Hacker Confidential [AU] (Complete)

[abarda]

Nice chapter...

Something keeps telling me that she's going to Sunnydale. I know she could be sent to anywhere, but I have a feeling it's Sunnydale.

[Laragh]

Zampsa1975 –

Really lovely skin-on-skin activities...

Glad you liked

I truly hope that those FBI goons don't send Willow somewhere in Alaska before the wedding...

Alaska? And definitely not before the wedding!

Thanks for commenting!

Alex_Vixen –

Dude...you just keep getting better at sex scenes... *shivers* that was HOT

Aww, thanks . Glad you enjoyed it!

and dude...whats up with the city Willow has to go to?? Huh?? O.o *Whines* I wanna know what city is!!! *pouts*

Well you’ll find out now! And you’ll find out why Willow was concerned.

Thanks for your comment.

BuffyFan4ever –

Hey Brian!

I don't usually respond to the board, mostly because it's hard for me to think of what to say or other people have already said it, but I wanted to guess where Willow will be stationed.

I’m glad to know you’re reading and don’t worry about not knowing what to say, just your readership is great for me

For some reason, I'm thinking Tara's home town. I thinking that would be one of the few places that would cause Willow that much concern and dread.

Very good guess dude! And you’re just about right. (not quite her hometown, but close)

Thanks for taking the time to comment!

sapphoselene –

ok... now i gotta go take a cold shower... DAMN... very hot scene.

Glad you liked!

can't wait to find out where Willow is going to be stationed... curious as to why it is a problem.

All is revealed in this chapter!

sitting on pins and needles (ouch by the way) waiting for the next update.

Lol, maybe try pillows next time? Hope you enjoy it.

Thanks for your feedback.

taralicious –

It is a recurring thought which echoes through my addled brain amplified a thousandfold as it has traveled from the land of fiction across the divide separating it from our world.

I defy anyone who is attracted to girls to have not had that thought go through their mind.

Tara with the spicy talk accompanied by the deliciously sultry crooked smile and the breeathy voice. There needs to be an audio version of this story with Amber and Alyson providing their siganture vocal styles.

Or, you know, they could just go ahead and act out every smut scene ever written for them. In a kind of anthology. All the money could go to charity!

This is the way sex vampires are sired, isn't it? The lover laps at her partner's bowl of cream and then the other woman drinks her own cream from the mouth of her lover.

I’d never even thought of that but it’s quite possibly the hottest thing I’ve ever heard being described.

Even if it isn't, I can use that in my "The Vampire Who Only Drank Cream" story.

Please do. Like, really. Please. And describe it all in vivid detail.

Now, I'm going to have to acknowledge you, Laragh, in this new story I'm sketching out because I always seem to get ideas flowing through my head, and other organs, when composing feedback for one of your stories.

Well I’m happy to be of any help and I’m like, really excited about whenever your novel gets out there.

That should be the theme song for when Disney gets its act together and starts producing a range of animated films for the adult market.
I'm thinking Ariel and Kida from "Atlantis: The Lost Empire" in some hot underwater girl on girl action.

“I Really Felt The Love That Time”: A duet by Ariel and Kida. I would totally buy that CD. Listen up, Disney, we’ve got an unexplored market for you to get into!

I'll place my money on the carrots because of the Mr. Pointy end they have.

You never know with those sneaky greenbeans though...

Is it Houston?

Thanks for all your feedback!

FIRESIGN –

Nice cliffhanger!!!! Hmmm...I wonder where they'll be heading...

All will be revealed!!

Glad you’re enjoying the story and thanks for commenting!

arsyadriani –

okay..what's the problem..
you got me hot then you left me hanging

You’ll find out now!

great update anyway..and never resist to write smut. I love your smut-y goodness

Well I will try and keep this story as smut-filled as possible

Thanks for your comment!

vampyregurl73 –

Love the updates, please tell me you aren't sending her to some place like Salt Lake City, not that I have anything again Utah but Mormons aren't exactly known for their tolerance. Of course this is all worse case scenario maybe you'll send them somewhere fun like New Orleans or L.A. - a girl can hope.

They would’ve been interesting destinations for sure lol. They’re kinda going somewhere that lies between those places (not in geographical terms, but you know what I mean) No Mormons, promise

I hope you're recovering nicely from your broken state due to chapter eight, more twists and turns to come, I promise. I also didn't intend to break anyone but you know what they say about intentions and the road to hell. I'm just glad you enjoyed it, so thanks.

I’m still kinda broken, I must admit. I mean, I think I’m fine and then someone pumps their fist in the air for whatever reason and I’m like ‘ah! flashback! must sit down!” And hey, I bet the road to hell would be a fun journey

Thanks for your comment!

leonhart17 –

So late on this one!

Hey, you got here, that’s all that matters!

Thank goodness they're back together and can have all the back together lovings they want!

And I plan for them to have many

Can't wait to see where they're going!

It’s kind of a random place I’m sending them, but it’ll become clearer as the story progresses why I’m sending them there lol.

Thanks for commenting!

LonelyTara –

I read this as soon as it was up, on my lunch break at work

Aww, I warranted lunchtime reading? That makes me feel all warm and fuzzy!

it's wonderful to see these two back together and happy after so long apart.

I promise no extended breaks from each other again!

I can't wait for the wedding

That chapter should be up soon!

Oh, and taralicious...why oh why haven't I met any sex vampires yet?! LOL!

I have to greatly concur on this. Where are they? I wish there was some kind of sex-vamp dating service. I’d totally hack into that system.

Thanks for all your feedback!

abarda –

Something keeps telling me that she's going to Sunnydale. I know she could be sent to anywhere, but I have a feeling it's Sunnydale.

You know what, that would’ve been a really interesting arc to take that story in lol. If I didn’t already have the rest of this fic mapped out, I mighta stolen the idea and rolled with it. But alas, it’s not Sunnydale. I don’t think Sunnydale exists in this world (I suppose it could lol, but no demons or hellmouth, at least not that our girls will be fighting.) Where I’m sending that has no BtVS affiliation whatsoever. It’s also kinda really random, but reasonings will become clear as the story goes on! Sorry if it disappoints though :(

Thanks for all your feedback and loyal support!

---

Update Directly Below

[Laragh]

********

TITLE: Hacker Confidential

AUTHOR: Laragh

CHAPTER RATING: PG-13

DISCLAIMER: Willow, Tara and any other characters from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise belong to Joss Whedon, FOX, ME and a whole host of other entities, none of which are me.

SUMMARY: AU, set in contemporary setting. A lot of W/T fluff and some semblance of a storyline.

SPOILERS: AU fic, so at most minor references or pieces of dialogue

FEEDBACK: Yes please

Chapter 25

********

Previously:

“I’m sorry, could you repeat that?” she asked into the phone, paling further when the man said it again, “And that’s where I have to go to? And there’s no, um, changing that? Absolutely no way? Staffing needs you say. Yea, that, um, sounds like a good enough reason alright. Okay. Um. Thanks for calling.”


