Tara was surprised when she walked in the house to find no one. It was the middle of the afternoon so Dawn was still at school, but Buffy wasn't working, and Willow should have been there.
"Anyone home?" she called, hanging her jacket on the coat rack.
"I'm up here," Willow called back, and Tara smiled as she went up the stairs.
It had been a month since Warren's arrest, and his trial had ended the day before. They had gone out to celebrate his conviction, and subsequent life sentence.
Tara pulled up in their doorway in surprise as she saw Willow packing a bag on their bed. "Baby, what's going on?" she asked, moving slowly into the room. She let her book bag slide off her shoulder, hitting the floor with a dull thud. "Are you going somewhere?" she asked as she reached Willow, one arm sliding around her waist as she pressed a kiss behind her ear.
"We are," Willow corrected her happily. She zipped the bag closed before turning in Tara's arms.
The blonde raised an eyebrow, smiling. "Where are we going?"
"Los Angeles," Willow answered, biting her lip as she smiled.
Tara felt a thrill of excitement shoot down her spine. "Oh yeah? Does Angel need help?" she asked teasingly, knowing exactly why Willow wanted to go to L.A.
Willow shook her head, an eyebrow arched. "Nope," she said. "This weekend is all about us. No vampires, no demons, no psychotic lunatics."
Tara leaned in for a slow kiss, curling her arm around Willow's neck, the other arm tightening around her waist. Willow let her own hands slide around Tara's sides, her knees unconsciously bending, dropping them onto the bed only to sit on the bag she'd just packed.
They broke apart, both laughing as they rolled off of the bag. Tara ducked her head to press a kiss to Willow's neck. "Looks like someone's a little eager," she commented against the freckled skin. Willow squirmed, still giggling.
"Who could blame me?" Willow agreed, tilting her head to grin down at Tara. The blonde blushed, leaning up to suck Willow's earlobe into her mouth. "Tara, oh God, Tara. We need to stop, Buffy's on her way home, we're borrowing the Jeep, and she'll be here any second," Willow gasped unwillingly, her hands belying her words as she pulled Tara more firmly against her.
Tara let Willow's ear go with a pop, pouting. "Fine, but you owe me," she said as she climbed off the bed.
"I got you a present," Willow offered hopefully as she sat up.
Tara smiled at her, shaking her head. "You know I'm not really mad. You don't have to give me anything."
Willow popped up from the edge of the bed and skipped quickly to the closet. "I know that, but I got you something before you weren't mad at me." She pulled a pair of hanging bags out of the closet, holding them up for display.
"Wow," Tara breathed. "Willow, those are beautiful."
Willow grinned, pleased with the response. "The blue one is for you," she said softly. "The green one…"
"Will look amazing on you," Tara said, moving across the room to her side, pressing Willow against the wall as she kissed her again, only to break away reluctantly as Buffy cleared her throat from the hall.
"I'm home and your door is totally open," she said, her arms crossed over her chest. "And aren't you guys going out of town today? Because it sort of looked like you two were preparing to stay in all weekend," she teased.
Tara rolled her eyes, but stepped back to give Willow room to get off the wall. "Yeah, we're going," she agreed, catching the car keys as the Slayer tossed them over.
Buffy laughed as she moved into the room. "Not that I want you guys to go away or anything," she said, giving them a smile. "I know that you guys need some time off though." She lifted their bag from the bed, smirking. "There doesn't seem to be much in here," she commented wickedly.
Willow snatched the bag from her, holding the dresses over her shoulder. Tara took the dresses from her, shaking her head at the Slayer as they followed the redhead down the stairs. Buffy followed them outside, lingering in the yard while Willow loaded their bag into the car, taking the bags from Tara and hanging them up carefully in the backseat.
"Ready to go?" Buffy asked them, holding her arms open for a hug. Willow hugged her first, then Tara, the Slayer opening the driver's door for Willow. "You guys drive safe, and call me when you get there, just so I know you're alright."
"Yes, Mom," Willow agreed sarcastically, smirking at her friend.
Buffy rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "Just do it," she said. "We still have to look out for each other."
"Angel knows we're coming to town, we'll be fine," Willow stated.
Buffy nodded, her arms crossed over her chest. "Yeah, and he knows I'll kill him if he lets anything happen to you."
"It's our vacation. Nothing is going to happen, Buffy," Tara said, leaning over in her seat to look at Buffy out the window. "We'll call you when we get there though," she assured her friend.
Buffy nodded, smiling. "Yeah, thanks, Tara. You guys have a good weekend."
"We will," Willow said happily, waving as she put the car into gear. Tara turned on the radio as Willow got on the highway and they rolled down the windows, sending fresh air through the car. It was going to be dark soon, but the breeze wasn't unpleasantly cool yet. They rode in silence for a while, just relaxing and enjoying the music and the night air.
"So, what's the plan?" Tara asked eventually, taking Willow's free hand where it was resting on the center console in between their seats.
