Simple Matters (sequel to A Different Life)

[DreamLover]

Hi Emms,



That is a great idea... I love it... Tara having there babies.... I'm all ready imaging the whole new storyline... I'm not going to bore you with my idea... but if I think about what you are going to write... then woooowooo.



I can't wait but first.... you have to update Catching Sunflowers In Bloom



PS how about triplets two girls and one boy lol just teasing



Henny

[CrazyTaraWitch]

All is tres bon so far Emms! i really liked that last update, tho Sheila is very annoying. i felt sorry for Sam; grandmas are supposed to me nice & cudly!

grosses bisses

~jas

[MissKittys Ball O Yarn]

I'll be posting the next update tomorrow morning....I could do it now...but I want to go over it again before I post it..and right now I'm a little So forgive me for not posting it tonight? I'll get replies out tomorrow also...for those kitties who have been so wonderful to leave feedback.





see you'all in the morning....'



oh and ps... For those of you waiting for an update of Catching Sunflowers...I'm sorry for not getting one up in a timely manor...it's just, I've had a hard time with the whole...being motivated to do anything other than flip the channels on the television these last couple weeks... but if all goes well, I should have one posted tomorrow or Sunday.



xoxo

Emms

To the smut! ~ Me

[MissKittys Ball O Yarn]

Hey ya Reds! I'm glad you're liking...and no appologies about slow FB...all feedback is appreciated...remember FB is an ellective not a required course.

Thanks for responding.

************************

Henny sorry I didn't update Catching Sunflowers first... I just sort of have to work with whatever story the muses' give me. But i promise Sunflowers is next on my list. I hope you liked this update though.



***********************

CrazyTaraWitch hey, you're back. I thought for sure you'd gotten bored with the slow progression and had left to seek higher ground. But it's nice to see you're back. yes...sheila is annoying... and it's easy to feel sorry for Sammy cause she's so darn cute. Hopefully, Sheila will turn into the grandmother Sam deserves to have.



**********************

Okay....here it is. Enjoy....





all disclaimers apply



**********************************************



"Mommy.... I like making breakfast with you. "



Willow looked at the little girl, who obviously had inherited Tara's talent for the culinary arts. Samantha was covered in flour as was most of the kitchen. Willow bit her bottom lip. She really should get this cleaned up before Tara came downstairs and gave her a spanking. Although the idea of punishment at the hands of her beautiful Tara soon began to turn sexy. Tara-hand on Willow-bottom could be a beautiful thing... maybe she'd leave the kitchen just as it was. Willow smiled, picturing the smut that would ensue after such a punishment, that was, until she felt a tug on her shirt and was brought back into the present. "I like making breakfast with you baby." Willow said. Getting her mind out of the gutter, she wiped a smudge of flour off the little girl's nose.



Willow could smell her mother's approach even before she actually saw the woman. Her mother had always worn a very overpowering perfume that seemed to go forth into every room before her as if to say 'make way for the queen' . Not to be outdone by her perfume of coarse, Sheila Rosenberg appeared in the kitchen seconds later. Not a hair out of place, she looked just as pressed as if she were planning on attending a Sunday brunch instead of the homely breakfast prepared by a four year old "Good Morning mother....did you sleep well?" Willow felt Samantha tense beside her. She could sense an energy in her daughter... Sam's muscles seemed to be coiled up as tight as a spring and Willow felt that at any moment her daughter might jump from the chair and dart from the room. Willow held her breath waiting for that moment to come.



"Like the dead" Sheila said. sitting down on a stool at the counter amid the cooking debris, she wiped at a smudge of flour on the counter top and examined it as if it were dust from a very dirty house.



Willow cleared her throat. In Sunnydale sleeping like the dead wasn't such a good thing. "Um...that's great Mom...." Willow tried to sound cheerful. She pointed to the pancakes cooking on the stove top. "You want some breakfast?" Willow felt Samantha look up at her, she could the pressure of her daughters gaze, she was gaging her mommy's reaction to the mean "Sheila monster" that was sitting there in their very own kitchen. Willow tried to keep her voice light in order to reassure her daughter that she had nothing to fear from her grandmother. Willow must have been successful in communicating that message, because she felt Samantha immediately relax against her. The little girl went back to mixing the contents of the bowl in front of her.



"Oh no Willow....you know I can't stomach food before 8:00 in the morning. I'll just have a cup of coffee, if you have it....black...no sugar."



"Eww " Samantha said, looking at Willow. Don't give her that Mommy it will make her have diarrhea." Samantha crinkled her nose and went back to mixing the pancake batter.



Sheila was looking thoroughly scandalized. Willow thought about heading into an explanation, but before she could get a word out, Samantha had already begun to fill in the more "sordid" details of the situation for the older woman.Apparently Samantha had relaxed enough to give a detailed description of her digestive needs.

Sheila, on the other hand, wasn't looking as comfortable. Willow smiled inwardly as she watched her mother squirm,The woman was a child specialist after-all, why would she be looking so scandalized by a four year old's openness?



"--I'm not allowed to have chocolate milk anymore... Mama says it makes me crazy." Samantha continued to explain matter-of-factly, without looking up from her task. "Is this mixed up enough yet...?" Samantha held the bowl up for her mothers inspection.



"Sammy why don't you go get dressed and I'll finish up here okay?." Willow said, feeling a little guilty at the joy she'd just felt by her mother's uncomfortableness.



" Okay. Can I wake Mama up?" Samantha asked..



"No"



Samantha puckered her lips and standing on her tippy-toes she waited for Willow to meet her. After receiving said, kiss, Sam jumped down from the chair and left the kitchen.

**********************************************



"Mama, Mama....are you awake yet?"



