okay.. sorry this took so long but I had a sudden affliction of writer's block... coupled with my newly insane schedule and it took me a long hot soak in the tub and a couple of walks around the block to get my mind unstuck.
So here I am.
I'll reply to everyone tomorrow... in the meantime:
Here We Go!
Edited to add the following disclaimer: Do Not... I repeat... Do Not try to re-enact the scene in Ghaena's office at home. I was given the information that I used by a friend of mine who is a practicing midwife on the expressed understanding that I would give this warning. What midwives do takes years of training and experience and should not be attempted by amatuers. Thank you for your understanding.__________________________________
“And what are you three ladies doing out so late?” Buffy asked as she strode up to the threesome as they walked down the street toward home.
“We just finished eating dinner”, Tara explained.
“Guess we lost track of time”, said Willow, “I’m glad we bumped into you. Nothing like a slayer-sized escort for the walk home.”
“I’m glad I caught you guys, too”, answered Buffy, “I just left Giles with Xander and Anya over at their place. Kind of nursing a case of lonelies.”
“I’ll keep you company, Godmommy”, Emily spoke up from her place between her parents.
“I know you will, munchkin”, Buffy smiled. If it was the daytime, the slayer would have moved to lift the small girl onto her back, but as it was night, it was necessary that she keep her self ready at all times for any possible danger and she didn’t want Emily to be tossed or thrown from her.
“Do you want to stay the night?” Willow offered warmly.
“Maybe”, the slayer conceded, “If it’s not too much trouble.”
“No trouble at all”, Tara assured, “Buffy, you are always welcome in our home. You know that.”
“I know”, Buffy shrugged.
They walked on in silence for a few moments listening to the soft electric buzz of the street lamps, the quiet thudding of their sneakers on the pavement and the occasional chirping of a cricket here and there. Crickets were rare in Sunnydale. They tended to shy away from the small town, the ever-present negativity of the Hellmouth and it’s otherworldly occupants keeping their presence at bay. An increase of cricket numbers was usually indicative of a slowing of evil activity, their cheerful miniature moonlight sonatas always a welcome sound.
“So”, Willow said, disrupting the quiet as they approached the small walkway to their home, “Was Giles able to find anything out from those texts that he had mentioned?”
“Um, yeah”, Buffy confirmed as they all entered the small house, shrugging off jackets and setting them aside on the hall table.
“Emily, go on and start washing up, it’s almost your bedtime”, Tara instructed. Emily at first looked as thought she might protest, but quickly relented and headed toward her room.
The three women moved into the living room to sit down.
“Buffy, would you like anything to drink?” Tara offered the slayer.
“Oh, um, sure”, the petite blonde answered, “just ice water is fine.”
“Hon?”
“I’m good, thanks, Baby”, Willow replied, smiling up at her lover. She turned back to Buffy, “What did he say?”
“Basically that everything he had been able to find simply proved what the priestess lady said”, the slayer explained. “Oh, and he was able to find some stuff on said priestess too.”
“What kind of ‘stuff’?” Tara asked, returning from the kitchen and handing Buffy a tall glass of water.
“Thanks”, Buffy said, taking a small sip before continuing, “Well, he said that the history on her is pretty vague, but it does date back to before the switch over from B.C. to A.D. Or, B.C.E or whatever you want to call it. In short, she’s really old.”
“That’s all that he found out?” Willow questioned incredulously, “That she’s old.”
“Well, he found a few references to her mentioning that she once helped lead an army of twenty Elvin warriors against a field of Roman troops trying to conquer a small village in Wales… She won.” The slayer recounted, obviously impressed.
“Wait, Elves?” Willow questioned, “Warrior Elves? Like, Santa’s little helpers with swords?”
“That’s what I said.” Buffy agreed.
“But, aren’t Elves actually the size of an average human, only thinner?” Tara asked. “I mean the smallness thing is just a misconception.”
“That’s what Giles said”, Buffy confirmed.
“Whoa”, commented Willow. “Did he find anything else?”
“Giles mentioned that he may have found an ancient poem telling of how she got her immortality”, the slayer stated. “But he’s not sure.”
“We’re seeing her later this week”, said Willow, “I guess we could ask her.”
“You are?” Questioned Buffy.
“We are?” Echoed Tara, clearly surprised at this new development.
“Well, you know”, the redhead replied, blushing a little at her wife’s curious gaze, “We need to talk to her about Emily and… the other thing.”
“Are you sure?” Tara asked, taking her hand.
“What other thing?” Buffy’s question fell on deaf ears.