"Plan?" Willow asked, arching an eyebrow with a sidelong glance at Tara and a smirk. "What makes you think I have a plan?" she teased.
Tara squeezed her fingers, smirking herself. "Oh, I don't know. How could I have an idea like that?" she asked hypothetically, leaning over to press a kiss to Willow's cheek. "You had a bag packed when I got home from school, I think it's a safe guess that you've got something planned."
Willow blushed, feeling Tara's lips press another kiss to her cheek. "Okay, so maybe I do have dinner reservations, and a hotel room, but we don't have to go anywhere if you don't want to," Willow said, taking a shuddering breath as Tara's teeth nipped at her ear. "Tara, baby…"
The blonde sat dutifully back in her seat. "Fine, I'll be good," she said, crossing one leg over the other and pulling Willow's free hand into her lap so that she could play with the redhead's fingers. "Where are we going for dinner?"
Willow swallowed thickly, glancing at Tara again. "Um…some place Angel told me about. It's supposed to be very nice."
"Yeah?" Tara asked. "I'm sure it'll be perfect." She pressed a kiss to the back of Willow's hand. "And after dinner?" she asked, keeping her voice innocent.
Willow took a deep breath, opening and closing her mouth speechlessly as she deliberately kept her eyes on the road. "Um, uh…anything you want," she breathed.
Tara squeezed her hand, drawing Willow's eyes. "I think I want to go dancing with my girlfriend."
Willow smiled gratefully, biting her lip. "Thank you," she whispered.
The blonde shook her head, smiling. "My girl gets what she wants," she said simply. "You want to go dancing, we go dancing."
She was surprised when Willow let out a frustrated growl. "If we had longer than an hour before our reservation, I'd pull this car over…"
Tara laughed, shaking her head. "There's no reason to hurry, Will. And I don't think Buffy would appreciate us using her backseat for that," she commented. "We could stop if you really, really want to, but we'd likely miss dinner that way." She pressed a kiss to the back of Willow's hand again. "We've got all the time in the world."
Willow met her eyes, nodding silently. A smile curled the corners of her mouth and she mouthed 'I love you' across the car.
"I know you do. I love you too," Tara responded, squeezing her hand. Willow guided the car off the highway as they reached their exit, following meticulous directions that she'd written out for herself. Tara watched, smiling affectionately.
They pulled into the hotel parking lot, a valet stepping forward to get their keys while another attendant retrieved their luggage. The witches exchanged glances, smiling.
"Fancy," Willow murmured as they walked inside. "Good job, Angel," she said, looking around the lobby. They checked in, the concierge with their bags leading them to their room. He left after they tipped him, leaving them to explore their room. It was huge, and Tara gave Willow a look. "How on earth could you afford this?" she asked in surprise.
Willow shrugged. "It was sort of a group effort. Buffy and Xander and Dawn all chipped in."
Tara quirked an eyebrow at her. "Why would they do that?" she asked.
"They have their reasons," Willow said evasively, shifting her eyes around the room. "Can't I have just one secret?" she asked. "Just for a little while longer?"
Tara blinked, nodding. "Of course, sweetie. Speaking of the others, we need to call Buffy," she reminded her girlfriend.
Willow nodded, finding the phone in the pocket of their bag. "I'm on it."
"You said dinner was in an hour, right?" Tara checked. Willow nodded as she listened to the phone ring. "I'll go get changed in the bathroom then, and you can change out here," Tara suggested, smirking. "And no peeking!"
Buffy had to repeat her greeting several times before Willow responded, the redhead seemingly out of breath. "Oh, come on, Will! Why would you call me if you and Tara are making out?" she demanded, hearing her friend stammering and gasping for breath.
"We weren't making out!" Willow protested. "I was just calling to let you know we got here."
"Like you two don't make out all the time," Buffy said, laughing. "I'm glad you got there safe. You're doing the thing tonight, right?"
Willow swallowed, glancing at the closed bathroom door, but still lowering her voice. "Yeah, tonight."
"I'm proud of you, Will. Call me tomorrow and let me know how it goes. I mean, I already know what she's going to say, but call and tell me about it anyway," Buffy requested, and Willow could hear her friend's smile through the phone.
"I'll call you tomorrow," Willow said, taking a deep breath. "You think she'll say yes?" she asked nervously.
"Of course she will," Buffy said immediately. "No question about it."
"I hope you're right," Willow sighed, taking a deep breath.
"I'm right," Buffy said firmly. "Trust me. Now, you go get ready for your big date, and make sure you call me tomorrow and tell me the non-explicit details," she ordered teasingly. "Love you, Will. Go get your girl," she encouraged her friend happily as she hung up the phone.
Willow took another deep breath, her eyes lingering on the closed bathroom door before she moved across the room to where her dress was hanging. She dressed in silence, trying not to let nerves get the best of her.
She was curling her hair when Tara came out of the bathroom, and she dropped the curling iron as she caught sight of her in the mirror, fumbling to catch it before it burned her. She put it on the edge of the table blindly, unable to take her eyes off of Tara.