Tara floated up from the deep sleep she'd been enjoying. Well, she couldn't actually remember enjoying it, but she must have been if she was having such a hard time leaving the comfort of it. Tara blinked groggily, as translucent blue eyes began to come into focus in front of her face. the focusing process was made even more difficult as Samantha was less than two inches away from her face. Tara wasn't startled by the intrusion, in truth she'd grown very fond of this particular form of being awakened. Samantha always smelled wonderfully of grape jelly and maple syrup.



"Good-morning sweetie" Tara smiled at her daughter's delight, even though she could tell right away that Samantha was up to something. The mischievous sparkle in the little girls eyes told Tara nearly all she needed to know. All that remained was the "what" part of the scenario. Before Tara could inquire as to what exactly it was her youngest child had done Tara heard her wife's voice in the doorway.



"Samantha!?"



Tara saw the little girl jump. Obviously startled, she scooted off the bed.



"Go get dressed young lady." Willow scolded. She stood with her arms folded leaning against the door frame.When the child had evacuated the room Willow sat down on the edge of the bed next to her newly awakened wife. "I told her not to wake you up..." She said, brushing her finger tip across the hair covering Tara's ear.



"Oh really....and what exactly were you planning to do ?" Tara lifted her eyebrows, smiling knowingly.



"Wake you up..."



Tara chuckled at her wife's confession.



"But I was gonna do it the good way...with many kisses and discreet touching." Willow explained. She pretended to pout.



"Well..I could pretend to go back to sleep ....." Tara offered saucily and was rewarded with a smile from Willow.



"...I don't know...." Willow pretended to think about the suggestion. "Do you think it will be as good?"



"...we could give it a try...That is the only sure-fire way to find out. " Tara lifted her eyebrow as she spoke.



"Okay... I'm in. "



Seeing her wife's cheeky grin, Tara closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep.



Willow got up and pushed the bedroom door gently closed.



**********************************************



Samantha pulled her pants on over her pretty princess underwear, she hated to cover them up though, She always had the thought in the back of her mind that she was suffocating them under the thick layered denim of her jeans. Their faces hidden, she had awful visions of taking her pants off to find the pretty princesses passed out from lack of oxygen. Samantha bit her lip and pulled her shirt on over her head then she focused on the snap of her pants. Buttoning them was the hardest part and that's why she always saved it for last. Sam pressed the metal pieces together but she couldn't get it to snap.



The first thing she thought was that she should find her Mommy. Samantha went out into the hall, and looked toward her parents room. The door was closed, and Samantha knew that unless there was danger she wasn't allowed to go in there if the door was closed. She was still a little fuzzy on the details though, but she thought it had something to do with kissing. Samantha crinkled her nose at this thought, as she turned away from the sight of her parents room. She'd have to find someone else to help her button her pants.



Samantha made her way down the hallway, holding her pants up with one hand, she stopped outside Aunt Buffy's door. It was opened just a crack. Samantha peeked in. She saw her Aunt standing next to the window. Sam thought that she looked very sad. Samantha tried to think of a good joke to cheer her God-mommy up, but she couldn't remember the punch-lines to any of them.



Samantha put her hand on the door and gently pushed it open. As the door opened she saw her Aunt turn around to look at her. Samantha froze in shock, it wasn't her aunt at all it was some horrible creature, probably from the black lagoon. Dresden had let her watch that movie with him once and ever since Sam had been plagued with nightmares of slimy creatures coming up out of a lagoon to chase and eat her...only this time it had gotten to her Aunt Buffy first...and apparently it was hungry cause it had started with her face.

"Mommy! Mama! there's a demon eating aunt Buffy's face!" She screamed.



"No! Sammy it's okay. stop screaming." Buffy turned around to see her god-daughter standing in the door way, with a horrified expression plastered across her face.



Samantha quieted at the sound of her Aunt's voice...either the monster was really good at impersonations or it really was her Buffy under all that goop. Samantha tried to get a closer look, while still maintaining her distance... just in case the monster was still hungry.



"It's not a demon squirt, It's a heated facial mask....It's supposed to make me pretty" Buffy's explanation fell flat though, and she could see the little girl trying to process the situation.



"When will it start working?"



Buffy looked at herself in the mirror, and couldn't help but laugh "I don't know...." She really did look like a monster with this junk on her face.



Sam made her way across the room as her Aunt took the towel and began wiping the green, slimy stuff off her face."I can't button these...." Samantha said, lifting her shirt up, all thoughts of monsters forgotten as she revealed her button dilemma.



"Here, let me help you with that squirt...buttons can be pretty complicated sometimes.... I always thought it should be a required course in college...buttons 101 or something.... actually, it probably is ." Buffy had spent more time in college staking vampires than actually looking up course information, but UC Sunnydale seemed to have every-other course imaginable so maybe buttons 101 wasn't as far fetched as it sounded.



Samantha didn't understand what her aunt was talking about, but she smiled anyway. She liked that Buffy always talked to her like she was a grown-up instead of a little kid. "Thank you." Sammy said, sitting on the edge of Buffy's bed. Something occurred to her suddenly as she watched her aunt looking at herself in the mirror. "Are you sad Aunt Buffy..?" Sam asked. She waited quietly for Buffy to say something.



Buffy sat down on the edge of the bed next to Samantha "I'm not sad sweetie-girl...." She tried to sound convincing,



"You look sad to me..."

**********************************************



Willow kissed Tara's neck.



"Thats nice..." Tara said dreamily.



"What this?" Willow asked, kissing Tara again.



"Yes...that...don't stop."



"You're supposed to be asleep remember?"



"Maybe I've woken up...." Tara said, through a smile, her eyes still closed, rested softly against her cheeks.



"No fair...I haven't even gotten to the good part yet."



"I disagree...." Tara smiled, allowing her eyes to flutter open just long enough to catch Willow's gaze as the redhead hovered above her. Tara closed her eyes and lifted her hips. She loved watching Willow eyes as they deepened with desire....