“Not completely”, Willow answered her lover, “But we can still look into it.”
“What other thing?” Buffy tried again. “Looking into what?”
“I’m sure there are others in town if you want to try elsewhere”, Tara offered.
“Elsewhere for what?” The slayer futilely inquired.
“She’s already going to be around because of Emily”, Willow illuminated, “I’m not sure that I want to bring anymore people in on this, let alone anyone we don’t know at all.”
“If you’re sure”, her wife stated again. Willow nodded, she was nervous but certain.
“Okay, time-out!” Buffy shouted, and then quickly lowered her voice, embarrassed by her outburst. “I am suddenly feeling very much like a square peg trying to fit in a round hole. What are you guys talking about?”
“Sorry, Buffy”, Tara apologized, “It’s just that… we found out today that Ghaena is quite an accomplished midwife.”
“Oh”, Buffy said, slightly confused, before realizing, “Ooooh. Right. You aren’t using Dr. Gulliver?”
“Renee was getting a little too pushy with the curiosity”, Willow explained. “Made for an uncomfortable… thing.”
“Mama, can I tuck Godmommy in?” Emily requested plaintively as she entered the living room wearing the little yummy sushi pajamas that Buffy had gotten for her.
“Maybe if you ask her nicely.” Willow replied.
“May I please tuck you in?” the little girl asked, turning to the slayer.
“I would love that”, Buffy beamed, “Go pick out a book, I’ll be in in a minute.”
Emily squeaked with joy and made a mad dash for her bedroom.
All three women chuckled at the young girl’s enthusiasm. Buffy turned her attention back to the couple. “Have you told her yet?”
“No”, Willow answered, “We thought we’d wait until I…” The redhead used both her hands to make a repetitive rounding motion in front of her stomach.
“Consult the Magic 8 Ball?” Buffy finished teasingly.
“No”, the hacker sighed, “You know…”
“I know”, Buffy soothed, recognizing her best friend’s continuing anxiety, although she did note her to be calmer than the couple of days previous. “That’s probably the best idea, “she continued, “Are you going to tell your mom.”
“Mom”. Willow said it as though she had just been reminded that the SAT’s were the next day and she hadn’t studied. “I totally forgot.” To tell the truth, it wasn’t such a horrible thing that the redhead had overlooked breaking the news to her mother. Sheila Rosenberg had only just recently taken an active interest in her daughter’s family and life, ever since she had retired from the lecture circuit a couple of years before. But despite the uproar that Willow’s coming out had caused so long ago, Sheila had since proven that she had grown quite fond of Tara and particularly enjoyed doting on her grandchild even if she still maintained a strangely civil and distant demeanor toward her own daughter. Sheila Rosenberg was an enigma, and her extended family had learned to accept that. Better one grandparent than none at all.
“We can stop by on Thursday and then go to Ghaena’s after”, Tara suggested. Willow shook her head in agreement.
“I’m going to go get tucked in”, Buffy announced, rising from the couch, “I’ll see you guys in the morning?”
“Sure”, Willow smiled. “Pillows and sheets are in the usual place. Let us know if you need anything.”
“Roger Wilco.” The slayer replied, mock-saluting. “Night.”
“Night”, the lover’s answered.
*****
Thursday arrived all too quickly for the redhead. She had woken up cranky, feeling nauseous and bloated and she was not looking forward to the day ahead. Seeking some sort of comfort, she sought out her favorite pair of jeans and spent a good fifteen minutes trying to fasten the top two buttons of the fly before collapsing backward on the bed in defeat. She let out a long aggravated sigh before calling out, “Tara!”
The blonde came in from the kitchen wiping her hands dry with a dishtowel. “What is it, Darling?” she asked sweetly.
Willow took a moment to collect herself. “Can I borrow a pair of your pants, please?” She said through clenched teeth.
Realizing her wife’s predicament, Tara had to try really hard not to giggle. “Why don’t you just wear one of your floral print skirts?”
“Because I don’t want to wear a skirt”, the hacker bitterly explained, “I want to wear pants. Can I borrow a pair?”
“Sure, you don’t have to ask”, the wiccan answered, moving to the dresser and opening a drawer, “what pair?”
“Cargos.” Was the short reply.
Tara pulled out a pair of cargo pants, and a belt, and handed them to her wife. “You’re still going to need a belt, here.” She offered.
“I sure don’t feel like it”, Willow grumbled, clutching the garments to her chest.
“Sweetie”, Tara began, sitting on the bed next to Willow, “you’re just feeling bloated. Your tummy is barely starting to…pooch out. And when it comes to waist size, I’ve still got you beat. You need the belt.”
