by ambercissism » Tue Jul 27, 2010 12:48 pm
TO: jay/wt4evr, sweet_southern_sex_kitten, leanne534, katjetson, JustSkipIt, Auriam, em317, MsKittyB, ceridwen, nothingtosay, bookworm_willow1, Shy One, thiswomanswork, love_2003, Willowlover, willow4tara08, player_4_life, bookworm_willow1, kimmy_s, Shadowygirl, Animism, amber addict, Gimpgirl, MelCar19, funky, excentric, tacoda13, Nue, tacoda13, willow_tara_always, deviantART, uuhhHHH_ditto, Blue_Night2010, Vamp_Willz, WolfDragonGod, taysla, Gimpgirl, Krokador
Thank you guys/kittens for your patience and wonderful feedbacks. I'm sorry that it took me almost two years to update. I'm not promising anything, coz I hate promises, but I'll try my best to continue this story. Please bear with my English, coz it's been ages also since I wrote (in English). I've asked ceridwen to help me with the editing though, so that the update would be "readable" to you guys. But if you think you have some constructive criticism, just let me know...
Oh, and before I forgot, Muchos gracias ceridwen!
I'll try to reply on your individual fbs, but first, I'll give you what all you guys been asking for:
[center]Chapter 19 [/center]
“Tara? Hello? Are you okay?”
Tara was snatched from her thoughts, as she felt a hand touch her arm. “Oh, w-wha…?” and realized that Buffy and Faith were staring at her.
“Are you alright?” She heard Buffy ask and saw that Buffy’s hand was still touching her arm.
“I’m sorry I’m just tired and lack sleep”, she reasoned as she felt a bit embarrassed about losing her composure in front of these teenagers. However, she needed to clarify this little information. “I’m sorry. Did you just say, girlfriend?” she turned to Buffy and asked her. She received a proud smile and nod from Buffy.
“Yup.” Buffy returned. “Well, it’s good to see you. Bye!”
“Oh. Umm… you too. Bye.” was Tara’s awkward reply, as her eyes followed the two teenagers walk out of the Espresso Pump holding each other’s hands.
Tara just stared at her coffee on the table and furrowed her brows. As her shock subsided and she realized who Faith really was, Tara stood up, ignored the coffee in front of her and ran out of the Espresso Pump.
***
“Are you sure about this?” Sheila asked her daughter for the third time since this morning. “You’re not that strong yet, and the doctor strongly advised that you take a full rest, and…”
“Mom, I know you mean well,” Willow interrupted her mother, as she continued to put clothes in the suitcase on her bed. “It’s just that…”
“What?! That I’m not capable of taking care of you!” Sheila snapped.
“No! It isn’t like that.” Willow replied. “I just thought this would be a good time to stay with dad for a while, since I’m on sick leave at school and the Christmas Holiday is nearing, and…”
“And what?” Sheila asked, pressuring Willow for a more convincing reason why she needs to go to New York.
“And I miss him.”
The last sentence made Sheila speechless.
It was all Willow needed to say, to convince her mom. She knew she had hurt her, and never intended to do that, however, she had no choice, but to lie. Ever since her parents got divorced, she had always been with Sheila. There had been several times when Ira tried to invite her to stay with him for a holiday, but Willow always refused. She hated that her dad left her mom for another woman, and had promised herself that she wouldn’t talk to him again. But right now, she saw this as an opportunity to reconcile with him and to escape from someone.
***
Tara arrived at the Magic Box on time for closing. She was so overwhelmed with the idea of Willow not being committed, that she didn’t even notice the worried look on Wesley’s face until…
“Tara…” Wesley’s voice snatched her from her reverie.
“Oh, h-hey Wes.” she said, sheepishly. “What’s up?”
“Tara, I just received a call from London,” Wesley was saying, as he approached Tara. “They just took my father to the hospital.”
“Oh my, gosh, is he alright? What happened?” Tara asked worriedly. Though Wesley had been annoying her for the past months, and the only thing that was on her mind was to get rid of him, it was completely the opposite of what she felt towards Wesley’s family. Tara had been in London many times and she had already established a good relationship with the Wyndam-Pryce’s.
“My father had a heart attack.” Wesley answered.