**********************************************



One hour later, Willow had gone from being snuggled in bed with Tara, to standing in the entryway as her father pulled what seemed like enough luggage carrying enough clothes to dress a small army in through the front door. "Daddy.. " Willow said hugging her father. She was happy that he'd come but at the same time, She wondered how long they planned on staying.



"Your mother's "essentials."



He must have seen her eying the number of bags on the front porch. "Dresden, would you and Sam please help Grandma and Grandpa Rosenberg with their bags?"



"I can do it myself" Dresden said dismissing Samantha's meager attempts at picking up one of the larger bags. He picked up two suitcases and headed for the stairs. "Where should I put these?" He asked his parents.



"Upstairs in our room buddy. " Willow said. She watched the boy huff up the stair with his load.



"This is my husband Ira." Sheila said then, speaking directly to Tara.



"Mr Rosenberg.." Tara said, extending her hand.



"None of that Mr Rosenberg nonsense...call me Dad!" Ira pulled Tara into a tight hug.



Tara didn't know quite what to do with all his enthusiasm, in truth she hadn't expected him to be at all this affectionate. "Dad..." Tara corrected herself. Feeling slightly self-conscious, she was grateful to feel Willow slip her hand into hers. Willow squeezed her hand reassuringly and Tara felt her nerves calm slightly.



"And how are you punkin?" Ira brought his attention to Samantha who was standing with her arm looped protectively around Tara's leg. Ira bent down eye level with the child. She regarded him seriously for a moment, until he started fishing around in his pocket. Ira pulled out a peppermint, holding it out to the little girl. Sam looked up at Tara for permission to take the candy. Tara nodded, and Samantha took the candy from her grandfather.



"Thank you..." Sam said softly.



"I wish you would have told me you were coming in early...I would have picked you up at the airport." Willow said.



Ira stood up at his daughter's words."Nonsense Willow, I am a grown man and perfectly capable of getting off a plane by myself...besides, it's much less complicated then the 'getting on' part" Ira joked. Removing his coat, he hung it on the coat-tree next to the front door.



"Of course dad..." Willow said. "How was your flight? She asked.



"Oh well...you know, there was nothing kosher on the plane, so I'm starved."



"Mommy...what's Kosher?" Samantha asked.



Willow was barley able to register her daughters question, before her father's voice demanded her attention.



"Willow please tell me you are teaching my grandchild Jewish teachings." Ira said.



"Of course dad, but you know we're not practicing.." Willow dodged the disapproving look her mother was giving her, but she couldn't dodge the woman's mouth.



"That's right Willow... I forgot you've decided to live an alternative spiritual life...." There was no double meaning to her mother's words. She may disapprove of Willow's religious beliefs but she'd always seemed strangely proud of Willow's sexual preference.



Mom...you know my religion is very important to me.." Willow sighed. She'd never actually used the word witch in front of her mother, unless you counted that time her mom tried to burn her and Buffy at the stake.... But she was sure the woman had chosen to block most of that out....



"Judaism?" Sheila's eyebrows perked up in question.



"Wicca" Willow clarified tentatively.



"Um... Jewish wiccans" Tara offered trying to smooth the rough edges of the exchange.



"Jewish wiccans?" Sheila asked.



"That's right...so...who wants hot dogs!?" Willow said. Forcing herself to sound cheerful, she wanted to change the subject before it had a chance to go any further.



"Really Willow......" her mother sighed.



"Relax mom.... They're all-beef...perfectly Kosher. "



"What's Kosher....?" Samantha asked again, as the grownups filed out of the living room, leaving her alone with her question.



**********************************************

"Sweetheart did you ever get those adoption papers from that Mr Giles?"



Willow nearly chocked on the food in her mouth . the hot dog she was eating slid to the back of her throat and she began to cough. Sure she'd confided in her mother that they were unable to get the proper papers, but she hadn't expected her mother to start talking about it during the middle of dinner. Not with the children around. Willow immediately saw Dresden's ears perk up at the mention of his uncle.



"Mom..." Willow hissed, motioning to Dresden with her eyes. He didn't know about any of that and willow didn't think this was the way to tell him. But her mother, being the woman she was, was doing what she always did... not paying attention. For all her mother knew about children, it amazed willow how clueless she could be sometimes.Willow glanced at Dresden, she could tell that he was paying close attention to what was being said.



Willow made eye contact with Tara, who seemed to be just as shocked as Willow was by her mother-in-laws choice of dinner discussion. They exchanged a silent communication, Tara directing Willow, with her eyes toward the kitchen.



"...Because if you want to get this thing finalized...I mean, as things stand right now, the state could just come in at any moment and take..."



Was her mother actually still talking about this? "MOM!" Willow said a little loudly. Placing her hand on the woman's shoulder, she led her into the kitchen.



"Dresden doesn't know about any of this..." Willow spoke in a hushed tone.



"You mean you didn't tell him?"



"We'll no...we were going to wait..." Willow whispered, she was mindful of the little ears only a few feet away from where they stood. The thought of Dresden finding out that she and Tara hadn't been able to legally adopt him was too much for her to handle at the moment. They were planning on Telling him in their own way...when the time was right.



"Honestly Willow...when are you going to see that it will hurt him more in the long run if he doesn't know the truth about the way things really are? Life is tough and kids need to know that. Your father and I always made sure you understood..."



"I'm not you mother. And I happen to believe that life is already too full of nasty things we cant control.... I don't want my children raised the way I was raised." Willow was breathing shallowly now. She was furious. Why did her mother always have to be so judgmental?



"What is that supposed to mean?"



"You're the therapist. Figure it out." Willow left the kitchen. Making her escape, she slid out the back door and into the cool night air.



*****************************



TBC



Sorry about the lack of alone time between our girls this time around... I promise they will have a lot of it next time.



xoxo

Emms

To the smut! ~ Me

Edited by: MissKittys Ball O Yarn  at: 4/11/05 6:08 am

[kindagay]

Hey Emms



Yay! another great update, as usual



Aww, how cute was Sammy all covered in flour? & then when she was lecturing Sheila about how she shouldn't drink black coffee - that little girl is adorable. Oh, & I don't think I've mentioned it before, but I love your sketches of Sammy - I wish I could draw like that.



