Title: Actions and Consequences
By: Branny72
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these Characters, just borrowed them and wish I did own them.
Rating: PG-13 - NC-17 (will vary per chapter) – PG-13 This Chapter
Couples: W/T
Summary: AU – Tara didn’t die she left town…set 5 years after Tara left…Actions have consequences, everyone has to live by their choices.
Feedback: Pretty please…I’m flying without wings here - no beta reader…I’m my own worst critic and well I’m not sure this fic it good, but I’m hoping!!
Notes: Borrowed songs in this chapter are Westlife - Fragile Heart and Kelly Clarkson - Because of You

Actions and Consequences

Tara packed her belongings, she had been crying for hours and was now numb. Dawn was standing at the front door watching Tara take her boxes out.

“Tara, please don’t leave,” cried Dawn.

“I’m sorry sweetie, I have to. I will ALWAYS be there for you if you need me,” replied Tara. “Actions have consequences and Willow’s action of abusing and refusing to quit magic cause the consequence of me leaving. I’m sorry that you are hurting, I promise that you will not lose me no matter what.”

Tara tried to pull Dawn into a hug but the teen couldn’t take it anymore and ran back into the house and up to her room crying.

Willow was in the bathroom sitting on the floor crying, she heard Dawn run past crying and it broke her heart, she then heard the front door close and she knew that Tara was gone.

“How am I going to survive without her,” wondered the redhead. “My everything, my reason for surviving is gone.”

Buffy was standing in the living room watching everything unveil and unsure how or if there was a way to fix this.

************
5 Years Later
************

"It figures, it’s raining in England on the one day that I actually have to explore," said the redhead with a deep sigh as she looked out of the window of her London hotel. This was the first time in years that she had been here and able to take time to sight see. Being a self-employed Security Analyst allowed her the freedom to travel, but it didn't allow for a lot of time to sight see when she was away from Sunnydale. Willow knew where in London Giles lived and thought about stopping in to visit her old friend. After he moved back to London and her and Tara broke up she hadn't seen him as much; she figured the Watchers Council had been keeping him busy or it was his disappointment with her.

Startled out of her thoughts by the phone ringing, Willow moved to answer it. "Hello?"

"Hey Wills," came a cheery voice from the other end.

"Hey Buffy," she replied with a smile.

"How's it going in London?"

"Well, the job part is going ok, I'm almost done actually. I was going to take today to sight see since any other time I’ve been here I haven’t had time, but of course it’s raining," laughed the redhead.

"Bet you miss old Sunnydale now!"

"You know I miss it and you and Dawnie. I've only been gone a week, do you miss me that much or do you need my help with something?"

"No issues, just missing my best friend. How much longer do you think you'll be in London?"

"At least another day or two at most. I was toying with the idea of calling or stopping by to see Giles since I'm here too, but it's been almost five years since he and I really talked other than Hellmouth stuff. I think he really blames me for Tara leaving and well, he should, but I feel like a kid that let their father down."

"Will, I know that you guys have hardly talked, but maybe you should try to talk to him, maybe he is waiting for you to take the first step. I think you should call him."

From behind the Slayer Willow heard, "Who is calling who?"

"Dawn, I'm on the phone," said the annoyed Slayer to her sister.

"Yeah, gathered that with the whole phone in your hands."

"I was telling Willow to call Giles since she is in London and maybe try to make amends if you really NEED to know. Hey Will, hold on a second," said Buffy as she covered the phone seeing her sisters eyes bug out and her flailing her arms.

Dawn proceeded to inform her sister that Tara was currently living in London with Giles and that maybe contacting him through the Watchers Council might be better than calling or stopping by his flat and risking Tara answering.

"Ok, sorry Will. Dawn just told me that she talked to Giles last week and he can only be reached through the Council right now. Do you have their number?"

"Yeah, I have it. I have to think about if I can handle talking with him now or not. I still love her and miss her Buffy and when I see the disappointment in his eyes it just opens the wound again."

"I know, and I'd love to tell you that it is going to get better, but you know I'd be lying. It is just going to take time."

"Yeah, I wish I knew if she was ok."

"I'm sure she is, Tara is a survivor."

"Well, I should be back in a couple days. I think I'm going to go get some coffee and if the rain lets up check out the city a bit."

"Ok, just let me know when and I'll pick you up from the airport. I think you should try to make amends with Giles, it might do you both a lot of good. You aren’t the same person you were five years ago, you’ve grown a lot Will, more than you give yourself credit for," said the Slayer.

"I'll think about it," said the defeated redhead.

"Thanks, bye Will."

"Bye," and with that Willow hung up the phone and pulled out her mobile phone while debating on calling Giles. She missed him, but even after five years the wound of losing Tara was so fresh. Tara was her soulmate, her everything and she messed it up.

**********
Sunnydale
**********

"Dawn, get your ass in here now," yelled the Slayer after she got off the phone.

"Hey Buff, what's up?" said the teen as she bound into the room seemingly oblivious but knowing what was about to happen.

"Oh, I don't know, how about you tell me about how you know that Tara is living in London with Giles and everything?"

"Buffy, please, don't be mad."

"Don't be mad? Don’t be mad? It is a little late for that, missy. You have lived here with Willow for five years and watched her suffer with not knowing if Tara was even ok. You know she is still in love with her and is worried about her. How could you keep that from Willow? How could you not even tell me so I could at least come up with something to set Willow at ease?"

"How could I keep it from her? Hello, it is Willows fault that Tara left. She got addicted to magic and chose it over Tara and we all lost out. I told you guys that I heard from her and that she was safe. That was all Tara would allow me to say to you guys."

"Do you keep in touch with her? When was the last time you spoke with her?"

"We email almost daily and I talk to her on the phone weekly or every other week," said the teen in defeat. "Some of the times when I’ve gone to London to spend holidays with Giles she’s been there and we’ve hung out together."

"So, you’ve known that she has been with Giles in London...and now Willow is there in London too."

"Yeah, and I know that Willow will freak if she learns any of this so you can't tell her Buffy," pleaded the teen. “Tara is adamant that Willow not know that she is there.”

"I know Dawnie; I just hate seeing Willow suffer the way she has. She has shut out everything and everyone other than her work and helping me and even that has limited contact. I wish I could do more for her."

"So, call Giles and have him call Willow and have THEM meet. It will be a hell of a lot easier to do it that way rather than have her call him and risk Tara overhearing or answering."

"True. Actually that is a good idea, I'm going to call him now - you don't move, I have more questions for you."

"Crap," mumbled Dawn under her breath.

Buffy left the room and called Giles and explained what had gone on and gave him Willow's number to call her. He said he'd give her a call, but that under no circumstances was Buffy to let Willow know where Tara was or that she knew anything going on with her. She said she understood and respected their position, though she wished they could make amends as well. He told her he wished it too, but he didn't see that happening yet if ever. Then Buffy headed back to continue the grilling of her sister.

***

"Tara," said the older man as he entered the living room.

"Yeah Giles," said the blonde looking up from her computer.

"Um, can we talk about something?"

"Sure, sounds serious."

"Well, yes er no, well maybe."

"Giles it has to be one of those. What's going on? Does it involve the call you just took? Is everything alright?"

"Yes, that call was Buffy," started the Watcher seeing the panic in Tara's eyes. "Everyone is ok; it is just that she just learned from Dawn that you were living with me."

"Uh," stammered the blonde. "Why would Dawn tell her after all these years?"

"Well, it seems that Willow is in London and Dawn overheard Buffy encouraging Willow to get in touch with me to make amends or try to make amends."

"Giles, I am in no way ready to see or talk to Willow. I think maybe it might be a good time to take a unscheduled vacation out of the city until she is say gone?!" panicked the blonde.

"Tara, relax," said Giles as he pulled her into a hug to help calm her down. "That is why Buffy called, she wanted me to call Willow and see if I could meet her instead of her calling here or the Council and either you answering or someone slipping and mentioning you."

"Oh."

"I want to know your honest feelings on me contacting her. You have become a daughter to me and I will respect whatever your feelings and wishes are."

"Giles, I would be lying if I didn't say I was conflicted on this. I still love her, but what she did was inexcusable. I know that you two were close and I don't want to take that away from you. Dawn has said that since I left she hasn't done magic and that she has gotten herself back on track. I wouldn't hold it against you if you met with her, but I beg of you not to bring me into the conversation."

"Of course I wouldn't, and yes we were close, but that has changed over the years and well."

"Call her Giles; I know that the relationship strain has weighed on you and it isn’t fair to you or her. She adored you and thought the world of you."

"If you are certain that you are ok with this, because if you say don’t, I won’t do it."

"I am ok with it, I would never want to hinder a relationship of yours," smiled the blonde as she hugged him and stepped out of the room to give him the privacy to make the call and the buffer to protect herself.

Giles dialed the number and waited for someone to pick up.

"Hello," came a soft voice from the other end.

"Willow?"

"Giles?"

"Yes, it me. I heard you were in London and I was well wondering if maybe you have some free time to get some coffee and talk?"

"Buffy called you didn't she?" accused the redhead.

"She did, but I still would like to talk if you are willing."

"Sure, I would like that a lot honestly."

"What hotel are you at? I can meet you there and we can go and get some coffee or a bite to eat."

"Sounds good, I'm at The Dorchester, Suite 901."

"Very well, I'm just finishing up on some work, how about I pick you up in an hour?"

"I'll be here," she said and with that they hung up.

Willow then sat down to work through her feelings about the meeting. Giles went and got ready and stilled himself on this meeting and what he hoped to get out of it. He did miss her dearly, but the bond that he now shared with Tara was so much more than he had ever shared with any of the other Scoobies, Buffy included.

***

"Hey Dawnie," said the blonde when her phone rang.

"Hi Tara. Do you still love me?" sheepishly asked the teen

"Yes, I still love you," laughed the blonde.

"All I told was that you were living there with Giles, and that when I came to visit him sometimes I was seeing you as well for holidays and such. Nothing else I swear."

"I appreciate that you only told that part, I know you wouldn’t betray my trust. And Giles is actually going to meet with Willow shortly. Is Buffy still going to let you come to visit next month?"

"Crap, I hadn't thought of that. I'm hoping so; she seemed to understand when I told her why I hadn't told anyone. I hope she does, I miss you guys, but this is also Buffy we’re talking about."

"We miss you too Dawnie. So, what else is going on there in Sunnydale?"

They talked for over an hour about things going on, what they were going to do when Dawn came for her visit, then Dawn heard Buffy come home and told Tara she had to go.

***

“T, whatcha got going on tonight? Another hot date with a lame romance novel,” asked Faith entering the flat.

“No plans and no new romance novel; Giles is going out this afternoon so I can’t leave until he gets back. What did you have in mind for tonight,” answered the blonde.

“I don’t know, we could go to the pub tonight, they’re having open mic night.”

“Faith, I don’t WANT to go out for open mic night,” pleaded the blonde. “Please do not make me go out to open mic night again; last time was so horrid and embarrassing.”

“Come on T, you know that you love to sing and you love doing this with me,” said the brunette. “And a little embarrassment isn’t all bad. You should be flattered that those two thought you were singing to them and were willing to fight one another for your attention – you know you are smokin’ hot,” said Faith laughing.

“No, you love me doing it, I however do not love it. And it wasn’t funny. I can’t believe that I even survived that night”

“Fine, you hate it but you are going to do it because you love and adore me and will do anything for me,” said Faith with a smirk.

“Uh huh, if that is what you tell yourself to sleep at night, who am I to stop you,” laughed Tara.

“Come on, let’s go,” said Faith. “I’ll make it worth your while.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard that before too,” teased Tara.

“Ok, so I failed you one night, I said I was sorry and I’ll be sorry for as long as I need, but PLEASE will you be my date tonight?”

“You promise to not leave my side? No running off and hitting on other women?”

“Yes, I swear,” said Faith.

“Ok, I will be your date tonight,” said Tara exasperated. “I don’t want to sing though.”

“I know you say that now, but you’ll change your mind…I’ll pick you up at 8,” said the brunette. “It’ll be fun, I promise.”

***

Giles arrived at Willow's door and knocked. As he did he felt a knot form in his stomach, he wasn't sure what to expect, and they hadn't really talked more than a handful of times in the past five years.

Willow gulped as she opened the door and saw her former father figure standing there.

"Giles," she squeaked as a tear ran down her face.

"Oh Willow," he said as he entered the room and hugged her tight. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you too," she said into his chest.

"I wasn't sure how I'd feel or what to expect when we talked earlier," Giles stated honestly.

"I know the feeling. I almost called you back several times to cancel. I knew if I did though Buffy would kick my ass and I'm getting too old for that, it’s starting to hurt."

"You look well. Something in your life is agreeing with you."

"My life is my work and helping Buffy, there isn't really time for anything else," she said trying to hide the sorrow and guilt she felt.

"So, now, what do you do? Dawn and Buffy have tried to explain it to me once and well, I just don't get it."

"I have my own business as a Security Analyst. Companies pay me to come in and evaluate their computer network security and offer suggestions or advise them on how to improve their security so that they aren't hacked or so that internal theft doesn't occur. I've actually been doing a lot of traveling lately; I've met with three possible clients since I arrived in London a few days ago. I am headed back to Sunnydale in a few days, but today was a free day for me. I was going to go site seeing, but the rain was kind of a downer on that idea."

"Sounds like you love what you are doing. And I must say if anyone can protect against hackers it would be you."

"Thanks, I do like my job and working for myself, but some days it can be trying too. I think that is where working with Buffy comes in to fill the void and time that I have left over after work."

They ordered up coffee and snacks to her suite and spent the next several hours talking and working out their issues. She explained to Giles what went wrong and what she has done to fix it, she told him how she wished she could talk with Tara to at least apologize to her for what she had done and that she was still devoted and in love with the blonde though they have had no contact in over five years.

Giles felt a pang for the sorrow that Willow felt, but he wasn't going to break is pseudo-daughter’s confidence or divulge any information that would allow Willow access to Tara without her consent.

After they were done, Giles said his goodbyes and felt better about things with the redhead. He told her that he would be in Sunnydale in a couple months and asked if they could have dinner then, Willow agreed excitedly.

***

Tara was sitting on the sofa reading when Giles arrived home.

"Hey," she said looking up from her book.

"Hi," said Giles sheepishly. He wasn't sure why he felt guilty, but for some reason he did.

"Things must have gone better than you were planning."

"Tara, are you sure you are ok with the fact that I met with Willow? And yes, they did go better than I had planned"

"Yes, I’m ok with you meeting with Willow. Is she doing ok?"

"That is a loaded question. She is surviving; she still loves you and wants to at least see you to apologize. She looks good though."

"I see. I don't think I'm ready for seeing or talking to her just yet. Let me get used to the idea that you two are talking again and then I'll work from there."

"I understand," he said as he put a hand on her shoulder and gave it a small squeeze.

"So, dinner ideas?"

"I was thinking just snacking since it is just us again tonight and I was thinking of going out with Faith."

"Sounds good to me, less dishes and it is my week for dishes."

"Oh that is right, maybe I will have to try one of those new recipes that Dawn sent me," laughed the blonde.

"No, no, you said snacking and that is what it will be," laughed the Watcher.

“Are you ok with me going out? You don’t mind holding down the fort here for me,” said Tara.

“I think that is a lovely idea,” smiled Giles.

“Thanks Giles,” said Tara hugging the former Watcher.

***

“Hey Giles,” said Faith as she came into the flat.

“Hello Faith,” said the English man.

“Is Tara ready?”

“Be out in a minute,” called Tara from the other room.

“So, where are you guys going tonight?”

“Just to the pub, it’s open mic night and I’m going to get T up there again,” said Faith.

“I have no idea how it is that you are able to get her to do that,” said Giles.

“She’s mean and doesn’t play fair,” said Tara as she came into the room finishing putting her earrings in.

“Damn T, you look amazing,” said Faith.

“Why thank you,” said Tara who was dressed in a tight pair of black jeans and a long sleeved blue silk shirt with a black fitted vest. “I thought that if I was going to be your date I might as well look the part.”

“Yes dear, you look very beautiful tonight,” smiled Giles.

“I’ll have her home at a respectable hour I promise,” said Faith as they headed out the door.

“Your respectable or my respectable,” joked Giles.

“Mine,” laughed Tara as her and Faith headed out the door.

***

After arriving at the pub Faith and Tara found a spot in the front corner just off to the side of the stage to sit and Faith ordered them a drink.

“So, where was Giles today,” asked Faith.

“He um he went and met with Willow,” said Tara.

“He what,” exclaimed Faith. “Tara?”

“She was in town for business and had some free time and wanted to talk with him is all he told me which was really all I wanted to know.”

“Tara, it’s been five years,” started Faith. “Dawn says that she’s been clean since you left and the few times I’ve seen her in Sunnydale she’s looked good, and I mean Red hot good.”

“That may be Faith, but I just don’t know that I am ready yet,” said Tara.

“Tara, its been five years isn’t that a bit long to hold a grudge? I still think that you should just think about talking to her at least. You don’t need to kiss and make up T, just hear her out so that you can get some closure on this and then move on.”

“You know why this is still an issue and don’t pretend that you don’t.”

“I know, I know,” said Faith. “Enough arguing, how about we choose your song for tonight?”

“I was planning to be more of your hot groupie instead of singing,” smiled Tara.

“Your voice is better than mine,” said Faith.

“You don’t give yourself enough credit.”

“Come on Tara, you can still be my groupie and I’ll be yours,” begged Faith.

“Alright, alright, how about I do ‘Because of You’ – it seems fitting, but you still have to be my groupie?”

“Can I light my lighter too?”

“It’s expected, and required,” laughed Tara as Faith went and submitted their names and songs.

***

“Well, seeing Giles was nice, and since the rain has stopped maybe I should check out some of the night life here in London. Everyone always says that it is amazing and so alive,” thought Willow.

Willow checked with the front desk to find out where might be a good place to go, they recommended a pub about four blocks away so she headed over there. After getting a drink at the bar she found a place near the wall.

“Open mic night, this could be interesting,” Willow said to herself.

***

“Welcome ladies and gentlemen to open mic night,” said the announcer. “Remember, good or bad, there is no booing, cheering is allowed and recommended it is even encouraged. Let’s start this show with one of our regulars, give it up for Faith.”

Faith came out onto the stage with a guitar to a round of applause from the regulars and a wolf whistle from Tara.

“Thanks everyone, this one is for the sweetest most caring person I have ever had the pleasure to meet and get to know,” said Faith with a wink to Tara.

A fragile heart was broken before
I don't think it could endure another pain
But there's a voice from deep inside of you
That's calling out to make you realize

That this new bond gives inspiration
To all who feel no love appeal no more
So how can I break this wall around you
That's aiding both our hearts to grow in pain

So forget your past, and we can dream tomorrow
Save our hearts for card and lovin too
It's hard I know, but oh
One thing for sure
Don't go and break this fragile heart

Tara and Faith made eye contact and the blonde smiled but felt a tear roll down her face.

A hurting mind in need of emotion
I don't think I could endure another pain
But baby in you, I've found affection
Affection I have never felt before

So don't let your past destroy what comes tomorrow
Don't go and break my fragile heart

Willow was floored that it was the brunette Slayer. She had no clue that Faith could sing and sing THAT well on top of it all. As she watched Faith sing and tried to see who she was singing to, but the crowd was blocking her view. She had never seen this side of Faith before and she wasn’t sure what to make of it.

“Hey cutie, are you looking for some company,” a girl in jeans and a t-shirt asked Willow.

“No, not tonight, thanks,” she replied.

“Well, if you are enjoying Faith’s singing, you should stick around, I think her girlfriend is going to sing as well and she’s beyond hot and amazing.”

“Thanks, I may have to stick around for that.” Willow thought about what the girl said and was shocked when she realized that she said that Faith had a girlfriend, the brunette appeared to have changed quite a bit over the years. Willow wondered what it was that helped her make the changes.

With all this fire that burns between us
There's so much to lose
Yet so much more to gain
And if I could, choose the world around me
The world I'd choose would all revolve around you
So help me complete the game inside me
And help to mend my fragile heart

Willow hung around for a while and then she decided to call Buffy quick to let her know about Faith singing at the pub she was at. As her call to Buffy was ending she heard the announcer say that it was their last singer and they had truly saved the best for last she heard the crowd cheering and told Buffy she should listen in with her, she had heard that this singer was hot and amazing.

Tara walked onto the stage and sat down at the piano smiling at all the standing ovation and deafening applause she was receiving.

“Thank you everyone, I hope you enjoy the song, it has deep meaning for me,” said Tara as she started to play the piano.

I will not make the same mistakes that you did
I will not let myself
Cause my heart so much misery
I will not break the way you did,
You fell so hard
I've learned the hard way
To never let it get that far

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid

I lose my way
And it's not too long before you point it out
I cannot cry
Because I know that's weakness in your eyes
I'm forced to fake
A smile, a laugh everyday of my life
My heart can't possibly break
When it wasn't even whole to start with

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid

“You’ll have to come back with me sometime Buffy, this place is amazing,” Willow said as she was registering bits and pieces of the song being sung. “I’m going to head back to the hotel after this song, I’ll see you in a couple days though. Love you too Buff,” said Willow as she hung up and listened to the remainder of the song.

I watched you die
I heard you cry every night in your sleep
I was so young
You should have known better than to lean on me
You never thought of anyone else
You just saw your pain
And now I cry in the middle of the night
For the same damn thing

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I try my hardest just to forget everything
Because of you
I don't know how to let anyone else in
Because of you
I'm ashamed of my life because it's empty
Because of you
I am afraid

Because of you
Because of you

The crowd was cheering, Faith and half the crowd had lighters and cell phones lit up for Tara, Willow walked through and caught a side glimpse of the singer when there was a break in the crowd. Something was familiar, something pinged inside her, but she couldn’t place it, there was something about that singer. Willow tried to get another look, but the singer was being mobbed by Faith who wrapped her into a big hug and it looked like she kissed the girl and then they left the stage together. Willow was happy that Faith had found a girlfriend that she seemed to really care about.

Willow left and headed back to her hotel, the last song that was sung stuck with her, she felt like it was meant for her and she was trying to place why the glimpse of the singer rang so clear to her. After getting back to the hotel she looked up the song, read the lyrics and then downloaded it to listen to on the way home.

***

“T, you were amazing tonight,” said Faith as she noticed that Tara was shaking. “Tara, what’s wrong, are you ok,” asked Faith as she wrapped the blonde in her arms hoping to make her feel safe.

“Willow was here, she was in the audience,” whispered Tara.

“What,” exclaimed Faith understanding why Tara was panicking, she was also looking around to make sure that the redhead wasn’t coming to find them.

“She was leaving as the song ended, I don’t know if she recognized me, but she looked right at me,” shuddered Tara.

“Tara, lets get you out of here, I’m so sorry,” said Faith escorting Tara out one of the back doors.

“It isn’t your fault, you didn’t know,” said Tara still holding onto Faith for dear life.

“I knew she was in town and I know our luck, I should have figured that we’d run into her or see her.”

***

Tara and Faith walked quickly back to the flat, upon arriving Tara headed straight for the bathroom, after shaking so much she swore she was going to get sick.

“Tara,” asked a concerned Giles as she practically ran past him. “Faith?”

“We went to open mic night and after Tara finished her song she saw that Willow was there.”

“Oh dear lord,” started Giles. “Did she see you guys or confront her?”

“I don’t think she saw us, but we got the hell out of there in a hurry, but it really threw T for a loop. Giles, I’ve never seen Tara shake like she was tonight. It isn’t like her; she is the calmest person I have ever known.”

“That doesn’t sound good. Should we go check on her?”

“It’s my fault I’ll do it,” said Faith as she headed to check on Tara. “Tara?”

“I’ll be out in a minute,” said Tara as she washed her face again the shaking starting to subside.

When Tara came out Faith could tell she was still pretty unsettled and she reached out and wrapped the blonde into a hug.

“Tara, I’m so sorry, I know you said that I don’t have to be, but I am. You know I would never do anything to upset you no matter what and the fact that you are upset kills me. Do you want to go to your room or out by Giles?”