“Oh Wesley, I’m sorry to hear that,” Tara said with genuine concern, and gave him a hug. “Is he gonna be alright?”
“We don’t know yet,” he said, as he proved to lock Tara in his arms.
Feeling that Wesley was taking advantage of the situation, Tara pushed him right away and pretended that she had to sneeze.
“Oh, poor Anthony, I wish there was something I could do for him.” Tara commented, remembering the old man.
“Well, there’s actually something I’d like to ask you.” Wesley said. “I’m going to London and I want you to come with me.” He ordered, as if Tara was still his.
“What?! Are you insane?” Tara replied, irritated. “In case you forgot, I’m not your girlfriend anymore.”
“I’m aware of that, but… my mother wants you to come too.” He said. “Mother begged me to take you to London. She said that it might help father to recover quickly, if he sees us both.”
“Wes, I adore your parents, I really do,” Tara was trying to point out, “But I cannot come to London anymore and pretend that nothing has changed, and…”
“Of course you still can.” Wesley interrupted. “You’re still welcome there, Tara.”
“W-what are you saying?” Tara asked suspiciously. But Wesley just grinned at her. Suddenly, it dawned on her that Wesley was hiding something. “Y-you haven’t told them yet?!”
“No. Because this is just temporary,” was Wesley’s arrogant reply.
“Arrrrgh!” She grumbled, and walked towards the door. But Wesley got hold of her arm right away.
“Tara, let me explain.” Wesley said, holding Tara’s arm possessively. “I didn’t tell them, because I don’t want my father to worry. We all know that he has a weak heart.” He said, “And we all know that he’s very fond of you.” He added, infusing Tara with a guilty conscience.
“Alright!” Tara yielded. She was not just angry with Wesley, but with herself too. She was angry for being so weak. And she admitted to herself that she didn’t have the heart to refuse Wesley’s parents. “But on one condition.”
“Anything.” Wesley said confidently.
“This is the last time I’m going to London with you,” Tara started, careful of every word she was saying “and since we can’t tell your father the truth, at least tell your mother that we’re not a couple anymore.”
“Alright.” Wesley agreed and released Tara’s arm.
***
Still overwhelmed about what happened that day, Tara tossed and turned in bed all night. She was happy... and looking forward to talk to Willow in the morning and tell her that she’s wanted her ever since she came back to Sunnydale. She knew that she had to make up for all the shortcomings and ‘heartaches’ that she caused Willow, and she would do anything to gain Willow’s trust and love… On the other hand, she dreaded travelling to London with Wesley. But she told herself that she was doing this for Anthony Wyndam-Pryce and Wesley would never bother her anymore. That’s why she agreed with him. After this trip, she could freely date Willow without hurting anybody. She would officially be ‘the ex-girlfriend of Wesley Wyndam-Pryce’.
***
At nine o’clock, Tara was already standing in front of the Rosenberg’s house. She had with her a pack of Oreo cookies as a peace offering to Willow. She knew it was a pathetic way to bribe Willow, but she would take her chances. She rang the doorbell once, and waited for the door to open. After a few seconds, she heard the locks turning. Her heart hammered. She felt like a teenager going on a date for the first time. She managed to smile and compose herself before the door opened, but all her excitement subsided when she saw Sheila standing there.
“Good morning Tara!” Sheila greeted her with a smile. “It’s so nice to see you again.”
“G-good morning Sheila,” Tara returned, feeling suddenly awkward in Sheila’s presence. “I was just wondering if Willow would like some cookies,” was her alibi as she showed her the pack of Oreos. “Coz s-she was c-craving t-them the other night.”
“Oh, that’s so sweet of you Tara,” Sheila commented, touched by Tara’s sweet gesture. “But I’m afraid she won’t be able to eat those right now.”
Puzzled, Tara began to panic. “What does she mean? Did she find out about the kiss?!”
“I’m sorry, but Willow just left an hour ago,” Sheila filled in, seeing the perplexed look on Tara’s face. “Didn’t she tell you?”
“What?” Tara questioned.
“That she’s going to stay for a while with her dad.”
The excitement on Tara’s face disappeared completely and her brows furrowed in frustration, as she tried to figure out what to say. “Ummm… no, she didn’t.”