Heehee - Sammy thinking Buffy was having her face eaten by a demon, that was priceless. I especially loved this exchange...

Quote:

---

"It's not a demon squirt, It's a heated facial mask....It's supposed to make me pretty" Buffy's explanation fell flat though, and she could see the little girl trying to process the situation.



"When will it start working?"

---

That made me chuckle



Hmm, Sheila doesn't seem to be doing much to redeem herself, but hopefully Willow's words will sink in & give her something to think about - yes?

Well, even if Sheila's not so nice, I'm glad Willow's dad's nice & friendly, that's all good



No need for sorry's about not much W & T alone time - Tara pretending to be asleep so Willow could wake her up was very cute & there were plently of little subtle moments between our girls, which is definitely all good & sweet.



Hmm, how come our girls are having trouble adopting Dresden? He's not gonna get taken away right? 'Cos that would be very bad & would make everyone all sad



Anyway, that's quite enough babble from me for now I think.

Can't wait for the next installment sweetie



Take care

Hugs

Jeanne

----------



Tara: “Let me guess – you want me to lie on your lap while you feed me grapes, but my sweet, shy, precious, honey you’ve been too shy to ask – yes?” - GROWW by WannaFriendsBe

"All we need is some ice cream & a hug." - Bowling4Soup



My very own Willow & Tara website

[DreamLover]

Great update Emms!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I haven't got time to leave you a long feedback... But I reallllllllllly had to say... I love it.... I'm feeling a little and there wasn't any SMUT.... I need my girls to have SMUT lol... ooops hot smut .... I mean HOT SMUT!!!



I have to go..... but first.........





RHI nanan nanana nanana I am and will be forever Emms number 1 fan!!!!!!!!



PS Emms,

Quote:

---

i promise Sunflowers is next on my list.

---

You promise....... I can't wait to read it... I'm so



Bouncing up and down in my chair and waiting patiently for the next update.



Henny that's me

Edited by: DreamLover at: 4/9/05 1:11 pm

[CrazyTaraWitch]

terrific update, Sam is very cute, but I wish we'd seen more of Dres in this update; it's sad aboutt the adoption stuff, stupid sheils, bringing it up in the middle of dinner...she is so clueless!I'm a little surprised at how sweet Ira is, tho in a good way...after the whole not letting will watch charliebrown christmas, I pictured him as a harsh grumpy old fart with a stick up his ass, but i like that u made him friendly--aside from the anti-wicca part.

anyway, twas a terrific update, more soon plz!!!!!

grosses bisses

~jas

[erwfan2002]

yum willow and tara morning goodness

sam is so cute

the button thing is adorable

good thing aunt buffy was there to fix the metallic problem

they make everything child proof these days

cant wait for a new update

p.s. damn parents screwing up everything

first they interrupt the sex, and then they open their big mouths and spill untold info

wonder what will happen next

[Irishgrl3]

OMG, Buffy and the face mask... hysterical! I really like Willow's dad, he's so friendly but her mom. Can't seem to keep that foot out of her mouth. I hope she doesn't stay long.

Great job Emms!

-anna

[Emms]

okay...so it's been pointed out to me that I have many fics out here that need attention although, in my defense I would just like to say that Art Appreciation and Catching Sunflowers are only a few updates away from completion (does that count for anything ) Anyway.... I think this fic is going to be the next in line for an update...and then after that Niobe's Silence....I sort of have to go with whichever story is the most squeaky in my brain.

xoxo
Emms

[GayNow]

Yay for more updates from Emms!!!!

[Emms]

Okay....See...I'm a hard working Kitten...here's an update!

I'd like to thank everyone who's reading this story, as it is near an dear to my heart. So thanks Carleen, Jeanne, Henny, Jas, anna...if I missed anyone, I'm sorry. I luv ya'll

All Disclaimers Apply

**************************************
"So, what do you do kid?"

Tara made eye contact with Willow's father. Apparently his idea of dealing with the tension between his daughter and wife was to pretend nothing at all unusual was happening. Tara wished she could adopt such a blind eye to the situation, but she was beginning to worry for Willow. Tara heard the back door slam shut, and she had to stop herself from getting up from the table immediately to go to her wife.

"Just go to school..." Dresden answered non-committedly.

"No, what do you do? A kid your age should have something off the ground by now...paper route? Lemonade stand? Dog walking...? Something..." Ira clarified. Leaning back in his chair, Ira took a long drink of his glass of ice water.

"No.... I don't have anything like that..." Dresden shook his head.

Tara looked up from the conversation as Sheila stormed through the dining room. Tara saw the kids look up as well, examining their grandmother from the safety of their chairs. They were all quiet as her footfalls sounded heavily on the wooden stairs as she flew up them.

"How about you punkin?" Ira said, turning his attention to Samantha, who was currently pushing food around on her plate with her finger.

Samantha looked up and giggled and Tara could tell that the little girl was greatly amused by her grandfather. Her daughter was aglow with bright, laughing sparkles that reached from within her eyes all the way down to the corners of her lips, pulling them up into a smile.

Tara examined her plate not knowing how to excuse herself in order to slip out without alarming the children. Ira was doing a wonderful job of steering the conversation away from the events that had just transpired, but one look in Dresden's eyes told her that he was already computing the situation in his mind and drawing his own assumptions. Tara wished that Shiela hadn't said anything about Mr. Giles in front of him.

*******************************************************
Other than the dinner interruption, the rest of the eveing had gone relatively smooth. Sheila hadn't come down stairs again since she'd stormed up them earlier that evening and Willow had distanced herself from everyone, going into their bedroom and closing the door behind her. Between caring for the kids and making conversation with Ira Tara hadn't even had a chance to check on Willow all evening. She hadn't really been in a hurry to interrupt Willow's solitude either though, she knew that her wife would need time on her own to sort through what she's feeling.

