Happily Ever After (sequel to The Outing)

[xita]

Maybe cause i am a teacher but that whole situation with the dildos, georgia and being out, makes me nervous. I see bad things in store for Willow and her job.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Childie -"Not all girls are raving bloody lesbians, you know!"

George - "That's a misfortune of which I am perfectly well aware."

The Killing of Sister George

[Mainer]

Title: Happily Ever After

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon.

Notes: Angst warning and cliffhanger.



Part Twelve



"Why can't I come?" Jesse whined following Willow around the kitchen.



"This is a special dinner just for me and Momma tonight," Willow said crouching down so she was eye level with her daughter. "We're gonna celebrate Momma's birthday on Saturday with the family."



"But Momma's birthday is today," Jesse protested. "I want to go."



"Jesse, we already talked about this. I know you want to come, but you can't," Willow said.



"You're being mean," Jesse said.



"Hey," Georgia said coming in the kitchen door.



"Go home, we don't need you tonight," Jesse yelled.



"What's going on?" Tara asked coming downstairs into the kitchen.



"Tell her to go home. I'm going with you," Jesse said running to Tara's side.



"Sweetie, we talked about this earlier. This is going to be a grown up night," Tara said.



"Why? Don't you love me?" Jesse asked pulling out the tears.



"You know we love you," Willow said.



"We've gone out before, why don't you want us to go out tonight?" Tara asked.



"I want us to be together," Jesse said. "When the babies come you won't have time for me."



"We'll always have time for you," Willow said.



"No you won't, because of the babies. That's why I can't sleep with you anymore," Jesse said.



"You can't sleep with us because we'll be getting up all night, and you won't be able to," Tara said. "It isn't because we don't want you with us."



"We'll do something special on Sunday. Just the three of us," Willow said.



"We'll have a picnic," Tara said.



"You're gonna be late," Jesse said jumping up into Willow's arms and hugging her.



"We'll be back around eight," Tara said to Georgia. "Dinner's in the oven."



"Great," Georgia said. "Oh, and Happy Birthday."



"Thanks."





Willow and Tara sat at the restaurant idly picking at their food. They had been unusally quiet all night, occasionally there was small talk, but mostly quiet.



"You feel it too, don't you?" Tara asked breaking the silence.



"You mean the unbearable guilt," Willow said looking up from her plate.



"Yeah, that," Tara said with a small smile.



"Are we terrible parents for leaving her when she was so upset?" Willow asked.



"By the time we left she was happy," Tara said.



"Then why do I feel so bad?" Willow asked.



"I wish I knew, then maybe I wouldn't feel so bad," Tara said.



"We're supposed to be celebrating your birthday, and instead we're sitting her miserable," Willow said.



"Maybe we should just go home," Tara said.



"Do you want to?" Willow asked.



"I'm feeling a little yucky, and not just about Jesse," Tara said.



"Is everything okay?" Willow asked.



"Yeah, I'm fine," Tara said. "It's just, I don't know. If I didn't know any better, I'd say it was contractions, but I still have a month."



"Cause you've never gone into labor early," Willow said sarcastically. "I think maybe we should go to the hospital just in case."



"I'm fine, really," Tara said.



"Humor me."





"I win," Jesse said. "Let's play again."



"Isn't five games of Candy Land enough? Aren't you getting tired?" Georgia asked.



"No, let's play again," Jesse said.



"How about a video?"



"No, I don't like to watch television," Jesse said. "I want to play Candy Land."



"Okay, fix all the cards while I answer the phone," Georgia said. She picked up the cordless and moved into the next room before answering. "Hello, Rosenburg-Maclay residents."



"Hi, Georgia, it's Willow. We're at the hospital, Tara's having the twins. Buffy is gonna come over and get Jesse and take you home. Can you get her into her pajamas and pack her some clothes and toys, and things she'll need for the night?" Willow said.



"Yeah, no problem," Georgia said. "Is everything okay?"



"We don't know yet," Willow said hanging up the phone.



"Jesse go upstairs and get your pajamas on," Georgia said coming back into the family room.



"It's not bed time," Jesse said.



"I know. Your Aunt Buffy is coming over and you're gonna go somewhere with her, so go put your pajamas on and I'll be right up," Georgia said. She didn't know what she was supposed to tell Jesse, and she hoped she didn't sound as worried as she was. She had been coming to their house at least twice a week since the first time she baby sat and they were more like family now. She loved coming over here and knowing that she was truly accepted. Willow helped her with all her schoolwork, and Tara was teaching her to cook, and also got her involved in a support group. She was praying that everything was fine. She put Candy Land back on the stack of games and headed upstairs to pack up Jesse.