Willow hung up the phone and placed it back on her nightstand before looking down at Tara with worried eyes.


“We have a problem.”

---

“What?” Tara asked, stroking Willow’s hair, “What is it?”


“M-my first assignment,” Willow replied, her voice shaking, “God, baby, they put me in Buffalo.”


“Oh,” Tara responded, a flurry of thoughts and emotions going through her, “Oh. Well, um, that’s okay.”


“But Buffalo is only an hour away from-”


“I know where Buffalo is only an hour away from,” Tara snapped, slipping out from beneath the redhead and grabbing her robe before leaving the bedroom.


Willow stared at the door shocked, for just a moment before copying the blonde’s motions and following her into the kitchen, where Tara was making coffee. The taller girl made no acknowledgement of the redhead’s arrival and continued in her ministrations.


“I’m gonna give you a hug now,” Willow whispered, turning Tara around and into her arms, “I love you.”


“I love you too,” Tara replied, sighing and holding on tight, “I’m so sorry I snapped.”


“Don’t you worry about a thing, okay?” Willow soothed, “We’re gonna figure something out, I can commute or, or something, but I promise you don’t have to go anywhere within a four hundred mile radius of him, I promise.”


“You can’t commute from Boston to Buffalo, Will.”


“I could do a Monday to Friday thing or something.”


Tara pulled back and shook her head.


“No. No way. So I only get to see you two days a week? Uh uh. Not happening. I promised, wherever, forever. And anyway, I always liked Buffalo. Mom used to take me there shopping.”


“Don’t hide from me, baby,” Willow pleaded, stroking the blonde’s cheek, “Please don’t.”


“I’m not, Will. I was just a little shocked when you said it. And Rochester’s eighty miles away. It’s not like I’m gonna run into my father getting milk or something,” Tara replied, her voice taking on a venomous tone, “He was never one for venturing far anyway. The local church and that was about it.”


“I don’t know how you got through the things you did,” Willow said, placing a tender kiss on the blonde’s lips, “It’s perfectly understandable if you wanted to leave all that and forget it ever happened.”


“I can’t forget, Will.”


Willow heard the sadness in her fiancée’s voice and brought her back for a tight hug, not sure what to say. She was surprised when the blonde started speaking again.


“We’re moving to Buffalo, love. It’s where we have to go. And you know what? We’re gonna be so happy. We’re gonna be married and starting our whole new life. And our marriage will be recognised in New York. It’s all about the future now. The past is the past.”


Willow pulled back and kissed Tara’s nose.


“My beautiful, strong girl. Woman. You’re all woman. I have no idea how I got so lucky.”


“Neither of us looks where we’re going when we walk,” Tara joked, “I’m just glad we found each other.”


“Well that was always going to happen. We’re destiny, baby. We were meant to be.”


“I know,” Tara replied and brought both of Willow’s hands up to kiss her palms, “I love you.”


Willow nodded and leaned forwards for a short, sweet kiss before pulling back and holding onto Tara’s waist.


“So we’re moving to Buffalo?”


Tara gave a slow nod, the initial feelings of dread when she thought of being anywhere near her father again having subsided to make way for a sense of anticipation at whatever her future – their future held for them.


“We’re moving to Buffalo.”


*****


“Tara, what if he doesn’t like me?”


Tara took one of Willow’s hands as they walked along the sidewalk and shook her head.


“Of course he’ll like you. Honestly, Will, he’s super nice.”


“But what if he thinks I’m a bad Jew ‘cause I don’t like, go to synagogue enough? And what if he’s just pretending to be fine with me marrying a non-Jew and being gay and-”


“Willow, stop,” Tara said firmly, turning so she was facing the redhead, “You’re being ridiculous. Rabbi Goldstein is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met and I’m delighted that he’s marrying us. And in about five minutes you’re gonna feel the same as well, okay?”


Willow hung her head and kicked a stone on the sidewalk.


“You trust me?” Tara's voice piped up again.


“Of course I do!” Willow replied, her head snapping up, “I just want our wedding to be perfect.”


“Willow, as long as you say ‘I do’, it’ll be perfect to me.”


Willow gave a small smile and nodded her head bashfully before noticing the large building they were now standing in front of.


“Hey, is this it?”


“Yea,” Tara smiled, “Pretty building, huh? If we weren’t doing it in the Public Gardens it would’ve been nice in here too.”


“Yea,” Willow agreed as they walked up the steps and inside the synagogue, admiring the stained glass windows, “Would’ve been nice.”


“Hello, Tara, nice to see you again.”


Willow turned as the sound of a new, distinctly male voice reverberated loudly against the walls and smiled at the man who was standing there, shaking Tara’s hand.


“And you must be Willow.”


“Yes, that’s me,” Willow replied, wiping her hand on her jeans before extending it, “I mean, I am her.”


Tara bit back a giggle and wrapped an arm around the redhead’s waist.


“She’s got a way with words, my girl.”


Willow blushed and glared at the blonde but Rabbi Goldstein just laughed and put a comforting hand on Willow’s shoulder.


“It’s very nice to meet you, Willow. I’ve heard a lot about you. Would you both like to follow me to my office?”


The girl’s nodded and followed the rabbi into his office, sitting in the chairs provided there, holding hands.


“So, Tara’s already told me what you want for the ceremony in terms of Jewish rituals and the more secular traditions, so I thought today we could just walk through the ceremony and then, if I could, get to know you more as a couple.”


“Sounds great,” Tara nodded, glancing at Willow who nodded as well.


“Cool.”


“Wonderful,” Rabbi Goldstein said, clapping his hands together and pulling a journal from his desk and flipping through a few pages, “So I’ll of course start by welcoming everyone and speak on how special a day it is, etc, before moving on to the Ketubah. I have a version here for interfaith couples, you can have a look. There’s a variety of texts you can choose from, but that’s our most popular.”


He handed over a stunningly decorated piece of paper with the marriage contract written within it and both girls read it to themselves, smiles on their faces as they did so.


“That’s beautiful,” Willow spoke up when she’d finished, “I’m definitely happy signing that.”


“Me too,” Tara agreed, “Definitely.”


“I’m glad. So you know that you sign that before the ceremony, as well as two witnesses of your choosing, though they can’t be blood relatives and it is then read out under the Chuppah…do you have a wedding party?”


“Uh…no actually,” Willow said, glancing at Tara, “We wanted it just us.”


“And we didn’t want to choose between our friends,” Tara added, “Is that a problem?”


“Of course not,” the rabbi smiled, “I just wanted to make sure I have all the details for the ceremony. So after I read out the Ketubah, you can recite any personal vows you might have, including the exchanging of the rings.”


“Our rings should be ready tomorrow,” Tara interjected, smiling at Willow, “Serge called me this morning.”


“I can’t wait to put it on your finger,” Willow smiled back.


Rabbi Goldstein smiled and let the couple have a moment until both girls turned back to him, blushing slightly and Willow cleared her throat.


“Sorry. Um, yea, that’s sounds great. After that I step on the glass, right?”