“I like your ‘Bam-Pow!’ hips”, Willow mock-sniffled.
“I do too”, Tara replied, “I like them because you do. Which reminds me. We need to talk to Ghaena about that.”
“We need to talk to Ghaena about your hips?”
“Will, I’ve got child-bearing hips” Tara explained, “You… not so much. We may want to ask Ghaena if this might… cause a problem.”
“Oh”, Willow’s voice was suddenly distant. “You think it will?”
“Probably not”, Tara assured her. “But I need you to be safe.”
“So do I”, the redhead stated, her voice small.
“Good, we’re agreed. Now, get my pants on and come eat your breakfast. I called your mom and told her we’d be stopping by in an hour.” With that, Tara kissed Willow soundly on the mouth, seeking entrance with her tongue and deepening the kiss with passion. Finally she broke away and walked over to the doorway, giving her hips a good shake for her breathless lover’s appreciative eyes.
“Bam-Pow!” Willow said under her breath, a naughty grin overtaking her face.
*****
“Willow, Tara, come in”, Sheila greeted the two women warmly into her home. It was the same as it had been when Willow had been growing up in it. Still very functional and utilitarian. “Can I get you girls anything?” the older woman offered, leading them into the dining room to sit. “I was just making some coffee. Or would you prefer tea?”
“Coffee sounds…” Willow began, only to catch a glare from Tara, “Like tea. I mean, yes I would prefer tea. Tara?”
“Tea’s fine”, the blonde agreed. Sheila went into the kitchen to fetch the hot water and tea bags. “Willow”, Tara scolded.
“I know”, Willow sighed, “No caffeine for seven more months… I still can’t believe you talked me into that.”
“It’s what’s best”, Tara stressed.
“I know”, the redhead conceded, picking at the tablecloth.
“Here we are”, announced Mrs. Rosenberg as she returned with two cups of piping hot tea. “Lemon alright?”
“Fine, thanks Mom”, said the hacker, taking her cup.
“Thank you, Sheila”, said Tara.
“No bother”, Sheila replied, waving off their gratitude. “What’s going on? Why the formality of an arranged meeting?”
“We just wanted you to know, Mom, that you’re going to be a grandmother again”, Willow bravely stated.
“Really?” Sheila beamed at the news, “Tara, that’s wonderful, when are you due?”
The blonde shared a quick glance with her lover. “September”, she answered, “Only it’s not me.”
“It’s not?” Willow’s mother asked, slightly confused before the slow realization dawned on her. She looked at her daughter, her brow furrowing. “Willow?”
“Yeah?” she reacted, trying to prevent her voice from squeaking.
“Are you sure that’s wise. Given… uh… certain information?” Sheila eyed her daughter-in-law warily.
“It’s okay, Sheila”, Tara interjected, “Willow told me about… her being adopted.”
“Oh.” The older woman was clearly not pleased. “Then you know about the… circumstances… of Willow’s birth.”
“Yes. It is an unfortunate tragedy that her birth mother died, but it does not necessarily mean that Willow is in any kind of danger”, Tara stated. “We are taking precautions. We’re even meeting with a midwife after we leave here to start discussing prenatal care.”
“A midwife.” Sheila repeated, her tone filling with detached concern. “Not a doctor?”
“That’s right”, Willow affirmed.
“Is that such a good idea? Wouldn’t a doctor be more suitable? Safer?”
“Mrs. Rosenberg”, Tara cut in, “Let me assure you that the midwife Willow and I have selected has more cumulative years of knowledge and experience in child-birthing than all of the doctors in Sunnydale combined… and multiplied.”
“Interesting”, Sheila commented. “Well, if you have the confidence that this woman can handle any potential difficulties that may arise, I suppose that’s all that matters.”
“She’s good, Mom”, Willow said softly. “I’ll be okay.”
“Of course you will”, the elder Rosenberg said, her voice surprisingly sincere. She paused a moment, taking a sip of her coffee, seeming to be considering something in her mind. “I wonder… would it be alright if I was present at the birth?”
“You mean in the same room?” Willow asked, panicking slightly.
“Well not necessarily. But perhaps in the waiting room”, Sheila continued, her expression almost somber. “I’ve missed… so much of your life, Willow. I wasn’t there at your wedding. I wasn’t there when Emily was born… I wasn’t even there when
you were born. Believe it or not, I regret these facts. I feel like the only right thing I’ve ever done for you was divorcing your father. But that was too little too late, wasn’t it, because you were already gone. Even though I thought at the time your feelings for Tara were a phase, I wasn’t going to allow him to condemn your life, especially since for the first time since I’d known you, you seemed truly happy.”