Tara opend the door to the children's room. She'd sent them up here half an hour ago to get ready for bed. She didn't normally send them to bed at the same time, but they both looked so exahusted by 8:00 that she suspected if she let Dresden sit up, he'd fall asleep on the couch and though he was small for his age, she didn't think she could carry him up the stairs.

Tara walked into the room, switching Samantha's nightlight on, she turned off the bright over-head light. Samantha was sitting perched on the end of her bed, with her bare legs dangling off the edge of the wooden rail at the foot of the bed.

"Mama?"

It was Dresden's voice that caught her attention. "Hmmm?" Tara sat down on the edge of Dresden's twin-sized bed. She smoothed the blue quilt under her hands where they rested on the bed. Tara prepared herself for anything... She began assuming crash position, because she couldn't be sure of what Dresden was going to say. Tara didn't know how well she could answer any questions he might have about his uncle or the word adoption. She was sure he had heard both those potent words at the dinner table.

"Is everything okay with Mom? Cause she seemd a little mad at Grandma Rosenberg." Tara sighed an inner sigh of relief. This was a question she was definitly qualified to field, having grown up in a household where yelling was an everyday occurrence.

"She's fine Dres, sometimes adults get mad at eachother, but that doesn't mean that they've stopped loving eachother." Tara looked into her son's eyes, but he shifted his focus to examine his fingers as they played across the baseball mit he had cradled in his lap.

"Yeah....like my friend Molly, her Mommy and Daddy got a dee-vorce but Molly says that they are all still in love with eachother." Samantha scooted off of her bed, and stepping over the scattered toys on the floor came to stand in front of Tara. "Is that what you mean Mama? Is Grandma and Mommy going to get a dee-vorce?"

Tara helped Samantha onto her lap and felt the four-year-old mold herself into Tara's body. But before she could answer her daughter's question Dresden was already making a smart remark.

"Not dee-vorce Sammy, Divorce...D.I.V.O. R. C. E" He rolled his eyes as he spelled the word for her.

"That's enough Dresden." Tara said tilting her head to the side and shooting that "parental look" his way. "No sweetie, Mommy and Grandma are not going to get divorced." Tara spoke into her daughter's eyes. Seeing them soften at her words, she wondered how long the little girl had been thinking about the topic of divorce. "Besides, parents don't divorce their kids." She wanted to reassure Samantha on this subject. For now that explaination would have to do, until she could get a quiet moment alone with the her daughter. Maybe sometime this week, they'd go out on their own, spend the day together and have a talk.

"Good...cause I wouldn't want to get a divorce from you Mama."

Tara kissed Samantha's cheek when the little girl pulled up close to her, with her arms around Tara's neck.

"But what are they fighting about? I heard Grandma Rosenberg say something about Uncle Giles....Is he coming back here or something?"

Tara let out a shallow breath even as she kept the expression on her face constant. She could see the scared look of hope in Dresden's deep brown eyes. "No Buddy....I don't think so. " Tara said gently.

**********************

TBC

xoxo
Emms

[GayNow]

YAY! Now I have to go back and read the whole thing...it's been a while since I've read it...need to catch up. Will be back with significant feedback when I'm done!

Carleen

[Tonto]

GayNow........That was quick.......I can't believe you were able to post your reply so quickly after the update was posted!

Hello....I absolutely love this fic. Believe it or not, its giving me good parental advice that I will remember when the time comes.

I hope Willow is okay.......I'm sure its nothing Tara can't fix. Tara is a natural at making people feel all better.

I have to admit that I'm still upset with Giles. I can't believe he just left. I hope he comes back to visit Dresden or at least calls him. Kudos on the name Dresden - I love it!

Update soon please.........I can't wait to read more!

[GayNow]

GayNow........That was quick.......I can't believe you were able to post your reply so quickly after the update was posted!

Well, I did wait 9 minutes after Emms posted her update to reply.

Plus, I'm pretty much on the board nearly 24/7...even at work...and I refresh everh 15 - 20 minutes...so I catch most updates pretty quickly.

Yes, I am well aware of the fact that I have no life.

Carleen

[Tonto]

GayNow wrote:

Well, I did wait 9 minutes after Emms posted her update to reply.

ROFL

I'm just jealous!

[DreamLover]

Hey Emms,

Gives you a big hug I have missed this story so much and now I'm all bouncy and a lot more

The whole update was great but I really loved this part.....

"Good...cause I wouldn't want to get a divorce from you Mama."

The interaction between Tara, Dresden and Sammy was so perfect and I really liked it...just one little thing was missing maybe that will be in the next update.... Willow .... sneaky Willow the one that would be standing around the corner listening to her wife and kids... and then sneaking up towards Tara and embracing her from behind whispering everything will be ok and I love you.... OK ok ok I'm getting a little carried away on this...like I always do......maybe after that a little smut love snuggle time BUT DON'T GET ME WRONG I STILL LOVED YOUR VERSION

I'm leaving this reply short since I still have to catch up with your new story... I hope I can leave you some feedback there today too... or tomorrow.

Take care amazing writer.

Henny

[kindagay]

Hey sweetie

My internet connection was down yesterday & almost all of today, so, I was having withdrawals and getting a little stressed. So anyway, I got it all fixed and manage to get online, & the first thing I see is an update from you, & now I'm all calm & happy again So, I think it's safe to say, you made my day sweetie

That was lovely Emms, uhm, in a kind of, tense, teeny-angst kinda way, but still, very good & wonderfully written.

Okay, this...

Samantha looked up and giggled and Tara could tell that the little girl was greatly amused by her grandfather. Her daughter was aglow with bright, laughing sparkles that reached from within her eyes all the way down to the corners of her lips, pulling them up into a smile.