“Does Giles know what’s going on? And Faith, it isn’t your fault, stop blaming yourself!”

“Yeah, he’s pretty worried about you,” said Faith as they headed back to the living room where Giles was sitting.

“Tara, are you ok,” he asked.

“I’ll be ok, I just need to work through some um extra sensitive emotions. It’s been five years since I’ve even seen her, I just wasn’t prepared for it.”

“Do you think she knew it was you,” asked Giles.

“I think if she did we would know by now,” said Faith. “I mean Red would have tried to follow us or she’d have called you or shown up here by now.”

“I agree,” said Giles. “I think I’m going to turn in unless you need anything.”

“No, I’ll be fine,” smiled Tara. “Good night.”

“Night G-man,” smiled Faith.

“Tara, do you want me to hang around for a bit or stay tonight,” asked Faith.

“Please stay tonight,” said Tara offering a soft smile to the brunette.

“You got it. You sounded amazing tonight by the way,” smiled Faith.

“You set the bar pretty high,” laughed Tara.

“You still love her don’t you?”

“Always have and always will; she’s my soulmate, she completes me. And my loving her that was never the issue.”

“That’s what I don’t get. You love her so damn much, but you won’t see her, you’re a wreck after just seeing a glimpse of her, you have to get passed it and either go for her or let her go and move on with your life. I hate seeing you torture yourself like this. You are an amazing woman with so much to offer, you deserve someone that makes you happy and you can spend your life with. T, you deserve more than you are allowing yourself.”

“We’ve been through this all before Faith. I don’t like that I can’t move on, but actions have consequences and she chose magic over me, over us. She was my world but I wasn’t hers.”

“Tara, you know as well as I do that addiction is powerful, you know that if she had control of herself she would have picked you. Red isn’t an idiot, she knows how amazing and beautiful you are.”

“I’m not that amazing and beautiful Faith, you’re biased.”

“I’m only biased because I know that you deserve happiness and I want to see you happy. You are the only one that ever gave me a fighting chance in that group, you are my best friend. I love you T and it kills me to see you so unhappy.”

“I love you too and I appreciate your support and someday it will happen,” smiled Tara as she stifled a yawn.

“And with that I think it’s bedtime for you blondie,” said Faith pulling the blonde up from the couch and leading her back to her room.

“You don’t have to sleep on the pullout, I know it isn’t comfy, there is plenty of room next to me, I promise to behave and not kick or grope you.”

“Thanks, but I’m ok over here,” said Faith.

That night Tara dreamed of Willow, she found them and had gone back dark magic, her hair was black, she was dressed in black, her eyes were black, she was trying to kill her and everyone in London. She wanted revenge for the secrets and lies, she wasn’t going to let anyone make a fool out of her. Tara awoke with a semi-muted scream, heavy breathing, and shaking.

Faith’s slayer hearing heard the blonde wake up and she was up and over to Tara’s bed holding her by the time the blonde had sat up and sucked in a deep breath.

“T?”

“Nightmare,” said Tara softly trying to catch her breath.

“No shit, now talk to me,” said Faith holding onto the shaking blonde.

Tara told Faith about her dream and Faith eventually managed to get Tara to lay down and rest and she stayed next to her, holding her for the remainder of the night.

***

A couple days later Willow flew back to the states, still trying to figure out what about that night was haunting her; something about that singer and that song was still nagging at her, she just couldn’t place why though. When she got back to Sunnydale she talked to Buffy about it, but neither could figure out why the night was bothering the redhead.

***

A month passed and Dawn was packing to come and spend part of her Spring Break in London. She was pleased that Buffy hadn't been mad enough to take that away from her.

"So, are you all packed?"

"Huh," jumped Dawn as she hadn't heard her Willow come up the stairs.

"Sorry to startle you, I was just asking if you were all packed and ready for your trip to London," smiled the redhead leaning in the doorway.

"Oh, just about. I just have to pack my carry-on bag and then I'm done."

"Great, Buffy said she had to work, and I have a business trip to head out on so we'll be heading to the airport together later."

"Great," smiled Dawn feeling guilty because she knew she was going to see Tara and Willow had no clue but missed the blonde daily. "Where are you headed?"

"London as a layover and then on to Paris, I'm on the flight that leaves just after yours," said the redhead. "Are you taking your camera? I didn't get a lot of time to sight see when I was there due to the rain, but I wished I had taken some pictures."

"Yeah, I know, it is an amazing city. I'll have to take some shots for you while I'm there. I know that Giles
had talked about us hitting a few of the museums and stuff."

"You really like it there don't you? You glow whenever you talk about visiting."

"I do, plus I love spending time with Giles."

"Yeah, I have to say that when I spoke with him it was nice. I've missed it over the years and didn't realize how much. I'll let you get finished and we'll leave in an hour or so."

"Thanks Willow," Dawn said and hugged the redhead.

Dawn finished packing and they headed off to the airport.

***

_________________
~ Branny72
I found younger-me still exists in the archives as SlayerTazz...
Mending Fences | The One Where Everyone Has a Go |Actions and Consequences | Meant To Be

New fic and i m the first!! Loved the begining. Waiting for willow tara goodness...

I read this in another site and am excited to find it here too.

I like the start and look forward to where you go from here.

_________________
Heather aka vampyregurl73 aka Riverwillows73

My stories:
"Dry Heat – In Progress (still)" "Penny Arcade - Completed"

My Fic Challenge entries:
"Fireworks" "Promise" "I Did What Last Night?"

Very interesting start. I'm looking forward to more.

Hmmm. Very interesting start. I have to admit that I kept expecting to find out a big secret like that Tara has a child by Willow or some other way and Willow knows nothing about it. Interesting that the girl at the bar thinks Faith and Tara are an item. I love the Giles/Tara/Faith dynamic. I'm interested to read more.

_________________
Menorah Tales | Working It Out | Random Bits

I like how this starts. I want to know why someone always has to be t home, and how Willow couldn't have recognized Tara.

_________________
Atlantic Antics Meeting Expectations
Learning to Laugh What I Discovered at Band Camp

lilyred: I promise Willow Tara goodness is on the way…

vampyregurl73: Yeah, I am posting it on another site…it has been a LOOOONG time since I posted on the Kitten board – happy to be back.

MochaVamp: Thanks for reading!!

JustSkipIt: I hope you enjoy Chapter 2…

taranwillow4ever: Glad you liked the start – some secrets are revealed in Chapter 2.

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Title: Actions and Consequences
By: Branny72
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these Characters, just borrowed them and wish I did own them.
Rating: PG-13 - NC-17 (will vary per chapter) – PG-13 This Chapter (some bad words)
Couples: W/T
Summary: AU – Tara didn’t die she left town…set 5 years after Tara left…Actions have consequences, everyone has to live by their choices.
Feedback: Pretty please…I’m flying without wings here - no beta reader…I’m my own worst critic and well I’m not sure this fic it good, but I’m hoping!!
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Chapter 2

"When is she going to be here?" said the redhead sitting on her mom’s shoulders so that she could see above the crowd.

"Soon, you have to have patience," laughed her mother.

"I don't want to have patience, I want to have her here," said the little girl.

"I know you do sweetie, we both do. Her plane landed and she just hasn’t been let off yet. She’ll be in soon though.”

“How do you know that,” asked the little girl.

“Well, I have been reading the board on the wall and it says that her flight is next.”

"Mommy, I see her, I see Auntie Dawn," bounce the redhead as she squealed and saw Dawn heading their way.

Tara saw Dawn and waited for her to get closer before pulling her daughter off her shoulders and then holding the little girl back until Dawn was close enough that she knew the little one wouldn't get trampled then she let her go.

"Auntie Dawn, Auntie Dawn," squealed the little girl as she ran to greet the one she had been waiting for.

“Hey Squirt,” Dawn said as she scooped the little redhead up into her arms and started to tickle her as she watched Tara walk up to them laughing.

"Hey you," laughed Tara. "How was your flight?"

Dawn put the little girl in one arm and hugged Tara with the other. "Hey, the flight was ok, getting off that was a bit more trying and I am VERY happy to be in here."

Dawn then hoisted the little girl up in the air as high as she could and held her there for a minute while she giggled and asked to be put down.

Giles and Faith walked up and hugged the teen and he took her bag from her as the five of them started to leave, Tara put her arm around Dawn who as she held onto the squirming 4 year old occasionally hoisting her into the air and making her giggle more.

Willow's flight had also arrived and had been sitting on the tarmac as well. As she entered the terminal she saw Dawn, Faith, and Giles leaving with a blonde woman laughing with her arm around Dawn, and all her senses and her gut told her it was Tara, but she wanted to doubt herself. Dawn wouldn't keep this from her; she wouldn't hide the fact that she knew where Tara was and that she had been seeing Tara for possibly years.

Tara felt Willow inside the terminal, she could still sense her and after all these years, she forced herself to keep moving forward and trying to step into the crowds to hide herself as much as she could.

"Mommy, what's wrong?" said the four year old.

"Nothing sweetie," she said smiling softly at her daughter.

"That isn't your nothing face."

"Tara?" questioned Giles as Dawn and Faith looked her way.

"I felt Willow when we were in the terminal. I guess our connection is still there after all these years."

"She was flying in today too for a connection to Paris, but her flight was leaving after mine, I didn't think to mention it because I didn't think she would be that close behind us, though I didn’t think we’d be sitting on the tarmac for a while either. I am so sorry Tara. Do you think she saw us? All of us?"

"Tara," a questioning voice came from behind them answering Dawn's question.

Tara stopped in her tracks, motioning for Dawn to keep moving and get the kid out of there and for Giles to move with them. She wasn't ready for Willow to see the child. Slowly she turned around and met the emerald eyes she had been dreaming about and missing for the past five years.

"Willow," said the blonde trying to keep her composure feeling Faith still her side as support.

"I, how? When," she sputtered unable to make a coherent thought her eyes filling with tears. She had missed Tara so much and couldn’t believe that she was here in front of her.

"Not here, not now, please," pleaded Tara hoping to avoid a scene, willing her eyes to not let the tears flow, she felt Faith put her hand on her arm.

"I-I-I respect that," Willow found herself saying. "Where? When? Please, give me a chance, please can we talk?"

“Hey Red,” said Faith trying to give a little distraction to give Tara time to breathe and think.

“Hey Faith,” said Willow her eyes never leaving Tara.

“Tara, you need to face this, you are strong enough to do this,” whispered Faith into Tara’s ear hoping the blonde knew she only had her best interests at heart.

Taking in a deep breath she knew this day would come at some point and she needed to face the music. After her minor breakdown from seeing the redhead a month ago she knew she needed to get this over with at some point and sooner would definitely be better than later.

"Dawn said you were headed to Paris, when is your connecting flight or when are you coming back through," asked Tara letting out the breath she had been holding.

"Um, let me check," said the redhead pulling out her phone and checking her schedule. "I've got a four hour layover here and then I'll be coming back through in three days."

"Let me get Dawn and Giles on their way and then we can go to my office, it's about 10 minutes from here, and talk."

"Ok," said the redhead as she was still trying to process Tara being here and Dawn knowing it. “I can’t believe that Dawn knew she was here and never told me, and why are Faith and Tara so close, oh my god I will die if she is dating her…ew! Changed or not, it is not going to be acceptable,” thought Willow as she watched Tara walk to the car.

“T, are you sure? Do you want me to go with you,” asked Faith as they walked over to Giles car containing Tara’s family.

“You said I needed to face this - I need to do this on my own, just be around for whatever the fallout is,” Tara said with a weak smile as she squeezed Faith’s hand.

"Tara?" said Giles concerned about her.

"Mommy, whose that lady and why did she upset everyone?"

"Tara, I am so sorry, I had no idea," pleaded a very panicked Dawn.

"I'm ok Giles, Dawn, I know you didn't and I don't blame you. As for you little one that is someone from Mommy's past that she hasn't seen or spoken to in a very long time. I am going to go to my office and talk with her and I'll meet you guys at home. Will you be good for Grandpa, Aunt Faith and Auntie Dawn?"

"Only if I can get a hug and kiss to know that you are really alright, I don’t like feeling you upset Mommy," said the little girl.

"Come here baby girl. I promise that I am ok and that when I get home we’ll have a whole lot of fun celebrating Auntie Dawn being here," said Tara doing her best to make sure that Willow didn't see or get a hint about the little girl, thankful that Faith was standing nearby blocking most of Willows view as well.

"Tara, are you sure about this,” asked Giles

"Giles, I knew it was going to happen sooner or later, we got too close when she was here the last time. I'll be ok, just get her home and we'll talk when I get there. Please?"

"Very well," he said not liking the thought of leaving her.

“Faith, I need you to go with them, I have no clue how this is going to go, but if it goes ugly I need you to protect her.”

“Anything you want Tara,” said Faith as she hugged the blonde and got into the front seat of the car and looked to see Willow intently watching them.

"I'm so sorry," was all Dawn could say.

"Dawnie, it isn't your fault, fate apparently has deemed that it is time for us to face one another. Take care of her until I get home please, she's missed you a lot." With that Tara gave them all a forced smile and turned to face Willow and the talk she'd been dreading for over five years, even more since her almost run-in with Willow a month prior.

***

Tara watched her family drive away and then turned and headed over to Willow.

“Let’s get a cab to the office, it’ll be quicker,” said Tara.

Willow followed Tara to the line of cabs and they got in one Tara gave the driver the address and then they sat in silence as they rode to the little store tucked away in the quaint streets of London. Willow smiled when she saw the sign "Brigid’s Box" there was a closed sign in the window but the store seemed like it was relatively established and she suspected that Tara had been here for a while. They exited the cab and Tara unlocked the store and they went inside and she locked the door again.

"I’m not here all that often, but I have an office in the back, we can talk in there. Can I get you something to eat or drink? We don't have much, but..."

"No, thank you," Willow managed to get out; her mind was still racing trying to figure out why Tara was in London, why Dawn knew and didn’t tell her, and what her relationship was with Faith, did she move on to her? Was that why Dawn hadn’t mentioned Tara living in London? And how amazing Tara looked in the faded blue jeans and well-fitting red t-shirt.

As they made their way back to the office Willow looked around at the store and made mental notes of the differences between Tara’s store and the Magic Box. The office was decorated to be very comfortable and relaxed, there were some fairy lights strung around the room a true Tara must have. Tara motioned for Willow to have a seat on the couch as she took a seat at the opposite end.

"You've been here a while," stated the redhead.

"Yes," the blonde said as she hid behind her hair.

"Tara, you don't have to hide from me. You don't owe me anything, I know I screwed up, I know it is my fault, I just wanted an opportunity to tell you that I'm sorry and I did finally figure it out."

"Willow," interrupted the blonde.

"No really; I have had a lot of time to think about what I did and what all happened back then. I will never forgive myself for violating you and hurting you the way I did. I had no right and what I did was no different than what Glory did," stated Willow as a tear rolled down her face. “I also will regret for the rest of my life being too stupid and choosing the addiction over you and over us.”

"Only part of that statement is true. What you did was very different than what Glory did and you aren’t stupid."

"Not really, we both robbed you of your memories and your free will to make decisions for yourself. I am sorry and I have no clue how much you know about what happened with the addiction, or how bad it got after you left."

"It was never discussed when I was around; it wasn’t because I didn’t care, it was because it hurt too much. Until the day you met with Giles here in London nobody really mentioned your name or the past to me, at my request. Well, nobody but Faith, she has spent the better part of a year trying to convince me to talk to you."

"Um Faith has? Wow,” said the redhead unsure why the brunette would be on her side or trying to help her at least, or was she trying to get Tara to move on to her or had she already moved on to Faith and was this just for the final closure. “How long have you been living here? You don't have to answer of course, but you know my curiosity."

"I've been living with Giles for over five years now. And yes, Dawnie obviously has known, but please, don't be mad at her or hold it against her. She was respecting my wishes and well, I told her, Faith and Giles if they told anyone I would disappear and they wouldn't ever know where I was nor see me again."

"No, I understand, kinda. I'm glad that you still had family around you."

"You look like life is treating you well," smiled the blonde. "Giles didn't tell me much about your meeting other than you were surviving and that at some point you wanted to talk with me."

"He was right, I'm surviving, I have my own business and a typical work week is about 85+ hours and then helping Buffy," said the redhead. "That takes up most of my time."

"Will, that is a lot of hours to be working, that isn’t healthy."

"I know, but I need to keep myself busy, if I don't I just sit and throw myself a pity party about what a mess I made of my life."

"Will, you have to be grateful for the things you have in your life, don't dwell on the stuff you can't control."

"I wish it were that easy for me Tara," the redhead’s heart fluttered as she said Tara's name. "You know how my mind works and well, I don't deserve the happiness that others deserve."

"That's bullshit and you know it," countered the blonde. "You deserve as much happiness as anyone else. You can’t punish yourself for the rest of your life, at some point you have to forgive yourself. Will, can I ask you something and get a honest answer?"

"You can ask anything, I'll let you know if I'm able to answer it or not."

"Fair enough. How long after I left did you stop using magic?"

"I stopped the magic cold turkey a week after you left; I haven't used it since then, any of it. I doubt I could float a pencil anymore. Stopping was the easy part, it was the withdrawal that almost killed me - literally."

"I've heard that it can be hard, I'm glad you were able to do it though," Tara said with a lopsided smile that made Willow’s heart skip a beat.

"Me too, it was the longest 10 months of my life. I owe a lot to Buffy and Dawn for helping me survive it.”

“It took you 10 months to go through withdrawal?”

“Yep, I don’t know how people survive doing that multiple times, once was enough for me. So is this your store or do you and Giles own it together?"

"It's one of mine, I have a three others scattered around the UK as well."

"Wow, that's impressive, I always knew you were destined to succeed. I love the name too, Brigid’s Box, paying homage to your Celtic heritage?"

"I don’t think that I was destined to succeed as you put it, I had to grow up a little faster than I had planned, and I had to make some choices along the way that worked to my advantage. And yes for the store name, plus the Magic Box was taken by Giles and Anya."

“You seem happy, I always hoped you were. I’m still in shock seeing you and that Faith was trying to get you to talk to me.”

“She’s a pretty amazing person when she lets her guard down and allows people in to get to know the real true Faith,” smiled Tara.

“When I heard her sing when I was here last month, I could tell she had changed by the song she sang,” Willow said thinking about that night and feeling a pang in her heart as she remembered the girl telling her that Faith’s girlfriend was hot and a better singer and now thinking that had to be Tara. “Were you the one she dedicated the song to?”

“Yes,” blushed the blonde.

“Are you two…er how long have you two been a couple? Someone that was um kinda hitting on me at the pub said that Faith had a girlfriend...”

“No, no, she is just someone I’ve become close friends with, there is nothing romantic between us,” said Tara. “I saw you that night, after I finished my song, I saw you leaving,” she admitted.

“That was you? The closing act,” said Willow finally making the connection.

“Yeah.”

“I only saw a glimpse mostly hair of the person who was on stage before they were being hugged by Faith, it has been bothering me for a month on why that glimpse had such an impact. And that song has haunted me since that night as well. Guess I know now why. Your voice is even more amazing now than it was years ago.”

Willow was scanning the office, the books, the desk, the shelves, when her eye caught a set of pictures, partially hidden on the bookshelf behind Tara, there was one of Dawn and a newborn baby, one of Dawn and a little redhead, and then there was a picture of Tara, Giles, Faith, and the little red haired girl that looked a lot like her only with amazing blue eyes that matched Tara’s. She was transfixed by the pictures and couldn't take her eyes off them.

Tara followed Willow's eyes and then saw what she was looking at. "Dammit" resounded in her mind she had totally forgotten about that those pictures were up in the office. She had been cleaning the office and moved them from her desk to the shelf and never put them back. She was hoping that Willow wouldn’t ask or would just let it go, but she knew better.

"T-T-Tara, the pictures behind you..." Willow couldn't seem to make her mind and her mouth work together; she was drawn to and captivated by the pictures.

Tara reached up and grabbed the pictures and stared smiling at them for a minute running her finger over the little girl in the picture smiling and then handed it over to Willow. She now knew she was going to have to have that other part of their talk that she REALLY didn't know if she was strong enough to have yet.

"A close friend of mine took the two with Dawn in them and Dawn took that picture a little over a year ago when she was here," she started. “She has quite an eye with the camera.”

"The little girl?"

"That is my daughter Ceri," was all she said and let it soak into the redheads mind as she stared at a piece of lint on the floor and hid behind her hair.

"You're daughter? How? When? Oh my god, she was at the airport today, that was why Giles and Dawn bee lined for the car." Willow hadn’t seen the little girl when she was scanning the crowd for Dawn after her flight was allowed into the terminal.

"Yes, she’s my daughter, she is four years old, and she is my world. I have never felt as blessed as I did the day she came into my life."

"Does she have a father or another mother? I guess I shouldn’t be surprised about the fact that you would have found someone else. You are the most beautiful woman I know I’ve ever seen." ‘Are you flirting with her? Why would you torture yourself like that,’ thought Willow

"Will, there has never been anyone other than you. I haven't dated, haven't wanted to date since everything happened in Sunnydale; not for the lack of trying between the trio of pest that I have been surrounded by. I think Giles, Faith, and even Dawn have tried to set me up on more dates than I care to count, but I just haven’t been interested, and with Ceri I’m not bringing someone into her life that isn’t going to be there to stay. She's too young to understand if it didn’t work out and that wouldn't be fair to her at all."

"Is it just me, but um doesn’t she look a lot like me?"

"It isn’t just you that thinks that and there is a good reason. She’s our daughter Will, I don’t know how or why or anything, Giles and I have been trying to figure that out since the day I found out I was pregnant. She was born with that bright red hair and freckles. After she was born Giles and the council did some sort of witchy DNA test and confirmed we were her parents.”

“M-M-My daughter? Are you telling me that I’ve had a daughter for over four years that nobody has bothered to tell me about? Nobody bothered to think that I had a right to know! There is no excuse for that,” yelled Willow as her face turned a deep shade of red.

“Willow, calm down,” said the blonde.

“Calm down? Tara how the fuck do you expect me to calm down when you just told me that we have a child together and YOU didn’t have the decency to tell me about her? Do Dawn, and Faith, know she is our child,” snapped the redhead her face had turned so red with anger it matched her hair.

“Look at her Will, do you honestly think that there is any doubt in their mind as to who her parents are? Seriously? She looks just like you and has my eyes. Hmmm, not to hard to figure out there is it. Anyone who knows us should be able to figure it out. Unless they were dumb and or blind,” said Tara with a lot more venom than she had planned.

“Why the hell didn’t anyone tell me? I had a right to know,” she said as her voice caught in her throat, the hurt very apparent.

“We didn’t tell you because I wasn’t ready to see or deal with you. You hurt me…badly…”

“So you kept my daughter away from me as punishment? That is pretty cold hearted Tara, especially for you. If you were trying to hurt me the way I hurt you, I think you succeeded…”

“No Willow, I’m not that cold hearted of a person, I just didn’t know if I could deal with seeing you or have you a part of our life if you weren’t going to stay clean. You were still going through you withdrawal while I became pregnant and throughout my pregnancy. I’m guessing that Ceri was born within a month or so of your withdrawal ending from what you’ve told me. Would you have put a child into the hands of someone like that? Would you have entrusted a baby to that? I know I sure as hell wasn’t going to risk her and you having a relapse.”

“No, I wouldn’t, but I’ve been clean and done with withdrawal symptoms for over four years Tara, you had ample time to tell me,” said the redhead conceding that Tara was partially right for not telling her, but not completely.

“I know that, but I still wasn’t ready to see you, hell I had a panic attack a month ago when I saw you at the pub. I know I screwed up by not telling you, I own that responsibility, but we can continue to argue about this and piss one another off or we can maybe try to salvage something for Ceri’s sake and figure out how this happened and what the future can hold. It is your call…I’m done arguing…”

“I’d like to salvage something, for our sake and for hers,” Willow said calming herself to match Tara’s tone, but feeling the anger still churning a bit inside.

“I would like that too,” said Tara.

