Just read the feedback...woo hoo!! I have a great plan in mind for their trip to L.A....so please, stay tuned. And the Fashion Awards...just need you to be a little more patient k?
Title: Never A Night Like This
Author: Taras Shadow
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, ME, UPN…except for Tori, Hadley, Jessica Paris, and Orlando-they belong to me
Feedback: Yes please, everything is welcome
Pairings: W/T, X/A, B/?, D/?
Rating:
PG-R-ish.
Summary: Willow is one of the hottest models in the world. When she comes home for her holiday, she meets a nice family that is new to Sunnydale. Can she find love, and continue her much loved career? This is an AU fic. There will be a little angst between some characters, but nothing big for I want to keep the angst issue light. Thoughts are in < > Flashbacks are in **
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~Part 13b~Willow sat outside on her porch; it was a perfect night to swing on the porch swing and look at the stars. She did this when she had to think hard and long about something. After her phone call with Orlando, she chickened out on asking Tara, and found a quick excuse, to make a quick exit.
Her plan was to ask Tara to escort her to the Fashion Awards and bring along her friends and Tara’s family. Six V.I.P and backstage passes for Buffy, Xander, Anya, Dawn, Tori, and Hadley, and since Tara was going to be asked as her date, she didn’t need that extra pass.
But then she was worried that Tara would say no, and that she’d think that was little to fast, so she bolted leaving Tara standing in the kitchen confused…and a little annoyed.
“Well Brady, what do you say we call it a night.” Willow rubbed the puppy on the stomach and giggled as Brady yawned, and turned her head away.
“I think…” A female voice said in the darkness, “You need to explain young lady.”
“Tara?” Willow looked towards the steps, and no one. “Where are you?”
Tara smiled as she climbed up, over the rail from the other side of the porch. She made her way slowly over towards Willow and Brady. The puppy jumped off the porch and began to sniff Tara’s shoes. The blonde bent down and started to play with the pup.
“What brings you here…this late.” Willow asked. She was a little nervous now, knowing that she was going to have to give Tara the truth about why she left so fast. “Not that I’m not glad to see you, because…boy, I am more than glad to see you.”
“Like I said, you need to tell me why you left.” Tara patted the puppy one last time before standing up and turning her attention to the red head. “I was on my way home from night class, and I thought I’d stop by.”
“Well, um…ok. Sit with me?” Willow moved into a sitting position and allowed Tara to sit next to her. “About that call this afternoon, that was Orlando, my manager and agent.”
Tara looked down at her lap, “You have to leave?”
“No…I mean yes, but I was kinda hoping that maybe…you know, if you’d like to join me?” Willow held her breath waiting for the answer she so did not want to hear.
“You mean to L.A….with you?”
“Yeah…and if you don’t want to…it’s fine. I just really…” Like always, the blonde managed to shut her up with those soft lips against hers.
“I’d love too.” Tara pulled back, “Is that why you bolted today?”
“Well, yes and no…you see, I was going to ask you if, maybe you’d like to be my date. See, I’ve been invited to present at the L.A. Fashion Awards this weekend, and I want you to come, Hadley and Tori are welcomed, and I invited the rest of the gang, Xander, Anya, Buffy and Dawn.”
“And you want me to be your date?” Tara asked, proud to be living in Sunnydale and to be in the company of Willow.
“Yes, I do….” Willow smiled. “And staying at a place won’t be a problem. I have three bedrooms, and a pull-out couch at the loft.”
“I get to see your loft?” Tara smiled and practically bounced up and down. Kinda of resembling her daughter when excited.
Willow giggled and pushed Tara on her back, her body hovered over Tara’s and their lips mere inches away. “Can I take that as a yes?”
Tara moved her hands around the small waist and pulled the body that hovered above her down. Willow was shocked but recovered and relaxed. She kissed Tara’s nose, her cheeks, her forehead, and then her lips. Lips melded together and tongues fluttered against each other. Blood pumped hard through veins and pulsed raced.
Tara finally pulled back and smiled. “Yes.” She whispered.
~*~*~*~*~*~
“It’s Tuesday!” Willow woke up and sat up in bed, she turned towards the clock.
12:08pmThe red head groaned. “I slept in…why did I go and do that, I have to make those reservations, buy some pretty flowers…oh my, I have a date tonight…with Tara.” Willow clapped her hands and grabbed her robe, and ran to the shower.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Lisa walked into the restaurant and found her best waitress glowing. “Someone’s happy.”