“I’ll allow a small moment of silence for the guests to say their own personal prayer or well wishes beforehand, but yes then you step on the glass. You know, there’s many interpretations of why the breaking of the glass is included but my personal favourite is about the creation of the world and the shattering of it. Our task, our mission as humans is to find the broken pieces and collect them with others to restore the “Eden” we dream of. A broken glass reminds couples not to hold their love in an ivory tower but to use their relationship to strengthen each other as they go into the world to pick up some of the pieces.”


“Wow,” Willow started, “That’s really…”


“Beautiful,” Tara finished, “I know I haven’t heard the others but I think that’s my favourite too.”


“I think it shows that marriage can help to better the world,” Rabbi Goldstein said, looking off in contemplative thought for a moment, “Back to your ceremony. Traditionally the newly married couple would spend a few minutes alone after the breaking of the glass before rejoining the rest of your guests for your reception. Where I’m sure the night will be filled with celebrations.”


“That sounds…awesome. Just awesome,” Willow gushed, her smile beaming, “Honey?”


“Perfect,” Tara nodded her head, “It really does sound perfect.”


“Is there anything else you’d like to add to the ceremony? I know you decided against readings, but you could use a poem you both like instead.”


“I didn’t think of that,” Willow said, biting her lip excitedly, “Baby, what about that poem you read to me, remember right after…uh, that night?”


The redhead blushed and looked at the taller girl pointedly, hoping she’d remember without needing an explanation. It took Tara a second but she quickly remembered the poem Willow was talking about, one she’d recited when they’d been lying together after the first time they’d made love.


“Right,” she said, blinking a couple of times as the memory inadvertently pushed itself to the front of her mind, “Right. I can write it down for you.”


The rabbi handed Tara over a notebook and pen and the blonde started writing down the details.


“When would you like it read out?”


The couple glanced at each other and Tara shrugged, nodding at Willow that she should decide.


“Maybe at the beginning? When you’re welcoming everyone and stuff? You know…set the mood?”


“That sounds great, love,” Tara added as she continued to write.


“And do you just want the one poem? I have a few books here you could browse if you didn’t have any specific ones that come to mind.”


“What about one to end the ceremony as well, baby?”


Tara nodded with a smile and Willow accepted two books of poems that the rabbi had taken from one of his shelves, just as the blonde finished writing and handed the notebook back.


“Very nice poem,” Rabbi Goldstein smiled as he read over it, “Can’t say I’m familiar, but it’s always nice to read something new. I wonder now if I could ask you some questions about yourselves?”


“Shoot,” Willow replied, handing one of the books to Tara as she leafed through the other one.


“Why don’t you tell me how you met?”


“We crashed into each other,” Tara replied, “In college. Our second year. We were both rushing and ended up walking into each other. She spilt coffee all over my favourite shirt.”


“Hey, I paid for the dry cleaning,” Willow said defensively, “It came out good as new.”


“Anyway,” Tara said with a roll of her eyes, “We studied together and consumed a ridiculous amount of coffee, generally just hung out for the next three weeks or so. I was pretty shy but she made me feel so alive. Still does.”


The couple exchanged a sweet smile before Tara started speaking again.


“Then when we were in the Public Garden’s one day and went on the Swan Boats. When the ride was over we were sitting together and that’s when we had our first kiss.”


The rabbi leaned forwards in his seat, nodding.


“Ah. That certainly explains your choice of location.”


“We were inseparable after that,” Willow continued, “We did everything together. Then at the start of the summer we moved into a dorm together and we’ve lived together ever since. Apart from a couple of months our senior year Tara was in Paris, but I was still in our dorm.”


“Was that difficult?” the rabbi asked, curious.


“Very,” Willow said solemnly, “I missed her like crazy. But it wasn’t all bad; I managed to surprise her by visiting her one weekend for our anniversary. Nothing like being in Paris when you’re in love.”


“I’ve never been,” Rabbi Goldstein replied, “But my wife and I did visit the South of France and it was quite beautiful.”


“We have to go back some day,” Tara said with a smile, “You didn’t get to see much of it that weekend.”


The blonde’s eyes widened in embarrassment as she’d realised what she’d said and Willow quickly changed the subject.


“So yea, that was college,” the redhead said with a nervous chuckle, “We moved into the apartment we live in now after college.”


“And Tara told me you’re moving quite soon after the wedding…”


Willow nodded.


“Two days after actually. My FBI assignment came through, so we’re moving. My friend Buffy lucked out, she got to stay in Chicago, where she lives now. But still, we’re excited about moving.”


“To Buffalo,” Tara added, “Kinda close to where I grew up.”


“Oh well,” the rabbi replied, “You must be excited about that.”


Tara forced a smile and Willow squeezed her hand.


“We’d, um, prefer not to talk about that,” the redhead said, “Past is the past.”


“Of course,” Rabbi Goldstein said with an apologetic smile, remembering suddenly that Tara had said she did get on well with her father on their first meeting, “My apologies. And apart from your move to Buffalo, do you have any other future plans?”


“Oh well I just got a new job. I’m a technical analyst within the FBI,” Willow replied excitedly and Tara perked up as she watched the redhead’s eyes sparkle, “I’m really looking forward to starting that. Oh and we both want kids, so I guess they’re in our future as well and…”


The three conversed at length for the next hour, Rabbi Goldstein learning more about the couple as well as a finishing poem being decided upon and the ceremony details being finalised before Willow and Tara had said goodbye to the rabbi, knowing they wouldn’t see them again until their big day. As they left the synagogue, Willow took the blonde’s hand and swung it warmly between them.


“You were right. He really is an awesome rabbi.”


“I told you,” Tara replied, bumping her shoulder against the redhead’s playfully, “You were worried for nothing.”


Willow smiled as they continued walking, a distinct skip in her step.


“I’m so excited, baby. Twelve days. Twelve little days and you’re officially gonna be mine forever.”

[leonhart17]

aww, good that Willow met the rabbi and that everything is going smooth there.... hopefully being so close to her father won't cause trouble for Tara...

Great update!

[LonelyTara]

Lunch time reading again! What a lovely update. I was afraid that the move would be something like that. Poor Tara, it sucks that she's going to have to move close to home. I hope that you'll continue this fic for a long time and perhaps include Willow and Tara starting their family? That would be so great.

Keep up the excellent writing, and let me know if you hear anything about that *ahem* service. LOL!

[BuffyFan4ever]

Great Update.

The location may have been technically wrong, but my reasoning was correct. Yea!

I love that you're so quick with updating. Some authors I know post a new chapter once a month. I guess it all depends on what else is going on. Keep up the great work.

[Zampsa1975]

Yay for excellent update-y goodness... So they are heading to Buffalo. I truly hope that Mr. Poop-Head stays well away from Tara. I kinda hope that one of Willow's FBI cases is about Mr. Poop-Head and they put him behind bars for good... Big yay for wonderful meeting with the Rabbi... Can't wait for them to start a family...

[Alex_Vixen]

WOW!! I Cant believe I missed this update!!!! O.O but... WOOOHOO!! UPDATE!!!!