"You…Tara…goddess," Willow breathed, trying to remember her own name suddenly. "Gorgeous…"
Tara walked slowly to where Willow was sitting, extending one hand to help Willow to her feet. "Thank you sweetie, but it's all you from where I'm standing," she said, looking Willow up and down from head to toe. "You're beautiful. You're the most gorgeous woman I've ever seen in my life." She tugged gently on Willow's hand, drawing her into a soft kiss.
"We have to go, or I'm never letting you out of this room," Willow said against Tara's lips as they pulled back. "I want to show off my gorgeous woman," she continued, one hand tracing over Tara's side lightly.
"I'm the one with something to show off," Tara said, stepping back to give Willow another long once over.
Willow felt a thrill shoot down her spine, and she closed her eyes, taking a shuddery breath. "Okay, we need to go, or we'll never leave," she repeated, eyes closed tightly. Tara took a step back to give her lover a reprieve, nodding.
"Okay, let's go," she said, trailing her fingers across Willow's palm.
The restaurant was in the hotel, and they were seated promptly thanks to their reservations. Willow was fidgeting as they waited on their food, and Tara sent her a questioning smile.
"You okay, baby? You feel alright?" she asked, brushing her fingers gently over Willow's knuckles. "I can take you upstairs if you don't feel good, take good care of you," she promised, her concern not hidden by her teasing.
Willow shook her head, smiling genuinely, relieved. "I'm good, and you're sweet for teasing me in the restaurant," she chided lightly. "But I promise I'm fine."
"Okay," Tara agreed softly. "Good. I don't want my baby to be sick," she said, smiling sweetly.
Willow shook her head. "I'm not sick. Nothing is going to ruin our vacation," she promised.
The waiter brought their food and they ate in silence, listening to the soft music and watching the slow dancing couples on the dance floor. Willow finished eating before Tara, her anxiety making her rush unconsciously. Tara had noticed, but said nothing, keeping a cautious eye on Willow.
When the blonde finished her meal, Willow got to her feet slowly, extending one hand. "Dance?" she asked, relieved when Tara took her hand immediately, following her onto the floor.
They paused as they got there, both looking down at their feet and giggling, unable to figure out who was going to lead. "I'll follow you," Tara told her softly, and the statement promised so much more than the words revealed.
Willow found the timing of the song and started them moving. Tara's hair was pulled up in a loose up-do, leaving her neck bare and tickled with thin tendrils of hair she'd left hanging. "You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," Willow said, blushing before the words were out of her mouth.
Tara blushed as well, ducking her head in a habitual reaction to being complimented. "Thank you, Willow. You, you looking amazing. I love my present," she said, brushing one hand up Willow's side before returning her hand to the redhead's hip.
"Um, technically the one you're wearing was your present," Willow said, smiling.
Tara shook her head, faking confusion. "But baby, I get to look at you in the green one. That makes it a gift for me," she objected.
"So you in your dress is for me?" Willow asked.
Tara nodded, smiling. "Yes," she said simply. "All yours."
"Tara, marry me," Willow blurted suddenly, stumbling over her steps as she realized what she'd said. "Oh God," she gasped, seeing the shocked surprise in Tara's face. "Tara, baby, I had a speech practiced, and the ring is in my purse, and I didn't mean to ask you on the dance floor, or even in the restaurant, it was going to be somewhere really romantic, but now I've kind of screwed that up, and I can give the speech if you want me to, but I'm sort of nervous right now, so I might mess up some of the words, but…"
She was cut off as Tara kissed her, the pair standing motionless in the middle of the floor. Tara deepened the kiss immediately, both hands holding Willow's face while the redhead wrapped both arms around Tara's waist.
"Yes," Tara gasped before diving back into another kiss. "Willow, yes."
The words seemed to echo in Willow's ears, and she spun them around joyfully. "Really?" she asked as they stopped, staring at each other in the middle of the dark dance floor.
Tara nodded, smiling. "Of course. Willow, I love you. Of course I'll marry you."
"Thank God, I mean Buffy and Xander have been telling me that you would, but I didn't want to take it for granted or anything, I never want to take you for granted Tara, but I'm so glad you said yes, and I'm so relieved, and I feel like I could fly or something…"
Tara interrupted her with another kiss, soft and brief. "How about we dance some more?" she suggested, one hand brushing over Willow's cheek. Willow nodded wordlessly, but didn't resituate her hands in the formal posture, keeping Tara close.
Tara let her head rest against Willow's shoulder, remembering their dance at her birthday party, how young they'd been at the time, and how much had changed between that day and this one. One thing remained the same, however.
There was nothing in the world, no boy, no demon, no curse, no goddess, and no lunatic that could keep them apart.
Well, there's another one finished... hope everyone liked it! I appreciate all the continued support and encouragement! I've got a new fic already lined up for y'all, so I hope some of you guys will follow me to another one - I'll put up the first chapter on Sunday!