“So what do you know about getting pregnant or what have you guys pieced together so far?”

“The only thing we’ve had to go on was that two months before I found out I was two months pregnant I had a very interesting dream that you were involved in, but I can't think of nor can we figure out how a dream would have caused her to look like you or me to get pregnant. We’ve been stumped for years, Will."

"What was the dream? If you don’t mind telling me about it,” asked Willow.

"I dreamed in very vivid detail about when we dealt with Sweet, the singing demon, and about my um, singing to you and well how we spent the rest of that day. Then the dream morphed into me being pregnant and then us having a little red hair, blue eyed child who happened to look EXACTLY like Ceri." Tara saw Willows eyes widen and her breath catch and then her skin paled more than Tara thought it could. "Will? What is it? Are you ok? Do you have an idea?"

"I had that same dream after you left, and I may have an idea that could solve your mystery or give you another route to search," the redhead said and looked down at the pictures shame washing over her face.

"Will, explain please, because I have spent over four years trying to figure out or understand this."

"The night I had that dream I fell asleep holding the doll eye crystal you gave me...I think or fear that my subconscious was over active with missing you, and the withdrawals and again I ruined your life and caused this."

"Will, whether you caused this or not, Ceri has and could never ruin my life. That little girl is my world, I'll die for her gladly before I let anyone hurt her or take her away from me.” Tara reached up and pulled down a book that was above where the pictures had been. The book was on Dolls Eye Crystals. “Guess I should take this home for some light reading and research. Thank you for offering up what sounds like a viable place to start figuring out what may have happened, I am very grateful for that. We have been at a standstill for so long that I am happy to have a new starting point."

“Glad I could do something right,” mumbled Willow.

“Will, you do a lot right, self-pity doesn’t fit you. You gave me the most beautiful, amazing, adorable little girl there is. That isn’t doing anything wrong.”

“You, you, really are happy being a mom aren’t you,” said Willow.

“That I am, and now that you know about Ceri we now have to accept that so are you,” said Tara as she saw Willow’s eyes bulged and she started to hyperventilate as the reality of what they had just discussed and what had just been revealed to her set in and Willow-babble-mind kicked in.

"Will, relax, take a couple deep breathes." Tara tried to calm the shocked redhead down. “Ok, now take a couple more slow deep breathes.”

"Tara, how can you be calm about this?"

"Simple, I’ve looked at her face every day for over four years and seen you looking back at me, I also know us fighting isn’t going to do her any good, nor is it going to do us any good. I can see that you have changed, we wouldn’t be here talking especially alone if I didn’t think you’d changed. Mostly though I know that no matter what, I love that little girl more than anything and I know that her and I can survive anything. I never thought I'd be saying these words, but I don't expect anything from you in regards to Ceri. We have a good life; she is well loved and will never want for anything. Grandpa Giles, Aunt Faith, and Auntie Dawn have made certain of that. Sometimes against my wishes, but they all love her dearly."

"Dawn," said Willow in a whisper. "You and Ceri are why she loves coming here so often and why she says she never takes any pictures, but any other time she has hundreds to document a trip."

"Oh, Dawn takes hundreds of pictures, but yes, I'm sure she hasn't shared them because most of them have Ceri in them. I try to avoid her camera, though she still somehow manages to catch in a few me every visit."

"W-W-Who else?"

"Who else what? I'm not following."

"Who else in the Scoobies knows anything?"

"Dawn and Giles are the only two that know about Ceri, Buffy learned last month that I was here in London living with Giles, she wasn’t told about Ceri or how long I’ve been here. Nobody else knows a thing. I don't even email with anyone other than Dawn. Faith has obviously known for a few years now, but she was never one that you guys called a Scooby nor would she say anything."

"I er we have a daughter..." Willows mind was on overload her mind went back into Willow-babble mode.

Tara got up and grabbed Willow a bottle of water from the small fridge across the room. The redhead took a few sips then looked back up that the blonde with tears in her eyes.

"Tara," she said. "I want to be a part of her life, I want to get to know my daughter."

"Willow, I'm not certain..."

"Please Tara. I have a right to know her… I won't interfere in your life...but please…you owe me this much…"

"That isn't what I'm worried about. I won't lie to her about who you are, I won't do either of you that disservice, but I need to figure out how to approach it and what I am comfortable with it meaning."

"Thank you..." Willow said still staring at the pictures of all of them and her daughter, their daughter. “Tara she is so beautiful. What’s she like? Did she get anything else from me other than the red hair and freckles? God there is so much that I want to know about her.”

"Easy there, just take a couple deep breathes. Will, do you need to make your connection tonight or um can you adjust it to leave tomorrow?"

"I can adjust it, I can even cancel the meeting if you want. This was going to be a fluff job for me anyway. Just tell me what you want me to do."

"I won't ask you to cancel the meeting, but if you can move your flight to tomorrow, I'm willing for you if you are willing to come meet Ceri and start to get to know her. We can talk with Giles about the dream and dolls eye crystal."

"Really? Thank you," Willow was still in shock, but a few tears rolled down her face. She pulled out her cellphone and after a few minutes of playing with it she put it away. "My flight and meeting have been changed. I moved the flight to tomorrow and the meeting to the next day."

"Great, then I guess we should get out of here. If you think you are ready, otherwise we can wait a bit. I know that this is a lot to take in and we still have a bit before Ceri will start to worry as to why I’m not home."

“It is, but I’m ready, I want to meet her,” Willow said nodding to the blonde.

Tara and Willow left the store and headed towards the flat Tara shared with their daughter and Giles.

***

"Just to make sure you are ready Giles, Dawn, and Faith are also going to be here. Are you ready for that as well as meet Ceri?"

Willow audibly gulped, "No, but I don't know that I would ever be ready to face them. Are they going to hate me? Do they hate me?"

"No, they aren’t going to hate you nor do they hate you now. Will, they love that little girl almost as much as I do. I think I even over the years I’ve caught Dawn two or three times trying to smuggle her out to take her back to Sunnydale."

"Yeah, but I'm the reason for her, well, me and magic; and now I want to be in her life and get to know her," the redhead said to her feet.

"Yes, you may be the reason, and that means we have a lot to discuss, but you also gave me something to live for when I was really ready to give up and go back to the shy hide in the corner girl I was when you first met me."

“You were ready to give up all that progress?”

“I was lost Will, I didn’t know how to move on with my life, but then I had someone else that I was responsible for and I had a purpose.”

“Wow, is she what you meant when you said you had to grow up faster than you planned,” asked Willow as Tara nodded. “Ok, I think I’m ready.”

“Ok, take a deep breath,” said Tara as she turned from Willow towards the door.

*****
TBC…
*****

_________________
~ Branny72
I found younger-me still exists in the archives as SlayerTazz...
Mending Fences | The One Where Everyone Has a Go |Actions and Consequences | Meant To Be

Dibs!
I can understand why Tara did what she did and I'm glad that they talk and Willow get to see her daughter. I hope that the rest of the Scooby's take it better then Willow. And now that Willow is trying to reconnect with Tara form a relationship with Ceri I'm wondering what will Tara do will she move back to Sunnydale with Willow or will she stay in England?

Interesting start so far. I will definitely be coming back to read more.

Great update

Willow_Friendly: You have to wait a little bit longer to find out the reaction of the Sunnydale group, but I hope you enjoy Willow meeting Ceri.

love_2003: Hope you enjoy the latest chapter.

lilyred: Glad you liked the update, plenty more to come…

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Title: Actions and Consequences
By: Branny72
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these Characters, just borrowed them and wish I did own them.

Rating: PG-13 - NC-17 (will vary per chapter) – PG-13 This Chapter (some bad words)

Couples: W/T
Summary: AU – Tara didn’t die she left town…set 5 years after Tara left…Actions have consequences, everyone has to live by their choices.

Feedback: Pretty please…I’m flying without wings here - no beta reader…I’m my own worst critic and well I’m not sure this fic it good, but I’m hoping!!
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Chapter 3

“Honey, I’m home,” called Tara as she opened the door and her and Willow entered the flat.

"Mommy!" Screamed the little girl as she ran full speed and leapt into Tara's arms.

"Hey baby girl, were you good for Grandpa and Auntie Dawn," asked Tara as she stood up hugging her daughter close and placing a kiss on the tip of her nose and tickling her.

"She was the angel she always is," said Giles proudly from the living room. "Hello Willow."

"Hey," was all she could say as she watched Tara and Ceri laughing together. She felt an arm wrap around her shoulders and looked to see Dawn standing next to her.

"Hey Will, kind of an incredible sight those two together isn't it?"

"Definitely, Tara looks so alive," she said with a small sigh.

"I can't believe you are here, you must have had one hell of an apology or conversation you guys had."

"Dawn, language," said Tara with a glare.

"Sorry," Dawn whispered looking sheepishly.

Faith was watching Willow closely to ensure the safety of both Tara and Ceri. She knew the redhead shouldn’t be a danger, but she just got a couple of good shocks and that is when relapses tended to happen. And she wasn’t about to let anything happen to them, she loved them and they accepted her as part of the family.

“Mommy, who is that,” asked Ceri pointing towards Dawn and Willow.

Tara was still holding her daughter in her arms as she walked over to where Dawn and Willow stood.

"Ceri, this is Willow, she lives with Auntie Dawn in Sunnydale and her and I used to be really close. Willow, this is my daughter Ceri."

"Hi," said the little girl as she extended her hand.

"Hi, nice to meet you," Willow said as she shook the little girls hand.

“You have pretty red hair like I do,” said Ceri.

“Yes I do,” smiled Willow.

“Did you and Mommy have a good talk so now everyone won’t be upset?”

“I think we did,” answered Willow as she felt the eyes all move to look at her, all but Tara’s who’s eyes were staring at the floor.

“Good, because I don’t like feeling Mommy upset,” said Ceri as she hugged Tara causing a smile to cross Tara’s face.

“I promise that I will do my best not to upset her anymore,” replied Willow as she watched the loving exchange between mother and daughter.

"Dawn, can you take Ceri into her room and play? Willow and I need to talk to Giles about some stuff."

"Sure. Alright kiddo, wanna go play in your room?"

"No, but I will. Willow, will you still be here when I get done playing in my room," asked the little girl very curious about this new person that was able to upset everyone earlier.

"I..." Willow didn't know how to answer the question and looked to Tara for help.

"She will sweetie, Willow is going to stay here tonight so you will see her and be able to get to know her tonight and some tomorrow." Tara didn't see the look that was exchanged between Faith and Giles.

"Yay! Come on Auntie Dawn..." Ceri said and grabbed Dawn's hand and dragged her towards her room.

"Well, now that they are gone, what do we need to talk about," started Giles as Tara, Willow, and Faith moved to the living room.

They all sat in the living room and the girls filled Giles in on the dreams and the doll eye crystal and their theories on how Tara got pregnant. Tara also gave Giles the book she brought home from the store on Dolls Eye Crystals.

“Way to go Red! Hey, it’s a girl,” laughed Faith as Willow blushed and which also elicited Faith a glare from Tara.

"Well, I have to say that without doing any research it definitely sounds feasible. I must say also that you girls are dealing with this much better than I would have imagined."

"Being in shock helps," replied Willow.

"There was a fair amount of yelling at first, but we pretty much made this more about what is best for Ceri and not us," said Tara.

"What do you mean?" asked Giles and Willow agreed with her.

"Well, Willow and I were talking, then she saw the pictures of Ceri, and we never did discuss anything other than her after that.”

"Yeah I guess we did kinda stop talking about the other stuff after I saw the pictures," Willow agreed.

"For now can we just keep it like this? Keep it about Ceri and figure that part out and then we can discuss anything with us. She is always my top priority."

"Sure."

"Alright then, research or dinner?" said Giles.

"I'll start dinner, you cooked last night," Tara said as she got up from where she was sitting. "Why don’t you guys just talk and relax."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Giles, I'm sure," Tara said with a playful laugh as she headed off to the kitchen.

Faith got up and followed Tara into the kitchen. “How are you really doing T?”

“I’m ok, or in shock, not sure which, maybe both apply.”

“Do you need help with dinner?”

“No, why don’t you go hang with Giles and Willow. She knows you are a big part of our life. She even liked the song you sang last month,” said Tara as she gave the dark haired Slayer a hug and nudged her to go back into the other room.

“Ok, I’ll go, but if you need help or to talk, I’ll be in here in a heartbeat.” With that Faith went back and joined Giles and Willow.

*****

"How are you doing?" Giles asked Willow.

"I'm in shock to be honest. I left Sunnydale headed a business meeting in Paris, and then I see Tara, I actually get to talk to her - something I never imagined in my life I'd ever get to do again, and then I find out that we have a child together, oh and Tara asked me to stay to meet this amazing little girl. Giles, you can’t write stories like this."

"It does sound a bit overwhelming when you put it that way."

"Giles, be honest is Tara living here why you distanced yourself from me? Is that why I always felt that you were let down and disappointed with me? I’m not trying to put you on the spot, I am just wondering," Willow blurted out.

"Not at first. When I first heard what happened I blamed myself for pushing you to learn magic and not learning the fundamentals to do it properly. The shame from that made me start to distance myself. Although then after Tara moved here and then when Ceri came into the picture, Tara became like a daughter to me, then I think I pulled away to protect them. She's already been through enough bad in her life, think I wanted to protect them both from any more coming into it or at least as much as I could."

"I'm sorry I hurt her Giles, I know I can't make up for that, but I swear to you that I will never hurt her again nor will I hurt Ceri."

"I know that Willow, but it will take time to prove yourself. Tara will see it and she has grown a lot in her own right and you may be surprised the incredible woman she's become."

“I’ve always known she was an incredible woman Giles. Um, Faith, Tara told me that you have been trying to get her to talk with me for a while now. I’m not sure why, but thank you!”

“Hey, she has been sitting in limbo (by her own doing) for five years it was time for her to resolve this in one way or another, and neither Giles nor Dawn were going to push her – someone had to do it. I’m used to being the bad guy, so I did it.”

“You aren’t the bad guy, from what Tara has told me, you’ve changed quite a bit too and I believe that you did it out of caring.”

“How can you not become a better person being around her? She’s an amazing woman, mother, role model, and she has something about her that just makes you want to be a better person.”

Faiths statements hit the other two deeply and they nodded in agreement with her.

*****

Tara started dinner then stood leaning in the kitchen doorway watching the three talking and wondering what she was getting herself into. She knew she had to be careful for Ceri's sake, but she needed to remember to protect herself as well, she couldn't forget the pain she had been in and she hoped that she could learn to forgive for her daughters’ sake. She did still have strong feelings for the redhead, that should couldn’t deny to herself any longer.

While lost in her thoughts she was jolted back to reality by the sound of a screeching child followed by what should have been the person supervising her.

"Mommy, save me!" Ceri cried as she ran at full speed laughing towards Tara. Dawn was close on her heals, but still wasn't catching the little girl.

"Get back here squirt," cried Dawn.

"Moooommmmmmyyyyyy," she yelled.

Tara bent down and caught her daughter and swung her up onto her shoulders in one fluid motion. Everyone watching the interaction between them was smiling.

"Alright, what did she do and is it a tickle torture level offense," Tara asked Dawn halting her in her pursuit of the redhead.

"It wasn't Mommy, I promise," giggled the little girl from atop her mother’s shoulders.

"Dawnie?"

"She is so guilty and deserving Tara. I was in the bathroom and she snuck in and turned the lights out and closed the door on me. Do you actually realize how dark her bathroom gets? Not cool."

Everyone laughed and then Willow asked, "Did you learn that from her or did she learn it from you? I seem to recall you doing that to Buffy last week?!"

Dawn blushed at this revelation and then bowed her head, "Um, I learned it from her. How did you hear about that anyway? You were at work when I did it."

"Buffy told me when I got home, right before she asked me for help plotting revenge against you."

"Will, bestest friend/sister in the world, you didn't agree to help her did you?"

"Dear lord it's getting deep in here," laughed Giles.

"Mommy, whose Buffy? Is she Willows girlfriend?"

"No sweetie, she isn't Willows girlfriend," she said glancing at Willow and Dawn with a smirk. "Buffy is Auntie Dawn's sister."

"You mean I have an Auntie Buffy too," said the excited 4 year old.

"Yeah, I guess you do."

"You'll like her Squirt. But really Willow, you didn't agree to help her did you??"

"I guess we'll just have to wait and see won't we," said the redhead with a devilish smirk.

"Tara, can I stay here forever and NOT go back? I don't believe I live in a safe house anymore."

"Nope, you must pay both for your crimes," and with that she pulled the little girl off her shoulders and set her free for Dawn to chase.

“Dinner should be ready in about 45 minutes,” said Tara and then she headed into the kitchen to check on dinner and finish the rest of the prep, Giles and Faith went into his study to start researching the dreams and crystal. Willow followed Tara into the kitchen; she stood in the doorway in awe of the person Tara had become.

"You are an amazing mother. Not that I had any doubt you would be, but I've never seen you glow the way you do when she is around."

"She makes it easy, you'll see that as you get to know her," blushed Tara.

"Is there anything I can help with?"

"Nope, I believe I have it all under control. I hope you don't mind a casserole, it was something quick and easy to put together and Ceri is a bit picky on what she eats."

"Sounds great," said Willow as an awkward moment passed between them. They were both still drawn to one another, but they couldn't and wouldn't allow themselves to act on it.

After dinner Faith went out to patrol, Willow and Ceri played a couple games on her computer before it was time for her to get ready for bed. Thanks to Dawn it was a very easy task getting her to fall asleep. Dawn and Giles retired not too long after her, Dawn claiming jet lag and Giles stating that Ceri wore him out.

"So, you never told me what you do for a living just that you owned your own business," Tara started the conversation, as the two sat back and relaxed in the living room.

"I'm a Security Analyst. I go into companies, assess their internal and external security measures, provide them with suggestions, write software enhancements as needed to enhance their security, and then for fun I get to try to randomly hack their websites."

"That seems right up your alley. I still think the hours are a bit excessive," as the blonde raised an eyebrow.

"It is by design. After I got myself cleaned up and back on track, having free time for my mind to wander and missing you became a very bad place for me to be. With working more and then helping Buffy I am too busy to let my mind have its way," confessed the redhead.

"So, there is/was nobody else? No romantic interest? Not that it is my business, but I’m curious."

"Who could compare? You were, are, and will always be the most incredible, beautiful, and amazing woman I will ever have the luck and honor of knowing."

"Will," Tara said through her blush.

"I mean it, I know it isn't my place to say it, but I have to be honest with both of us you were the best part of my life. Was or is there anyone else in your life or that you wanted in your life?"

"The only one in my life has been Ceri. After I had her dating wasn't important, plus, you still have my heart and that wouldn’t be fair for anyone that I would date."

Willow almost fell off the couch when Tara made that revelation. She knew that there were a lot of things that needed to be worked out, but could she possibly have a chance? Would Tara ever give her another chance?

"I don't know what to say to that," said Willow.

"You don't have to say anything. You were being open and honest, I felt I could return the favor. Don't read more into it than there is, Ceri will always be my first priority and any decisions I make in life will be strictly based off what is best for her."

"I understand that and more importantly, I respect that. Tara, I don't expect anything, I just want a chance to make things right with us and to get to know and have a relationship with our daughter. There is no pressure."

"Thank you Will, that means a lot. It is starting to get late and that little girl doesn't understand the meaning of sleeping in. We should probably get some sleep. You can take my room and I'll take the couch, that way you will get more sleep than you will sleeping out here."

"Really Tara, you take your bed, I'll be perfectly fine out here. I don't mind being woken up by adorable people, and Ceri is probably the most adorable person I've ever met, you though are a close second," said Willow as her mind registered that she was flirting with the blonde.

"I think you are biased."

"I may be, but there is nobody denying my statements either."

"That is because I am the only one here. I don't think there is anyone more adorable than OUR daughter."

Just then Willow's phone buzzed and she looked at it.

"Work? Is there something you need to deal with? If you need someplace private you can use Giles study."

"It's just Buffy," she said showing Tara the picture of Buffy threatening to stake Willows Tigger slippers. ‘You always have the worst timing Buffy’ she thought.

"Interesting?!" Tara said raising one eyebrow.

"We developed a system for when I travel she sends me jokes, pictures, whatever to help me not be lonely. I didn't tell her that I was staying here with you guys tonight. She worries about me when I’m away so we started doing this about a year or two ago. She has become very ‘creative’ as time has gone on."

"That’s funny. I am certain if you asked, Ceri may be persuaded to send you some pictures as well if you want/need them."

"Tara, that would be incredible. I'm assuming then that she got your art talent and not mine. We both know I can’t draw a straight line with a ruler."

"She’s got talent, I'm not sure who from."

"You are a great artist, you always sold yourself short on that stuff." Willow tried to hide a yawn, but was unsuccessful.

"And on that note, I am going to let you get some rest. Are you sure that you are ok out here? Do you need anything else?"

"Tara, really, I'm fine. Go get some sleep and I'll see you in the morning."

"Alright, good night Willow."

"Night Tara."

With that Tara went to her room and drifted off to sleep not long after and Willow made herself comfy on the sofa and drifted to sleep smelling the scent of Tara on the pillow she was using.

***

Willow awoke the next morning to Ceri poking her and Dawn giggling.

Willow glanced at the little girl and smiled and then put a finger over her lips to tell Ceri to be quiet about her being awake, Dawn didn't know what was going on until Willow lunged and grabbed her and started to tickle her. Dawn squirmed but was no match for Willow, Ceri laughed even harder.

"You don't play fair," pouted Dawn once Willow stopped her assault.

"Nobody said I had to," replied Willow and stuck her tongue out at Dawn.

"You guys are silly," laughed the little redhead sitting on the couch wrapped in the blanket that Willow had been using.

"Hey, did you steal my spot AND blanket?"

"Uh huh," nodded the little redhead.

Willow walked over and picked the girl up and they both lay down on the couch and watched cartoons together. Dawn snuck out her camera and took a couple pictures of them cuddling knowing that both Tara and Willow would appreciate them.

Giles made his way to the living room smiling when he saw the two redheads cuddled up together. Tara however was a no show and that struck everyone as odd since she was usually an early riser. Giles decided that maybe the scent of food would entice her into getting up. He went into the kitchen and started to make breakfast. As he started he saw Tara coming out of her room, he motioned for her to move quietly and look at the couch, when she did her heart melted seeing her two favorite redheads cuddled up together discussing the finer points of the cartoon they were watching. It must have been the light shift that caused both Willow and Ceri to look towards Tara's direction.

"Mommy!" said the little girl breaking out of her cuddle spot to go give Tara a hug.

"Good morning, sweetheart," Tara said wrapping her arms around her daughter and giving her a kiss.

"Morning Mommy. Willow and I were watching cartoons after she tickle tortured Auntie Dawn. Willow knows a lot about cartoons, did you know that? We’ve talked about all sorts of stuff and not just the cartoons that we’re watching either," babbled Ceri.

"I did know she knew a lot about cartoons, she used to get up every morning and watch them when I used to live with her and Auntie Dawn."

"You used to live with them too," said the little girl as her eyes got really wide.

"Yep, that was a long time ago, before you were born."

"Mommy, you did a lot of things before I was born," the girl said with a huff.

“Yes, but now I have you and we’ll make new memories,” Tara said as she made her way to the living room joining the others; Ceri made her way back to cuddling with Willow on the couch.

“So, Dawnie, what did you do to earn the tickle torture from Willow this time,” smirked Tara.

“She told me to poke Willow in the nose until she woke up Mommy,” said Ceri from her spot in front of Willow.

“Seriously Dawn? You didn’t.”

“Oh yes I did and I’d do it again,” she replied as she glanced over to see Willows eyes narrow towards her.

“Giles, I think we need to rethink Dawn babysitting Ceri,” Tara called into the kitchen.

“Whatever for?”

“She’s teaching her bad habits.”

“Yes, and you, Willow, and Buffy never did anything like that to Dawn at all?!” he retorted.

“I never did,” stated Tara innocently.

“Um, Tara,” said Willow. “You did come up with some of the more creative ideas for Buffy and I, you just didn’t partake in the tormenting of Dawn.”