Go the Rabbi!! I love that dude!! LOL... And also...ya know...I was thinking that it would be either near to Willow's parents or near Tara's...

I hope Tara's father doesnt bother them, I want Willow and Tara to be happy. *thinks hard* ya think Willow could make him go to jail?? Umm... would be a good thing.

Anyway...awesome update, dude!! Keep going!!

[taralicious]

For knowing very little, except for what I''ve gleaned here and seen in movies, about the Judaic traditions of the wedding ceremony, the one Willow and Tara have planned with the still too cool for Yule Rabbi Goldstein sounds absolutely beautiful and spiritually meaningful without being overly dogmatic.
And if Tara's father intereferes or decides to show up, we can show him to the gravesite out back dug just for him in the public gardens for just such a contingency.
As for Willow and Tara getting caught up in the reminiscences of their time spent indoors in Paris, Rabbi Goldstein has heard it all in the Jewish equivalent of confession, I'll bet.

[love_2003]

Loved how you wrote their reunion. I'm hoping that even though they are moving to Buffalo they will be able to live a happy life. Looking forward to the wedding.

[Laragh]

leonhart17 –

good that Willow met the rabbi and that everything is going smooth there....

They need a nice smooth ride to their wedding!

hopefully being so close to her father won't cause trouble for Tara...

I feel mean just typing this but all will be revealed in time. Lots and lots of fluff is forthcoming though!

Thanks for commenting!

LonelyTara –

Lunch time reading again!

I was afraid that the move would be something like that. Poor Tara, it sucks that she's going to have to move close to home.

Don’t worry, the move will bring almost all good things.

I hope that you'll continue this fic for a long time and perhaps include Willow and Tara starting their family? That would be so great.

Hmm, well I suppose it’s not giving too much away to tell you my chapter outline extends to 80 chapters (it’ll probably end up being somewhere around 82/83 since I sometimes cut longer chapters in two or an extra sneaky chapter I hadn’t intended on writing slips in there) and that I do address them starting a family

Keep up the excellent writing, and let me know if you hear anything about that *ahem* service. LOL!

Is it completely wrong that I set up a google alert for ‘sex vampires’. Well if is I don’t wanna be right.

Thanks for all your feedback

BuffyFan4ever –

So I totally just realised I spelt your name wrong in my last response to feedback! Sorry about that

The location may have been technically wrong, but my reasoning was correct. Yea!

You were very astute in your guessings

I love that you're so quick with updating. Some authors I know post a new chapter once a month. I guess it all depends on what else is going on. Keep up the great work.

I spent as much free time as I can writing ‘cause I get so much joy from it so I’m just happy I’m able to update as often as I can. Plus getting lovely feedback is always a great encourager!

Thanks for your comment!

Zampsa1975 –

So they are heading to Buffalo. I truly hope that Mr. Poop-Head stays well away from Tara. I kinda hope that one of Willow's FBI cases is about Mr. Poop-Head and they put him behind bars for good...

I very much support the idea of him being behind bars.

Big yay for wonderful meeting with the Rabbi... Can't wait for them to start a family...

Glad you liked the Rabbi and as for them starting a family, it’s a bit off, but it happens

Thanks for commenting!

Alex_Vixen –

Go the Rabbi!! I love that dude!! LOL...

Lol, he is pretty cool

And also...ya know...I was thinking that it would be either near to Willow's parents or near Tara's...

Sigh, the parents always cause trouble, right?

I hope Tara's father doesnt bother them, I want Willow and Tara to be happy. *thinks hard* ya think Willow could make him go to jail?? Umm... would be a good thing.

I promise lots of W/T happiness

Anyway...awesome update, dude!! Keep going!!

Glad you liked! I’ll continue to update as long as people are still enjoying it!

Thanks for your comment!

taralicious –

For knowing very little, except for what I''ve gleaned here and seen in movies, about the Judaic traditions of the wedding ceremony, the one Willow and Tara have planned with the still too cool for Yule Rabbi Goldstein sounds absolutely beautiful and spiritually meaningful without being overly dogmatic.

Well I kinda had to rely on the wonders of the internet to learn of the Jewish traditions lol so I hope I don’t mess things up when it comes to the actual ceremony!

And if Tara's father intereferes or decides to show up, we can show him to the gravesite out back dug just for him in the public gardens for just such a contingency.

Well I can reassure you now that Daddy Maclay will not show up at the ceremony.

As for Willow and Tara getting caught up in the reminiscences of their time spent indoors in Paris, Rabbi Goldstein has heard it all in the Jewish equivalent of confession, I'll bet.

If I was invisible for a day, I’d totally hang in the local confession box.

Thanks for your feedback!

love_2003 -

Loved how you wrote their reunion.

Glad you liked

I'm hoping that even though they are moving to Buffalo they will be able to live a happy life.

This is me so don’t worry they’ll be very happy!

Looking forward to the wedding.

Just a few chapters away now!

Thanks for commenting!

---

Update Directly Below

[Laragh]

********

TITLE: Hacker Confidential

AUTHOR: Laragh

CHAPTER RATING: PG-13

DISCLAIMER: Willow, Tara and any other characters from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise belong to Joss Whedon, FOX, ME and a whole host of other entities, none of which are me.

SUMMARY: AU, set in contemporary setting. A lot of W/T fluff and some semblance of a storyline.

SPOILERS: AU fic, so at most minor references or pieces of dialogue

FEEDBACK: Yes please

Chapter 26

********


Willow looked around the apartment, boxes lying everywhere with most of their things already packed. Since they rented a fully furnished apartment, most of their belongings were just bits and pieces they had accumulated over the years; books, CD’s, DVD’s, as well as clothes and small pieces of furniture and their clothes were the only things that hadn’t been packed yet.


“Hey, Tare-bear? I was thinking…”


“Yes, beautiful?” Tara asked as she stroked the redhead’s arm, the two of them cuddling on the couch as they watched TV, “What’s on your mind?”


“We really don’t have that much stuff to move to the new house…”


Willow smiled as she said the word ‘house’; given the small frame of time they had between finding out where they were moving to and actually moving there, the redhead had eagerly searched for somewhere for them to live and had found a three-bed house that was close to where they’d both be working – Tara having been transferred without any issue – and from the pictures online it suited their style, so after showing Tara and calling the real estate agent had arranged to sign the lease and get the keys the afternoon they arrived.


Both were excited at the prospect of living in a house, having lived in a small dorm, together and separately, and a small apartment for the past six and a bit years.


“Uh huh…” Tara said, raising an eyebrow quizzically.


“We could rent a car…one of those u-haul thingies…you know, drive up instead of getting movers in and getting flights and everything.”


Tara let out a low laugh and turned her head to kiss the smaller girl on the temple.


“You wanna go on a road trip two days after we get married? I don’t want to be divorced by the time we get to Buffalo.”


“As if,” Willow scoffed, “It’s like an eight hour drive. If we left early enough we’d make it in plenty of time to collect the keys. We’re always up early anyway.”