Willow came out into the waiting room and looked around at her friends. Buffy and Xander were pacing nervously in crossing paths, while Anya sat, rapidly tapping her foot. Alex was curled up on Joyce's lap asleep, and Jesse was asleep on Giles. She wanted to go over and give them an update, but she couldn't bring herself to move. Buffy turned and looked at her and she motioned for her to come over.



"What's going on?" Buffy asked.



"They tried to stop the labor, but they couldn't, and one of the babies is breech so she can't deliver vaginally, they have to.."



"Will, I get it. Breathe," Buffy said.



"I'm so scared," Willow said collapsing on Buffy's shoulder.



"It's okay. I'm sure things will be fine. Jesse was early," Buffy said doing her best to comfort her friend.



"Yeah, two weeks, not four," Willow said. "Something could be very wrong."



"Could be, but might not be," Buffy said. "The doctor told you that twins don't always go full term, so it must happen a lot."



"Not to me," Willow said.



"Mrs. Rosenburg-Maclay, you can go in now."



"Everything's gonna be fine," Buffy said. "Be strong for Tara, she's gonna need you."



"You're right," Willow said, taking a deep breath she followed the nurse into the operating room.



"What's going on?" Xander asked when Buffy came back to the group.



"They couldn't stop the labor. Tara has to have a cesarean because one of the babies is breech," Buffy said relaying the information she was given.



"Is everything okay? Are Tara and the babies okay?" Anya asked.



"She didn't say, but I think it's because they don't know. I'm sure Tara is fine. Willow would have told us if she wasn't," Buffy said.



Everyone went back to their previous endeavors. There was nothing they could do but wait. It was killing them all. They were so used to taking action, doing something. It was particularly hard for Buffy. All the super strength in the world couldn't do anything. She wasn't used to being so helpless. How many times had she saved the world, and now she could do nothing to help her best friend.



"I can't take this waiting," Anya said breaking the silence. "We've been waiting all night. The babies are out now, it's been too long. Why won't they tell us anything?"



"Maybe something went wrong," Xander said.



"Don't say that," Buffy said smacking him. "Don't you dare say that. They're okay, they have to be."



"Are we still at the hospital?" Jesse asked rubbing her eyes. Buffy glanced at the clock which read 7a.m., they had been there all night. Jesse gave a good stretch, striking Giles in the face. Poor Giles, his legs must be asleep after holding her all night.



"Yeah, we're still at the hospital," Buffy said.



"Did Momma have the babies yet?" Jesse asked.



"We don't know yet, Peanut," Buffy said. "Are you hungry?"



"Yes, my tummies all rumbly," Jesse said smiling.



"Why don't you and Alex go have breakfast with Grammy and Grampy," Buffy said.



"That sounds wonderful, let's do that," Giles said lifting Jesse off his lap so he could stand. Buffy mouthed thank-you.



"Can you believe that smile?" Xander said to Buffy. "She looks just like Will, when she smiles, minus the red hair."



"She even pokes her tongue out the same way," Buffy said watching Jesse skip away, one hand holding Alex's hand, and the other holding Giles'.



"You think something's wrong don't you," Anya said moving to stand with Buffy and Xander.



"Yeah," they both said in unison. Willow walked out the doors and over to her friends.



"Where's Jesse?" She asked.



"My mom and Giles took her and Alex to breakfast," Buffy said.



"Good," Willow said.



"Is everything..." Xander paused, he wasn't sure how to finish the question.



"We don't know for sure yet. The doctor's said they have to stay for at least a few weeks, that is, if they make it through the next twenty four hours," Willow said. "They're hooked up to so many machines," Willow said a tear slipping down her cheek. "They're so little, like dolls. They look like little dolls." Xander wrapped his arms around his friend and let her cry on his shoulder. Willow gave into the feelings for a moment before pulling away and drying her face. "Tara needs me," she said.



"Are they boys or girls?" Anya asked.



"Girls," Willow said smiling. "Summer Anne and Harris Dawn. Now I have all my best friends covered."



"What do you want us to tell Jesse?" Buffy asked.



"Nothing. Can you just bring her in when she gets back?"