“Shush you,” Tara said sticking her tongue out at Willow.

“Mommy, were you mean to Auntie Dawn?”

“No baby, I wasn’t, I left that for Willow and Buffy.”

“It’s true Squirt, she did leave it to them to do it, but I had no idea that she helped with some of the ideas.”

“Dawnie, who are you believe me or Willow? I would never encourage them to do anything like what they did to you,” Tara said trying to sound as innocent as possible.

“Uh huh, right Tara,” laughed Dawn.

“You guys are silly,” Ceri giggled.

Giles set breakfast on the table and they all went and ate and talked.

“Mommy, can we go see where Auntie Dawn and Willow lives sometime?”

“I’m sure we can at some point, we’ll have to discuss it later.”

“Auntie Dawn, did she used to give you that answer when you were younger?”

Laughing Dawn replied, “Yes, and that usually meant we were going to do it.”

Tara looked towards Dawn and mouthed ‘Thank you’.

*****

After spending the morning together Willow had to get ready to head back to the airport to catch her flight to Paris. Though she had only known the girl less than a day she was finding it very hard to leave. She was also happy that her and Tara were on civil terms.

“Well Ceri, I have to head to the airport soon, it was really nice to get to know you,” Willow said as she gave the girl a hug.

“Do you really have to go,” asked the little girl sadly.

“Yes, I have to go take care of some work,” Willow said and it broke her heart to see the little girl pout, but she knew without a doubt who she got that pout from and why Tara was helpless against it whenever she had used it. She started to feel a bit guilty about using the pout now that she knew how powerless Tara truly was.

“Come on baby girl,” Tara said as she took the girl out of Willow’s arms and heard a sniffle but wasn’t sure which of the redheads it came from. “Would you like it if we drove Willow to the airport so you could spend a little more time with her?”

“Can we really Mommy?”

“If it is ok with Grandpa that we borrow his car and Willow is ok with us taking her.” Tara looked at Giles who nodded his approval and then to Willow whose eyes lit up at the idea.

“Thank you Mommy, you’re the bestest.” And with that the little girl ran into her room to get ready to go to the airport with her mom and Willow.

“Thanks,” Willow said softly to Tara.

“No problem, I can’t leave her either,” she laughed. “Do you have a layover on your flight back from Paris?

“Yeah, when I changed my flight I could only get a connecting that left me with a six hour layover.”

“Would you like to maybe get something to eat with me, we can talk and then maybe come back here and you and Ceri can spend some more time together?”

“I’d love that. I’ll email you my itinerary. Do you think maybe I could get a picture of you two together,” asked Willow her eyes pleading.

“How about we take one of the three of us instead?” At this suggestion Willows eyes lit up.

“Thank you!!”

“Dawnie, will you take a picture of the three of us and then send Will a copy and myself one?”

“Sure,” Dawn said with a smirk that she quickly hid when she saw Tara arch her eyebrow at her.

As Willow and Ceri got situated for the picture Tara whispered to Dawn “you think you are sneaky and sly, but remember, I know your tricks Summers’ and I have mom skills that you can’t even comprehend.” As she moved away she heard Dawn audibly gulp.

After taking the picture the three headed off to the airport so that Willow wasn’t late.

*****

“Hey Buffy,” said Willow once she got settled into her hotel in Paris.

“Hey Wills. I thought you’d be on your way back to the states by now?”

“Yeah, I had to change my flight around so I will be home in a few days, I’ll have to call you when I know for certain.”

“Things going that well with the frenchy company?”

“It’s not that, I just had some other stuff come up. I’ll explain when I get back to Sunnydale.”

“Alright, you know you may end up on the same flight as Dawn now. That would rock because then I would have one less trip to make to the airport!”

“Feeling the love Buff, feeling the love.”

“You know you are loved,” laughed the Slayer.

“Alright, I gotta go prep for my meeting, I’ll talk to you later.”

“Good luck,” said the Slayer and then hung up.

Willow went to prep for her meeting, but not before setting the picture of her with Ceri and Tara as her wallpaper on her computer and her phone. It may be a distraction, but it worthwhile distraction.

*****

Tara arrived back at the flat and was greeted with questioning eyes from both Dawn and Giles. She scooted Ceri off to her room to play for a bit.

“What?” she asked.

“I must say that I didn’t expect things to go quite that smoothly when you guys first saw one another after five years. Especially now that Willow knows that she is also Ceri’s mother.

“You can’t tell me that over the years you wondered how telling her would go Giles? Neither can you Dawn.”

“Hey, I never denied that I thought about it, I just never voiced it,” said Dawn slightly defensive.

“So, where do we go from here?”

“Well, Willow is going to send me her itinerary and during her layover we are going to go out and get something to eat and talk, then she is going to come over and see Ceri for a bit.”

“When does she come back?”

“Day after tomorrow I believe she said. She has a six hour layover.”

“I bet her and I are on the same flight back to Sunnydale then. That will be nice if we are,” thought the teen out loud. “Tara?”

“Yeah Dawnie?”

“I have an idea or suggestion, what are your thoughts or feelings about maybe you and Ceri coming back to Sunnydale with Willow and I. That way Buffy and everyone can meet Ceri, she can see where we are from and her and Willow can spend more time together and there will be no more secrets.”

“That is actually really good idea Dawn? Do you think the others would want us there? It’s been over five years.”

“Tara they all love and miss you,” said Dawn.

“I think I could get the Council to make the arrangements so that you all can fly together. Do you think we should talk to Willow first? Also, you need to think about the stores.”

“Yeah, that would probably be best. Dawnie, can you give her a call and see what her thoughts are, I’m going to get Ceri into the tub. I’ll also call Kelly and have her watch the stores.”

“Ok, I’ll give Willow a call now.”

*****

“Ceri, it is bath time,” Tara said as she walked into her daughters’ room and found her daughter telling her stuffed animals what Willow had told her about the cartoons that morning and about taking her to the airport. Tara was surprised at the impression Willow had left on their daughter.

“Ok Mommy,” Ceri said as she put her stuffed animals back on the shelf and headed into the bathroom.

*****

Dawn grabbed her cellphone and called Willow.

“Hey Dawnie, is everything ok?”

“Yeah Will, all is fine. Sorry if I am interrupting…I just wanted to talk to you about an idea that I had and that Tara and Giles were game for if of course you are ok with it too.”

“Ok, I’m curious.”

“I suggested that Tara and Ceri come back to Sunnydale with you and I. That way Buffy and everyone can meet Ceri, she can see where were are from and you can spend more time together with both of them and there will be no more secrets. Giles said that if you were game he could probably get the Watchers Council to pull some strings and get us all on the same flight and together. Thoughts?”

“Seriously Dawn? Tara and Giles are ok with this?”

“Yeah, they are. Should I have them get the plans made?”

“Yeah, of course! Though I’m a bit scared Dawn. Tara and I just started speaking after five years, let alone the thought that we are parents. Don’t get me wrong, I want nothing more than for us to spend time together, I just don’t want to push.”

“Will, I suggested this, not you. Tara said that she was ok with doing it, which has to be a good sign right? And if I can get my family back together, more power to me…and having my little niece/sister nearby is just an added perk.”

“Dawn, Tara has her businesses in the UK, she isn’t going to just up and leave them for Sunnydale. Plus, I don’t know how I feel about my daughter being in a place so dangerous. Gawd, I have known I had a daughter for 24 hours and that felt too natural to say,” laughed Willow.

“She’s like Tara, easy to love and once you love them you’re hooked. As for Tara’s stores, she said she was going to call a friend of hers to watch them,” said Dawn.

“That is so true, they do have that loveable quality about them. If Tara is willing to come to Sunnydale, then I say let’s do it. Are we going to give Buffy any warning?”

“I’m thinking no, I can’t wait to see her reaction. We’ll have to have Xander and Anya over too, just maybe not the first night.”

“No kidding,” said Willow. “I gotta run I have more prepping for my meeting to get done. Thanks for the call and the awesome idea.”

“Good luck with your meeting and we’ll see you the day after tomorrow.”

“Thanks Dawnie! See you guys soon.”

*****
TBC…
*****

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~ Branny72
I found younger-me still exists in the archives as SlayerTazz...
Mending Fences | The One Where Everyone Has a Go |Actions and Consequences | Meant To Be

Dibs!
It was such a great update. Ceri is so cute. Hope Willow and Tara works everything out soon. Waiting for more..

Actually, this is a good way to move this along. (I was half, only half, the cliched "Ooops, I hit Send instead of Save to accidentally let Buffy know.)

Talking about cartoons; yes, I used to do that with my daughter when we were watching things, many years ago now, and with my niece even further back (my daughter's 22, my niece is 44.)

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Snapshots:http://thekittenboard.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10210 a Love Story
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Kim: (breaks off the kissing) I l... (Sue stops her with a hand)
Sue: We don't talk about things like that right after, you know that, no saying those things in The Moment.
Kim: (moves the hand aside) Screw The Moment. I *love* you.

Wait, so not only did Tara think it was acceptable to not tell Willow that they had a daughter for 5 years but Giles and Faith agreed? That's not just insane but literally criminal. Like you can go to jail for it. I understand if Tara didn't understand how it happened or didn't want to see Willow but that is why they have organizations like Kids Exchange where one parent drops the child off at 12:00 and the other parent comes at 12:15 to pick the child up for visitation and then reverse it for the return. I can't believe any of them thought keeping it a secret for 5 years was in any way fair to Willow or Ceri. And now Willow's all... la de da. Tara never told me I had a child and still wouldn't have told me if I didn't happen to see her at the airport and then happen to see a picture...

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Menorah Tales | Working It Out | Random Bits

Gotta agree with Just Skip It. I would be enraged if I found out that I had a 4 year-old that everyone knew about except me. Definitely brings out the Mama Bear in me.

Loving this story even though Willow's reaction is a little too "ok" with it. Gotta remember that it is a story, not real life, and thus not to take it as truth.

Looking forward to reading more and finding out how Buffy reacts.

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Atlantic Antics Meeting Expectations
Learning to Laugh What I Discovered at Band Camp

lilyred: Glad you liked the update! Ceri is a character that I’m having fun writing, though in reality kids scare the crap out of me! I also have it on good authority that Willow and Tara will work some things out soon…

DaddyCatALSO: No hitting send to warn Buffy…Cartoons were one of the things my step-daughter and I first bonded with when she was 7 (now almost 18 we have moved on to bonding over writing fanfics)…

JustSkipIt: Thank you for the feedback!! Giles was looking to protect Tara, I’m not saying it was right, but people don’t always seem to do the right thing when trying to protect someone that they care about. As for Faith keeping it a secret, to me I always felt that her loyalty would be more towards Tara if they had ever gotten to know one another mainly because of Tara’s kindness and compassion; it would have been something different that she had received from any of the other Scoobies. I’m not saying she didn’t earn what she got from the others, just a different perspective. I do agree that them keeping it a secret wasn’t fair to Willow and Ceri, but it may help with some drama in chapters to come. Your feedback actually helped me to tweak part of this next chapter…also having my life start to fall apart when trying to write angst helped too…hope this chapter helps some with Willows reaction to things.

taranwillow4ever: Bring on the Mama Bear…not an emotion I was ever exposed to growing up, but I can understand the feeling! Buffy’s reaction will be in Chapter 5…hopefully sometime next week…in the meantime, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

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Title: Actions and Consequences
By: Branny72
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these Characters, just borrowed them and wish I did own them.

Rating: PG-13 - NC-17 (will vary per chapter) – PG-13 for this chapter

Couples: W/T
Summary: AU – Tara didn’t die she left town…set 5 years after Tara left…Actions have consequences, everyone has to live by their choices.

Feedback: Pretty please…I’m flying without wings here - no beta reader…I’m my own worst critic and well I’m not sure this fic it good, but I’m hoping!!
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Chapter 4

Tara got Ceri out of her bath and got her settled into bed before joining Dawn and Giles in the living room.

“Did you take a bath with her,” asked Giles.

“I’m not sure, I didn’t try to at least,” laughed Tara as she looked down and noticed how wet her shirt was.

“So, I talked to Willow and she said that she loved the idea and if Giles can get the Council’s help, we’ll have a family vacation to Sunnydale.”

“I’ll go visit them first thing in the morning and get them working on it. What time does Willow get back into town day after tomorrow?”

“Her flight gets in at noon,” said Tara. “I was going to pick her up and then we were going to go get something to eat and talk through some things.”

“Is that a good idea right now Tara?” asked Giles. “I mean we are planning to go to Sunnydale and spend time with her, what happens if you two start talking and someone says something they shouldn’t and you guys have a fight. Won’t that kinda ruin the trip or at least add some unnecessary stress to it.”

“Giles, we are adults,” started Tara.

“Adults who until yesterday hadn’t spoken in five years and still haven’t addressed the issues that tore them apart five years ago.”

“We can behave besides I won’t do anything to ruin this trip for Ceri; I know how much she really wants to see where her Auntie Dawn lives when she isn’t here with us,” said Tara. “I also see the importance of Ceri getting to know her now.”

“Alright, but if you guys get in a fight you are going to have to deal with one another because we are still going,” scolded Giles.

“Yes dad,” teased Tara as Dawn laughed at the interaction between them.

“You two are just too cute,” said Dawn.

“Thank you,” the two adults said in unison.

“Well, I am going to go read before I turn in. Good night girls.”

“Night Giles,” said Dawn as she gave him a quick hug.

Tara walked over and wrapped her arms around him and gave him a big hug, “goodnight Giles!”

“You guys have the best relationship,” said Dawn after Giles left and Tara got situated on the couch.

“Well he helped me through some of my roughest times. Honestly Dawn, if it weren’t for you and Giles I don’t know how I would have survived the past five years. I owe you both so much.”

“Tara, you are the strongest person I know. And I know that you would have survived without us being here, but I’m glad you didn’t shut us out.”

“I’m not that strong Sweetie; I just do what I have to do to survive.”

“Willow is right; you don’t give yourself enough credit on things. You survived your biological family and all that they put you through, your mother’s death, then you became this badass wiccan, you took care of me and helped Buffy and I survive after mom died, you have ALWAYS been here when I needed you, when anyone needed you. Really you survived what Glory did to you, you held us together when Buffy died, then you helped us get back to functioning when Willow brought her back, then you tried like hell to help Willow with her addiction, and you survived walking away when I know damn well that none of us made it easy. I know I went out of my way to make it hard on you because I felt Willow should have been the one moving out, you were my mother at that point. Then you moved here finished your degree and have built your own business with multiple stores, you have raised one of the sweetest little girls in the world – and I am not biased. You did all that and honestly Giles or I being around or not would not have stopped you from surviving it all.” Dawn said as a few tears streamed down her face as she tried to show Tara how much she truly admired and loved her.

“Sweetie, come here,” said Tara as she pulled Dawn into a hug. “I love you too. You know that you will always be my best friend, and my daughter. I survived a lot of that on fear and the support of you guys though. I didn’t do it alone.”

“No, you didn’t do it alone, that is what a true family is for, but you still survived it and knew when to ask for help and when to let us help you. That takes real strength.”

“I’m a bit scared now though Dawn,” admitted Tara.

“Scared of what?”

“I’m scared of letting Willow back into my life, into Ceri’s life, and scared of the future and what it holds.”

“Do you still love her? More-so are you still in love with Willow?””

“I never stopped loving her or being in love with her and that is part of what scares me too. I have built a life here, a life that I love, and I have to think of what is best for Ceri.”

“You aren’t alone in being scared about things. Willow is just as scared if not more,” laughed Dawn. “She is scared about you two and the future as well. She told me that she isn’t certain she would want her daughter growing up on the Hellmouth and in such a dangerous area.”

“Really? She said that?”

“You’re surprised? Tara she never stopped loving you and wanting to get you back into her life in one way or another.”

“Willow and I have a lot to talk about and work through. What if she decides she wants to take Ceri away from me?”

“Ok, now you are just being a dummy. First of all, Willow would never do that, secondly, I’d kick her frilly ass if she tried, and a third reason, she loves you and would probably rather you all be a family rather than take Ceri away from the only mother she has ever known. Willow isn’t stupid,” scoffed Dawn.

“I never said I had rational fears, just that I had fears. So, better subject, what do you think Buffy’s reaction is going to be?”

“She is going to freak, and then she is going to be pissed that we kept this from her, she’s already not amused with me in general for keeping your location a secret and she doesn’t even know that it was for the past five years, and then she is going to be giddy over being Auntie Buffy.”

“You were honoring my wishes and really protecting Ceri. She can’t be mad about that and if she does tough.”

“This is Buffy we’re talking about, the over protective Slayer. You do remember what she is like don’t you?”

“Yes, I do,” laughed the blonde. “It is going to be surreal going back to Sunnydale. I honestly never thought I’d set foot back there. I have a lot of mixed feelings about returning, though I do miss everyone.”

“It’s home Tara, no matter where you are – the Summers’ house in Sunnydale is your home too. You believe that don’t you?”

“Yes, I know it, but after all that went down with Will and I, I don’t know that it still truly applies to me.”

“Tara, you are family no matter what, if Buffy can’t handle it – it’s my house too and I say that you are family and it is your home. Don’t push me Maclay, don’t fight me on it just accept it as fact,” laughed Dawn.

“Thank you, Sweetie.”

“You’re welcome,” smiled Dawn.

“I think it’s bedtime,” said Tara.

“I agree, good night Tara.”

“Good night Dawnie.”

******

“Hey T,” said Faith as she came into the flat the next morning.

“Hey Faith,” smiled Tara as she sipped her coffee.

“So, honestly, what was it like having Red around again?”

“Faith it was nice, it was surreal, it was scary, it was Willow.”

“I bet. So the truth, what really happened when you told her about Ceri?”

“Oh you mean when Mount St. Willow blew?”

“It was that bad?”

“Well, it wasn’t good. There was swearing and yelling and all sorts of accusations flying around, but we got through it, and in reality it could have been much worse.”

“Ceri seems to have taken a liking to her.”

“Yeah, they are great together. Willow is a natural with her that actually scares me a bit. Dawn says I’m crazy and being a dummy, but what if she wants to take her away from me? What if Ceri likes her better?”

“Seriously Tara? Dawn is right you are crazy and a bit of a dummy. I mean wow your imagination is very out there. First Ceri loves you more than she could love anyone including Red, secondly, Red wouldn’t try to take Ceri away from you, she sees the bond that you two have and the glow you get whenever that little girl is around. Oh and thirdly, I’d beat her ass into the ground if she tried to take her away from you or tried to hurt her.”

“I have no doubt you would, and I know that my imagination is overactive, but they are fears that I am going to have until Will and I get some things worked out.”

“And that is all on you and Red! When is she coming back? You need to make sure you are honest with her T for any of this to work.”

“She gets back tomorrow. We are going to go out for lunch and talk and then come back here so that she can spend some time with Ceri. Giles is working to get us all on the same flight back to Sunnydale to have Buffy, Xander, and Anya meet Ceri so then there are no more secrets, no more hiding.”

“Wow, that vacation would scare me. Are you guys going to at least give B a heads up?”

“Dawnie seems to think it’d be more fun not to, so we’re going the ‘Surprise the Slayer’ route.”

“Dawn is evil, I’m liking that kid more and more.”

“Hey, no more corrupting my daughters,” laughed Tara.

“I don’t think you can blame me for her corruption…though when Ceri gets older, maybe I can take some of the blame, but that may even be a stretch, especially with you and Red as her parents.”

“Watch it; I know ways to make you pay Slayer.”

“You do, but you are too sweet and kind to use any of them to ME of all people,” Faith said with a smirk.

“Yeah, not true,” said Tara. “I’m not the same innocent person I used to be.”

“Whatever! I’ve gotta run, but tell me when you guys are leaving and then when you get back we’ll go out and you can let me know how things go in Sunnyhell. It should be VERY interesting.”

“Will do,” said Tara as she hugged the brunette Slayer.

******

Tara arrived at the airport a few minutes early to pick Willow to give herself time to find the right gate.

As Willow entered the terminal her heart skipped a beat, there was Tara waiting for her. She was leaning against the railing wearing a pair of faded jeans and a blue V-neck t-shirt that was the same color as her eyes that had the Brigid’s Box logo on it. Willow couldn’t help but smile at how beautiful Tara looked. Then she noticed the handwritten sign Tara was holding that said ROSENBERG.

“Hey you, nice sign,” said Willow as she reached where Tara was waiting for her.

“Hey yourself,” smiled Tara. “Do you need to get your luggage at all?”

“Nah, I decided to ship it home so that I wouldn’t have to worry about fighting with it and checking it in. I just have my carry-on.”

“Well then what do you say we get out of here and go get something to eat?”

“Lead the way,” said Willow following the blonde out of the terminal to the car as she tried desperately not to look at Tara’s butt, though she glanced occasionally and enjoyed the view.

“I tried to think of a great place to have lunch and talk and the best place I came up with St. James Park. It isn’t far from here or the flat and the scenery is beautiful. Is that ok,” asked Tara once they were settled in the car.

“Sounds great, I haven’t seen much of the city in the few times I’ve been over here.”

“Well then sit back and enjoy, it’s only about 20 minutes from here.”

Once they arrived at the park Willow was shocked at how beautiful it was.

“I can’t believe that we’re in town. This place is beautiful.”

“Yeah, when I first moved to London I spent a lot of time out here meditating. Then while I was pregnant or once I knew I was pregnant with Ceri I think I created a permanent mark right over there in the area near what they call Duck Island, it’s a little nature preserve for the parks birds. It is always so beautiful and peaceful.”

“I can see why you spent so much time here between the view and well, even without using magic I can feel the grounding effect the earth has here.”

They walked towards the island where Tara had already arranged to have a picnic set up before she went to the airport to get Willow.

“I just made some standard picnic stuff, I wasn’t sure if your tastes were still the same and then my ‘Willow-brain’ and nerves got the best of me and every time I asked Dawn a question she laughed at me and told me to relax. She said it so many times to me that Ceri thought it was funny to walk up to me, tap me on the leg, tell me to relax and then run off giggling. I don’t think Dawn is a good influence on her,” Tara said with a lopsided smile.

“Yeah, that is our Dawnie. She didn’t have anyone to pick on growing up so she is using the first kid she can get her hands on.”

“Great and our daughter is her kid of choice?”

“I didn’t say I condoned it, I just explained it. You have raised an amazing little girl though. She is so beautiful, sweet, caring…which doesn’t surprise me, she is your daughter.”

“Willow, she’s our daughter. I know you haven’t had a lot of time to absorb that, but she is ours and she has a lot of your qualities as well.”

“Yeah, that still blows my mind, well, that and the fact that we’re sitting here together talking. I honestly thought that I would never see you again or at least never get the chance to talk with you about anything.”

“I’ll be honest with you Will, for years I wasn’t sure what would happen if I ever saw or talked to you again. Well, you personally, I see you in Ceri daily, those freckles, that red hair, as if there was a doubt that you on her parentage,” laughed the blonde.

They ate in silence both lost in thought about where they were, where they wanted the future to go, was there a way to get there, and more importantly – did they both want the same thing. Neither was truly sure how to start their talk.

“Tara, I know you did what you had to, and if you hadn’t left I never would have quit abusing magic. What did you do? Where did you go, well before coming here? What was the pregnancy like? Was she a good baby? There is just so much I want to know about both of you and your life together,” babbled Willow.

“Will, are you sure you want to hear this? There are parts that aren’t pretty and may be very hard for you to listen to.”

“Tara, I need to know and to understand. I am prepared for there to be parts that are going to hurt, but I need to know. I’m still processing the hurt that we have a daughter and nobody mentioned it, and knowing what you were going through may help me with it.”

“If it gets to be too much, just tell me and I’ll stop. And I know that I was wrong for not telling you about her, I am sorry.”

“I appreciate that,” said the redhead as she got comfy on the blanket and looked deeply into Tara’s eyes.