...was absolutely beautiful.

The Tara/Sammy/Dresden interaction was lovely, & Samantha's "dee-vorce" comments, especially this one...

"Good...cause I wouldn't want to get a divorce from you Mama."

...were adorable.

I kind of missed the Willow & Tara-ness, but, that comes in the next update right? I think some snuggles & lots of kisses are needed.

I think I wanted to say more stuff, but, I don't remember now , so I'll just say this & ensure that I've covered everything...
Every sentence, every word, every letter even, was, as your writing always is, beautiful and magical - Thank you sweetie

Hugs
Jeanne

[Emms]

Hi kittens! just some replies tonight...The next update is all written and just awaiting the editing process. So it shouldn't be too much longer before it's ready to post.

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Carleen you silly goose you! waiting a whole 9 minutes! Where's the luv??

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Tonto

Hello....I absolutely love this fic. Believe it or not, its giving me good parental advice that I will remember when the time comes.

awwwe first let me say thank you. And next I'll say...I'm glad to be helpful in the parental advice department. I'm a bank of knowledge....feel free to make a withdrawl anytime sweetie. *wait...that didn't sound right.... *

I hope Willow is okay.......I'm sure its nothing Tara can't fix. Tara is a natural at making people feel all better.

That is definitly one of Tara's many talents.

I have to admit that I'm still upset with Giles. I can't believe he just left. I hope he comes back to visit Dresden or at least calls him. Kudos on the name Dresden - I love it!

I hope so too.....if I can find a way to bring him back I will...

Thank you for the feedback Tonto, it was lovely.

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Henny! The littlest MINX!!

The interaction between Tara, Dresden and Sammy was so perfect and I really liked it...just one little thing was missing maybe that will be in the next update....

Thank you....and not to worry, there's plenty of Willow in this next update. hehe, I enjoyed your version of how it should have gone...with sneaky Willow. It was much better than the way I wrote it.

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Jeanne

awwe Jea, I'm sorry about your computer. You must have been going CRAZY not being able to get out here and oogle all the wonderful Willow and Tara-y goodness. But you're here now, So, YAY!

Thank you for your wonderful feedback sweetie. I'm glad you liked the Sammy/Dresden/Tara interraction....I'm sorry there was no Willowy goodness in that last chapter...but this next one will have plenty of our favorite redhead.

as always,

xoxo
Emms

[Emms]

Yay! Thanks to Carleen for beta'ing here's the next chapter.

all disclaimers apply

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Willow's face was washed in the blue glow radiating from her computer. She got up to stretch her back, before sitting back down. The search for Giles still had wielded no promising results. Willow had come upstairs tonight after the fight with her mother. She hadn't wanted to have any further interaction with the woman, but she found that by closing herself off to that interaction she had in turn closed herself off to Tara and the kids. Willow was contemplating going downstairs when she felt Tara's presence behind her.

"I know you don't think so...But for what it's worth, she loves you. " Tara said, leaning against the entrance to their room. She could tell that Willow had sensed her approach; it was a very seldom moment that they could observe each other without the other one knowing. They were too connected to be able to pull off being sneaky.

"My mom using those three words in a sentence? Not likely." Willow tapped the keys again without turning around.

"Well...she didn't say it in so many words, but I could sense it the whole time, running right under the words she was actually using. I think she's just afraid to open up to you.... but I think she wants to." Tara had just come from Buffy's room where she'd spoken briefly with Sheila. Tara waited a moment to allow Willow time to respond, but when she didn't, Tara spoke again. "Any luck?" she asked, indicating the computer. She knew her wife well enough to know when to change the subject in order to give her some space.

"Oh yeah...sure, plenty if you want to learn how to preen your Rupert perennials or are in the market for a rollicking good time at Rupert's Gun-O-Rama...."

"Are you okay Will?" Tara saw the way the redhead's hands were shaking against the laptop's keyboard.

"I'm fine Tare...just a little tired, I guess. Did you kiss the kids for me?"

Tara's brow furrowed as she stood behind her wife. Willow had been saying that she was tired since before she'd left for Seattle, Tara wondered if she should push Willow into going to the doctor for a checkup. Deciding to let it go for tonight Tara answered her wife's question. “All kissed. Dresden asked about Giles...he wanted to know if he was going to be coming back."

"What did you tell him?" Willow asked, expelling a tired breath. She ran her fingers across her forehead and down over her eyes. She hoped to relieve some of the tension she felt building there, it helped a little and Willow leaned back in her chair.

"I told him that I didn't think it was something that was going to happen right now. " Tara said simply. Coming up behind Willow, she touched the top of her wife's head, tracing her fingers through the red strands of hair that rested there.

"How did he take it?"

Tara didn't miss the worried note in her wife's voice. "He took it. He's a pretty strong kid...I think he's accepted the fact that he might not see his uncle again but I could tell that it hurt him to remember the way Giles left. I just wish there was something we could do for him.... I hate to see him hurting." Tara felt Willow tense under her fingers "What is it will?"

"Nothing...." Willow got up out of the chair; going over to the dresser she squeezed some lotion into her hands. "I just feel like it was my fault...like there was something I could have done to change the way that things happened."

"We talked about this sweetie...there was nothing you could have done. Things always h-happen for a reason. " Tara took a few steps toward Willow, reaching her hand out she placed a reassuring palm on Willow's shoulder. Willow met Tara's gaze as she continued speaking.

"Sometimes when Dresden looks at me, it feel almost as if he's blaming me for what happened. I think he does...blame me."

"He doesn't blame you Willow, he's just grumpy.... he’s a grumpy kid sweetie, it's nothing that you've done, it's just the age he's at, I think. Teenagers can be pretty moody sometimes.... or so I'm told. " Tara smiled, hoping that that would encourage Willow to do the same.