“Need I repeat – two days after our wedding. If I have my way we won’t have gone to sleep at all yet.”


Willow giggled and blushed as the blonde playfully squeezed her midsection and turned her head to kiss Tara’s neck.


“It was just an idea. If you don’t like it, it’s cool.”


“You know what, it might be fun. Let’s do it. But you better have good accompanying music.”


Willow nodded her head seriously.


“No road trip is complete without it. So you’re in?”



“You bet,” Tara replied, before grinning, “Oh, and you’re driving.”


Willow was about to protest but thought better of and smiled sweetly at her fiancée.


“A-okay with me. Ooh, I’m gonna rent a mustang! I’ve always wanted to drive one since Becky got hers and won’t let any of us behind the wheel.”


Tara laughed and put a kiss on Willow’s head again.


“You wanna look like a cool young’n’single stud?”


“No,” Willow shook her head, “I wanna look like a cool young’n’taken stud.”


Tara grinned again tightened her hold on the redhead.


“Shades glinting in the sunlight?”


“Wedding ring glinting in the sunlight.”


Tara dropped her head into the crook of Willow’s neck and laughed again.


“You are absolutely too cute for words.”


Willow gave a smug grin and tilted her neck on instinct.


“Why you love me.”


“One of the many reasons,” Tara replied, placing a few warm kisses on the smaller girl's neck.


They lapsed into a comfortable silence again until the redhead broke it.


“How’re you feeling about tomorrow?”


“You mean my last day?” Tara asked as she played with the hem of Willow’s t-shirt, “Dunno. There’s been so much else going on I haven’t really thought about it.”


“Do you want me to pick you up from work tomorrow? I mean, are you gonna be upset? I should be there.”


“I’ll be fine, Will,” Tara reassured, “Really.”


“But…but you’re gonna have a box with all your stuff. I’ll need to help you.”


“Willow-”


Willow turned her head so she was looking Tara straight in the eye.


“Tara, you adored working there. Whether you wanna admit it or not you’re gonna be sad and I’m gonna be there to hold your hand so, so…that’s that.”


Tara got a small smile on her face and brought her hand up to stroke Willow’s cheek.


“I love you more than anything in the world,” she whispered quietly.


“Is that an acceptance of my proposal?”


“I accepted that months ago,” Tara replied, her smile getting wider, “I’d really like it if you were there.”


“Well that’s good, ‘cause I’m gonna be. Hey, maybe we could go out for dinner or something-”


“No!” Tara said, a bit too quickly, eliciting a strange look from the redhead, “I just mean, I’d prefer to stay at home. You know, if that’s okay?”


“Of course,” Willow nodded, “Whatever you want.”


“Thank you, gorgeous,” Tara replied, before covering her mouth as an errant yawn left her, “I think I’m gonna go to bed.”


Willow stood up and extended her hand, her eyes sparkling.


“I think I’ll join you.”


**


Alice knocked quietly on Mr. Evans’ office and waited while the man finished scribbling something before looking up with tired eyes.


“Everything alright, Alice?”


“Yes, boss,” Alice answered with a smile, “It’s just, we were gonna do that thing for Tara…”


“Oh right, of course, of course,” Mr. Evans sighed, standing up, “Does she know…?”


“No, she’s just working away. But I just saw her shutting down her computer and she’s the type to just slip away, you know, not wanting to be in the spotlight so I figured we should do it now.”


“Lead the way.”


Alice walked back onto the floor where the rest of the staff were hovering around their cubicles, waiting from the nod for Alice to officially stop working and gather round to say goodbye to Tara. Tara was still sitting at her desk, filing the last of her paperwork and collecting her personal items into a small box.


She turned in her seat when she felt a tap on her shoulder and her eyes widened when she saw the entire staff of The Department of Children and Families standing there, clapping her, much like the morning she’d arrived in after news of her engagement broke.


“Get up, Tare, we have to say goodbye to you properly!” Alice said, pulling her shocked friend up.


Tara stood up and gave everyone a small smile, completely overcome and completely embarrassed by the display. She had intended to do what Alice expected, slip away with a quick goodbye to the people she wouldn’t be seeing at the wedding and that was it. She was even more surprised when a large bouquet of roses were put in her hands.


“This is from all of us,” Mr. Evans said, stepping forward, “You’ve been a joy to work with, Tara and our loss is certainly Buffalo’s gain. You’re one of the finest young social workers I’ve ever had the pleasure of managing and I know you’ll go far and do great work. You’ll help a lot of people. We wish you all the best in all your future endeavours.”


“Thank you,” Tara replied, holding the flowers to her chest, “These are beautiful. And working here has been one of the best experiences of my life. I’ve learnt so much and met some really great people. I know I won’t forget you guys, whatever happens.”


Willow chose that moment to walk in, holding a small bouquet of daises and smiled at the gathering she saw.


“Looks like I got here in time for the party,” she said, eliciting a laugh from the group, before turning to Tara, “Got you these…kinda pale in comparison.”


Tara shook her head and took the daises, mixing them in amongst her roses.


“They’re my favourite. Thank you. I was just saying goodbye to everyone.”


Willow smiled and nodded and held her hands out to take the flowers as Tara made the rounds to everyone, hugging them and saying her goodbyes. When she arrived at Mr. Evans she was surprised when he enveloped her in a big bear hug but closed the embrace warmly. He pulled back with a fond smile on his face.


“I wasn’t kidding when I said you’re going to help a lot of people. You’re a healer, Tara.”


“Thank you, sir,” Tara said sincerely, “You’ve been the best boss. I mean it.”


“I’ll see you on Tuesday.”


“Of course. I’m really happy you’ll be at the wedding.”


“So am I.”


He put a warm hand on Tara’s arm before nodding towards Willow.


“I hope you have plans for this evening.”


“Oh I do,” Tara said, getting a secretive smile on her face, “But she doesn’t know about them.”


Mr. Evans smiled and shook his head.


“Well have fun.”


“I will. Thank you. For everything.”


Tara nodded and turned to walk back over to Willow, picking up the box of her belongings, a tear coming to her eye. Willow noticed and took her hand quietly, squeezing it comfortingly. The blonde smiled at her fiancée in thanks and blinked away the tear before walking towards the main doors. She dropped Willow’s hands momentarily to wave at her now ex-colleagues before reclaiming it as they walked onto the streets of Boston.


“You okay?” Willow asked quietly after a moment.


“Yea,” Tara nodded, “Just sad for a minute. I’m really glad you were here.”


“Always,” Willow whispered, “C’mon, let’s get a cab. I’m not in the mood for the stuffy T.”


“We’re supposed to be saving money…”


“But baby, we have a box and flowers and some guy will inevitably crash into the pretty roses and-”


“Okay, okay,” Tara relented, “We’ll get a cab.”


**


“Honey, why are you cleaning so much?” Willow asked as she watched Tara polish the dining table for the nth time that evening, “Do you need to talk?”


Tara kept her focus on the table and continued to clean it.


“Talk about what?”


“You just left the job and every…Tara, you’re gonna polish the table into oblivion!”