“When I first left the house I wasn’t sure where to go or what to do. I went and found out that my old dorm room was available, so I moved in there to try and figure out what to do next. I thought that since we had so many happy memories there it would help. I spent a lot of time crying and wondering why. Why I wasn’t enough for you, what made the magic so much more appealing? I was driving myself into a nice and cozy depression feeling helpless and worthless. I tried to understand my thoughts and feelings or make sense of them, I really did try. One day I went for a walk just to get out of the room and there were so many memories of you, Dawn, everyone, and our life together, I realized I needed to get out of Sunnydale. I needed to find a place to go, I sure as hell wasn’t going back to my Dad’s, but I didn’t know where else to go. I don’t know what made me do it, but I called Giles, maybe it was because he was like a father to us all, I really don’t know what made me do it, but I’m grateful that I did. He and I talked for a long time about all that was going on and my leaving you and the house and he offered for me to come to London. At first it was just going to be to get my head sorted out, but then we found out I was pregnant and it just felt right to stay.”

“Tara, how long was it before you left Sunnydale to come here?”

“I was there for two months. The first night I was here turns out to be the night that I became pregnant with Ceri. That was an interesting night, and one I don’t think that Giles will easily forget. I had been having nightmares nightly since I had moved out of Buffy’s house. That night I woke up screaming from the intensity of the dream I was having. I think I about gave Giles a heart attack when I screamed. He came running into my room and he just held me and comforted me until I had stopped shaking and then he stayed with me until I fell asleep. It was then that I had the dream about us and Ceri.”

“THAT was your first night in London,” squeaked Willow as Tara nodded. “What were the dreams about if you don’t mind me asking and if it isn’t too painful to talk about?”

“The first nightmares was reliving what Glory did to me, feeling the vivid pain of her breaking my hand, how it felt when she took my mind, how lost I felt after she did it. I dreamed of her coming back for me and there being no way for me to save myself since I was all alone. The second one was of you going all dark magic and veiny and trying to kill us all and end the world. The third dream was of Amy the rat and some slimy magic guy hunting us down trying to kill us; it then would transition to me getting shot through the heart and dying. That one I always woke up with a pain in my chest. They were so realistic Will, I could feel the pain, smell what is going on around me, I mean I even heard the background noises. That first night here I had the one about Glory.”

“Wow, those are intense dreams let alone having them be vivid dreams.”

“It wasn’t until two months later that I found out I was pregnant. Giles and I were shocked and confused to say the least. Giles thought that there may be some type of demon possession because I had lived on the Hellmouth. We did tests to disprove that quickly. The weekend I found out was the first weekend that Dawn surprised Giles with a visit and got a surprise of her own finding out I was living here. When Dawn learned of the pregnancy she was so excited, that was when she started to spend every holiday and any time she could here with us. I don’t know what I would have done without her that weekend. I was in shock, I was scared, I had no clue what to do, but her and Giles were there for me and have been ever since. Giles got the council to help with my Visa and all the stuff I needed to stay here.”

“Wait, so Dawn has really known for all this time?”

“Yeah, she has. Please, don’t be mad at her, she didn’t say anything because I told both her and Giles that if either of them told you, Buffy or anyone I would disappear for good and I could guarantee that there would be no way that anyone would find me or the baby.”

“I’m not mad, hurt yes, but definitely not mad. I’m glad you had them around, you know people who loved and cared for you and that you loved and cared about.”

“Thank you for understanding. After I found out I was pregnant the nightmares finally went away, I was so grateful for the peaceful nights of sleep; I could however have done without the morning sickness.”

“Oh no, was it really as bad as they say it is,” said Willow feeling some pangs of guilt.

“Most days weren’t too bad, but there were a couple weeks that were really bad and Giles had to take me in to the doctor to get IV fluids and nutrients because I couldn’t keep anything down. Other than those couple of weeks it was a model pregnancy, Ceri did love to use my bladder as a squeeze toy and to practice her kickboxing. Trust me when I say that she has Slayer talent in kicking and punching.” Tara saw Willow smirk. “Are you getting enjoyment out of what YOUR daughter did to my bladder?”

“No, not at all, but you do glow when you start to talk about her and that makes me smile; even if OUR daughter was a bit harsh on your bladder. Your smile is still very captivating,” said Willow as Tara blushed. ‘Stop flirting with her Rosenberg.’

“Truly unconditional love does that to you and how can you not glow talking about her? Dawn actually was here when I went into labor too, thankfully. Giles had been called away on some ‘emergency’ meeting at the Watcher’s Council when my water broke and I went into panic/freak out mode. Dawnie actually kept her cool, she called Giles and told him to wrap up whatever he was doing and meet us at the hospital, she called my doctor, and then she got a cab and got us there safely. We arrived at the same time as Giles, and then the waiting started, I was in labor for 38 very long hours - without meds I might add. She was a very stubborn little kid.”

“Wholly crap! You are a goddess,” said Willow smiling in awe of the blonde.

“Well, I wouldn’t go that far, but I believe it is good that I didn’t know it was you that had gotten me pregnant because I was ready to put a curse whomever it was, and we aren’t talking the hugs and puppies curses either,” Tara said raising an eyebrow and fixing a knowing look at will before smiling at her. “Giles and Dawn were amazing though they got me through it. Once Ceri was born, I swear that I had to keep checking Dawn’s bag before she left every visit; she loves Ceri so much she was ready to take her with. I love that Ceri is essentially her little sister, and she is so amazing with her; I’ve been so grateful for her visits. After Ceri was born I was able to finish University with a business degree and then I started my first Brigid’s Box location, which is the one you saw the other day. I got lucky to have Giles’ help with Ceri and the store. She was a great baby though, she slept almost through the night after the second month, she’s only gotten sick once and that was a cold last winter. She was walking and talking by the time she was a year old, so she’s been on the go for a while. She’s so smart Will; I know she got that from you.”

“I meant it the other day when I said I want to be a part of her life and for her to know me. I’ve already lost out on so much. Tell me more about her likes and stuff.”

“I want you to know her too; I won’t try to keep her away from you, now that you two have met. Things to know about Ceri…you already know she is smart, her favorite colors are blue and green, she has magical talent, though we are still teaching her fundamentals so knowing what all she is capable of hasn’t been tested, but it is all light magic.”

“What do you mean ‘we’ are still teaching her. Who is we?”

“Giles took me to the Council library often when I first got here and that is where I met Morrigan. She eventually became my magic mentor and subsequently Ceri’s as well.”

“So, she is with the Council? Tara you remember all the trouble they gave Buffy?”

“It’s ok Will, she is with a Coven nearby that consults for the Council and several other organizations. Ceri calls her Grandma and she really has become that for her and a Mother figure to me.”

“Oh, ok,” said Willow.

“Ceri plays sports with some of the other kids and isn’t bad, she loves her computer, reading, drawing, her favorite movies are Disney/Pixar movies, and you already know her vast knowledge of cartoons. She is an angel, though I maybe a bit biased. The more you get to know her, the more you find she has a thirst for knowledge and learning. Again, I believe that comes from you. She captivates the heart of all that get to know her. She’s amazing, Will. Not to delve into darkness, and if you don’t want to talk about it I understand, but what was it like for you quitting magic.”

“For me quitting magic was one of the hardest and most painful things I have ever gone through next to losing you. There were months of waking up in a cold sweat totally drenched and disoriented, throwing up for hours. I am guessing I probably would have preferred your morning sickness compared to what I went through throwing up. Then there were the muscle cramps and aches from tensing, I had nightmares and daymares throughout most of the ten months, there were panic attacks that kept me from leaving my room at times. Buffy and Dawn stuck by me the whole time, Xander and Anya babysat me when they weren’t working or to give Buffy and Dawn a needed break. I spent a lot of time the first few months crying over losing you and berating myself for being so stupid to choose magic and lose you. Knowing now that Dawn knew where you were and she still didn’t say a thing to me shows how amazing and loyal she is. Though I would have liked to have known you were ok and about Ceri, I can also understand not wanting to put a baby in the hands of a newly clean addict. After getting clean I finished my degree in Computer Science.”

“Will, Dawn told me that she told you guys that she had heard from me early on and that I was ok.”

“Honestly Tara, she may have and the withdrawal was bad enough that I have no memory of it, but that was also one time and a lot transpired after that.”

“I know you are still hurt Willow, I’m sorry, but I did what I felt was best for Ceri and I, and then as time went on I just got scared. I know that will never make up for things, but I hope that we can move forward.”

“We can, it will just take time for all the feelings to process,” Willow said through a small smile.

“What made you start your own business?”

“Dawn actually suggested it. Now that I have some additional insight on things I’m starting to question her motives. After I got my degree I had done a couple of consulting jobs before getting a full-time 9-5 job. It wasn’t me, I didn’t like being confined, I loved the consulting jobs that I had done and Dawn suggested that I start my own business and that way I could work from wherever I wanted and whenever I wanted. Right now I have about 40 clients and a wait list that is constantly growing.”

“That is amazing Will, and I think you are right to question Dawns motives. She’s sneaky and devious.”

“We trained her well,” said Willow causing them both to laugh.

They sat there for a bit in silence, just staring into one another’s eyes, sensing that though they had a long way to go, there was still something between them.

“Tara, one thing that totally baffles me, how is it that you honestly aren’t seeing anyone,” blurted out the redhead.

“Like I said the other day, I haven’t even been on a serious date since we broke up. Giles, Dawn, and Faith have tried to ‘encourage’ me to get back out there, they even set me up a couple times, but it wasn’t for me, I had my one true love, my soulmate, already and now I’m focused on giving my daughter my love and attention and running my businesses. When I explained that to them, that was when Faith started to encourage me to talk to you and either make it work or let it go and get on with my life.”

“So, when you gave me a hard time the other day for only having work and helping Buffy in my life, were you projecting as well?”

“I prefer to think of it as channeling my inner Giles,” laughed Tara.

“I’m amazed that you haven’t had a line of people trying to get your interest, even if you weren’t interested in them. You still take my breath away just at the sight of you, let alone when you smile or laugh. I’m sorry if that is out of line or too forward, but I’m going for honesty here.”

“I can say the same about you Will. I find myself getting lost in your eyes more than I care to or probably should admit.”

“Are we going to be ok? I mean I know that we’ve both changed and our lives have been turned upside down, but are we ok with each other? Can we start moving forward to building some type of relationship together? Start rebuilding the trust?”

“I think so, trust has to be rebuilt for both of us, and we need to get to know one another again, but I think we’re ok.”

“Good,” smiled Willow.

“What do you say we clean up and head back to the flat and spend some time with Ceri?”

“That sounds perfect I’ve missed her a lot.”

******

After a short drive back to the flat, they were greeted by Giles.

“Well, I’m glad to see that neither of you threw the other into the water,” joked Giles.

“That view was incredible, I loved it,” said Willow.

Suddenly hearing a new voice as Ceri came racing into the room headed right for the two that had just arrived.

“Mommy,” she screamed as she jumped into Tara’s arms with a little more force than Tara expected and as she staggered backwards a bit Willow moved to catch Tara in case she started to fall over.

“Did you miss me?” said Tara as she nuzzled into her daughters neck.

“Yep, I always miss you when you are gone. Hi Willow, how was your trip?”

“It was really good, but I’m glad to have it done and be back here.”

“I’m glad you’re back here too! Wanna play a computer game with me? Auntie Dawn says you are good with computers and games.”

“I’d love to play a couple games with you,” said Willow as took Ceri out of Tara’s arms and the two headed to Ceri’s bedroom.

******
TBC...

_________________
~ Branny72
I found younger-me still exists in the archives as SlayerTazz...
Mending Fences | The One Where Everyone Has a Go |Actions and Consequences | Meant To Be

Dibs!
Great update. Awating there trip to sunnydale and Buffy's reaction about being kept in dark for so long. Waiting for more..

This story is really good. I like how Willow & Tara act with their daughter. Please update soon

lilyred: Glad you liked the update – your wait is over, time to head to Sunnydale

sgdarlene: Glad you like the story!!

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Title: Actions and Consequences
By: Branny72
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these Characters, just borrowed them and wish I did own them.

Rating: PG-13 - NC-17 (will vary per chapter) – PG-13 for this chapter

Couples: W/T
Summary: AU – Tara didn’t die she left town…set 5 years after Tara left…Actions have consequences, everyone has to live by their choices.

Feedback: Pretty please…I’m flying without wings here - no beta reader…
Authors Note: Extra long chapter since I have a feeling it may be a couple weeks before I can do another update.
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Chapter 5

“So, how’d the talk go,” asked Dawn after Willow and Ceri had left the room.

“Really well, we talked about what life was like after I left the house and when I moved here, I told her about the nightmares, the pregnancy and what a help you guys have been in raising Ceri and then she told me what withdrawal was like and what an amazing help you and Buffy were, and then she told me some about her business.”

“Did you talk about the future? Or how the two of you are going to start to move forward from here,” asked Giles.

“No, we are taking things one day at a time on that, we agreed that we would start working to rebuild trust on both sides and then see where we came out after that. I did also tell her about Ceri and I working with Morrigan. How’d it go with the flight plans and the Council?”

“Well, funny you should mention Morrigan; I ran into her while I was at the Council and we were talking about you and Ceri and I happened to mention that I was there to see if the Council could help us get us all on the same flight to Sunnydale for a family vacation.”

“Did you also happen to tell her that Willow here and was part of this equation,” asked the blonde cautiously.

“Well, yes, of course; and it really worked out for us because Morrigan offered to let us use of her private plane. She said that we can leave for Sunnydale anytime we want.”

“What is the catch? Morrigan does nothing without getting something in return; that is why she is where she is with the coven and who she is in the community.”

“The catch is that she wants to meet Willow before we leave. So, I invited her for dinner tonight.”

“You honestly invited her to dinner tonight Giles,” blanched Tara.

“Um, Tara, why is this bad? Who is Morrigan? I have heard you talk about her over the years, but I still have no clue really who she is,” questioned Dawn.

“Morrigan is Ceri and my magical mentor; think of her as our highly gifted magic teacher. Though takes this a bit deeper than that, I should probably warn Willow about what Giles just got her into,” with a quick glare towards Giles she headed to her daughters room to get the redhead.

******

Standing in the door way Tara watched Ceri sitting on Willow’s lap while they played a matching game on the computer, and it made her heart flutter to see how they had embraced each other in just a matter of days.

“Hey,” said Willow looking up and noticing Tara standing in the doorway.

“Hey,” replied Tara. “When you guys are done with your game I need to prepare you for some stuff for tonight. Ceri, Grandpa just told me that Grandma is coming to dinner tonight.”

“Really,” smiled the little red head

“Yes, so when you guys are done with that game I want you to pick up your room while I have a quick talk with Willow.”

“Okay Mommy,” said the little redhead.

“Thank you. Willow, when you guys are done I’ll be out in the kitchen just come get me,” smiled the blonde.

“Sure,” said the confused redhead as Tara left and Willow and Ceri went back to their game.

“Willow, have you met Grandma yet?”

“No, I haven’t. I just learned about her today.”

“What did you learn about her?”

“Well, I learned that she is working with you and Mommy on stuff dealing with magic and that you are both very special to her.”

“Yeah, she works with Mommy more than me. Her and Mommy do spells, I’m not allowed to yet, Mommy says I’m too young. Do you know how to do magic like Mommy and Grandma?”

“I used to do magic with your mommy, but I stopped that a long time ago,” Willow said feeling a lump in her throat.

“Oh, I think it looks like fun.”

“It can be if done right,” said Willow. “Why don’t we finish this game and then I have to go talk to your mommy. If her and I talk quick and there is time I will play another game with you.”

“Promise?”

“Yep, I promise,” Willow said as went back to playing their computer game.

******

Once done with their game Willow made her way out to the kitchen area to join Tara, Dawn, and Giles.

“Hey guys, so what’s up?”

“Well, Giles went to the council today and ran into Morrigan. He told her that we were looking to take a family trip to Sunnydale and she offered us use of her private jet.”

“Wow that was nice of her. I know you said that you were really close with her, but wow.”

“Yeah, well, there was a catch that came with that offer. Giles seems to think it isn’t an issue, but I don’t share the same view. Morrigan said we can use her plane IF she gets to meet you first.”

“Tara, I don’t mind meeting her,” said Willow confused as to why this would be causing Tara such stress. “I actually think it will be nice to meet someone else who cares so much about you and Ceri.”

“I wish it were that easy,” Tara said exhaling deeply. “Giles stop smirking I’m still not happy with you.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t see it as something that you should be this stressed about,” said the older man.

“I don’t understand your stress either,” said Willow. “What is it about this you don’t like?”

“When I first moved out here, Giles didn’t like to leave me here alone so I would go to the Watcher’s Council with him and sit in the library and read. That is where I met Morrigan; she said that she was drawn to my aura and my magical abilities; I didn’t understand at the time, but over the years she has started to fill me in on it. As you remember my family is decedent of the Irish Goddess Brigid, the Celtic triple goddess.” She paused to let this sink in. “Morrigan is a named after and a member of…”

“The protective warriors that protected the Goddess Brigid…” asked Willow with a squeak.

“Exactly, and that is where this doesn’t bode well for you.”

With an audible gulp Willow replied, “Yeah, Giles, little water please?”

“I don’t understand, can someone please help the non-magically inclined one here as to why this is a big deal,” said Dawn.

“Dawn, what Tara is getting at is that Morrigan’s ancestors were essentially the bodyguards of Tara’s ancestors and it was their sole life purpose to protect them and give their life protecting them. If Morrigan is taking her heritage seriously then it would stand to reason she is therefore going to be very protective of Tara and Ceri...”

“And Willow being someone who hurt Tara deeply in the past is not going to be looked upon as a friendly interest…” finished Dawn as she gathered where this was going.

“Exactly,” said Tara. “I started training magically with Morrigan within a few weeks of moving here, Ceri started learning when she was two; the bond between us is quite unique and strong. Willow, she knows all about my biological family and what I went through with them, about my time in Sunnydale, what happened between us, and she knows what you meant and still mean to me, but she is still going to be very protective.”

“I get it, I am going to be tested quite thoroughly in several ways tonight,” Willow said trying to hide her insecurities.

“I really think you are all over reacting, I have never seen Morrigan do anything that would lead me to believe that you guys have anything to worry about tonight she just wants to meet Willow.”

“Giles, if you didn’t know Willow as well as you do, and you and I were still this close, how would you feel about her being back in my life and involved with Ceri just knowing our past?”

“Oh dear lord, I hadn’t thought about it like that,” blanched Giles. “We’re doomed.”

“And there’s the old Giles we all know and love,” laughed Dawn.

“Now I think he gets why he is in trouble,” said Tara dryly raising one eyebrow at the former Watcher.

“I get it now. I’m sorry I didn’t think of it like that before,” said Giles cleaning his glasses.

******

Willow headed off to her daughters room while Tara stayed in the kitchen to help Giles with any last prep for dinner.

“So, are we ok? I really hadn’t thought about it from the perspective that Morrigan would be seeing it from,” he said as she walked into the kitchen.

“Of course we are,” she replied as she gave him a big hug. “I just hope that Morrigan isn’t too harsh with Willow.”

“I think that you and Willow should sit down before Morrigan gets here and discuss the future and how you plan to move forward.”

“There isn’t enough time for that Giles,” said Tara.

“It doesn’t have to be a long conversation, just think about it.”

“I will. I’m going to go freshen up a bit,” said the blonde as she left the kitchen.

******

As time got closer to Morrigan’s arrival nerves started to creep into Tara’s mind. She was leaning against the wall in her room staring out the window like she used to do in her dorm when Willow walked past. She stopped and watched her and saw Tara biting her lower lip knowing that it was something she did when she was nervous or stressed. Willow entered the room and quietly closed the door and then walked over and stood close to Tara, she wanted to wrap her arms around the blonde and just make her feel better; she didn’t like seeing Tara upset.

“You ok,” asked Willow.

“Yeah, I just started to psych myself out a bit,” Tara said as her hand instinctively went to Willows.

“It’ll be ok, I know that we can do this together, you know we were always stronger together than alone.”

Tara smiled and let Willow’s words comfort her and dispel her fears.

“Thank you. Even when I’m at my worst you still know how to make me feel better,” she whispered before pulling the redhead into a heartfelt hug. “So, how you holding up,” asked Tara.

“Huh? Oh, um, finey mcfine,” said Willow unable to convince even herself.

Tara sat them down on the window sill and took Willow’s hand in hers, their fingers naturally entwined together as she stared into the green pools that she loved so much.

“I’m hoping I’m just over reacting, but I didn’t think it would be fair to not tell you about Morrigan before she arrives.”

“No, I’m glad that you did. I do have a question for you, it isn’t totally related to Morrigan, and it isn’t an easy one to ask; nor do I think answering will be easy.”

“You can ask me anything, really,” Tara said reassuringly.

“Earlier you said that Morrigan knows what I meant to you and what I still mean to you. What did and do I mean to you? That is one of the things we’ve have skated around and maybe we need to discuss.”

“Ouch, go for the big talk,” laughed Tara still holding onto Willow’s hand and their fingers still entwined together as they so naturally did in the past, and she offered the redhead a soothing smile. “Willow, you were my everything, the love of my life, my soulmate…I do still love you, I still feel in my heart that you are my soulmate, that hasn’t changed over the years.”

“Tara,” interrupted Willow as she played with their entwined fingers. “I want to find a way to make us work too, and I know it is going to take time and that Ceri is top priority in all this. I have loved you since the day I first saw you and even when you left me, that didn’t change. Seeing you now just makes me want to make amends even more.”

“We have a long way to go but part of me, well a big part of me hopes that we can find a way to get back at some point what we had before, but to make it stronger. I just have to make sure that any decisions made are thought out completely for Ceri’s sake.”

“That is what I want that too.”

“Things fall apart, they fall so hard...You can't ever put them back the way they were...I'm sorry, it's just...you know it takes time. You can't just have lunch and expect…”

“I know,” said Willow

“There's so much to work through. Trust has to be built again, on both sides...you have to learn if you're even the same people you were, if you can fit in each other's lives, it's a long and important process and can we just skip it? Can you just be kissing me now?”

Willow leaned forward slowly stopping about an inch away from Tara’s face, after what felt like an eternity Tara completed the distance and they shared their first heartfelt kiss in five years. It was a tentative, soft and sensual kiss. It was more than a first kiss, but not the passion that they used to kiss with.

Tara got up putting distance between them, “Willow, we have to take this slow, but know I’m committed to seeing if we can make this work, to get us back.”

“I know that we will find a way to get us back,” Willow said as a tear of happiness rolled down her face.

“Ok, well, Morrigan should be here soon, why don’t you go and see if our daughter is ready for dinner,” Tara said letting out a deep breath and giving Willow a smile.

“I love the sound of that by the way; ‘our daughter’ has a good ring to it.”

“I agree,” Tara said as she fought the urge to pull Willow into another kiss.

******

As Tara was entering the living room she heard a knock at the door and made her way over to open it.

“Morrigan,” Tara said with a smile as she opened the door.

“Hello my dear,” Morrigan said with a smile and hugged the blonde as she entered the flat.

Dawn came out of the kitchen having heard the two voices. “Morrigan this is Dawn,” introduced Tara.

“Ah yes the younger Summers’ girl, the one if I remember correctly you refer to as your trial or was it practice daughter,” Morrigan said with a smirk as Dawn’s eyes widened and she glanced at Tara.

“I said first daughter and you damn well know that,” Tara said as she gave Morrigan’s arm a friendly swat and then turned towards Dawn. “Really Dawnie, I said first daughter, and you will always be.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” said Dawn shaking Morrigan’s hand.

“So, where is my beautiful grand-daughter?”

As if on cue, Willow came around the corner into the living room carrying a laughing Ceri on her back.

“Oh, um, hello,” said Willow surprised by the three standing near the door.

“Grandma,” squealed the 4 year old loudly from Willow’s back as Willow bent down to let the little girl off and saw her beeline to the newly arrived woman.

“You are getting so big and even more gorgeous,” Morrigan said as she hugged the girl in her arms.

Tara went to Willow’s side to offer comfort and support. What wasn’t missed by any of the adults in the room was the entwining of their fingers just standing next to one another and that they both seemed to relax once at the touch.

