheek and then squeezed her hand, leading them toward Buffy and Xander. After a few steps Tara turned back to her, smiling. “I want to share all my rainy days with you too, Will. Rainy days, sunny days, even snowy days.” Her mouth slipped into the perfect crooked grin. “Those might be pretty few and far between, though.”
Willow felt like she was floating on air as her girlfriend led her across the rain-dampened sand.
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Glad everyone's being more or less supportive!
She really is one of the most egoistic people in the world... Good that Ira really is interested on what goes on in Willow's life... I hope Willow is able to tell Ira soon about her gayness and Tara... I also hope that Willow very soon tells that Buffy is a Slayer...
) so...