"No problem," Buffy said.





"Hi, Momma," Jesse said climbing up onto the bed. "You look sleepy."



"Maybe a little," Tara said giving her daughter a kiss.



"Where are my babies?" Jesse asked.



"That's what we want to talk to you about," Willow said.



"Are my babies sick?" Jesse asked.



"Sort of," Willow said. "Remember when we talked about how long it takes babies to grow inside their Momma's tummies?" Willow asked.



"Yes," Jesse said.



"They weren't inside my tummy long enough to grow big and strong," Tara said.



"Did my babies die?" Jesse asked softly.



"Oh, no Sweetie, they didn't die," Tara said pulling her daughter into an embrace.



"But we don't know if they're gonna ge okay," Willow said trying her best to be strong for her daughter. "We'll find out tomorrow when they can come home."



"If," Tara said quietly.



"When," Willow said again. "Do you understand?"



"No, I don't understand why they came if they weren't supposed to," Jesse said. "Why did that happen?"



"I don't understand that either," Willow said.



"Sometimes things just happen, and just because we can't see the reason, doesn't mean there isn't one," Tara said more to Willow than to Jesse.



"Do you think if I pray real hard to the Goddess, she'll let the babies be okay?" Jesse asked.



"Praying never hurts," Willow said.



---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------





~Spencer~

"Well, gee, then he must have meant it because guys never say anything they don't really mean, do they? They say I love you, and you think it's true. They say, oh Anya, I want to be with you for the rest of my life, and you believe them. You believe they feel the same way about you because that's the way love's supposed to be, right? And then you get all excited with the tingly anticipation, but wait, not so fast. There's the apocolypse, and the back from the grave, and the blah, blah, blah, blah, and by the time you're finally standing there in that beautifully expensive white dress, you dreamed about ever since you became human, he gets all heeby jeeby and decides you know I'd rather just go steady."
Anya -Seeing Red-

[The Rose24]

Awwwww. The babies have to be okay.

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.

Tara: Willow, I got so lost.
Willow: I found you. I will always find you.

Willow: Hi, um Tara. I was wondering maybe you want to go out some time for coffee? food? Kisses and gay love?

[iceprincess2076]

*sniff *sniff*



Jesse is sooo cute......*"Where are my babies?" "Are my babies sick"*....... she's worried about her little sisters.



oh, I love the twins names Summer Anne and Harris Dawn



Poor Willow and Tara so worried....and both trying to be strong for each other and Jesse........ I just wanna reach through this monitor and give them all a big hug and say everything will be ok. *sniff* *sniff*



Everything will be ok, right? please, oh PLEASE say everything will be OK.



I love how everyone is there supporting our girls....and Anya, worried and impatient. Giles and Joyce as *Grammy and Grampy*, and Xandar and Aunt Buffy seem to be trying to be strong.



*sniff* *sniff* *sniff* *sniff*...........



Ok, I'm going to sit here with my kleenex and patiently wait for the next *hint* HAPPY *hint* update. *sniff* *sniff*



PLEASE say the twins will be OK . Please

please update soon, please



ICE *sniff* *sniff*





edited because I forgot to change the little lable thingy at the top of my post.

Edited by: iceprincess2076 at: 9/5/02 8:47:11 pm

[xita]

oh jesse is real cute. adorable even. But i hope the twins are ok!

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Childie -"Not all girls are raving bloody lesbians, you know!"

George - "That's a misfortune of which I am perfectly well aware."

The Killing of Sister George

[Lonewolf22]

Mainer: Great update, but you're killing me, the babies have to be OK, PLEASE let the babies be OK.



I really love the names, Summer Anne and Harris Dawn, AWWWWWWW, how cute. I really loved the way Jesse said that she would pray to the Goddess for the babies to be OK, just great. I can't wait to read more.



Lonewolf

[mollyig]

Oh Jesse referring to the twins as her babies - that was just lovely.

Adding up the total of a love that's true, multiply life by the power of two
Indigo Girls

[snuggle79]

aww, Jesse is way to adorable! I'm sure the twins will be alright!

Tara:"Maybe we dreamed it."

Willow:"Right. Right. Wrong! (points at her head ) Different Brains." Tara:"Oh yeah."


Bitch! Witch! Ho!..mo!"

[Mainer]

Title: Happily Ever After

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon.