“Morrigan, this is Willow, Willow, this is Morrigan,” introduced Tara.

“It is a pleasure to finally meet you Willow,” said Morrigan as she pulled Willow into a hug. “I’ve heard so much about you over the years that I feel as if I already know you personally.”

“It’s nice to meet you as well,” Willow managed to get out before her mouth and throat went dry.

Giles set the table and finished prepping dinner and they all sat down and had a nice meal and chatted. Once dinner was done and cleaned up, Dawn volunteered to take Ceri for her bath and get her ready and into bed to give the others time to talk. She understood that this was a big deal for Willow and Tara if they had a chance for a future together and she desperately wanted her family back together.

“Perceptive one that trial daughter of yours,” smiled Morrigan after Dawn and Ceri left the room.

“She is, and she is just my daughter, get it right Granny,” proudly said Tara with the hint of a smirk showing through.

“I have no doubt that is your influence showing through.”

“I think her perceptiveness is more from Joyce her mother rather than me,” added Tara.

“I don’t know about that Tara, you have and will always be a major influence on Dawn, she has looked up to you, idolized you for years,” stated Willow.

“I agree with Willow,” added Giles.

“Fine, fine, I am truly awesome,” conceded the blonde with a blush and a strong hint of sarcasm.

“Nobody here is going to disagree with that statement my dear, thank you for accepting how we all feel towards you. Now, Willow,” said Morrigan as she turned to face the redhead. “Since you got my dear sweet Tara pregnant years ago, what are your plans for the future and do you have thoughts of making an honest woman of her?”

The room went silent, everyone in shock at the bluntness of Morrigan’s words. Willows mouth went dry, Tara’s jaw dropped and Giles took his glasses off and started to clean them, while Morrigan just sat there as though she had asked how the weather was in Sunnydale.

“I, uh, I,” stammered Willow. Tara hadn’t prepared her for this.

“Morrigan,” chastised Tara.

“What?” she said acting innocent “I just thought I’d break the ice by asking what everyone has been wondering, but was too afraid to say anything. You two have a unique connection to one another, how you feel towards one another or anyone really is blatantly obvious.”

“Still Morrigan that was uncalled for,” snipped Tara.

“It’s ok, it just um took me off guard,” said Willow. “How’d you know it was me that got Tara pregnant?”

“When you came around the corner with Ceri, there was no doubt in my mind as to who the co-parent was for that child. Well, that and I did the DNA test for Giles.”

“Oh, well, my love for Tara has only grown since the day I first saw her. Tara and I have a lot to talk about for future plans and what the future holds. There are some trust issues to resolve.”

“That is a fair and honest answer,” conceded Morrigan. “Now I want Giles and Tara to leave so that you and I can talk honestly and openly without worrying about adverse reactions from some people on what is said.”

“Not a chance Morrigan, I know you better than that,” stated Tara.

“Tara, really, it’s ok. I have nothing to hide, I want to do this,” said Willow reassuring her and squeezing her hand.

“Will,” Tara said with concern.

“Tara, its fine...trust me please, give us a little time to talk and then you guys can come back and maybe we can have coffee or something.”

Tara glared towards Morrigan and then squeezed Willow’s hand as she got up and left the room with Giles.

“Well, you are braver than I gave you credit for, or you weren’t informed much about me,” smiled Morrigan. “So, what are your intentions?”

“I’m not going to hide that I love Tara, I have and always will love her, and I know I screwed up. My hope is that Tara and I can find it in our hearts to forgive one another and that she will allow me to either let me have a relationship with Ceri or for us to become a family someday. Becoming a family is my preferred choice, but again that is something that Tara and I have to discuss and learn about who we are now and do we still work as a couple, and rebuild trust that has been damaged on both sides.”

“Well, that is more honesty than I thought I’d get from you on our first meeting. Tara and Ceri mean a lot to me and I will not let you hurt them and if there is even a chance that you will go back to abusing magic I will ensure that you have nothing to do with either of them. I don’t know what you know about me but know that I don’t make idle threats nor am I willing to risk the hearts and happiness of those I care for.”

“I haven’t touched magic in over five years, not since right after Tara left and I have no intention of relapsing. If anything, having Tara and Ceri in my life is more of a reason, not that I needed one, but I guess an added incentive to stay clean doesn’t hurt.”

“Don’t you live on the Hellmouth and help the Slayer?”

“I do, but I no longer help her magically, I help her tactically with technology instead. I know that if I were to ever use magic again that I will have to learn how fundamentals and the proper control before I did anything. I don’t think I’d even be comfortable doing the rose floating spell that was the first spell Tara and I did together.”

“That is definitely a change from what I heard your view was when you were with Tara.”

“I realized the moment she walked out the door what I had messed up and lost. I will forever wonder how I was so dense as to have it come to that before I realized what I was losing. I love her now as much if not more than I did when we were together. The strength that she shown by leaving me, moving here and raising our daughter shows the amazing and spectacular woman that she is and always has been. I do want to be a part of her and Ceri’s life, if we are able to rebuild a relationship together, yes, I would love nothing more than to make an honest woman of her and marry her, if we aren’t, just having them as a part of my life will be more than I could ever ask for,” Willow said with all the strength and confidence she would find.

“And do you plan on asking them to move to the Hellmouth?”

“I have actually given that a lot of thought over the past few days, and I can’t do that, I don’t want either of them in that kind of danger daily. I would be the one to move since I own my own business that can really be done from anywhere so it won’t be an issue, but I need for it to be something that Tara and I decide together. I will not force myself into their life, but on the same note, I won’t allow myself NOT to be a part of Ceri’s life now that I know I have a daughter.”

“Very mature,” said the older woman. “I know that Tara has strong feelings for you, please, promise me that you will be gentle with her heart.”

“You have my word, and my vow of it.”

“I know that Tara has been through a lot and I know that you have seen a lot. Tara is important to my life, but she has also made an impact on several women within my coven. Her strength and heart have helped so many,” said Morrigan.

“She is an amazing woman and I thank the goddesses that I was and am blessed enough to have her in my heart and life. She brings out the best in people and makes them want to be a better people,” interrupted Willow.

“Ceri has that same quality about her.”

“I’ve missed so much of her life. I don’t know if there is a way to make up for it.”

“For you to make it up to Ceri or for Tara to make it up to you,” asked Morrigan.

“Both,” said Willow.

“Give her a chance, I ask that of you though I have no right to ask it.”

“You do have a right because you love and care for her; I intend on giving her more than a chance.”

“Thank you. Then I have an offer to extend to you, if you are serious about learning the fundamentals of magic, I would like to offer myself and my time as your teacher and mentor.”

“I would appreciate and gladly accept that offer, provided that Tara is willing to accept me moving to London to be closer to her and Ceri AND that she is comfortable with me learning and using magic again.”

“My child, that I don’t think you will have to worry about, they both adore you and since they are both studying with me plus as Ceri’s parent you will be responsible for her magic training and use at some point,” said Morrigan warmly.

“It is a very mutual feeling, trust me,” Willow said unable to hide her smile.

“How are you handling the events of this week, honestly?”

“I am excited, nervous; still in shock, but for the first time in years I feel calm inside that only Tara can bring to my life.”

“She does have a way of doing that to people. I see it as a gift; she doesn’t see it at all.”

“That doesn’t surprise me; she has always underestimated and devalued herself and her abilities.”

“Do you have any questions or anything for me?”

“Why are you offering to help me?”

“Two reasons, one is because the power and talent that you possess is rare and shouldn’t be ignored. The second reason is a two parts, to keep an eye on you and to support Tara.”

“And what happens if I don’t meet your expectations?”

“You love Tara and Ceri therefore you met my expectations. If you hurt them, there isn’t a realm around that you will be safe in.”

“Well that sums that up, I’m sure I will at some point I will have other questions, but right now there is just so much going on inside my head that I can’t think of anything specific.”

“Anytime you have one, please let me know. Now should we let them back in or keep torturing them,” asked Morrigan.

“If it were just Giles being tortured, I would say keep him waiting, but I know Tara well enough that every second she is out there it is killing her.”

“Good point. I will go send her in and then help Giles with the coffee. You may tell her of my offer or you may keep it to yourself for now, that I leave up to you,” Morrigan said as she went to retrieve them.

Tara came in while Morrigan and Giles made the coffee and allowed the two some alone time.

“How’d it go,” Tara asked as she sat down next to Willow taking her hand in her own.

“It went fine, she really does love you and Ceri a lot.” Willow said as she squeezed Tara’s hand. “I have something for you to think about. Would you be open to the idea of me at some point moving to London to be near you and Ceri?”

“Will, you have your business, and what about Buffy?”

“My business can be done anywhere, and as for helping Buffy, I haven’t done magic since you left, I help her via technology, and I don’t need to be in Sunnydale to do that. I don’t want you to answer it now, just think about it and let me know after we’ve spent more time together in Sunnydale or when you feel comfortable with a decision. Know that I love you and I truly want us to build a future together, but if we can’t then I want to still be a part of Ceri’s life.”

“That sounds fair. Oh and Will, I love you too and I hope we can find a way to build a future together. I’ve missed you a lot over the past five years,” smiled Tara. “I’m glad that Morrigan didn’t scare you away.”

Willow cupped Tara’s face in her hands, “If I didn’t run screaming when you told me about Ceri, nothing and nobody could cause me too.” With that she kissed Tara’s forehead, and then pulled her into an embrace. They heard Giles and Morrigan coming back and separated.

“So, when are you guys looking to leave for Sunnydale so that I can have my pilot and plane ready?”

“Would tomorrow mid-morning be too short of a time for them to get things ready?” asked Giles.

“Nope, I’ll let him know and have him get it ready. Doug will be staying there while you guys are there so whenever you are ready to return he’ll be there. I do however need him back here in a month.”

“I don’t think that we’ll be there that long,” laughed Tara. “Kelly would kill me if I left her to watch the stores for that long.”

“Have you told Ceri that she is finally going to see Sunnydale?” asked Willow

“Nope, maybe we should call her and Dawn in and tell them what is going on,” said Tara.

“I’ll go get them,” offered Giles.

Tara caught Morrigan staring at her and Willow with a smile. She was about to comment when Giles came back in with Dawn and Ceri.

“Come here baby girl,” said Tara pulling Ceri onto her lap.

“What’s up Mommy?”

“Well, remember when you asked when you could go and see Sunnydale, where Mommy met Auntie Dawn, Willow, and Grandpa?”

“And Buffy?”

“Yep, and Buffy.”

“Yeah, I member,” said the redhead on her lap.

“Well, Grandma is going to let us borrow her plane and we are going to go to Sunnydale tomorrow. Is that ok with you?”

“Really? I get to go on a plane and to see where Auntie Dawnie lives?”

“If you want to,” smiled the blonde.

“Yay!! You’re the bestest Mommy in the whole world,” yelled Ceri as she jumped off Tara’s lap and started to dance around the room as everyone laughed then she stopped and looked at Tara and asked “um, are Auntie Dawn and Willow going to go with us?”

“Yes, we are going to go with and so is Grandpa,” said Willow.

“Has anyone thought about how we are getting from the airport to the house?” asked Dawn. “Buffy’s Jeep won’t hold us all.”

“I was thinking that once we land you two could call her and tell her to pick you up and then while you guys stall her we can rent a car then head to the house and meet you guys there?” said Giles.

“I like it,” said Willow. “She’ll be so shocked to just see you Tara. I know she has missed you a lot.”

“I’ve missed her too,” said the blonde.

“Actually everyone there has missed you, I bet we even get Anya to be speechless,” said Dawn.

“You are all evil and sneaky aren’t you,” laughed Morrigan.

“One of the things you love most about me,” said Tara.

“It is just one of many things my dear, one of many things.”

“I’ll call Buffy in a few minutes and tell her that Dawn and I are trying to get the same flight and we don’t know what the exact time is that we’ll be in, but that we’ll call her when we get there to pick us up. That way it gives you guys’ time to get the rental car and get to the house,” said Willow.

After saying goodbye to Morrigan, Willow excused herself to Giles’ office to call Buffy. Morrigan pulled Tara aside and told her that she thought that Willow was going to be a great addition to their family in whatever aspect she allowed her to be. That to Tara was the equivalent of a parent’s approval, which meant the world to her. Tara had a hard time getting an overly excited Ceri to bed, but she finally fell asleep.

******

The next morning they all made their way to the airport to start their family vacation to Sunnydale.

“Mommy, can I sit by the window to look outside,” asked Ceri.

“Of course you can if you want to,” said Tara.

“Willow, will you sit by me and play games with me?”

“I sure will,” smiled Willow.

They boarded the plane and found it to be your standard Lear jet. Plush leather swivel seats, drop-leaf tables, two seats to a row. Ceri chose her seat and Dawn sat next to her, Willow and Tara took a seat across from the two younger girls and Giles sat across the aisle from them. Dawn held Ceri’s hand as they took off, the little girl watching out the side window in amazement on her first trip in a plane. Willow and Tara held hands out of habit rather than fear or support. They flew to Sunnydale with no turbulence or delays. Once they arrived at the hanger, everyone moved off the plane, gathered their luggage and moved towards the terminal. Giles rented a car and took Tara and Ceri with him to the Summers’ house while Willow and Dawn made their way further into the main terminal and called Buffy. When Buffy arrived she was very excited to see the two girls, they loaded up the car and headed back to the house.

“So Dawnie, how was your visit,” asked the Slayer.

“It was nice, very different than the others, but a nice different,” said Dawn. “I can’t wait to show you some of the pictures that I took.”

“Whoa, you took pictures? You haven’t taken pictures in a long time. So Will, how was the stuff with the Frenchy company?”

“It went very well; we signed a couple contracts so I’ll be adding them to the list of clients. I think I’ll get a bunch of business from them since they have a bunch of other companies under their umbrella as well,” laughed Willow.

“Is that going to mean more trips out of the country,” asked Buffy.

“It might, but we’ll have to see how the initial project goes. I think most of their other companies are out of the UK so if anything I’d be traveling to the London area,” Willow said as a smile crossed her face she saw they were getting closer to the house.

“Well, that would work for you and Giles trying to make amends and then with Dawnie running off there every chance she gets. I’m still not sure how you afford all these trips.”

“Frequent flyer miles, Buffy. I get a good rate and Giles give me the ones he gets from the Watcher’s Council work he does.”

“Well, that makes sense then,” smiled the Slayer.

As they were pulling up to the house Buffy noticed a strange car in her driveway and as she looked closer at the person leaning against the car she recognized a familiar blonde she didn’t believe what her eyes were seeing though. Stunned she slowly pulled into the driveway, barely got the car in park before launching herself out of the jeep and into Tara’s arms.

“Oh…my…god,” cried Buffy clutching the blonde. “Oh…my…god!”

“Buffy…air…issue,” choked Tara.

“Sorry, no wait – deal with it Tara,” said the Slayer as she continued to hold the blonde tightly. “I never thought I’d see you again.”

“I know, I wasn’t sure you would either,” said Tara straining for breath. “I missed you Buffy.”

“You’re really here right, I’m not dreaming or anything,” asked Buffy still in disbelief.

“Yes, I am really here and will be for maybe three weeks provided you don’t break my ribs or keep depriving me of air,” said Tara holding the crying Slayer as she felt a soft tug on her shirt.

“Mommy, why is she crying? Isn’t she happy to see you? You said she was going to be happy to see you...tears don’t mean that she is happy to see you do they? Mommy, are you crying too? I don’t like it when you cry.”

Buffy looked down to where the babbling little voice was coming from and registering that she believed she had heard that little voice calling Tara Mommy. When her eyes met the little girl her mouth fell open and her eyes went between Tara and the little girl and back. Tara knelt down and picked the little girl up.

“Baby, she is just surprised and happy to see me, those are tears of joy. So are mine. She hasn’t seen me in over five years, and we didn’t tell her that we were coming, so this is a really big surprise to her.”

“So, it is ok that we came to visit and she isn’t mad that we’re here?”

“No sweetie, she isn’t mad that we are here,” Tara said before looking over at the dumbfounded and speechless Slayer. “Buffy, this is my daughter Ceri, Ceri this is Auntie Dawns sister Buffy.”

“Hi,” said Ceri as she shyly hid in her mom’s hair.

“Hi,” said Buffy still not sure what was going on but mesmerized by the little redhead with the amazing blue eyes.

“Mommy, if she is Auntie Dawn’s sister, does that still make her my Auntie Buffy,” whispered the little redhead.

“Yep sweetie it does, but why don’t we give her a little time to get used to us being here.”

“Come on squirt, let me show you around inside – come on Giles,” said Dawn.

Buffy hadn’t realized that Giles was even standing there yet.

“Hey,” she said to him while still watching Ceri and Tara.

“Hello Buffy,” said Giles as he hugged her and kissed the top of her head.

“Grandpa hugs Mommy like that too,” said Ceri as Giles smiled warmly at her as she moved over to Dawn’s arms.

“Grandpa,” laughed Buffy as he followed Dawn and Ceri into the house.

“Hey Buff,” said Willow as she came up next to Tara and Buffy.

“Will, did you know that they were going to be here?” asked the Slayer. “Did you know anything about this?”

“Yeah, I did, it was Dawnies idea to surprise you.”

“You guys were all in on it? I’m going to have to have a long talk with that sister of mine. Tara, I believe you have some explaining to do. You disappear for over five years, and now you have a daughter? How? When? Who is her father? Where the hell have you been?”

“Um, Buffy, do you need glasses,” asked Tara laughing. “Who does she look most like?”

“Well, Willow. Oh my god, she’s Willow’s daughter? How? Wait, is that even possible? She did seem to have the patented ‘Willow-Babble’ going.”

“Yes, she is mine and Willow’s daughter. We’re still piecing together the specifics on how, but I got pregnant two months after I moved out of here, the same time I got to London where I’ve been living.”

“Will, did you know?”

“Did I know about Ceri? Until a few days ago, I didn’t have a clue. Do you think that Tara and I would have had no contact if I did? I just found out a few days ago that Tara was living in London. Ceri’s amazing though Buffy, and Tara is an amazing mom,” said the enamored redhead as Tara blushed.

“Apparently if the kid has you swooning already,” laughed the Slayer. “I’m also having a hard time picturing Giles as Grandpa and Auntie Dawn, how long has she known?”

“He’s amazing with her, and Ceri loves him so much. I’ve lived with Giles for over five years so he’s been a part of Ceri’s life since the very beginning. Dawn came to visit Giles that first time after I moved out and found me living there, so she’s known I was in London since then.”

“You, you and Ceri are why the little snot heads to London at the drop of a hat isn’t it?”

“Yeah, I believe it is. She loves Ceri like a little sister,” Tara said proudly as Ceri came running out to them with a confused look on her face.

“Mommy, Auntie Dawn said that you used to live here too, is that true?”

“Yep, I used to live here with Willow, Auntie Dawn, and Auntie Buffy,” said Tara and Buffy smiled to herself hearing Tara call her Auntie Buffy.

“Wow, that is so cool,” said the little redhead as Tara picked her up and kissed her.

“Tara, you and Ceri take my room” said Willow as she mouthed ‘our old room’. “Well that is if you are ok with them staying here Buffy.”

“Of course, welcome to Casa de Summers’ or home as you need to remember it is still called Tara,” Buffy said giving Tara a stern look

“Thanks Buffy,” said Tara as they headed into the house.

As they walked towards the stairs Tara saw that all the old pictures of them were still up. She stopped and pointed out the pictures to Ceri and told her about them. Ceri was amazed at every one of the pictures.

“You look so pretty in those pictures Mommy.”

“Thank you, Sweetie. Do you guys mind if I take her up for a nap?”

“Nope, you know where everything is,” said Buffy.

“Thanks, we’ll be down after someone has had a nap.”

“You need a nap Mommy,” said Ceri through a yawn.

“Yes, and so do you, Sweetheart” she smiled and upstairs they went.

******

Giles and Dawn headed to the Magic Box to invite Anya and Xander over for dinner while Buffy and Willow moved to the living room.

“Wholly crap,” said Buffy looking at her best friend.

“What’s up Buff? You ok?”

“You know damn well what I am talking about Rosenberg. Will, honestly, how are you dealing with all this? How did you guys get to this point? I need some insight here – help me,” asked Buffy.

“I am still in shock to be honest. When I got to London Dawn and my flights were delayed and sat on the tarmac for a bit and when I got inside the terminal I saw Tara, Faith, and Giles picking up Dawn, what I didn’t see was Dawn carrying Ceri. I called out to Tara as they left the terminal and she sent Giles and the girls to the car, Faith stayed by her side though and she and I talked for a couple minutes then she took me to her office nearby for us to talk. While we were talking I saw pictures of Dawn and Ceri, Tara, Ceri, Faith, and Giles from a year or so ago. I was mesmerized by that little girl from that moment. She told me that Ceri was my daughter and well, things got a bit ugly with yelling and anger, but we agreed that for Ceri’s sake we would try to make it work and then we discussed Tara getting pregnant and we pieced more together and we think happened to get her pregnant, and then she invited me back to their flat to meet Ceri.”

“That explains the plan changes,” said Buffy. “Faith was there? Are her and Tara close? Oh my god, are they dating? Her office? What has she been doing in London all this time? Ok, that woman has some serious explaining to do.”

“Yeah, I was maximizing my time with Ceri and Tara. And yes, her and Faith are close in a friendship capacity, nothing more, I thought there was more from their closeness, but Tara said they are just really good friends. Faith has changed a lot Buffy, kinda like the rest of us. Tara will have to explain what she has been doing in the UK, she is still so amazing Buffy.”

“So, how are things on the Willow Tara front?”

“I love her, she loves me, but we have a long way to go if ever to be back to where we were before the addiction took over. She said that if I want she won’t exclude me from being a part of Ceri’s life.”

“That is good. How is Giles dealing with sharing them?” Buffy said trying to hide her laughter.

“He seems ok with it. He’s great with Ceri and the way he and Tara run their house is amazing.”

“Well, they are a lot alike. Have you guys talked about telling Ceri that you are her mom too?”

“No, and I’m sure in time we will talk about it, right now just getting to be a part of their life works for me.”

“Anya and Xander are coming to dinner tonight you know, they are going to freak! You realize that right?”

“Yeah, I do. I hope Tara is prepared for it,” laughed Willow.

“Hope I’m prepared for what,” asked Tara as she came down the stairs and into the living room. She had changed after her nap and was now wearing a well-worn pair of blue jeans and a heather grey Brigid’s Box t-shirt.

“Oh we were discussing how Anya and Xander are going to freak not only when the see you, but when they meet your daughter,” said Willow.

“Our daughter Will, you need to get used to that. We also need to figure out during this trip how to explain it to her too.”

“I wasn’t sure if or when you wanted to tell her. I didn’t know if you wanted to wait for proof that I won’t be a harmful influence in her life,” Willow said as she tried to look down, but Tara stopped her.

“Will, we wouldn’t be here if I had any doubts about your influence or wanting you as her mother as well,” said Tara as she was pulled down to sit in-between Willow and Buffy.

“I for one still cannot believe that you guys are parents, or that you missy are even here,” smiled Buffy and hugged the blonde. “When do you have to go back?”

“Well, see that is the nice part, a very good friend of mine loaned us her private plane to get here and the pilot is hanging around until we are ready. So, it hasn’t been decided, but no longer than 3 weeks, since she needs her plane back by then.”

“So, wait, you all came on the private plane? I was set up for this little surprise?”

“Yes, and yes,” said the redhead as she tried to use Tara as protection.

“Oh no Willow, I am not your protection,” said Tara as she tried to squirm out of the way of the Slayer trying to hit the redhead with a pillow.

“Mommy,” said a little voice standing near the three women who were squirming on the couch.

“Hi Sweetie,” said Willow. “Did you have a good nap?”

“Yeah,” said the sleepy little redhead as she crawled onto Tara’s lap and cuddled with her laying her head on Tara’s shoulder.

Both Willow and Buffy did the silent ‘awwww’ at the site of mother and daughter cuddled up together.