The redhead walked over and grabbed the cloth in Tara’s hand.


“Hey, I was using that!”


“Baby,” Willow said, dropping the cloth on the floor and holding both of Tara’s shoulders, “You haven’t stopped cleaning since we got in the door. I can practically see my face in the stove and…what’s that smell?”


“I baked a cake.”


“You baked a cake?” Willow asked in disbelief, “You baked a cake. Tara, for as long as I have known you, you have never ever baked a cake. Baked anything. I didn’t even know we had the ingredients. What the hell is going on?”


“I just want everything perfect for tonight.”


“Perfect for us to have a quiet night in? Baby, I think you’re hiding how much leaving the job has affected you and you’re trying to distract yourself with menial tasks so that you don’t have to think about it but-”


“Willow,” Tara said sternly, “Don’t psych me.”


Willow took a step back and looked apologetic.


“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”


Tara sighed and opened her arms, which Willow walked into, holding the blonde in a tight embrace.


“I love you, Will. And I’m really okay. Have I ever lied to you?”


“No,” Willow said, resting her head against Tara’s chest, “But then why are you acting so weird?”


Just then there was a knock on the front door, making Willow jump back slightly in surprise.


“That’s why,” Tara replied, a smile on her face, “Answer it.”


Willow looked confused but when forward to answer the door, her features changing to one of shock when she saw who was on the other side.


“Dad?!”

[leonhart17]

Oooh! cliffhanger! I can't wait to see how dinner with Willow's dad goes! I'm glad Willow was there for Tara's going away work thing I'm glad there's more fluff to come!

[LonelyTara]

Hooray for surprises, boo for tears, hooray for Willow being sweet!

Extra Hooray for over 80 chapters! WOOT! And you'll have to tell me that Google trick, LOL LOL LOL...

[Zampsa1975]

Yay for excellent update-y goodness... Big yay for Willow being there to support Tara when Tara quitted her job... I hope Willow doesn't freak out too much now that her dad is there...

[Alex_Vixen]

WOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOO!! UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!

DUDE!! That was AWESOME!!!!!!

AWWW:.... so sad for Tara leaving her job!!! And YAY for Willow being such a good girlfriend!! And woohooo for surprise!! I want to see how it goes with Willow and her dad!!!

[abarda]

Excellent chapter!
I'm anxious to see Willow with her father. I guess it'll be interesting.

[vampyregurl73]

Great updates, and Buffalo's not bad just snowy but that's how I remember it as a kid.

Tara's so funny cleaning like a lunatic, first impressions and all...

Looking forward to the wedding and curious to see how dinner with Dad goes too.

[love_2003]

Willow is so sweet to be there for Tara on her last day at work. I was hoping Alice wouldn't let Tara sneak out without doing something for her. Looking forward to the dinner with Willow's dad.

[taralicious]

Both were excited at the prospect of living in a house, having lived in a small dorm, together and separately, and a small apartment for the past six and a bit years.

They are really excited about having sex in every room and surface in the new house to christen it properly.

But you better have good accompanying music

Nothing says shuffling off to Buffalo like themed music i.e, Buffalo Springfield, "You Can't Rollerskate in a Buffalo Herd," and other Bison themed songs.

“You mean my last day?”

Tara isn't turning thirty yet so technically it isn't Last Day but who besides me even remembers "Logan's Run."

“I baked a cake.”

Well, that revelation really makes the song "If I knew you were coming, I'd haved baked a cake" sound a lot dirtier than I remember it.
Duplicity has its its uses and rewards especially when the end result is Willow gets to spend some quality father/daughter time renewing her bond with Ira and introducing him to Tara.
Healer is a wonderful description of Tara's natural empathic abilities.

[LonelyTara]

taralicious you are not alone, Logan's run--great flick.

[Laragh]

leonhart17 –

Oooh! cliffhanger!

Lol, have to keep the reader intrigued

I can't wait to see how dinner with Willow's dad goes!

Hope you like it

I'm glad Willow was there for Tara's going away work thing

Will’s always support-o girl!

I'm glad there's more fluff to come!

Fluff galore, I promise!

Thanks for commenting!

LonelyTara –

Hooray for surprises, boo for tears, hooray for Willow being sweet!

More hoorays that boos, that’s good

Extra Hooray for over 80 chapters! WOOT! And you'll have to tell me that Google trick, LOL LOL LOL...

Yea, I’m looking forward to writing this one out, it’s definitely my longest! And all you do is Go Here and enter the info you want! Haven’t gotten any hits on the sex vampires yet though, except Twilight things about Edward being the sexiest vampire alive. Like, really, I can think of nothing I want to read about less :/

Thanks for your comment!

Zampsa1975 –

Big yay for Willow being there to support Tara when Tara quitted her job...

Always the supportive girlfriend

I hope Willow doesn't freak out too much now that her dad is there...

No freaking out, at least not this time

Thanks for commenting.

AWWW:.... so sad for Tara leaving her job!!! And YAY for Willow being such a good girlfriend!!

Don’t be sad, I promise she’ll like her new job just as much

And woohooo for surprise!! I want to see how it goes with Willow and her dad!!!

Read and see Hope you enjoy it!

Thanks for commenting!

abarda –

I'm anxious to see Willow with her father. I guess it'll be interesting.

Well I hope you enjoy it!

Thanks for your feedback!

vampyregurl73 –

Great updates, and Buffalo's not bad just snowy but that's how I remember it as a kid.

I’ve actually never been lol. I’ve lived in New Jersey so I’ll kinda be writing in blind. But google is my best friend so I’ll try and write the descriptions of the city as best I can

Tara's so funny cleaning like a lunatic, first impressions and all...

They're important!

Looking forward to the wedding and curious to see how dinner with Dad goes too.

Wedding is this week! Should be Friday’s update. Hope you like the parental dinner

Thanks for your feedback!

love_2003 –

Willow is so sweet to be there for Tara on her last day at work.

She has to be there for her girl

I was hoping Alice wouldn't let Tara sneak out without doing something for her.

Alice knows Tara well enough to not let that happen lol.

Looking forward to the dinner with Willow's dad.

I hope you enjoy the chapter!

Thanks for commenting!

taralicious –

They are really excited about having sex in every room and surface in the new house to christen it properly.

Well of course!

Nothing says shuffling off to Buffalo like themed music i.e, Buffalo Springfield, "You Can't Rollerskate in a Buffalo Herd," and other Bison themed songs.

Ah, themed music. The likely cause of many a relationship breakdown.

Tara isn't turning thirty yet so technically it isn't Last Day but who besides me even remembers "Logan's Run."

Nope, no flashing red clock buttons for our girls!

Well, that revelation really makes the song "If I knew you were coming, I'd haved baked a cake" sound a lot dirtier than I remember it.

“I baked a cake and now I want to pound yours...” That scene could’ve gone a whole lot differently...

Duplicity has its its uses and rewards especially when the end result is Willow gets to spend some quality father/daughter time renewing her bond with Ira and introducing him to Tara.