Part Thirteen



"Hey, Peanut, whatcha doin?" Buffy asked walking into the backyard to where Jesse was sitting.



"I was praying," Jesse said. "I couldn't light the candles, do you think it will still work?"



"I'm sure it will," Buffy said, "but you aren't supposed to leave the house without asking."



"I'm sorry," Jesse said. "I just needed to do something."



"I know how you feel," Buffy said.



"I know what we can do," Jesse said excitedly. "We can fix the nursery."



"What do you mean? I thought the nursery was all done."



"No, the things are together, but it's a mess," Jesse said. "Don't tell Momma I told you that, she doesn't like it when people know the house is messy."



"Hey I'm not people, I'm family, and I won't say a word," Buffy said smiling. "Let's get started."



"I have a surprise I want to make, but I need Uncle Xander's help. Can I call him?"



"Sure," Buffy said. "Do I get to know the surprise?"



"No, it's a secret."





Tara opened her eyes and found herself laying in a hospital bed. She was hoping it had just been a nightmare, but the hospital, coupled with the pain in her stomach from the incision told her it was not a dream. She heard murmuring noises and looked in the direction of the sound. Willow was curled up in a chair sleeping. She was squirming and mumbling something about a sandblaster. For the first time in a long time, Tara smiled. Willow could always do that. The squirming became too much for the chair and Willow's leg fell out, landing on the floor with a thud, waking her up.



"Did I wake you?" Willow asked noticing Tara's eyes on her.



"Nope, just yourself," Tara said.



"I take it you were watching me then," Willow said smiling.



"Always."



"Have I told you today that I love you?"



"Yes, but you could say it forever and I wouldn't get tired of hearing it," Tara said.



"I love you," Willow said, standing and placing a kiss on Tara's lips.



"Will, can I ask you something?"



"Anything," Willow said.



"What do they look like? I didn't get a chance to see them."



"They're beautiful," Willow said, "and tiny."



"You gave them their names?"



"Yeah, just like we talked about," Willow said wiping away a tear that slipped down Tara's cheek.



"Good," Tara said. "I'm so scared," she said breaking down.



"It's okay," Willow said holding Tara. "It's all gonna be okay. Whatever happens, we'll get through it." Willow held Tara tightly, allowing her to cry on her shoulder. Willow wanted nothing more than to cry right along with her wife, but right now that wasn't what Tara needed. Right now she needed Willow to be the strong one, and if that's what she needed Willow would give it to her.



"Tara, Willow, I have some good news," the doctor said coming into the room. They broke apart and looked at the doctor. "Harris is breathing on her own, and her numbers have stabilized."



"What about Summer?" Tara asked.



"Her numbers are stable, but she still isn't breathing on her own," the doctor said, "but she looks good."



"So when can we take them home?" Willow asked.



"Harris can probably be home in a couple weeks," the doctor said. "Summer may need more time."



"But she'll be okay?" Tara said.



"I can't say for sure, but I believe yes, she'll be okay."



"Thank you so much," Willow said hugging the doctor.



"It's always my pleasure to bring good news," the doctor said.



"They're okay," Tara said when the doctor left. It was almost like she couldn't believe the words until she said them herself. She kept thinking she might have never seen her daughters alive and now they were okay. Everything was okay again, just like that.



"I told you it was all gonna be okay," Willow said hugging her wife.



---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



~Spencer~

"Well, gee, then he must have meant it because guys never say anything they don't really mean, do they? They say I love you, and you think it's true. They say, oh Anya, I want to be with you for the rest of my life, and you believe them. You believe they feel the same way about you because that's the way love's supposed to be, right? And then you get all excited with the tingly anticipation, but wait, not so fast. There's the apocolypse, and the back from the grave, and the blah, blah, blah, blah, and by the time you're finally standing there in that beautifully expensive white dress, you dreamed about ever since you became human, he gets all heeby jeeby and decides you know I'd rather just go steady."
Anya -Seeing Red-

[snuggle79]

They are doing fine!

Great!

Tara:"Maybe we dreamed it."

Willow:"Right. Right. Wrong! (points at her head ) Different Brains." Tara:"Oh yeah."


Bitch! Witch! Ho!..mo!"

[mollyig]

I actually could picture Willow sleeping on the hospital chair and mumbling to herself. She's so cute.



Love how she insisted on being the strong one to look after her Tara.



And the twins are gonna be okay. Lovely!



Curious as to what Jesse is planning.