“Yeah, I am.” Tara sighed, she just finished wiping off the front counter.
“Ok…spill.” Lisa grabbed the cloth away from Tara.
“I have a date tonight with Willow.” She blonde blushed.
“Wait, I thought you two were already dating?” Lisa scratched her eyebrow.
“No, tonight will be our first date.” Anyone who looked at the blonde, would see the glow and feel the happiness that was radiating off of her.
Lisa stood straight up, “Hold up, so that means you and the beauty never…you know, never slept together?”
“Lisa! What makes you think I would tell you that?” Tara smirked at her boss.
“Well, if you don’t tell me, I’ll fire your ass.” Lisa teased.
“You can’t, I’m the only one who you can rely on.”
“You’re absolutely right, but it doesn’t mean a boss can’t dream.” Lisa grinned raising her eyebrows, trying to press Tara to tell her more.
Tara caught the curious look on her friend. “I’m not telling you a word Lisa, so forget it.” She laughed.
“Huh…really?” Lisa looked around the restaurant, “Damn…get back to work.” Lisa threw the cloth back at Tara and smiled.
“Oh, but Lisa…I can tell you one thing, Willow invited me to L.A. with her, as her date for the L.A. Fashion Awards.”
“Oh my God…” Lisa swung around, “You so have to tell me the details on that.”
“Ok, I will….but nothing personal.” Tara went back to waiting tables. < When is it nighttime? Because nighttime means Willow time. >
~*~*~*~*~*~
6:32pm“No mama.! Hadley giggled when Tara came out of the bathroom wearing a green top and a white skirt. “Why don’t you wear that new brown suede skirt and your denim blouse?”
“Oh, good idea.” Tara giggled with her daughter and grabbed the clothes that were suggested. “Had, help me out with something.” She took off her green shirt and replaced it with the denim blouse.
“What is it mama?” Hadley crawled on her mother’s bed, and began to play with Tara’s hair. Her tiny fingers raking out little knots.
“I was thinking of cutting classes, what do you think?” Tara turned around and held Hadley close.
“Yeah!” Hadley squealed. “You and Willow can have more time together…” Hadley jumped off the bed and ran for the door.
“Wait, sweetie, where are you going?” Tara asked the hyper child.
“To call Willow…tell her that she can pick you up at seven.” Hadley thought for a moment, “You can’t because then it would be bad luck.”
Tara grinned and picked up Hadley, “Baby, I think that only goes for two people getting married, and I believe it’s when you see each other the night before or the day of the wedding, that’s when it’s bad luck.”
“Oh…” Hadley frowned and looked at her mother. “Can I still call her?”
“Yes, you can.” Tara let Hadley down and watched her daughter head downstairs to the phone.
~*~*~*~*~
“Buffy…this so is not working out.” Willow brushed her hair back in a ponytail. She asked Buffy and Dawn to come over and help her get ready.
“Willow, leave your hair down, let it flow. It looks really extra pretty when it’s down.” Buffy said. She and Dawn were sitting on the edge of the bath tub, watching their best friend freak.
“I don’t get it Will…you two have already been to the kissing stage, why are you so nervous taking her out?” Dawn asked.
Willow took in a deep breath, “Because Dawnie, I guess I’m scared of screwing this date up.”
“That is not possible Wills, I bet if you just take her out for a cone, she’ll still enjoy it just as much.” Buffy assured her. “Besides, reservations at the swankiest Italian Restaurant, and that single long stem rose, with baby breath…how could you possibly do something to screw it up…” Buffy stopped and smiled. “Hey, Willow, I was thinking, maybe you and I should go out on a date…your treat.”
Dawn giggled and looked at the red head.
“I think not, although I am flattered, I’m already in love with somebody else.” Willow drew her lips together in a tight line.
“Well you have to give me a little credit, at least I wasn’t Anya…’Oh Willow, have sex with me and then pay me. You haven’t gotten laid in a while, I promise to give lots of orga…” Willow clamped her best friends mouth shut.
“Thanks for the re-cap Buffy. And please don’t finish that sentence, I might have to hurt you.” Willow warned her friend and let go. “Now can we please just, help me? I need to figure out what to wear before I pick Tara up after class.”
*RING RING*
Willow picked up the phone on her nightstand. “Hello?”
“Hello Willow!” Hadley giggled.