“So how about I make dinner for us tonight for when we surprise Anya and Xander,” asked Tara.

“You know I will never say no to your cooking,” said Buffy.

“Sweetie, why don’t you sit with Willow while I go see about making dinner?”

“Come here, I’m not as good at snuggles as your mommy, but I am pretty good,” said Willow holding her arms out as her daughter crawled over to snuggle with her similar to how she was sitting with Tara. “How about we watch some cartoons while Mommy and Buffy talk and get dinner ready?”

“Ok,” said the little girl as Willow turned on the TV and the two of them snuggled up on the couch and became captivated by the show.

******

“Ok, you have some talking to do missy,” said the Slayer as soon as they got into the kitchen.

“Huh, what?!”

“Tara, you have been living with Giles, you have a daughter, a very adorable one I might add, and somehow you got my sister to hide it all for years.”

“It was easy to get her, Faith, and Giles to be quiet, I told them if they told you or Willow anything I would disappear and they would never see me or Ceri again, and they knew I could pull it off. As for the rest, can we wait until everyone is here and I can explain it once?”

“Alright, I’ll let that slide – for now. So, are you dating someone? Are you interested in dating my best friend?”

“You haven’t changed at all,” laughed the blonde as she started getting lasagna prepared for dinner.

“Nope, so details…”

“No, I am not dating anyone, and I’m not dating your best friend though the option is not completely off the table.”

“Ok, then the harder question that I think I know the answer to, but have to ask anyway…is there a chance that you will be moving back to Sunnydale?”

“That I can honestly say no, there is not a chance that I will move back here. I have to think about Ceri’s safety, I also have my own business that I have to maintain in London. I’m sorry, I know that isn’t the response that you were hoping for, but I’m hoping that if this visit goes well, we might be able to come back and visit more often. Well more often than once every five years.”

“You are family Tara, no matter what goes on with you and Will, you and that little cutie are always welcome.”

“She is a cutie isn’t she,” said Tara glowing about her daughter.

“She is a mini you and Willow, I knew you two would have cute kids if you could, but damn Tara,” laughed the Slayer.

Just then Willow and Ceri came into the kitchen. “You were missed so we thought we’d come and see how dinner was going.”

“Aww, did you miss me honey,” said Tara as she hugged her daughter who was still in Willows arms.

“Uh huh,” said a little voice.

“Are you still tired or just being shy?”

“Um,” was all Ceri would say.

“Sweetie, you weren’t shy at home with Willow, is it because you don’t know Auntie Buffy and we aren’t in our house,” asked Tara as she saw her daughter nod. “Ah, well, how about tomorrow if Auntie Buffy doesn’t have to work her and I take you to the park to play and you can get to know her?”

“Can Willow come too?”

“Will,” asked Tara.

“I don’t have to work so I can definitely go with, Buffy?”

“As it turns out, tomorrow is my day off and I was wondering who I could find to go to the park with,” said the Slayer trying to win the little redhead over and receiving a patented Tara lopsided smile from her. “So how do we want to surprise everyone?”

“I figured you guys could be in the living room and I could come out and tell you dinner will be ready soon? Dawnie can hang with Ceri upstairs until we’re ready for them to meet her. That way she isn’t too overwhelmed. Or we could just put Ceri and I in a big present box and have us jump out at everyone and yell surprise,” said Tara making Ceri laugh.

“You quiet and nice ones are the ones to watch out for aren’t you,” laughed Buffy.

“She truly is Buff! Sneaky, stealthy, and always under the radar,” agreed Willow.

“Watch it Red, I know a few of your secrets you don’t want revealed,” taunted Tara with a smirk.

“I-I-I, um…Alright, well how about I take Ceri up to Dawn’s room and we’ll wait for her there,” said Willow looking to make a quick escape from the conversation.

“Who’s going to my room,” asked Dawn as she entered the kitchen. “Oh my god, sweet, I have SO missed your cooking! It smells awesome in here Tara!”

“Whatever kid, you’ve seen her and had her cook for you over the last five years – WE’VE missed her cooking,” said Buffy motioning between herself and Willow causing everyone to giggle.

“Auntie Dawn,” squealed Ceri as she wiggled from Willow’s arms to Dawn’s arms.

“Willow was going to take me to your room to wait for you,” said Ceri.

“We’re going to have you keep her upstairs while we bring Tara out to surprise Xander and Anya. That way she doesn’t get too overwhelmed.”

“Works for me, come on squirt lets go play in my room! Give mommy a hug,” said Dawn as she brought the little girl over to her mom, she hugged her and gave her a kiss.

“Can I give Willow a hug too?”

“You certainly can,” said Willow as she accepted a hug from the little girl and Dawn left.

“I think someone likes you Will,” said Tara.

“You think so?”

“She is very snobbish with her hugs, so to have her ask if she can give you a hug, I’d call that a good sign.”

“I feel honored then. By the way, I like the t-shirt. I may have to get myself one of those,” laughed Willow.

“Why thank you! I actually have one for you upstairs,” laughed Tara.

Buffy watched the interaction between the two and knew that it wouldn’t be long before they managed to get back together, that scared her because she knew that Tara wouldn’t move here and she didn’t want to lose her best friend.

“So, help a Slayer out here, what is up with the t-shirt?”

“You’ll understand shortly, once everyone is here,” smiled Tara.

Just then Giles came in and said that Anya and Xander would be there shortly, they filled him in on how they were going to surprise them.

******
TBC...

_________________
~ Branny72
I found younger-me still exists in the archives as SlayerTazz...
Mending Fences | The One Where Everyone Has a Go |Actions and Consequences | Meant To Be

Great update ..waiting for more..

Add me to the list!

I'm waiting for more too!

Heeheehee!

Snuggly little Twillow moppet, soooo cute

Kittens do kids so well

More please?

R

_________________
“All I feel is sunlight. All I hear is music.” Willow
How i Met Your Mother - By Ariel

My Story: Coming Home

Great update!!
Really happy that Ceri is finally meeting the rest of her family. I think Tara should tell Willow that they should stay in Sunnydale so Ceri can have her whole family together again. Can't what for the next update!

That's the rough part of all this.
It's perfectly sensible to want to keep your child out of danger, but when your family fights monsters, that means keeping away from family.

That having been said, who can protect you better than the slayer and her scoobies?

R

_________________
“All I feel is sunlight. All I hear is music.” Willow
How i Met Your Mother - By Ariel

My Story: Coming Home

lilyred: Glad you liked the update!!

Azirahael: Here is more...I hope you enjoy the update!

Willow_Friendly: Glad you liked the update. I hope you like this update too!

Azirahael & Willow_Friendly: I cannot confirm or deny what Tara may or may not do...but the next few chapters will be very telling.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter Rating: PG-13 maybe just PG...
Feedback: Pretty please…no beta reader…

Authors Note: Ok, so I was able to put this together quicker than I thought -- life didn’t go as far awry as I thought it was going to!
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Chapter‭ ‬6

Twenty minutes after Giles and Dawn returned to Casa de Summers‭’ ‬the doorbell rang and Willow got up and answered the door.‭ ‬She ushered Xander and Anya into the living room where Buffy and Giles were talking.

‭“‬Hey Buffster‭! ‬It smells awesome in here by the way,‭” ‬said Xander.

‭“‬Hey Xander,‭ ‬Anya,‭” ‬said Buffy offering them a smile.

‭“‬It does smell good,‭ ‬which obviously means that neither you or Willow are cooking,‭ ‬who’s cooking,‭” ‬said the former vengeance demon.

‭“‬Giles,‭ ‬my man,‭ ‬are you cooking,‭” ‬asked Xander as he and Anya sat down on the couch.

‭“‬Who me‭? ‬No,‭ ‬not at all,‭ ‬I’m on vacation,‭” ‬smiled Giles.

‭“‬Giles is a very good cook,‭ ‬but not quite as good as I am,‭” ‬said a voice from behind them one that they recognized,‭ ‬but hadn’t heard in a very long time.

Both Anya and Xander whipped around to see Tara standing behind them.‭ ‬They were both speechless and frozen in place in shock.

‭“‬Dinner will be ready in about‭ ‬30‭ ‬minutes,‭” ‬she added giving them a wink and her special lopsided smile.

‭“‬Tara,‭” ‬whispered a very stunned Xander as he was finally able to stand up and move.‭ ‬He wrapped her up in his arms and lifted her off the ground rocking and holding her close,‭ ‬the reunion brought them both to tears.

‭“‬Hi Xander,‭” ‬she sniffled but continued holding onto him tightly.

‭“‬What are you doing here‭? ‬Not that I’m complaining,‭ ‬we just we all missed you so much.‭ ‬And might I say you are looking absolutely incredible,‭ ‬oh my god Tara.‭”

“Out of the way buddy,‭ ‬my turn to hug the blonde hottie,‭” ‬said Anya as she shoved her husband out of the way to get to Tara.‭ ‬As she wrapped her arms around the blonde tightly the rest of the room laughed while Willow smiled to see the happiness reflected in everyone’s face.

‭“‬Hey Anya,‭” ‬said Tara as she hugged her back just as tightly.

‭“‬Where have you been‭? ‬I have been worried about you for years.‭ ‬I think these two wrinkles right here even came from me worrying about where you were and what you were doing,‭” ‬scolded Anya.

‭“‬I’m sorry.‭ ‬I’ve been living with Giles in London for the past five years.‭”

“I’m sorry you’ve what,‭” ‬asked Xander looking between Tara and Giles.

‭“‬I’ve been living in London with Giles,‭” ‬Tara stated again.

‭“‬You’ve been living with Giles,‭” ‬repeated Xander.‭ “‬That means that you knew where she was this whole time.‭ ‬Did Dawn know‭? ‬She had to…You,‭ ‬you are the real reason that she disappears every holiday and break from school to London aren’t you‭? ‬She goes there to be with you.‭”

“Hey,‭ ‬she likes to visit me as well you know,‭” ‬scoffed Giles.

‭“‬I keep getting blamed for that,‭ ‬but I am only partially to blame for her coming there so frequently.‭”

“How‭? ‬Why‭? ‬Don’t get me wrong,‭ ‬I just…you’re here,‭ ‬and…Will,‭ ‬what the hell‭? ‬No heads up‭? ‬Did you know about this,‭” ‬said Xander still trying to process the reappearance of the missing love of his best friends‭’ ‬life.

‭“‬Xander shut up and let her explain,‭” ‬said Anya.

‭“‬Xander,‭ ‬we discussed telling you guys and it was over-ruled and decided that surprising you would be so much more fun,‭” ‬teased the redhead.

‭“‬Hey,‭ ‬at least you were sitting down.‭ ‬I picked up Willow and Dawn at the airport and pulled up to the house to see Tara learning against her car.‭ ‬I almost wrecked the Jeep,‭” ‬said Buffy as Willow and Tara shared a look and laughed.

‭“‬Well,‭ ‬I feel better knowing it wasn’t just us kept in the dark,‭” ‬said Xander.

‭“‬So are you going to explain now,‭” ‬asked Anya.

‭“‬Who is we exactly,‭” ‬Xander asked looking at Willow.

‭“‬Dawn,‭ ‬Giles,‭ ‬Tara,‭ ‬and myself,‭ ‬though mostly it was Dawnie,‭” ‬Willow said after receiving a glare from her best friend.

‭“‬Well,‭ ‬I’ve made Buffy wait to hear the full story on things and I can tell you about it now or we can wait until after dinner,‭” ‬said Tara with a knowing grin.

‭“‬Now please,‭ ‬and you had better start from when you left missy,‭” ‬said Anya as Xander and Buffy nodded in agreement.

‭“‬Ok,‭ ‬well Giles would you mind keeping an eye on dinner‭? ‬You lived most of this so you don’t need to hear it all again.‭”

“Certainly,‭” ‬he said as he got up and patted her on the shoulder as he left the room.

Everyone got comfortable,‭ ‬Tara taking a perch on the arm of the chair that Willow was sitting in.‭ “‬When I first left the house I wasn’t sure where to go or what to do.‭ ‬So I went and found out that my old dorm room was available,‭ ‬and I moved in there to try and figure out what to do next.‭ ‬I spent a lot of the time crying and wondering why.‭ ‬I was driving myself into a nice and cozy depression,‭ ‬along with feeling helpless and worthless.‭ ‬One day I went for a walk just to get out of the room and there were so many memories of all of you,‭ ‬and our lives together.‭ ‬I needed to find a place to go I needed to get out of Sunnydale.‭ ‬It had been two months and it still hurt.‭ ‬I knew sure as hell wasn’t going back to my Dad’s,‭ ‬but I didn’t know where else to go.‭ ‬I called Giles,‭ ‬and we talked for a long time about all that was going on and my leaving Willow and the house and he offered for me to come to London to sort things out.‭”

“On top of the hurt I had been having nightmares nightly since I had moved out of the house.‭ ‬The nightmares were very detailed and vivid,‭ ‬I could have sworn that I‭ ‬could smell and feel all that was happening around me in the dream.‭ ‬Though not all the dreams I had were nightmares,‭” ‬Tara said with a slight blush as she glanced out of the corner of her eye at Willow.

‭“‬You had a sex dream didn’t you,‭” ‬asked Anya much to the dismay of everyone in the room.

‭“‬I’m getting to the dream,‭ ‬keep you guesses to yourself.‭ ‬The good dream I had,‭ ‬well it turns out Willow actually had at the same dream at the same time,‭ ‬it was recalling the events of the day that the singing demon Sweet was in town,‭ ‬my singing to Willow and all that transpired afterwards,‭ ‬then it morphed into me pregnant and well us having a child.‭ ‬It was an amazing dream,‭ ‬especially after the nightmares I had been having.‭ ‬It wasn’t until two months later that I received a life changing surprise.‭ ‬That was when I found out I was two months pregnant.‭”

“See I told you it was a sex dream,‭” ‬started Anya as the words set in.‭ “‬Um,‭” ‬said Anya raising her hand while Buffy and Xanders mouths dropped,‭ ‬Willow however was trying to become one with the cushions on the chair she was sitting in.‭ “‬Wait,‭ ‬did you say pregnant‭?”

“Yes,‭ ‬now close your mouth and let me finish,‭” ‬smiled Tara.‭ “‬Giles and I were shocked and confused to say the least.‭ ‬The weekend I found out I was pregnant was that first weekend that Dawn surprised Giles with a visit and subsequently found out I was living there.‭ ‬When Dawn learned of the pregnancy she was so excited,‭ ‬and THAT was when she started to spend every holiday and any other time she could there with us.‭ ‬I don’t know what I would have done without her that weekend though.‭”

“Wait,‭ ‬so Dawn and Giles knew where you were and that you were pregnant,‭” ‬said a hurt Xander.

‭“‬Yes,‭ ‬but they didn’t say anything because I threatened them both that if they told anyone I would disappear for good,‭ ‬and they knew I would and could.‭ ‬I didn’t feel like I was family with you guys anymore after Willow and I broke up.‭ ‬After I found out I was pregnant the nightmares went away,‭ ‬and the morning sickness kicked in.‭ ‬It was a normal pregnancy,‭ ‬though our daughter did think my bladder as a squeeze toy and a punching bag to practice her kickboxing with‭; ‬I must add she could rival a Slayer with some of her kicking skills,‭” ‬Tara saw Willow smirk at that.‭ “‬That is twice now Rosenberg that you have laughed at that.‭”

“Like I said before it is because I see you glowing whenever you are talking about her,‭ ‬it’s an amazing sight to see,‭” ‬Willow said trying to cover herself.

‭“‬Riiiiight,‭” ‬laughed Tara.‭ “‬I didn’t buy that the first time you told me and I’m not buying it this time either.‭”

“Wait,‭ ‬so you two really have a daughter‭? ‬Cuz you said our,‭ ‬I definitely heard OUR,‭” ‬said Xander.

‭“‬We do and once I am done with the story you can meet her if you want,‭” ‬said Tara.

‭“‬S-S-She’s here,‭” ‬asked Xander looking around to see if she was in the room and he had missed her.

‭“‬We want,‭” ‬said Anya who had been abnormally quiet during Tara’s story.

‭“‬Dawnie actually was there when I went into labor,‭ ‬thankfully.‭ ‬She kept her cool,‭ ‬she called Giles,‭ ‬she called my doctor,‭ ‬and then she got a cab and got us there safely.‭ ‬I then spent the next‭ ‬38‭ ‬hours in labor‭ – ‬without meds,‭ ‬stubborn little kid.‭ ‬Gee I wonder where she gets that from,‭” ‬smiled Tara looking over at Willow who had started to blush again.

‭“‬Wholly crap‭ ‬38‭ ‬hours‭!” ‬said Buffy,‭ ‬Xander,‭ ‬and Anya together.

‭“‬Giles and Dawn were amazing though and they got me through it.‭ ‬Since Ceri was born,‭ ‬Dawn has been amazing with her.‭ ‬I’ve been so grateful for her visits on holidays and breaks.‭ ‬After Ceri was born I was able to finish University with my business degree and then I opened my first Brigid’s Box store in London,‭ ‬I now own‭ ‬4‭ ‬locations.‭ ‬I got lucky to have Giles to help with Ceri and the stores.‭ ‬Ceri is now‭ ‬4‭ ‬and the most amazing little girl in the world‭; ‬though I may be a little biased on that matter.‭”

“No,‭ ‬she is,‭” ‬added Willow in agreement.‭ “‬And I’m not biased at all.‭”

“Sure you aren’t Willow.‭ ‬Though I have to admit that she is a mini Willow and Tara all mushed into one cute little package,‭” ‬added Buffy.

‭“‬So,‭ ‬now um,‭ ‬let’s go back to the whole part about you being pregnant and what it has to do with Willow.‭ ‬Aren’t orgasms needed to become pregnant,‭” ‬asked Anya.‭

“The night Tara got pregnant and we shared the dream,‭ ‬I had fallen asleep holding the dolls eye crystal that she had given me,‭ ‬and the best we can come up with in our research is that the crystal and dream made a wish of ours come true unknowingly,‭” ‬said Willow.

‭“‬So,‭ ‬you knocked her up and left her to raise the kid for‭ ‬4‭ ‬years alone,‭” ‬scoffed Anya glaring in Willow’s direction.

‭“‬Yes,‭ ‬Anya,‭ ‬she did get me pregnant,‭ ‬but she didn’t know and wouldn’t have known if she hadn’t spotted me with Giles and Faith when we picked Dawn up at the airport in London earlier this week.‭ ‬Also I wasn’t alone.‭ ‬I had Dawn,‭ ‬Giles,‭ ‬Faith,‭ ‬and a couple of really good close friends.‭”

“So,‭ ‬you’ve met her,‭” ‬questioned Xander looking directly at Willow.

‭“‬Yeah,‭ ‬I spent part of my business trip in London talking things over with Tara and getting to know our daughter.‭ ‬So,‭ ‬do Uncle Xander and Auntie Anya want to meet our daughter‭?”

“Ok,‭ ‬that sounds weird,‭ ‬so are you two back together now,‭” ‬asked Xander.

‭“‬No,‭ ‬we aren’t and does that even matter at this point‭? ‬We haven’t told Ceri that Willow is her mother too and we’d like to keep it that way for now.‭ ‬She’s only‭ ‬4‭ ‬and has had a lot of things thrown at her so far.‭ ‬So please,‭ ‬think before you speak,‭” ‬warned Tara looking at Buffy,‭ ‬Xander,‭ ‬and Anya.

‭“‬Yes ma’am,‭” ‬said the three in unison.

With their agreement and understanding Tara excused herself to go get Ceri and Dawn.‭ ‬Once Tara was out of earshot Willow felt all eyes shift to her and she began to hope and pray that Tara would be back VERY quickly.

‭“‬What,‭” ‬Willow asked the group,‭ ‬her voice cracking slightly.

‭“‬How can you be so calm,‭” ‬asked Xander.

‭“‬Xander,‭ ‬I’ve had a week of freaking out to get past it or at least absorb it.‭ ‬Plus when she told me about Ceri,‭ ‬I kinda sorta blew up at her and said some not so pleasant and downright mean things.‭”

“Justifiable,‭ ‬but still,‭ ‬Will you have a kid,‭ ‬an actual living and breathing little girl,‭” ‬said Xander.‭

“I know,‭ ‬and it’s a kid with Tara,‭ ‬something I always wanted,‭ ‬but never thought I’d get the chance to have.‭”

“I still don’t think that a week would be enough time for me to be as calm as you are,‭” ‬stated Xander.

‭“‬Well,‭ ‬I can be calm and be allowed to see and get to know my daughter or I can freak and miss out on more time because it would scare and confuse her.‭ ‬I see this as the more advantageous approach.‭”

“Hey Will,‭ ‬get the t-shirt stuff now,‭” ‬smiled Buffy trying to change the subject‭; ‬she could see the way this was going things could be said that would hurt on both sides and not help the current situation.

‭“‬What about the t-shirt,‭” ‬asked Anya.

‭“‬I told Tara that I liked her t-shirt and wanted to get one.‭ ‬She’s wearing one of her Brigid’s Box t-shirts.‭”

“Oh,‭ ‬yeah,‭ ‬that is a good marketing tool.‭ ‬I don’t think that it is going to benefit her much here though.‭”

“Well,‭ ‬she does have online shopping as well,‭” ‬smiled Willow though knowing that technology was not Tara’s friend she was impressed by it.

‭“‬She does‭? ‬Lucky,‭” ‬said Anya mentally planning to sit Tara down and get her to tell her how she has managed to get four stores and all her other secrets.

‭******

Tara made her way to Dawn’s room.‭ ‬As she walked in she saw the two of them reading a book together and she smiled at them as they looked up.

‭“‬Hey,‭ ‬are you ready to take her down,‭” ‬asked Dawn.

‭“‬Yeah,‭ ‬I am,‭ ‬and you had better bet you are coming with us,‭” ‬said Tara.

‭“‬Tara,‭ ‬what if they are mad at me for not telling them,‭” ‬said Dawn.

‭“‬I already took care of that,‭ ‬I told them what I told you and Giles would happen if you guys told anyone.‭”

“Ok,‭” ‬said Dawn as she got up still a bit nervous about the others reaction.

‭“‬Come here honey,‭ ‬Mommy has a couple more people for you to meet,‭” ‬said Tara as she picked her daughter.

‭“‬Ceri,‭ ‬it’s ok,‭ ‬I showed you the picture of Xander and Anya a little while ago.‭ ‬Xander is really funny and if you are lucky,‭ ‬someday he’ll show you his Snoopy dance.‭”

“Ok,‭” ‬said the little girl in her mom’s arms as they headed downstairs.

‭******

Willow heard them start to come down the stairs and took the opportunity to jump up and meet Tara at the stairs at the same time Dawn came bounding down the stairs and walked into the room.

‭“‬Hey guys,‭” ‬she said.

‭“‬Hey Dawnie,‭ ‬good trip,‭” ‬asked Xander.

‭“‬It always is good but this one was definitely different than the others,‭” ‬she said as all eyes moved from her to Tara and the little redhead in her arms trying to hide in her mother’s embrace as they entered the living room.

‭“‬Ceri,‭ ‬this is Uncle Xander and Auntie Anya,‭ ‬they are another two of mommies friends.‭ ‬Guys,‭ ‬this is my daughter Ceri,‭” ‬said Tara as she neared where the two newcomers were seated.

Xander was struck speechless‭; ‬Anya looked from Tara to Ceri to Willow and back over and over again.

‭“‬Hi Ceri,‭” ‬Anya finally said standing and extending her hand to the little girl.

‭“‬Hi,‭” ‬she said softly and shook Anya’s hand.

‭“‬You are a very lucky girl,‭ ‬you have the best and nicest Mommy,‭ ‬I’ve known her for a long time,‭” ‬said Anya making Tara blush.

‭“‬I know she’s the bestest Mommy ever,‭ ‬even Auntie Dawn thinks so,‭” ‬said the little redhead to Anya with a huge smile.‭ ‬Tara continued to blush and Willow felt a sense of pride in her‭ ‘‬family‭’‬.