Little white lies are okay when the end result is for the good

Healer is a wonderful description of Tara's natural empathic abilities.

Tara is a healer through and through!

Thanks for your feedback!

LonelyTara –

taralicious you are not alone, Logan's run--great flick.

Great movie!

---

Update Directly Below

[Laragh]

********

TITLE: Hacker Confidential

AUTHOR: Laragh

CHAPTER RATING: PG-13

DISCLAIMER: Willow, Tara and any other characters from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise belong to Joss Whedon, FOX, ME and a whole host of other entities, none of which are me.

SUMMARY: AU, set in contemporary setting. A lot of W/T fluff and some semblance of a storyline.

SPOILERS: AU fic, so at most minor references or pieces of dialogue

FEEDBACK: Yes please

Chapter 27

********

Previously:

Willow looked confused but when forward to answer the door, her features changing to one of shock when she saw who was on the other side.


“Dad?!”

---

“Hello, my darling girl,” Ira said, a tear coming to his eye as he took in the sight of his daughter, “Oh it’s wonderful to see you.”


Willow leapt forward and held onto her father as Ira hugged back, getting lost in being one another’s company once again for a few minutes.


“What’re you doing here?” Willow asked when they pulled back, “I thought, I thought you were just coming down the night before the wedding. Oh my god, come in, come in.”


Ira picked up the duffel bag at his feet and stepped over the threshold into the apartment, smiling at Tara.


“You must be Tara,” he said, embracing the blonde in a surprisingly comfortable embrace considering this was the first time they’d met, “It is an absolute pleasure to meet you in person.”


“You too, Ira,” Tara replied, hugging back, “Did you get here alright?”


“Oh yes, the cab dropped me right at your main entrance. I must say, the streets of Boston are quite alive. I felt almost young again just looking out at them from the car.”


“Um, I’m sorry,” Willow asked as she closed the door, looking between her father and her fiancée in confusion, “Am I missing something here?”


Both Ira and Tara laughed as they pulled apart and Ira chose to explain.


“I called Tara a few weeks ago to see if I could arrange to come down a bit early. I know you’ll both be busy with the final wedding preparations, but I promise not to get in the way and I can help with anything you need.”


Willow smiled over at Tara at the explanation and then back at her father.


“I’m just so happy to see you, Dad,” Willow replied, grinning from ear-to-ear, before walking over to Tara and placing a warm, loving kiss on her lips, “Thank you.”


Tara just smiled and ducked her head bashfully before giving the redhead another small kiss and walking over to the door.


“So, I’m gonna go and let you two catch up.”


“Oh, please no,” Ira said, “Don’t leave on my account.”


“Yea, baby, stay,” Willow said, walking over and taking one of the blonde's hands, “Please stay.”


Tara shook her head and squeezed the hand in hers.


“You two should have some alone time. How about I come back in time for cake?”


Ira and Willow looked at each other before looking back at Tara and the redhead nodded.


“Okay. You have somewhere to go, right? Not just gonna be wandering the streets?”


“Yes, sweetie, I have somewhere to go,” Tara replied with a laugh, “Brian’s expecting me. I’ll see you later.”


Tara slipped out the door quietly, leaving Ira and Willow alone for the first time and the two just looked at one another for a moment before ending up in another hug.


“I can’t believe you’re here, Daddy. I’ve missed you so much.”


“Oh so have I, my beautiful girl,” Ira replied, pulling back and holding his daughter by the shoulders, “And look at you. So grown-up. And you cut your hair.”


“Yea,” Willow laughed, running a hand through her locks, “The ‘hair-down-my-back’ thing kinda made me look like a big child. I cut it pretty soon after I started college. Do you like it?”


Ira smiled and nodded.


“I do. You’ve grown into a fine young woman, Willow. I’m so proud to call you my daughter.”


“Thank you,” Willow whispered, overcome with emotion, “That’s all I ever wanted.”


Ira dropped his gaze for a moment, shame-faced, before looking back up at Willow, his voice and eyes apologetic and genuine.


“I’m so sorry it took me so long to say it.”


Willow shook her head with a small smile.


“It’s okay. It really is. Tara and I have a little deal about leaving the past in the past and focusing on the future. So that’s what we’re gonna do.”


Ira closed his eyes for a moment.


“I’m so…thank you for forgiving me. No parent should ever treat their child the way I treated you. The way we treated you. I’m just sorry I couldn’t convince your mother otherwise.”


Willow nodded her head towards the sofa, indicating they should sit down and once they were settled, she spoke up again.


“I’m sorry too. But I’ve had a lot of time to accept that my parents weren’t going to be a part of my life. It’s a huge bonus that I have you back. How, um…how’s Mom?”


Ira's jaw clenched for a moment before he spoke.


“She’s…fine.”


Willow noticed her father was being shifty and put a hand on his knee.


“What’s going on?”


Ira sighed and wiped his brow.


“I wasn’t going to tell you this until you had settled in Buffalo, but I never could lie to you, darling. In the wake of our…reacquaintance, I realised a few things about my life and what’s really important and well…we’re getting a divorce.”


“Oh,” Willow replied, more than a little shocked, “Oh.”


Ira let his daughter process the new information for a moment before explaining further.


“It’s been a long time coming, Willow. After your first phone call, I tried to talk to her again and she flew off in a rage about...well what was said can do you no good to hear. But we haven’t been happy for a while. I don’t think any of us were. I owe you the greatest of apologies for not giving you a proper childhood.”


“Hey, hey, it wasn’t all bad,” Willow said, seeing her father was quite down on himself, “I remember when I was little, you taught me how to ride a bike and we used to do that paint-by-numbers thing. Sometimes you’d get the paint and put it on my nose, remember?”


“Oh I do,” Ira said, a huge grin coming to his face at the memory, “God, you were so very little then.”


“And when I was a teenager…you know, when you guys weren’t off on business trips, sometimes we’d sit down and just watch a movie, then talk about it after. I have some pretty nice memories of growing up,” Willow said, he mind going to Tara for a second, “And it was certainly better than what a lot of other kids had to deal with. And, you know, whatever experiences I’ve had, they’ve made me who I am now. And I like who I am now. I like my life now.”


“You always were wise beyond your years,” Ira replied, cupping one of Willow’s cheeks, “You know, the moment you were born, when I saw you for the first time, I knew you’d be special. That you were destined for great things. Even then, you looked all around the hospital room, trying to take in everything at once. Always so inquisitive. So curious. It didn’t surprise me for a second when you said you wanted to do a degree in psychology. Wanting to understand people so wholly.”


“I really enjoyed doing it. But you know, I’m glad my job worked out the way it did. Honestly, I never wanted to be an actual psychologist. I don’t know whether I would’ve been able to detach enough to do the job properly. And you know, Tara kind of has the same problem,” Willow said with a joke in her voice, “She gets all attached to the people she helps, if there were two of us in the house dealing with everyone else’s problems as well as our own we’d never make it.”


Ira let out a low chuckle and shook his head.