Adding up the total of a love that's true, multiply life by the power of two
Indigo Girls

[peggy of sunnydale]

okay this is too cute for words,willow waiting in the hospital chair is so her, and the babies are okay yes that is so good to hear hope for an update soon thank you

[nika]

That was sooo sweet! I loved all of them being supporttive and jesse asking are my babies dead? I mean *bawl!* heart wrenching. I'm glad thy're o.k. sniff!

[Mainer]

I decided since part thirteen was so short and part fourteen is too, that I would just post it now since you've all been so patient with me in the past.



Title: Happily Ever After

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon.





Part Fourteen



"You're home," Jesse said running out the kitchen door into the driveway. "Are my babies here?"



"Yes," Willow said picking up her daughter and hugging her.



"I have a surprise for them," Jesse said.



"Is that why we weren't allowed in the nursery?" Tara asked. Jesse nodded enthusiastically.



"Do we get to see it now?" Willow asked.



"Yep," Jesse said. "Follow me." Jesse led them upstairs with Willow carrying Harris and Tara carrying Summer. Jesse opened the door to the nursery to reveal that it was completely clean and set up.



"You cleaned the nursery," Willow said stepping inside.



"No, Aunt Buffy did that," Jesse said. "I made those," she said pointing to the wooden name carvings that hung above each crib. "Uncle Xander cut them out for me, but I painted them myself."



"They're beautiful," Tara said. "Thank you."



"You have your Momma's artistic talent," Willow said.



"That's what Aunt Buffy said. She said you couldn't even paint a circle."



"Aunt Buffy's funny," Willow said looking at Buffy who had just come upstairs.



"Don't you remember when we talked about secrets," Buffy said to Jesse.



"Oops," Jesse said. "We got all the old baby clothes out of the basement too," Jesse said proudly.



"You're a terrific big sister," Willow said.



"Since I'm such a good big sister, can we have a special dinner tonight?"



"What did you have in mind?" Tara asked.



"Pancakes," Jesse said.



"I guess that can be arranged," Tara said smiling.





Jesse lay in her bed tossing and turning. The babies had been crying most of the night, in fact they'd been crying for almost the entire two weeks since they'd been home. When they weren't crying they were pretty cute, and she liked to help pick out their clothes, but when they were crying it wasn't much fun to be a big sister. She had tried everything to drown out the crying. She closed her door, turned on her radio, and even put on her ear muffs, but nothing worked. She climbed out of her bed and headed down to her Mommies bedroom.



"What is wrong with these babies?" She asked opening the door. Tara couldn't help but smile. The look of indignation on her daughter's face was purely Willow.



"Nothing, Sweetie, sometimes babies just cry," Tara said.



"Make them stop. I can't get any sleep around here," Jesse said.



"It's not that easy," Willow said. She wished it was that easy. Jesse wasn't the only one feeling the affects of lost sleep. They were all a bit cranky, it was just that she and Tara had more control over it than a four year old.



"Why not? Don't they know how loud they are?"



"No, they don't," Tara said. "They may not even know why they're crying." Jesse walked over to where Willow and Tara stood holding the babies.



"Stop it," Jesse said, but the babies didn't stop. "Don't they know how to listen?"



"Why don't you go back and lay down and maybe you'll fall asleep," Tara said.



"Can I go sleep at Grammy and Grampy's?" Jesse asked.



"Well, it is only ten, they're probably still up," Tara said.



"I'll call," Willow said. Jesse had already left to go back her stuff.



---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------





~Spencer~

"Well, gee, then he must have meant it because guys never say anything they don't really mean, do they? They say I love you, and you think it's true. They say, oh Anya, I want to be with you for the rest of my life, and you believe them. You believe they feel the same way about you because that's the way love's supposed to be, right? And then you get all excited with the tingly anticipation, but wait, not so fast. There's the apocolypse, and the back from the grave, and the blah, blah, blah, blah, and by the time you're finally standing there in that beautifully expensive white dress, you dreamed about ever since you became human, he gets all heeby jeeby and decides you know I'd rather just go steady."
Anya -Seeing Red-

[MissQuirky]

Just caught up w/ the last 3 updates!! Very Good!! I'm glad the babies r OK!! Jesse is so sweet! I love it how she calls em "my babies" too cute!! Can't wait 4 more!!