Xander stood up and stepped towards them,‭ ‬when he got close enough he leaned over and kissed Tara on the head.‭ “‬Anya is right,‭ ‬she is a very lucky girl to have you as a mother,‭ ‬and she is beautiful Tara.‭ ‬Hi Ceri,‭” ‬he said as he extended his hand for her to shake.

‭“‬Hi,‭ ‬what’s a noopy dance‭” ‬said Ceri as she shook Xanders hand.‭ “‬Auntie Dawn said you do a noopy dance.‭”

“Sweetie,‭ ‬its Snoopy not noopy,‭” ‬corrected Tara.

‭“‬I promise I will show it to you sometime,‭ ‬it is something that I save for special occasions,‭” ‬smiled Xander.

‭“‬Tara,‭ ‬do you want me to start the garlic bread too‭? ‬Hi there sweetie,‭” ‬said Giles as he came out of the kitchen and he went over and gave Ceri a kiss on the head.

‭“‬Hi Grandpa,‭” ‬said Ceri.

‭“‬Yeah,‭ ‬if you can start the bread that would be great,‭” ‬said Tara.

‭“‬Very well,‭” ‬said Giles as he went back into the kitchen.

Both Xander and Buffy started to giggle and said in unison‭ “‬Grandpa‭”‬.

‭“‬Be nice,‭ ‬both of you,‭” ‬scolded Tara and raising an eyebrow.

‭“‬Yes,‭ ‬ma’am,‭” ‬they both said quickly as Ceri started to giggle.

‭“‬What’s so funny there little one‭?” ‬Xander asked her.

‭“‬You got scolded by my mommy,‭” ‬she giggled and everyone in the room laughed.

‭“‬Yes we did,‭” ‬said Buffy with a smile for the little redhead.

Tara went to put Ceri down,‭ ‬to go help Giles finish up in the kitchen,‭ ‬but Ceri wasn’t having that so Tara handed her over to Willow who took her daughter graciously.

As Willow and Ceri sat together in the chair everyone except Dawn was glancing at them and seeing how similar Ceri was to both Willow and Tara.‭ ‬There was definitely no doubt what so ever who this little girl belonged to.

Tara and Giles set the table and brought the food out before calling everyone to dinner.‭ ‬Ceri sat between Dawn and Tara while Willow sat on the other side of Tara.‭ ‬Buffy and Giles took the ends and Xander and Anya opposite Tara and Willow.

‭“‬Tara,‭ ‬I have missed your cooking,‭” ‬said Xander in-between bites.

‭“‬Yes,‭ ‬it is much better than Willow or Buffy’s cooking.‭ ‬Maybe while you are here you can give them lessons,‭” ‬added Anya.

‭“‬HEY,‭” ‬said Buffy and Willow together.

‭“‬What,‭” ‬replied Anya not sure why they were upset.

‭“‬We are sitting right here,‭ ‬right exactly here,‭” ‬said Willow.

‭“‬Ahn,‭ ‬be nice,‭” ‬said Xander loading his plate up with a third helping of Lasagna.

Willow and Dawn cleared the table while Buffy washed the dishes.

‭******

After dinner and the dishes were done everyone moved to the living room to talk while Dawn and Ceri sat on the floor playing cards.‭ ‬Everyone watched how good Dawn was with Ceri.‭ ‬After a while Ceri climbed up into Tara’s lap and curled up in her arms and fell asleep.

‭“‬I have to say Tara,‭ ‬she is adorable.‭ ‬And Buffy was right,‭ ‬she is a mini Willow and Tara mix,‭” ‬Xander said again.

‭“‬So where do you go from here,‭” ‬asked Anya.

‭“‬That is something that we have to discuss while Ceri and I are in town.‭ ‬We have time though,‭ ‬we’ll be here for about three weeks.‭”

“Tara,‭ ‬would you like me to take her upstairs to sleep‭? ‬I’ll hang out in your room or she can sleep in my room if you want tonight,‭” ‬Dawn asked as she stood up.

‭“‬That would be fantastic Dawn.‭ ‬You choose whichever room you put her in,‭” ‬said Tara as she stood and handed her daughter off to Dawn and kissed both of their heads.

‭“‬Night everyone,‭” ‬said Dawn who heard a chorus of good nights as she headed up the stairs.

‭“‬Well,‭ ‬I think I’m going to head to my place to get some sleep,‭ ‬my body isn’t used to this type of travel and excitement.‭”

“It’s called being old,‭” ‬offered Anya.

‭“‬Yes,‭ ‬well,‭ ‬either way,‭ ‬I need some sleep.‭”

“Night Giles,‭” ‬said Tara as she stood and hugged him.

‭“‬It’ll be ok my dear,‭” ‬he whispered into her ear having noticed the growing anxiety in the blonde.

After Giles left them alone they all turned their attention to Tara.

‭“‬What,‭” ‬she asked not wanting to be the center of attention.

‭“‬How is it that you can you be so smart and so dumb at the same time‭? ‬To think that you weren’t still part of this family just because you and Willow broke up‭?” ‬said Xander in an offended tone.

‭“‬Think of the family I come from Xander,‭ ‬is it really that far off of a thought,‭” ‬said Tara getting defensive as she felt both Buffy and Willow take her hands.

‭“‬I’m sorry,‭ ‬I didn’t mean for that to come across as an attack,‭ ‬it is just crazy thinking.‭ ‬We all missed you and still love you Tara.‭ ‬You are stuck with this family,‭ ‬get used to it.‭ ‬That would apply if you and Willow didn’t have a daughter together as well.‭”

“Yeah,‭ ‬and if you think you are going to disappear again you have another thing coming missy,‭” ‬added Anya.

‭“‬I have no intention of disappearing again.‭ ‬Ceri has the right to get to know Willow and Willow has the right to get to know her daughter.‭”

“She needs to get to know her extended family as well,‭” ‬added Buffy.

‭“‬And she will,‭” ‬said Willow.

‭“‬Be gentle,‭ ‬this is new for Ceri and I,‭” ‬joked Tara.

‭“‬Gentle my ass,‭” ‬said Anya.‭ “‬We were gentle with you the first time,‭ ‬this isn’t new to you.‭”

“Hey,‭ ‬no wait,‭ ‬it is SO true,‭” ‬laughed Willow.

‭“‬So,‭ ‬are you moving back here‭? ‬Do I have to worry about competition for the Magic Box‭? ‬I don’t think I’d like that if you are able to have‭ ‬4‭ ‬successful stores and I have one mediocre store.‭”

“I am not moving back here,‭ ‬I have my life and my businesses in London.‭ ‬And I would never compete against you in business Anya,‭ ‬you have nothing to worry about there.‭”

“Wait, if you don’t move back here,‭ ‬how is Willow going to have a real honest relationship with Ceri‭?” ‬asked Xander.

‭******
TBC‭…
******

_________________
~ Branny72
I found younger-me still exists in the archives as SlayerTazz...
Mending Fences | The One Where Everyone Has a Go |Actions and Consequences | Meant To Be

Dibs!!

Happy that Ceri met Aunt Anya and Uncle Xander and that everything went well.

And I was wondering if we will see any Buffy and Faith relationship happening at all?

And I don't understand Tara at all, What life could Tara possibly have in London that she can't have there? Tara could always move near Sunnydale and move her business there if she wanted to. Because I believe that London is not as safe as Willow and Tara think it is.

Great Update!! Can't wait for the next!!

I'm with Willow friendly on this.

We're getting a good main course here. It's yummy and good.
But i wonder, are the side dishes going to be ok, or awesome?

Bring on the Fuffy!

I don't know how, but Fuffy is a word my blank new tablet has in its library, and it knows to capitalise it. Wow.

Twillow. Cool, it has that one too!

I'm so happy!

Going to go have a happy little spazz now.

As i said in another thread: more lesbians!

R

_________________
“All I feel is sunlight. All I hear is music.” Willow
How i Met Your Mother - By Ariel

My Story: Coming Home

Hmm, so Anya hasn't started establishing additonal locations and she ands Xander don't have a child yet? Interesting.

Good details - the pregnancy now feels not just possible but inevitable! Good evryone is getting along.

_________________
Snapshots:http://thekittenboard.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10210 a Love Story
____________________________________________________________
Kim: (breaks off the kissing) I l... (Sue stops her with a hand)
Sue: We don't talk about things like that right after, you know that, no saying those things in The Moment.
Kim: (moves the hand aside) Screw The Moment. I *love* you.

Willow_Friendly: A Buffy/Faith relationship isn't off the radar, but I haven't written one yet...I can picture it happening though.

As for what Tara is thinking, that will take a couple more chapters to develop. Sorry

Azirahael: I'll see what we can do about getting a side dish in there. More lesbians cannot be a bad thing!!

I like the word Fluffy...my tablet has lots of new words that I'm not sure where it finds them.

Hope you enjoyed your happy little spazz!

DaddyCatALSO: All things in time...
________________________________________
Authors Note: Sorry this is a short chapter, I promise the next one will be longer…life and a broken heart get in the way of writing sometimes…
________________________________________

Chapter 7

"If it is OK with Tara, I'd move to London," said Willow much to the shock of the others. "I've already put a lot of thought into this, and then talking with Morrigan, Tara's mentor, last night she helped me to realize that is the best scenario for everyone involved," added Willow turning to look at Tara missing the shocked looks passing between her friends.

"I'm guessing there was more to your talk with Morrigan than you told me last night," said Tara looking inquisitively at Willow.

"Girl has to have some secrets," Willow smirked.

"Uh huh," said Tara. "As I tell Faith, if that helps you sleep at night you go right ahead and believe that, the rest of us don't buy it for a second."

"Hey," laughed Willow as she playfully hit Tara's arm. "Be nice!"

"You'd actually leave us Will," Xander said in a hurt tone, he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"To get to have a true relationship with my daughter – yes I would. I'm sorry Xander, but there is nothing that I won't do to have her in my life. I've only known her for a few days and she stole my heart the moment I saw her. And well, she's our daughter."

"Yeah, you're her parent, that is the parental instincts coming through," said Xander.

"Not entirely, she stole my heart at first sight too Xander and I have no parental linkage to her," added Buffy.

"I'm not discounting that she is cute, I just, Will, we've been best friends since Kindergarten. You were the best woman at my wedding…we've been through all our major milestones in life together. And you would just leave?"

"Xander please stop," Anya said softly sensing where this was heading and it wasn't going to a good place.

"Xander, relax, we haven't discussed or decided anything yet," said Willow noticing Tara moving uncomfortably where she was sitting.

"Yeah, but you are considering it, that means you have some thoughts in your head. You said you and Tara weren't together as a couple, where would you live? What about your business? What about your life here? Or helping Buffy? Have you thought about that stuff? Would you just cast us aside for THEM; yes I know you have a daughter but she didn't even bother telling you about her. Will, you only found out because you cornered her and left her no choice but to tell you."

"That is between Tara and I Xander," said Willow taking offense to Xander's remarks and raising her voice slightly.

"Xander please stop," Anya said softly again though a bit louder than before and with more tension.

"Will, stop thinking through your heart or whatever and use your mind. Yeah, you love her, but she hid your daughter from you for 5 years, she hasn't been around for five years either, what do you know about on another anymore? Do you even have what it takes to make it in the long run? Hell can you make a short run even?"

"Again, that isn't your concern Xander, that is between Tara and me. I realize you are trying to look out for me, but you also have to trust me and the decisions I am making."

"Actually Willow, I don't have to trust or believe in your decisions. See part of being a best friend allows me to question you and your decisions; especially when you aren't doing the right thing or seeing the full picture."

"Xander you are being an ass, please stop," Anya pleaded.

"I'm just trying to have an open discussion Ahn," he said to his wife.

"It ultimately is my choice and my decision," snapped Willow.

"Yeah it is, but then there are those of us that then have to pick up the pieces when it all goes to hell. Do you even remember five years ago when Tara left you? Do you remember what it was like? What you were like? What we all went through?"

"Yeah I do remember a lot better than you ever will. And if she wouldn't have left I wouldn't have stopped abusing magic; and when did you become Mr. Perfect Choice man for the decisions you make in your life," said Willow with venom.

"I never said I made perfect choices, but I want you to not jump to a decision without thinking it all through or doing it because you are lonely."

"Well, at this point if I do make the wrong choice you can rest assured I won't come to you or look for your comfort or help. Andy I am not lonely, I was living my life by MY choices."

"That isn't what I meant and you know it," snapped Xander.

"You've made yourself perfectly clear Mr. Harris."

"Willow," started Xander.

"Don't Xander, just don't."

Tara, Buffy, and Anya sat in shocked silence as the meltdown between their friends played out before their eyes. They all wanted it to stop, but nobody felt they had the right to interrupt or interfere.

"I think maybe I should go and um check on Ceri," said Tara feeling the tension building from Xander and she knew she wasn't going to be able to hold her tongue and keep quiet for much longer.

"Tara, please don't go upstairs yet," pleaded Willow as Buffy and Anya shot Xander a piercing glare.

"I-i-i-its o-o-ok, r-r-really, I t-t-think i-i-it's for the best. It h-h-has b-b-been a l-long day," she said as she got up and squeezed Willows hand, then hugged and said good night to Buffy, and Anya who whispered 'sorry he's being such an ass' in her ear, she didn't even try to look at Xander before she headed upstairs.

"I have spent the better part of a week with her Xander and that is the first time that I have heard her stutter. What the hell is wrong with you? Way to welcome her home buddy. With a family welcome like that I'm certain she'll be jumping at the chance to make more visits to Sunnydale," snapped Willow. "I'm going to go talk to her; I'll talk to you guys tomorrow or something."

"I'm sorry I spoke my mind and wanted to protect you," snapped Xander stopping Willow as she headed towards the stairs.

"Xander, she has been in the country for less than twelve hours, don't you think you may have jumped the gun a bit," questioned Buffy.

"I hope she meant it when she said she was staying for a few weeks," said Anya speaking mostly to herself. "I've missed her a lot."

"I hope so too," mumbled Willow as she headed upstairs.

After Willow was upstairs the silence was uncomfortable and Anya broke the silence telling them that it was time for them to go home because Xander had spoiled the night and now she was probably not going to see Tara or Ceri again during this trip, or possibly ever again. Buffy reassured her that she would make sure that Anya got to see her again this visit, she wasn't sure that Xander would though. After they left Buffy headed out to patrol and work off some of her pent-up aggression thanks to Xander.

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Willow knocked softly on the bedroom door not wanting to wake Ceri if she was asleep in there. "Tara? Baby?"

When Tara opened the door and Willow could tell that she was crying. Tara motioned for Willow to come inside to make sure that nobody else saw or heard her crying.

"Are you ok," asked Willow as she reached out towards Tara and pulled her into an embrace before moving them over to sit by the window.

"I'll be fine," said Tara with a sniffle. "I certainly didn't expect that when I woke up this morning."

"Xander's an ass," started Willow. "You can't let his reaction get to you. He is only one small blip, the rest of us are so glad you and Ceri are here; and I am sure he will be too once his head gets removed from his ass."

"Willow, he's being honest about his feelings, I can see the fear in his eyes, as well as Buffy and even Anya's they just didn't vocalize it. None of them want you to go and they don't understand where I am coming from. No matter what happens I will be the one blamed for someone being unhappy either you or them or for making you make an impossible decision."

"Tara, they don't need to understand, I am the only one that needs to and I understand where you are coming from. I'm the one that makes the decisions on what I am going to do with my life and what is best for my life, only me. I love you and I hate seeing you so upset."

"I love you too, Will. I don't like being upset, trust me I did all I could to control myself down there. The things he said hurt, I know they were true, but it still hurt."

"Tara I know what he said hurt and he was out of line, but please tell me you aren't leaving yet," Willow said sheepishly. "I don't think I could handle that at this moment."

"I promise you that Xander Harris' antics tonight are not going to drive me away. I will not take away from you spending time with Ceri and her getting to know her extended family. I can't say for certain if that will include Xander or not. I will not have him act the way he did tonight when she is around."

"That from the file marked duh," said Willow.

"Ceri is very gifted in sensing other people's emotion it is her version of seeing someone's aura."

"Really? Wow," said Willow mentally noting that Ceri would not be put in any drama situations. "Why didn't you mention it before?"

"I guess that I am so used to it and since she is rarely in situations where it would affect her I just forgot. I told you we haven't identified her magical abilities yet because we are still working with her on the foundations. Well, this is the only thing that we have identified in part. Obviously happy positive emotional situations aren't an issue to have her around, but tonight that would not have been good for her to feel or us to have to explain. Well, at least not if it is avoidable."

"I agree she is way too young to have to deal with that. Kids should enjoy being kids and the happiness it brings."

After staring out the window for a while both deep in thought they moved to the bed and Willow pulled Tara into another close embrace hoping to comfort her. While she was holding her she felt the blonde start to cry again, it always broke Willow's heart when Tara cried. She just held her and let her cry; this room was and hopefully still was their safe place. They didn't need to worry about being strong or hiding their fears, they could just let go of everything in this room and there were no judgments' to be made.

After a while they lay back on the bed, Willow still holding Tara, she softly kissed the top of her head, trying to comfort her as she had done so many times before when the blonde would have nightmares about her family. As Tara started to calm down she snuggled closer to Willow enjoying being held by her for the first time in five years; Willow loved the closeness as well. They both had been so lost and lonely without the other, this felt so right, so comfortable. There was something about this room and their past that ignited their need for one another. Tara leaned up as Willow was going to kiss her head again and pressed their lips together, the kiss started soft, comforting, the longer their lips pressed together the stronger the need for more grew. Their lips moving together, Willow tongue dancing with Tara's causing them both to moan in enjoyment. Tara pressed herself up so that she was hovering over Willow as she deepened the kiss causing Willow to moan and thread her fingers through the back of Tara's hair holding her closer. Tara couldn't help but enjoy the sound and feelings that moan produced deep within her. Willow rolled them over so she was on top, their bodies pressed together as the kisses became more passionate and their breathing more ragged. When they finally broke apart for air, Willow stared down into the pools of deep blue below her.

"Kissing you is so intoxicating, sensual, amazing feeling," panted Willow.

"I know what you mean, I've missed kissing you." Tara said back in a husky voice.

Willow pressed their foreheads together, "I don't know if this is a good idea, we're supposed to take this slow, and I also don't know how much of this need is real or being caused by the events from earlier tonight."

"I know you're right, but kissing you feels so good. I've missed it and this room holds some pretty amazing memories of us."

"I know, but we have to..." started Willow before she found Tara's lips attached to hers again, moving together opening and closing, lips and tongues fighting for dominance. It had been over five years since either had allowed someone so close let alone dreamed that it would be their soul mate.

"Mmmm, oh god Willow," Tara whispered and leaned up and captured Willow's lower lip and began to suck on it causing the redhead to moan again.

"Taaarrraa," moaned Willow into the kiss and then breaking that kiss she started to kiss along Tara's jawline and then sucking on her earlobe while feeling their bodies conforming together like the used to. The room was starting to get very warm.

"Oh, I had forgotten how good it felt when you did that," panted Tara as her hands started to roam up into Willow's hair holding her close.

"Mmmmm," said Willow. She pulled back and looked into the darkened blue eyes of desire below her, certain that her eyes matched. "You are still the most beautiful woman in the world to me."

"I love you Willow, I always have and I always will," said Tara staring into the now deep green eyes that drew her in.

"You are my everything, I love you too," whispered Willow as she leaned down and captured the blondes bottom lip and started to suck on it. Tara moved her hands under the back of Willows shirt and was slowly moving them and the shirt upwards needing to feel more skin.

As thing were heating up there was a soft knock at the door, Tara knew that knock. They both inwardly groaned knowing that where their emotions were taking them was not where they were going to end up tonight and though the interruption may have been a blessing for now it didn't help the raging hormones. As Tara started to get up then turned and looked at Willow and softly said, "Please stay, even if it is just to sleep next to us." Willow nodded, and Tara moved to the door opening it and seeing her daughter rubbing her eyes and looking up at her.

"Hi there baby girl," Tara said as she picked her up.

"Auntie Dawn kicks in her sleep, can I sleep in here with you," she said rubbing her eyes. "Hi Willow."

"Of course you can baby," said Tara as she walked over and placed Ceri on the bed in-between them.

"Mommy, is Willow sleeping in here with us," asked Ceri and Tara nodded her head. "Mommy, does Willow kick like Auntie Dawn?"

"No, I don't, but Aunt Buffy does so I think you are safest in here," said Willow who saw Tara hiding a smile. She helped tuck Ceri into the bed and the 4-year-old was asleep within a minute.

Tara took Willow's hand and led her over towards the window, as Tara leaned against the wall she pulled Willow close against her.

"I meant it when I said I want you to spend the night in here with us," Tara said softly as she pulled Willow into a passionate kiss that lasted a lot longer than she planned, but neither was about to object.

"I'd love to," said Willow when they broke apart. "Tara, will you go on a date with me?"

"If you kiss me again I will," teased Tara.

Willow didn't need any encouragement to kiss Tara; she leaned forward and captured the blondes' lips leaning against her pinning her in-between her body and the wall. When they separated they were both flush and breathing hard.

"Wow, I guess that means we have a date," Tara smiled and leaned forward and kissed Willow softly.

"That we do, but now let's get ready for bed," Tara said as her hands slid down and grabbed Willows butt and squeezed.

"Tara, hands," squeaked the redhead as Tara giggled.

"Yes Willow, those were my hands. Now go get ready for bed and I'll meet you there," laughed Tara as she playfully swatted Willow on the butt.

"Vixen," laughed Willow.

Willow grabbed shorts and a t-shirt out of the drawers and changed, Tara grabbed her night-clothes out of her bag and changed and they met at the foot of the bed. Tara pulled Willow into another kiss feeling their bodies against one another brought back so many memories.

Ceri was sleeping in the middle of the bed, Willow and Tara climbed into the bed putting their daughter in the middle of them and drifted off to sleep, it had truly been a long day for everyone.

Buffy came home from patrol and went upstairs and checked Dawns room and saw her sleeping alone, she hadn't seen Willow downstairs so she checked Willow's room and found Ceri sound asleep in between her mother's. Buffy watched them for a few moments noting how right they looked together as a family. She was truly torn, she didn't want to have her best friend move, but she couldn't deny the sight before her either. Though she was truly torn with her emotions, she still didn't approve of the way Xander went about handling things. Tara and Willow needed time to get to know one another again; Willow needed time to get to know her daughter and for her daughter to get to know her. Selfishly Buffy also wanted to get to know both of them as well. She had adored Tara when she was living there with them, she had helped to raise Dawn, to take care of her 'family' as they deemed themselves. She wanted to find out if Tara was the same person, she definitely had grown over the years and wasn't the same shy girl they knew, but what else had changed?

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TBC…
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~ Branny72
I found younger-me still exists in the archives as SlayerTazz...
Mending Fences | The One Where Everyone Has a Go |Actions and Consequences | Meant To Be

DIBS!

I can't wait for there date, Wonder where Tara will taking Willow to. Dawn why do you have to kick in her sleep and wake up Ceri, We almost has hot Willow and Tara loving there. And good thing they didn't do anything, I can only imagine what Ceri would walk in on without knocking. Maybe after the date they can make up for lost time and Buffy and Dawn can take Ceri out to a movie or something?

Can't wait for the next update!!

Yay for well trained kids knocking!



Grammar-o! no apostrophe in mothers (plural)

MAn, that sucks. Buffy and co can't leave the Hellmouth unguarded, Tara won't live on the Hellmouth.

It all comes down to beliefs.

Tara believes she'll be safer away from the Hellmouth. But what about Faith?
Faith is THE Slayer. Wherever she is, danger is. Either because it comes after her, or because she goes where it is.
How safe can it be in her vicinity?

Now, Xander is being an ass, and getting angry, when he's really sad, like another well known brunette.
But he's right.
He phrased it poorly, but he has a point.
It IS all very sudden, it has been five years, Buffy will need some magical backup, what the hell?!

Now if only there were such a thing as a teleport spell...

R

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“All I feel is sunlight. All I hear is music.” Willow
How i Met Your Mother - By Ariel

My Story: Coming Home