“Hadley, hey baby girl, how are you?”
“Good. Um, I’m calling to ask you if you can pick up mama at seven? She’s not going to class because she wants to spend more time with you.” Hadley bit her bottom lip.
“Seven?” Willow looked at her friends who were still sitting in the adjoined bathroom. “Ok, seven it is.”
“Great! I’ll go tell mama.”
“Alright, I’ll see you in a little bit.” Willow smiled.
“Ok…and Willow?” Hadley gripped the phone tighter in her hand.
“Yes?”
“I love you.” The little girl whispered.
“Aww Sweetie, I love you too.” Willow’s heart broke. She wanted to be there for Hadley all the time, and she will be. But the question Hadley asked that day about being her daddy, Willow couldn’t get that one simple desperate question out of her mind.
After hanging up, she wiped the fresh tears from her eyes and walked back over to the washroom. “Damn make-up, I hate the way it smears.” She grabbed some Kleenex and wiped away the running mascara.
“Date cancelled?” Dawn asked unsure of why Willow was crying.
“Oh, no. Just got bumped up to…fifteen minutes.” Willow said. “FIFTEEN MINUTES?” She yelped. “My reservations…oh my…” She ran back to the phone. “Hi, Antonio, it’s Willow Rosenberg, I was kind of wondering if there is an opening in say about fifteen minutes?”
“Ah yes Miss Rosenberg, one just came available. Can not wait to see who the lucky gal is.” Antonio politely said. “She must be very special.”
“Oh, she is.” Willow smiled. “So, we’ll see you shortly.”
~*~*~*~*~*~
“Willow!” Tori opened the door to find Willow wearing a long black skirt, and a tan coloured peasant top. “Come in. Tara is upstairs with Hadley still. They are fixing Tara’s hair.
“Oh…ok.” Willow smiled. “I brought someone over for you.” Willow looked back out the door and waved for Dawn to come in.
“Dawn!” Tori hugged her as if she hadn’t seen her for years. “You came.”
“Of course I came silly.” Dawn giggled. “But Willow and Buffy both made me bring my books….so work might actually have to be done.”
“That’s right…no more French lessons unless they are absolutely necessary.” Willow playfully scolded. “But that doesn’t mean all lessons are banned.” She winked.
“See…you gotta love Willow.” Dawn smiled.
“Tara!” Tori yelled towards the stairs. “Your gorgeous date is here.”
Hadley came bolting down the stairs and plunged herself right at Willow. “Willow…you’re here.”
“Of course I’m here, I have a date remember?” Willow laughed and hugged her favourite little person.
“Mama said if I’m good for Tori and Dawn…she’ll tell me a big surprise.” Hadley’s eyes grew big with excitement. “She said it has to do with…a loft?”
“Loft?” Tori asked confused. Dawn knew what it was, but swore that she wouldn’t tell her girlfriend anything it was up to Tara.
Tara came down the stairs and smiled at the group of ladies huddled together by the door. “Wow, Miss Rosenberg, I do believe you look amazing.” She finally spoke.
“Tara…” Willow was at a loss for words.
“Maybe you should close your mouth, less likely to drool that way.” Dawn whispered in Willow’s ear.
Willow closed her mouth and stared at the blonde. “Uh…wow.”
“I’d say so.” Tara grinned and walked up to her date. “Shall we?”
“Oh, yeah.” Willow finally breathed.
“Ok, we’ll be back around ten elevenish.” Tara said to her sister. “Hadley, listen to your Aunt and Dawn ok? I left out some crackers for you before you go to bed. And Tori…please try and get some studying done…I mean actual studying done.”
“Got it boss.” Tori said. “Now you two kiddies run along now…and don’t get yourselves into mischief.”
“Bye Tori.” Tara said and then looked at her daughter, “I love you.” She said.
“I love you too mama.” Hadley smiled. “Now go…hurry, times a wasting.”
“Gotta love her.” Willow said as they walked out to the vehicle.
“She kinda makes it impossible doesn’t she?” Tara said. Willow opened the door for Tara and then went to her side. “Thank you.” The blonde said, giving Willow a smile like no other.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Sorry I had to cut this short…I didn’t want to, but you know, busy day today. Mmm…turkey. Anyways, again I am really sorry. Not sure when I can post part 14…but I’m hoping tonight, when the company leaves…still love me?
~Holly~
Show me where to touch you-
Tara-It Ain’t Fickle