"I guess..." Willow pressed her lips together into a thin line. "I should probably go in there and talk to her huh?" Willow said, speaking now of her mother.

"Probably." Tara ran her fingers down the side of Willow's cheek.

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"You don't have to leave mom...." Willow picked up the shirt her mother had folded and set aside up off the edge of the bed.

"Nonsense Willow. I can tell when I'm not wanted."

"I never said I didn't want you here."

"You don’t have to say it. I can tell by the way I'm treated. "

"Look mom...just stop packing for a minute." Willow looked at her mother, willing the woman with her eyes, to cease and desist all unfavorable movement, which included placing neatly folded articles of clothing into various pieces of designer luggage.

"Why Willow? So you can tell me some more how I was an awful mother to you?"

"I never said that! Well.... yes I did so...but I was upset. There has to be some kind of allowance for that. The no daughters left behind act? " Willow offered a little smile at the turn of phrase. If there was anything her mother would take time to talk about it would be politics.

"Very funny Willow.... we both know that program is severely under funded."

"Even more the reason to support this new act. You could single handedly put into action a rally to hereby, from this moment forward, leave no daughter distraught and holding the Gucci suitcases while her mother takes to heart something said out of stupidness." Willow hoped to lighten the mood a little.

"You know Willow, I always thought you should've been on the debate team, you make an excellent case."

"Does that mean you're not going to go traipsing around Sunnydale tonight?"

"I suppose..."

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"Mmmm remind me again why we have to wear pajamas...?" Willow purred into Tara's ear, kissing the softness of her wife's neck.

"Because it's a fire hazard to lock the kids in their room. " Tara closed her eyes, enjoying Willow's closeness. But Tara's eyes opened quickly when she felt Willow's hand slid under her pajama bottoms. "I thought you were tired?" Tara squirmed under Willow's delicate movements as the redhead ran her fingers through the soft hair between Tara's legs.

"I take it back." Willow bit lightly the skin of Tara's neck tasting the light flavor of salt mixed with a touch of the vanilla lotion Tara always wore.

Tara moaned as Willow’s expert techniques took her, lifting her above herself until she came cascading down. The explosion behind her eyes like fireworks on the forth of July. She drifted softly against Willow's body and when the redhead wrapped her arms around her waist, pulling Tara into her body, she shifted until she fit snuggly next to Willow. Tara's eyes became heavier until they closed against her cheeks and she fell asleep.

Willow lay motionless in the dark of their room. Holding Tara to her she kissed the blonde's forehead. She didn't want to think about anything but the feel of Tara in her arms, but other thoughts persisted to knock. Thoughts of work, thoughts of Dresden and what he must be feeling about everything, and thoughts of all the things still left unsaid between she and her mother. Willow's head was beginning to get very crowded and noisy until Tara shifting in her sleep, pressed her lips against Willow's neck. Her mind grew still and she was able to block out everything except the warmth of Tara's soft body.
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TBC

xoxo
Emms

[kindagay]

Yay! Update

Hey sweetie

Another wonderful update, though, a little on the short side, but, honestly, even the smallest offering from you makes my day

Firstly, how do you do it? I read this...

Willow's face was washed in the blue glow radiating from her computer

Just, a standard, simple opening sentence & instantly, I'm transported into this world you've created. The rest of the world melts away & I'm there, in your fic & nothing can distract me until I reach the end of the update. Amazing, truly amazing.

Okay, uhm, lets see... Reactions when reading this update - uh-oh , teeny lol / , wow, , aww - in that order.

Lots of guys in there.

First off, uhm, what's wrong with Willow?
This...

Tara wondered if she should push Willow into going to the doctor for a checkup

... does not bode well for our favourite redhead. Please let her be okay? Willow can't be sick, that would just be all kinds of bad.

The Willow/Sheila convo was kinda lol, but still with the underlying tension. I guess that's to be expected though. I'm glad Sheila didn't go. (& I cannot believe that I just typed that sentence ).

The yummy, naughty Willow/Tara scene, brief yes, but absolutely beautiful & very hot .

Poor Willow has lots going on in that busy brain of hers, she needs to relax, maybe a nice vacation? Or, a day at a health spa? A nice full body massage with sensual oils & stuff from Tara? Just, something to calm her poor stressed little head down.

& this bit...

until Tara shifting in her sleep, pressed her lips against Willow's neck

... Wow! That was just, beautiful. Such a simple thing, but, Tara's love for Willow just radiates through. The fact that, even in her sleep, she can tell when Willow needs a calming touch, that is beautiful & it makes me feel all warm & tingly inside.

Okay, I think that's everything, *checks*, yep, that was everything

Thank you, as always, sweetie, for sharing your wonderful creation with us. I look forward to more

Hugs
Jeanne

[AlysonGoddess]

YAY! Great update havnt seen an update for this story in a while.. now all u need to do is update niobes silence and all will be good Thanks for the update! Please continue!

ERIN

[DreamLover]

Heeeeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyyyyyy Emmmmmmmms,


So Willow is tired..... I know I know what's going on and I love it yup love it!!!!!! OOOooo I really can't wait for that It would also explain her behaviour towards her mom...OK who wouldn't get crazy from her.

"Any luck?" she asked, indicating the computer. She knew her wife well enough to know when to change the subject in order to give her some space.

Of course Tara won't leave the subject alone but this is a pure relationship knowing when to leave something alone so it won't harm their trust and eventually being there on the right moment when Willow needed Tara the most.

"Are you okay Will?" Tara saw the way the redhead's hands were shaking against the laptop's keyboard.

Even if she gave her wife the space to breath she still keeps an eye on her. that's my Tara.

and not to worry, there's plenty of Willow in this next update.

There was plenty of Willow thank you for that but..... there is always a but in my reply hehehehehhehe. Why???? Why don't they have a lock on there own door?? You get what I mean...no interruptions so more smut smut smut naked smut lol just pulling your leg.