“Because I was”, said Willow, taking Tara’s hand. “Because I am.” Tara looked into Willow’s eyes and saw the love there and returned it. Willow smiled.
“And now, I’d like to share in your happiness”, Sheila concluded, “If you’ll let me.”
The two younger women considered this, sharing another of their silent communications. After a time, Willow spoke softly to her wife, “Waiting room would be okay.”
“Yeah”, Tara agreed, her voice equally low.
Willow turned to her mother, “If you wouldn’t mind being in the waiting room…”
“We’d love to have you there”, Tara finished.
“That’s perfect, thank you”, Sheila smiled, then moved to stand. “Well, I guess you girls should be running along if you’re to make your appointment.”
“Yes, we should”, Tara agreed as she and Willow also rose from their seats.
“I’ll just show you to the door”, the old woman graciously offered, and escorted the two women back to the front of the house. After they had stepped outside, Willow turned and surprised her mother by giving her a warm and tight hug. At first Sheila wasn’t sure what to do, but after a moment of indecision, she reciprocated, rubbing her hands up and down her daughter’s back in a gesture of affection.
“Thanks, Mom”, the redhead mumbled against Sheila’s blouse, squeezing her tightly one last time before stepping away.
“Anytime”, Sheila responded, a little lost as to why Willow was thanking her. Then suddenly an idea occurred to her. “Why don’t you two come back by on Sunday around seven for dinner, bring Emily.”
“We’d love to, Sheila”, Tara answered, “We’ll be here.”
Mrs. Rosenberg nodded at the acceptance and the three of them waved their last goodbyes as Willow and Tara headed down the street and toward Ghaena’s.
*****
“Just relax now, I’m not gonna hurt you”, Ghaena said to Willow, her voice soothing and calm as she helped the girl to lay down on the small bed in her office. After she made sure that Willow was draped and as comfortable as she was going to get, she signaled to Tara who was standing by, “Come here, let me show you something.” The blonde quickly joined the midwife by the bed. “I think Willow might be more comfortable if you were to do this, so I’m going to teach you a very simple technique for performing a cursory physical exam to judge the development of the baby as it grows inside her belly. Willow are you alright with this?”
“Um... I think so”, she answered nervously, “Does she have to do it now?”
“I’ll tell you what”, Ghaena stated, “I guarantee you that there are few to no other midwives out there who would offer you what I am. It could be considered a little too hands on. But, I promise you that my hands will never touch you unless you ask for them to. I’ll leave everything up to Tara unless you say otherwise. However, I can’t leave things up to Tara if she doesn’t know what she’s doing. Understand?”
“I think so”, Willow breathed.
“Good. Tara, wash your hands and make sure to remove all the rings and bracelets you are wearing”, the priestess instructed.
“Should I put on a pair of gloves?” Tara asked as she began to wash her hands.
“That is a very good question with the health codes over here and all”, Ghaena replied. “Now, I myself would. But, then again, I don’t know Willow as… personally… as you do. If you catch my meaning? I doubt you’ve thought of wearing gloves in the past.”
Tara and Willow both blushed bright red.
“Do what you feel is best”, she completed. Tara quickly put on a pair of latex gloves from the box by the sink. “Alright”, Ghaena chuckled, “In the top drawer the sink, you’ll need the small tube that’s inside.” Tara opened the drawer and blushed an even deeper red than she already was as she picked up a small tube of lubricant jelly. She carried it back over to the bedside. “Kneel down beside Willow here”, Ghaena indicated to the center of the bed. Tara did so. “Willow, are you ready?” The midwife asked gently. Willow nervously nodded. “Alright, I need you to lift up your knees and spread your legs a little. Don’t worry, the sheet will stay covering you.” The redhead gulped slightly and did as told. “Just try to relax”, Ghaena soothed. “Tara, apply some of the lubricant to the fore and middle fingers of your left hand. Rub them together with your thumb to try and warm it up a little. Good. Now with your other hand raise the sheet just slightly by Willow’s waist and slip your left hand under, trying not to get any of the lubricant on the fabric.”
“Like this?” Tara queried.
“Exactly”, the priestess affirmed. “Now, if I were doing this I’d have to conduct it like a normal pelvic exam, and I’d be at the end of the bed, looking up. For numerous reasons, mostly ethical. But you two ladies being married and all that, we can skip formalities and opt for a more comforting approach from the side… as we are. Moving on. Now, Tara, place your right hand on Willow’s low belly with your fingers pointing up to her chin. That’s it… a little lower… good. Now, very gently insert the prepared fingers of your left hand inside… carefully…”
Willow gasped at the intrusion.