“Well, I was also surprised that she went to her dad, coz she doesn’t usually accept his invitations.” Sheila said, innocently. “When Willow’s father found out that she’d had an accident, he said he was coming over. But Willow told him it wasn’t necessary. But then the other night, Willow suddenly decided that she would go there.” Sheila was saying when she suddenly remembered that they were standing by the threshold. “Oh, I’m sorry, please come in.”
“No, it’s alright,” Tara returned. “I just wanted to give this to her,” referring to the cookies. “Do you know at what time she’s coming back today?” Tara asked, expecting that Willow’s father lived nearby.
“Willow is staying in New York until the Christmas Holiday.” Sheila said.
Upon hearing ‘Christmas Holiday’ and ‘New York’, Tara was devastated.
“Oh.” Tara sighed, “I see… umm… well, I guess I better go now.” She said her goodbyes hastily, afraid that Sheila might sense her disappointment. “Damn it!” she expressed, when she was half way to the Magic Box, noticing she was still holding the cookies that she was supposed to give to Willow, and frustrated at how things were happening in her life. She always thought she was in control of her emotions, that she could always fix things easily. However, she was failing miserably right now.
***
“Okay, speak up.” Anya started, as she helped Tara with the dishes. “You’ve been grumpy all day, and I can’t stand it anymore.”
“It’s nothing.” Tara said, avoiding Anya’s eyes.
“Don’t lie to me.” Anya declared.
“Alright,” Tara yielded. She knew how persistent Anya could be when it came to her problems. “You’re so nosy.”
“I know,” Anya retorted, giving Tara a naughty grin. “That’s one of my best qualities.”
“I went to Willow’s house this morning…”
“Well, it’s about time!” Anya expressed and rolled her eyes. “I thought you’d never come into your senses.”
“But she wasn’t there.” Tara sighed, giving Anya a lop-sided grin. “She went to stay with her father in New York, and will probably spend the entire holiday there.”
“And you’re just gonna stand here and do nothing?” Anya returned sarcastically.
“What do you want me to do, go all the way to New York and tell Willow: ‘I’m sorry, I’m such an ass, I just realized that I’m in love with you’?!” Tara retorted, glaring at Anya.
“Well, that’s a good start,” Anya expressed, grinning at her. It always amused her to see Tara all confused and miserable.
“You’re insane.” Tara said.
“Geez, Tara. Chill out.” Anya told her. “I didn’t ask you to do that. All I’m saying is, you could at least call her, and explain-”
“I don’t have her cell phone number.” Tara pointed out.
“Well then, ask her mother!” Anya replied confidently.
“I can’t,” Tara said. “Sheila might get suspicious.”
“Tara, you’re paranoid.” Anya returned. “You’re going to be miserable if you always think like that.”
The truth hit Tara and she was left speechless. Anya was right... again. She was about to say something when… “Tara, I’ve got our tickets now!” Wesley’s voice cut into their conversation like a dagger. And she saw the puzzled look on Anya’s face.
“Are you going to New York?” Anya asked with full of excitement.
“No. We’re going to London.” Wesley said, smiling proudly while waving the airline tickets to Anya.
“Huh?!” Anya expressed, folding her arms and glaring at Tara. “Care to explain to me what’s going on here?”
“Wesley’s father had a heart attack,” Tara started, “and we’re going to visit him.” She said nonchalantly, and sensed Anya’s prying eyes staring at them.
“But why?” Anya asked. “You’re not his girlfriend anymore.”
Wesley was about to answer Anya, but Tara butted in right away, “I’m visiting Anthony as a friend, and not as his son’s girlfriend.” She stated, and glanced at Wesley. “Can I see the tickets?” Tara asked, as they went to the living room, leaving Anya with all the questions that she was dying to ask.
“We’ll see about that.” Wesley thought.
TBC
“I’m gonna marry you someday! Yoooou’ll see!” 8 year old Willow to 17 year old Tara.-Written In The Stars"I think you are such a sweetheart even though you got that twisted mind that is almost sadistic." - A friend, after reading REAL LOVE
Wow it's been a lil more than a year that i ask for an update ! ! ! 
and now everything is going wrong. 
