Part 4
"I was charmed"
Willow felt as if the ground had vanished from under her feet. She felt sick in her stomach. Had she heard it correctly? Was she seeing what she thought she was seeing? Was that love she saw in Faith's look? And why was she looking at Tara? Did that mean…? No it couldn't be, Tara and Faith? No, never. But then, why was Tara smiling? Wait, was Faith holding Tara's hand? Why is she holding Tara's hand? Are they…are they… Willow was getting really angry
"Faith? You're dating Faith?" Willow asked raising her voice "How can you be dating her of all people in the world?" She was breathing heavily "Are you doing it to hurt me?"
"This isn't about you, Willow." Tara's feelings had jumped from shame to annoyance "this is about me and my life." She said point a finger to her own chest.
"But, why Faith?" willow asked in much softer tone.
Taking a calm breath, Tara's features started to soften as well.
"Willow, I didn't choose Faith. It wasn't something planned, it just…happened" Tara felt a squeeze in her hand and turn to look at her girlfriend. Locking her gaze with faith's she continued "Faith has become someone really important in my life. An honest friend; Someone I can turn to in my most difficult times." Faith's smile was dazzling as she heard Tara's words "she and Giles have been my family for the past few years. They took care of me when I was at my worst, they made me smile again." She finished with tears in her eyes. She gently squeezed Faith's hand and turn to look to the rest of the gang. Willow was looking blankly at her, Giles was cleaning his glasses pretending not to be holding back some tears; Buffy was checking her shoes. Xander and Anya were trying hard to be invisible.
The tension was almost palpable so Giles clearer his throat
"ahem, I believe…" he started, but was cut short by a little tornado darting from the door and jumping right onto Tara's arms and almost knocking both of them to the ground. Luckily Faith was close enough to grab them and avoid the fall.
"Easy there kiddo or you're gonna break something!" she scold gently
"Sorry Faith!" she replied softly
"It's ok baby! So, what's the rush?" asked Faith smoothing the little girls blond locks
"Dawn was chasing me…"
"And why is that?" Tara asked still carrying the girl
"She was trying to tickle me, because I called her potato head"
"You called her potato head?...tsc tsc…what did I tell you about calling people names?"
"But…but she called me squirt!" said the little girl pouting
"Hey, no teasing the girl…" warned Faith playfully
Dawn stuck out her tongue to Faith and received a funny face back making the little girl giggle.
"Ok, knock it out you two." Warned Tara "and you miss, you know better than to go rushing around especially in other people's house. You almost knocked me to the floor." Tara reprimanded the little girl in a soft tone making the child blush.
"Sorry mama!"
At that, four pair of eyes almost came out of their sockets.