The smut scene was short... that's true but it had everything in it.....the thrill of doing something naughty.... the gift ....... the amazing technique.... then the fireworks....wooohooo smut....and after that cuddling.

It was a great update I want more more more more more more and more. Thank you Emms....*running* of to see a movie called.....I'm not that good with the whole name thing let me think ooooo yeah something with S...C...I know it are two words lol... runs off for a angry Emms.

Take care Emms,

Henny

Ps to Carleen....could you make sure Emms will update soon...thanks and for you too...since I know Emms is soo sooooo sometimes.... you know what I mean

[irishgrl3]

Jeez, I can't believe I missed two updates. Although I have to admit I have been on vacation, (yup again). I know, not a great excuse... I'll try not to let it happen again. Hee-hee.
Wow, Sheila... glad she isn't my mom. What a piece of work. You've written her brilliantly! Tara seems to be handling it all very well though, juggling Ira and the kids. This whole thing with Giles is so cryptic, I wonder what's up with him?
Great job as usual, I bow down to your creativness.
-anna

[CrazyTaraWitch]

Yay!!!
I completely missed the return of this story, and i'm very glad to have one of my faves back.
these last two chapters were great, please update soon!

[GayNow]

Fabulous stuff, Emms. I'm so glad you've come back to this story. As much as I love high angst, I also love the stories with Willow and Tara living a 'normal' life, dealing with the mundaneness (I don't think that's a word) of it of everything -- raising kids, "raising" parents, working the "9-5", etc. And, yes, those stories certainly have angst as well...but it's a different kind. It's angst that hits me on a personal level. So well done, hun.

As always, I look forward to more. It will be interesting to see how the relationship between Willow and Sheila pans out. And will we ever find Giles?

Carleen

[Emms]

just some replies.

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Jeanne

a little on the short side, but, honestly, even the smallest offering from you makes my day

I'm so glad to hear that because most of my updates seem to be a little on the short side lately.

... does not bode well for our favourite redhead. Please let her be okay? Willow can't be sick, that would just be all kinds of bad.

I can promise nothing...except that all will turn out well in the end. maybe all willow needs is a little vacation...I know...they could leave the kids with Anya and Xander and go for a week to some deserted cabin in the woods to make out.

The Willow/Sheila convo was kinda lol, but still with the underlying tension. I guess that's to be expected though. I'm glad Sheila didn't go. (& I cannot believe that I just typed that sentence

I think you just might be the first person in fanfic history to ever write that sentence, Jea...

Thank you for the wonderful feedback sweetie.

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Erin I'm glad you liked the update hun...and of course, I updated Niobe's just for you sweetie.

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Henny! Heeeeeeeeeeeeennnnnnnnnnyyyyyyyyyyy!!!

Of course Tara won't leave the subject alone but this is a pure relationship knowing when to leave something alone so it won't harm their trust and eventually being there on the right moment when Willow needed Tara the most.

you are very right sweetie

There was plenty of Willow thank you for that but..... there is always a but in my reply hehehehehhehe. Why???? Why don't they have a lock on there own door?? You get what I mean...no interruptions so more smut smut smut naked smut lol just pulling your leg.

Awe henny...you've been my number one fan for quite a long time (don't tell Rhi that though) . And I just hope you know how much I appreciate your wonderful feedback. Thank you so much.

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Anna Hi sweetie!

Jeez, I can't believe I missed two updates. Although I have to admit I have been on vacation, (yup again).

Wow, you are so lucky to get to take soooooo many vacations I hardly ever get a vacation

Wow, Sheila... glad she isn't my mom. What a piece of work. You've written her brilliantly!

Thank you. Yeah...sheila's a tough cookie...but I think there's some good under all crusty stuff.

I promise by the end of the story we will find out what's up with Giles and where he's been all this time.

Thank you for leaving feedback anna.

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CrazyTaraWitch

Hi sweetie. I'm so glad you're back on board with the updatey goodness.

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Carleen

Fabulous stuff, Emms. I'm so glad you've come back to this story. As much as I love high angst, I also love the stories with Willow and Tara living a 'normal' life, dealing with the mundaneness (I don't think that's a word) of it of everything -- raising kids, "raising" parents, working the "9-5", etc. And, yes, those stories certainly have angst as well...but it's a different kind. It's angst that hits me on a personal level. So well done, hun.

awe look at you gettin' down with your feedbacky self. You were on a feedback roll last night when i saw how many you had posted last night I thought "Dang girl! You get down with your bad self!! "

I'm so glad you like the mundaneness of this fic. I have the urge to write the mundane on occasion....(I think I have a fic for each and ever mood I might be in ) Sometime's it's such a big relief to be able to sit down and immerse myself in wholesome family goodness....this fic kinda acts as an outlet for any stress I might be feeling....I just sit down and write a couple scenes of sugary sweet goodness between Tara and Dresden or Willow and Samantha and all my stress is gone. It's great really.

And will we ever find Giles?

possibly

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xoxo
Emms

[GayNow]

awe look at you gettin' down with your feedbacky self. You were on a feedback roll last night when i saw how many you had posted last night I thought "Dang girl! You get down with your bad self!! "

I needed to get my Teeny Tinkerbell Light! So I just did what any "new level hungry" kitten would do -- I played my own little game of "feedback catch up." Lucky for me there were lots of updates from you.

Carleen

[Emms]

Carleen,

I played my own little game of "feedback catch up." Lucky for me there were lots of updates from you.

hehe, yeah...I'm always good for a level up.

xoxo
Emms

[DreamLover]

Awe henny...you've been my number one fan for quite a long time (don't tell Rhi that though)

DO YOU HEAAAAR THAT RHI!!!!!!!! I'm number 1




Carleen

"new level hungry" kitten would do -- I played my own little game of "feedback catch up."

that is... is..... as sneaky as a little mouse great plan.. I like it!!!!! runs of to get the sassy eggs out of the way.


Henny