Willow: We can come by between classes. Usually I use that time to copy over my class notes with a system of different colored pens. But it's been pointed out to me that that's, you know... insane.
Tara: I said quirky.

[iceprincess2076]

They're okay, YEAH!!!! and might I add a WHAAA HOOO!!!!





ICE



edited Because I'm a doofus and posted before I caught the last part I love this fic!!!!!



and Jesse is just so cute!!!!!!!!!



once again



BYE BYE



ICE

Edited by: iceprincess2076 at: 9/6/02 12:15:08 pm

[Thanatopsis]

Woo hoo, 3 updates. I'm glad the twins are okay and Jesse's such a sweet big sister.

-------
Because he's with Willow. And if something ... happened, I'd know...
Insist upon yourself and never imitate. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

[The Rose24]

Jesse is a bit annoying in this part, but I am glad the babies are okay.

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.

Tara: Willow, I got so lost.
Willow: I found you. I will always find you.

Willow: Hi, um Tara. I was wondering maybe you want to go out some time for coffee? food? Kisses and gay love?

[spazz07]

Wow 3 whole updates, lucky day i guess Glad to see everything has worked out well so far and i love Jesse's reaction to everything thats happened so far. I must say i love Giles and Joyce as Gammy and Grampy



Great stuff Spencer



Cheers

Nath

Isn't it funny how you feel your most tired five minutes before you have to get up.

[Lonewolf22]

Mainer: Great two updates, THANK YOU for the babies being OK, I was a little worried there for a second. I loved how Willow was being strong for Tara, that shows real love. Very cute about the surprise Jesse made for the babies, AWWWWW, so cute. I can't wait to read more.



Lonewolf

[4evaWill]

Aww. I started reading the entire fanfic today and I'm loving it! Buffy and Dawn's arguing is so funny, sounds just like me and my older sister! And Jesse so adorable, I'm so glad the twins are OK. Please update soon, I can't stop reading!!







Will: What's with the sudden calisthenics? Aren't you sort of naturally buff, Buff? (smiles and giggles) Buff buff.

[IsayAmberBensonsgorgeous]

great updates looking forward to more

"Es ist fuer einen Menschen unertraeglich, ertragen zu werden." (Jean Cocteau)
"Ain't never gonna love you any better babe - And they'll never gonna love you right" (Kozmic Blues - Janis Joplin)

[nika]

That was nice, I'm glad everyone is o.k. Jesse's reaction to the babies is pretty natural. I remember what a pain I was when my brother was born.

[mollyig]

Bet Jesse is glad she has her own room now, at least she has a chance to get some sleep not like our poor girls.

Adding up the total of a love that's true, multiply life by the power of two
Indigo Girls

[Mainer]

Title:Happily Ever After

Rating:PG

Diclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon.

Notes: This part takes place about a year after the last part.





Part Fifteen



"Mommies, get up," Jesse said jumping up and down on their bed.



"What is it? What's wrong?" Tara asked sitting up.



"Nothing," Jesse said. "I start school today, I don't want to be late." Willow sat up and looked at the clock on the night stand.



"It's five o'clock in the morning, go back to bed," Willow said flopping back down.



"I can't, I'm too excited," Jesse said.



"I know you're excited," Tara said pulling Jesse down in between her and Willow, pulling the covers up over her, and wrapping her arm around both Jesse and Willow, "but you need more sleep, and me and Mommy need more sleep. So just lay here quietly and maybe you'll get some rest."



Jesse did as she was told. She lay between her Mommies and closed her eyes and tried to fall asleep, but how was she supposed to sleep when she started kindergarten today? There was gonna be kids, and learning, and it was all so exciting.



"This is nuts," she whispered. She slowly wiggled her way down between Willow and Tara and out the bottom of the blankets. If they didn't want to get up and get ready, it wasn't going to stop her. She'd never gotten ready by herself before, but she was almost five now, and she'd seen her Mommy do it a million times. She went down to the bathroom and grabbed a washcloth. Her Mommy took a shower but she wasn't allowed to do that by herself, so she filled up the sink and loaded up the washcloth and wrung it out over her head. She did this a few more times before wrapping herself in a towel, and getting her brush to fix her hair. It was too long and too tangled so she did the best she could, then she took the special clips her Momma got her and put them in her hair.



"Now what to wear?" She asked herself mimicking her Mommy as she walked down the hall to her room.



"Will, the alarm," Tara said nudging her wife.