“You okay?” Tara asked quickly, “Too cold? Did I hurt you?”
“It’s fine”, Willow replied, “Just kind of… a lot at once.”
“This will be a bit uncomfortable, Willow”, Ghaena explained, “But Tara’s doing fine and you’ll be alright. Better her than me, right?”
“I trust you”, Willow said softly to her love. Tara smiled lovingly in relief.
“Tara, you need to press as far as you can inside without hurting her”, the midwife continued. “Alright, now curl your fingers slightly toward yourself and press up. Good. Now with your right hand, curl your fingers down and ever so gently press into the belly and pull delicately and without force toward her knees and you should feel…”
“Oh wow”, Tara gasped. “I feel it. Willow, I can feel it.”
“I know”, Willow smiled, although her voice was tense.
“Almost done, Willow”, Ghaena assured. “Tara, with your right thumb, press up into her belly and see if you can gage the size.”
“I’ve got it”, Tara stated, “It’s like the size of a… a… tennis ball or an apple.”
“Congratulations”, the priestess smiled, “You’re holding your baby in your hands for the first time.”
“Wow” Tara breathed as tears started to form behind her eyes.
“And that’s it”, Ghaena announced, “Go ahead and reverse everything you just did.”
Tara tenderly pulled out of her wife and removed her gloves, tossing them in the small red biohazard bin by the bed.
“Good work, Tara. By your description the fetus is exactly the size it should be at this point. At twelve weeks it should be the size of a grapefruit and at eighteen the size of a melon. After that point it’s really not necessary to have to perform a ‘hands-on’ exam to determine the size as it’s pretty visually obvious.” She said as she moved to the door, “I’ll just step outside a moment so that Willow can re-dress.”
Tara helped Willow up and off the bed, handing her her pants and underwear.
“Are you okay?” she asked gently.
“Yeah, I am”, Willow smiled as she dressed. “That was amazing.”
“Yeah”, Tara agreed.
“I mean, that was kind of weird… but good”, the redhead went on.
“Weird?”
“Well, I mean… you were inside of me… and there was somebody else in the room”, she explained. “That’s a first… Thankfully.”
Tara laughed and kissed Willow playfully on the nose. There were several swift knocks on the door and Ghaena’s voice filtered through the wood, “Decent?”
“Yes, come on in”, Willow replied. “That was nice of you to knock”, she continued as the midwife re-entered the room, “most doctors just barge in.”
“I’m not a doctor”, Ghaena grinned, gesturing the two ladies to the couch. “Please sit.”
They assumed the same sitting positions as they had the previous visit. Willow and Tara on the couch, Ghaena in one of the chairs.
“Do you have any questions?” the priestess asked.
“Are my hips too small?” Willow blurted out.
The midwife chuckled at the abruptness of the query before answering. “I don’t think so. The pelvis is a very pliable structure. It can stretch and twist. It’s really too early in the pregnancy to be making judgments about whether or not your hips are wide enough to deliver. Do you know what kind of a time your mother had with your delivery?”
Willow cringed, “She died… giving birth to me.”
“Oh, that’s right”, Ghaena muttered under her breath, “I’d forgotten.”
“You mean you knew?” Tara asked, surprised.
“I’ve been following your ancestors through the ages since the prophecy was foretold”, the brunette explained, then turned back to Willow, “Don’t worry. You should be fine. I’ll keep an eye on you. Just take care of yourself throughout this pregnancy, alright?”
“Alright”, Willow agreed.
“Anything else?”
“Um, nothing to do with any of this really”, Tara brooked.
“Go ahead”, Ghaena urged.
“You said that your immortality was a punishment”, the blonde continued hesitantly, “what for?”
“That’s simple”, she answered darkly, “I raised the dead.”
****************
TBC...
Edited by: DarkWiccan at: 6/16/02 6:15:05 pm
hope Willow is able to trust Ghaena now that she knows Tara trusts her. It's good that Willow told Tara about the adoption thing, and it does explain why her "parents" treat her the way that they do. When Emily said she didn't want to eat her carrots and the different tactics that Willow and Tara used reminds me of when i was little and didn't want to eat certain vegetables and how my mom and dad tried to get me to eat them. That raven is really freaky, can't wait to find out what its deal is 
Although the dessert thing would normally work. 
at: 6/13/02 9:18:33 pm
at: 6/15/02 10:57:39 pm