“You know, I’ve never heard someone speak with as much love as she did when she spoke of you. I have the utmost faith that you two will certainly make it.”


“That means a lot, Dad,” Willow smiled, “Thank you. So, do you wanna order some food? I would cook but it’s kind of antisocial…and hey, you’re staying with us, right?”


“If that’s alright. Tara insisted.”


“Of course it’s alright. I’ll make our bed up for you later.”


“Nonsense,” Ira said with a wave of his hand, and a stern look at his daughter, “I’ve been told this is a very nice sofa bed.”


“Well alright,” Willow relented, getting up and going over to the phone, “If you’re sure.”


“I am, definitely.”


“Cool. Is pizza alright? There’s a great place around the corner that deliver.”


“You know, I don’t think I’ve had pizza since you were still living at home. I’d love it.”


Willow smiled happily and dialled the number, ordering a pizza for the two of them. It arrived less than twenty minutes later just as they were discussing the move to Buffalo, with Willow showing her father the pictures of the new house. They ate as they continued to catch-up and reminisce, falling into a natural flow of conversation until the door opened quite a few hours later and Tara walked through.


“Am I back too soon?” she asked as she closed the door, seeing father and daughter laughing about something.


“No, no, not at all,” Willow said, jumping up and dragging Tara over to sit next to her on the sofa, “Dad was just telling me when I was first learning to walk, I kept falling over and pouting.”


“I figured the famous Willow-pout had been around for a while,” Tara grinned, “I bet you were an adorable baby.”


“Oh I have pictures,” Ira piped up, reaching into his pants pocket for his wallet, “Would you like to see?”


Tara’s eyes lit up and she nodded enthusiastically, while Willow paled.


“I don’t think that’s necessary…”


“Come on, Will, please?” Tara asked with puppy-dog eyes.


Willow just nodded quietly and watched as her father handed over a few photographs he’d taken from his wallet.


“So adorable,” Tara said, smiling at the photos, “Look at your little freckles.”


“Yea, yea,” Willow blushed, “So not funny.”


“I said adorable,” Tara replied, not taking her focus away from the pictures, “Not funny.”


Willow gave a small smile and Tara kept looking for a few moments before handing them back to Ira and kissing the side of Willow’s head.


“You were gorgeous then and you’re gorgeous now,” she whispered before standing up, “Who wants cake?”


“Yes please,” Willow nodded, smiling goofily and Ira echoed her sentiment.


Tara went into the kitchen and quickly iced the cake she had left to cool when she’d left earlier, hoping to herself that it turned out okay. Willow had been right, she never baked since they'd been together, and hadn’t since Home Economics class in high school but as she broke off a piece and tasted it she decided it worked out that time. Willow and Ira seemed to agree as they devoured their slices, lapsing back into conversation.


Some more time passed; Tara and Ira getting to know each other a bit better in the process before an errant yawn from Willow started off a series and everyone decided to was time for bed. Willow got the sofa bed ready for her father before getting ready for bed herself and slipping in beside Tara so they were facing each other and wrapping her arms around the blonde’s waist.


“And here I thought you’d be in much need of some sympathy sex tonight,” she said with a grin.


“Oh really?” Tara asked, raising an eyebrow, “You were gonna have sex with me ‘cause you felt sorry for me?”


“No, no!” Willow replied, her eyes widening, “No, I meant to comfort you but it was just a joke and-”


The redhead stopped abruptly when she saw Tara struggling to keep in her laughter and punched her lightly on the arm.


“Almost five years and I still can’t tell when you’re joking.”


Tara smiled and started running her had along the redhead’s shoulder.


“You panic too easily,” she replied and gave her fiancée a quick kiss, “You happy your father’s here?”


“Delighted,” Willow grinned, but her smiled faltered slightly after a moment, “He’s divorcing my mother.”


Tara’s hand motion stopped and her mouth opened and closed a few times in surprise.


“Oh,” she managed after a moment, “Oh. Um, how do you feel about that?”


“Now who’s psyching who?” Willow asked with a small smile, “It’s…very weird. Even in our little dysfunctional family it was always ‘Mom and Dad’, you know? But on the other hand, Dad’s never seemed so…free. Like we just talked tonight and he wasn’t all worried about someone walking in and putting him down or tell him off for wasting time when he tried to talk to me about something, like just a chat. You know, now that I really think about it, Mom was a total bitch to him. At least now he’s got a shot of being truly happy. Maybe even find what we have.”


Tara smiled and traced the redhead’s features with her thumb.


“We’re really lucky, aren’t we?”


Willow smiled back and gave a small nod of her head.


“We really are.”

[LonelyTara]

Dibs--perfect timing, I'm on lunch! This was a great, great chapter. I am glad that Willow had this moment where her father acknowledged and apologized for the junk he put her through. And Awww..baby Willow, maybe that will get them thinking about their own cute little babies. Sigh

Can't wait to read the next chapter, this one was so sweet!

[vazy]

Dammit, missed dibs *Pout* Aw the cute Willow/Ira moments, it's nice that Willow has one loving parent. I would make a witty comment about the chapter but at this moment one alludes me

[leonhart17]

Aww, they really are lucky! Glad their talk went well! Very sweet update! Loved it!

[Zampsa1975]

Yay for excellent update-y goodness... Big yay for wonderful Willow/Ira talk... I'm glad that Ira is divorcing Sheila... Baby-Willow is just too cute for words... I hope Willow and Tara soon have their own babies...

[sapphoselene]

fantastic update... I loved how Willow and Ira are finally getting to begin the type of relationship a daddy and daughter should have.

Tara is being absolutely the most supportive woman

you put a lot of depth into your story, and it makes it so good to read

[Alex_Vixen]

WOOHOOOOOOOOOO UPDATE!!!!!!!!

and DUDE! IT WAS AWESOME!!!!!!!

I mean,....Willow and her dad!! holy crap!! such a sweet reunion....Im soo glad Ira is finally able to see the amazing daughter he has. And Sheila is a bitch, DUH!! We ALL knew THAT!!!! Now shes gonna end up ALONE, like the bitch she is, YAY!!

And Tara is awesome...so sweet!! *pouts**whines* I WANT A TARA!!!!!!!!!

[taralicious]

Can I join the Logan’s Run fanclub? Great movie!

Laragh, all you have to do to join the Logan's Run fanclub is repeat after me. "RENEW! RENEW! RENEW!"
Ah, the fiery ritual of Carousel.
I have fond memories of Jenny Agutter in the film.
That was a beautiful and very emotional scene with Willow reunited with her father.
Again I'll repeat that it takes a man to prostrate and humble himself in front of his grown daughter and thank her for giving him a chance to make amends for how badly he treated her.
From Willow's point of view, she had enough good memories with her father to not have turned against him when he made the first move towards reconciliation.
Then there is the moment every person in a relationship dreads; when their partner's family breaks out the compromising baby photos.
I too have a hard time thinking of Willowas anything other than adorable whatever age she was.
Maybe there was some of the cake left over and Willow and Tara could see that Ira was asleep and they could feed it to each other.