"Don't wanna get up," Willow said. Tara reached over Willow and turned off the alarm. She settled back in behind her, and ran her foot up Willow's leg to her knee.



"Wake up," she whispered into Willow's ear.



"Mmm, don't wanna," Willow said smiling. Tara leaned down and took Willow's earlobe into her mouth and gently sucked. "Mmm, that's nice."



"Wake up," Tara said again.



"No," Willow said. This time, Tara pulled the covers off Willow and pushed her out of bed onto the floor. "Hey what happened to the touching?" Willow asked popping her head over the side of the bed.



"We don't have time to play this morning," Tara said laughing. "Go wake up Jesse, and I'll go check on the twins."



"Wasn't Jesse with us already this morning or did I just dream that?" Willow asked.



"She probably just went back to her room," Tara said climbing out of the bed.



"I'll go check," Willow said. She and Tara made their way out of their bedroom. Tara stopped at the twins room and Willow continued down the hall to Jesse's room.



"Tara!" Willow said running back down the hall. "She's not in there."



"Don't panic," Tara said picking up Summer. "Grab Harris and we'll check downstairs." Willow took Harris and went to check the family room, while Tara went to the kitchen. She got to the archway and saw Jesse sitting at the island. It was covered in cheerios and milk, and she was eating a bowl of cereal and reading the newspaper. She had dressed herself in a floral jumper, with a plaid shirt, and her striped tights. Tara felt Willow come up behind her and she turned around and put her finger over her mouth so Willow wouldn't say anything. Summer however didn't want to cooperate, and she started to show her displeasure at having her feeding schedule disrupted.



"Hi, Momma," Jesse said turning around. She was wearing as much milk and cereal as the island.



"What did you do?" Tara asked smiling and shaking her head.



"I'm ready for school," Jesse said proudly.



"You're a mess," Willow said.



"Just cause I made breakfast," Jesse said.



"Go with Mommy and get cleaned up," Tara said.





"You said when I start school I get to pick my own clothes," Jesse said, her arms folded tightly across her chest.



"I know I said that," Tara said, "but today is the first day and we talked about you wearing this dress last night."



"I changed my mind," Jesse said plopping down on her bedroom floor.



"Why?" Tara asked. It wasn't like Jesse to be this difficult.



"Because I want to wear my sneakers," Jesse said.



"You can wear your sneakers," Tara said.



"Okay," Jesse said taking the dress from Tara and pulling it down over her head.



"Here," Tara said handing her a pair of shorts.



"Why do I hafta wear shorts under my dress?" Jesse asked.



"So nobody sees your underwear," Willow said coming into the room with the twins. She and Tara had switched after the impromptu shower she had to have with Jesse. Dressing the twins was usually the easier job and since she already had the hard one the switch was nice.



"Mommy," Jesse said.



"Can you fix her hair so I can get dressed?" Tara asked.



"No problem," Willow said sitting the twins on the floor. "What am I supposed to do?" She asked Jesse.



"Put these in," she said handing the clips to Willow.



"As long as these are in, you don't care what I do?" Willow asked. Jesse was pretty fussy about her hair usually.



"Nope," Jesse said.



"Good," Willow said. She picked up the brush and ran it through Jesse's hair. She could tell that Tara already brushed it. She parted it in two sections and made two braids. They didn't like to leave her hair down because it was so long it tangled easy and made it look they didn't brush it. Willow added the clips to keep the short hair on the sides from falling out. Leftovers from when Buffy decided it would be cute if she had her sides layered just like her. "All done, where's your back pack?"



"In the kitchen," Jesse said slipping into her new light up sneakers.



"You look beautiful," Tara said meeting them at the top of the stairs.



"I know," Jesse said.



"You're sure you can be late?" Tara asked Willow taking Harris from her.



"Positive. I told the principal I couldn't miss dropping my daughter off for her first day of school."





There were a handful of other children there when they arrived. They had stopped off in the office to find out Jesse's class placement. Her teacher's name was Mrs. Pierce and she was in room five.



"Do you know which door says five?" Willow asked as they stopped in the hall in between two classrooms.



"That one," Jesse said.



"Good job," Willow said as she and Tara followed Jesse into the classroom.



"And who do we have here?" Mrs. Pierce asked greeting them at the door.



"Jesse."



"Good Morning, Jesse. Do you think you can find your name on one of those cubbies?"



"Yes," Jesse said walking over and looking for her name.



"Hi, I'm Mrs. Pierce," she said extending her hand to Willow and Tara.



"Willow and this is Tara," Willow said, "and these are Harris and Summer," she said motioning to the twins who were asleep in their stroller.



"It's a pleasure to meet you all," Mrs. Pierce said.



"Did you find it?" Tara asked as Jesse returned to them.



"Yes," Jesse said.



"Is there anything you'd like to play with?" Mrs. Pierce asked.



"Can I play with those blocks?" Jesse asked.



"You sure can."



"Don't leave yet," Jesse said to Willow and Tara.



"We're at the room, you can let go of Daddy now."



"Xander?" Willow said.



"Hey Wills, is Jesse in this class?" Xander asked. "Of course she's in this class or you guys wouldn't be standing here. Alex let go of Daddy's leg."



"Alex, I'm your teacher, Mrs. Pierce."



"Don't you want to look at your teacher?" Xander asked.



"No," Alex said.



"Jesse, come over here," Willow said.



"What Mommy?" Jesse asked.



"Can you help Alex find his cubbie?" Willow asked.



"Come on Alex," Jesse said taking his hand. He released Xander's leg and followed her.



"Nice to have your leg back?" Tara asked.



"Very," Xander said. Jesse and Alex walked back over.



"Okay, Princess, we're gonna go. Mommy has to get to work," Willow said giving Jesse a big hug and kiss.



"I'll pick you both up when school gets out," Tara said kissing both Jesse and Alex.



"Daddy will see you tonight," Xander said hugging and kissing Alex. All three left the room and headed down the hall. Tara stopped when they were a few feet away from the door.



"What's wrong?" Willow asked.



"We just dropped our baby off at school," Tara said crying.



"Xander can you put the twins in the van, we'll be right out," Willow said.



"Sure," he said.



"She's fine," Willow said holding Tara. Just then Jesse ran out of the classroom to them. Alex stood in the doorway watching.



"What's the matter, Baby?" Willow asked.



"I just needed one more hug," Jesse said jumping up into Tara's arms.



"Okay, now let's go back. You can't just run out of the classroom," Tara said.



"I checked for you first, but I won't do it again," Jesse said as Tara put her down in the classroom.



"Bye," Willow said.



"I love you," Jesse said.



"We love you too," Tara said. They walked out of the classroom and once in the hall Willow placed a kiss on Tara's lips, then wrapped her arm around her. Tara leaned her head on Willow's shoulder and they walked out of the school.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



~Spencer~

"Well, gee, then he must have meant it because guys never say anything they don't really mean, do they? They say I love you, and you think it's true. They say, oh Anya, I want to be with you for the rest of my life, and you believe them. You believe they feel the same way about you because that's the way love's supposed to be, right? And then you get all excited with the tingly anticipation, but wait, not so fast. There's the apocolypse, and the back from the grave, and the blah, blah, blah, blah, and by the time you're finally standing there in that beautifully expensive white dress, you dreamed about ever since you became human, he gets all heeby jeeby and decides you know I'd rather just go steady."
Anya -Seeing Red-

[mollyig]

Jesse excited about going to school. Getting up early because she was afraid she'd be late. I did that too all those years ago.



Nice for her that Alex is in the same class as her.

Adding up the total of a love that's true, multiply life by the power of two
Indigo Girls

[funkyasian]

awww....that was so sweet...alex reminds me of my first day at school...well, minus the crying and screaming...and the biting of the teacher - i wasn't a big fan of school...



i finally caught up with all the updates...they were great as usual...can't wait for more...



steph

Nothing can cure the soul but the senses, just as nothing can cure the senses but the soul. ~ Oscar Wilde

[Puff]

I like how Jessie is excited about starting school we practically had to drag our child out of bed to start first grade last week...oh and she insists on wearing shorts under her dress Nice update Spencer

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You know, it's a real deal relationship and that's why people can relate to it
Amber Benson

[Grimaldi]

cool update Jessie being excited for the first day of school was too cute

Dude, we're surrounded by perverts!

Fucking Windows 98, get Bill Gates in here!

2nd place??? That's just a fancy term for loser!

[Thanatopsis]

That was so cute, Jesse getting up so early and getting herself ready. And poor Tara, sad about dropping her off, I bet that last hug at the end helped.

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Yeah, 'tis the season. Whatever that means.
Insist upon yourself and never imitate. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson