Willara4ever – Thank you for all your help and support this week...you know how hard and crazy it was for me! So much for a nice relaxing week off. LOL You know that if it weren't for you keeping me sane that there wouldn't be an update this week!
RoseAndClay – Sorry you didn't like the Oz rudeness, but instead of a wolf side he just has a dark side in this story. I hope you enjoy this update!
Feedback:Pretty please…it helps me improve and if I get stuck it tells me where you would like to see the story go.
Authors Notes: Thank you to Willara4everfor all your help with this story. I appreciate your reading it and helping me with the ideas.
Previously:
The sun was starting to set. The sky filled with oranges, purples, blues, and reds. The two women silently sat on the bench cuddle together and watched it disappear into the horizon.
"Thank you for an amazing day," said Tara just before leaning over and kissing Willow.
Chapter 12
After watching the sunset Willow and Tara sat there looking out over the ocean for a bit and then decided that it was time to head back.
"Willow, today has been amazing," said Tara as she entwined her fingers with the redheads as they started to walk back to Tara's apartment.
"I know it was, you were here. I know that sounds cheesy, but it is true. Any time I spend with you at work or just us is amazing."
"I know the feeling, Sweetie. What are you doing tomorrow?" asked Tara.
"Buffy's Mom invited us over for as she put it 'a real meal and not one that comes out of a package or can' and she is curious as to what we have been up to. I want you to meet Joyce sometime."
"You want me to meet your pseudo-Mom?"
"I know it may seem fast, but well, I have already met your Dad and brother," Willow said sticking her tongue out between her teeth.
"Willow, you work for them goof. I would love to meet Joyce sometime though. I know how important she is to you."
"She is very important. I know she is going to love you though," smiled Willow swinging their hands as they were now about a block from Tara's apartment.
"Would you like to come up? Or do you have to head home?" asked Tara. "Please come up, please, please, pretty please," pleaded Tara in her head.
"I'd love to come up for a bit," Willow said smiling.
They went up to Tara's apartment. She unlocked the door and they went and curled up together on the couch. They lay there facing one another.
"Thank you again for an amazing day," whispered Tara before capturing Willow's lips with her own.
"Mmmm, my pleasure," said Willow into Tara's lips. Willow brought her hand up and caressed Tara's cheek while their tongues dueled.
Tara pulled Willow on top of her, wanting to feel more of the redheads body on hers. Feeling their bodies so close caused the both to moan. Their breathing became ragged, but they were enjoying the closeness. Willow managed to flip them over so that Tara was on top of her. Tara braced herself with her arms so as not to overpower the redhead who was smaller framed than she was. Tara rolled them to their side again, not breaking the kiss or the flow of their make out session.
When they finally broke for air Willow noticed the clock on the wall said it was almost 1AM. They had been lost in one another for over 4 hours.
"As much as I want to stay here and keep kissing you, I should probably get home," Willow said regretting the words before they even left her mouth.
"I know," sighed Tara still holding Willow's body close to her own.
"I will text and call you if you want though," said Willow.
"I want! I don't think that I could go a full day without hearing from you," admitted Tara.
"I know the feeling," said Willow leaning and placing a soft sequence of kisses to Tara's lips.
"Mmmm, you better get up and go before I pin you down and make you stay," said Tara.
"That may be easier if you loosened your hold on me...although being pinned and made to stay definitely sound better than going home to a lonely empty bed."
"I know the feeling," said Tara letting go of her hold on the redhead as they both sat up.
Willow tried to tame her wild hair and then stood up and went to put on her shoes while Tara tried to contain the flood of emotions coursing through her body. Once she had control and Willow had her shoes on Tara got up and walked over to the door where Willow was standing.
"Thank you again for today," said Willow. "Thank you for taking care of my arm, for making me laugh, and for spending the day with me."
"You don't have to thank me for any of it, I look forward to spending time with you and being close to you."
They stood there looking into one another's eyes for a long time before Willow leaned up and softly placed a kiss on Tara's lips.
"I'll talk to you soon," said Willow.
"Call or message me that you get home safe," said Tara pulling Willow in for one last hug.
"I live around the corner Baby," smirked Willow.
"Humor your girlfriend," Tara said winking at Willow. She was trying to contain the giddiness that saying the word 'GIRLFRIEND' brought her with regards to Willow.
"Anything for you," smiled Willow.
They kissed again and Willow left the apartment and made her way home. While she was on her way home, Tara went and got changed for bed. Just as she was about to go brush her teeth she heard her phone beep.
"I miss you already, but I am home safe. Sweet dreams Baby!" said the text message.
"She is too cute," Tara said aloud to herself and then messaged Willow back. "I miss you too, Sweetie! Thank you for letting me know you made it safe. Sweet dreams!"
Tara finished getting ready for bed and then went and curled up hugging a pillow and replaying the day in her head to allow her to feel closer to Willow, eventually drifting off to sleep.
Willow got ready for bed and lay on her back replaying the make-out marathon her and Tara had and how amazing it felt to kiss the blonde. She drifted off to sleep with a smile on her face.
"How'd it go yesterday with Tara?" asked Buffy as her and Willow left their apartment and headed over to see Joyce and Dawn.
"We had a great time. I showed her campus, told her some of our stories...most of them made you look bad, but I looked good," giggled Willow.
"HEY! Rotten redhead," mumbled Buffy.
"I am not rotten, you are just too easy to pick on," said Willow sticking her tongue out.
"Maybe Tara and I need to spend some time together discussing YOU."
"That would not be nice and you know it."
"Fine, what else do you do?" asked Buffy.
"Well, we had lunch and talked some more, then we went and watched the sunset over the bluffs and then we went back to her place and just hung out."
"Sounds like a romantic night," giggled Buffy. "So, did anything else happen yesterday?"
"Nope, that was it. I just had another awesome day with Tara."
"I ran into Faith yesterday..."
"Crap," said Willow suddenly finding her feet VERY interesting.
"Why do I have to hear from her what happened and not you, my best friend?"
"Because, I wasn't going to dwell on it. I had an amazing day with Tara, that was what was important to me. Running into Oz, not important in the scheme of things."
"Him hurting you is not important?" asked Buffy loudly as she opened the door to go into her Mother's house.
"Yes, scream it a bit louder Buff," said Willow.
"Who is hurting who?" asked Joyce as she came out of the kitchen.
"Hi Joyce," said Willow waving at the older woman.
"Hello Willow. How are you doing today?"
"I am fine. How are you?" asked Willow as she received a tense glare from Buffy.
"I'm doing well. So, is someone going to fill me in on why the tension?"
"Oz hurt Willow yesterday and she is playing it off like it isn't important and like it didn't happen," said Buffy.
"I am choosing not to dwell on it. Faith took care of him, issue resolved."
"Who's Faith?" asked Joyce ushering the two women into the living room where Dawn was watching TV.
"Faith works with Willow," said Dawn.
"She is the head of HR at TDM," said Willow. "We've hung out a couple of times and she is best friends with my current boss Tara."
"Tara is awesome Mom," said Dawn. "She and her brother are really nice."
"That's good. Do they both work for TDM?" asked Joyce.
"Tara is the head of marketing and Donnie is the head of IT where I work. Right now I am on 'loan' to Tara to help with their new marketing campaign."
"I am so proud of you Willow," said Joyce walking over and hugging the redhead tightly.
"Thank you," blushed the redhead.
"Hello," said Tara answering the phone.
"Hello dear," said the voice on the other end.
"Hi Daddy! How are you doing today?"
"I am doing good. How is my little girl doing?"
"I'm good."
"I was wondering if you had plans today or if you would like to come over and we can have a family day. Donnie is going to be over in a couple hours."
"Sounds like fun!"
"Great, I'll see you around 11 then?"
"I'll be there. Bye Daddy."
"Bye honey," said Donald as he hung up the phone.
Tara smiled as she thought about how lucky she was to have such an amazing family and then to have Willow in her life.
"Willow..." thought Tara.
She picked up her phone and decided to send the redhead a message.
"Good Morning Sweetie! I hope you slept well and have fun with Buffy today. I'll be thinking about you," she typed in and then sent it. Tara hoped that she didn't sound too needy or clingy, but she had never felt a connection like she had with Willow.
Tara went and got ready to go over to her Dad's. Before she left she called to see if he needed her to bring anything, he asked her to maybe stop and bring a fruit salad or something along those lines. She told him she would stop and get something and see him soon.
Tara grabbed her phone checking to see if Willow had replied, when she didn't see a message she put it in her pocket, grabbed her purse and headed out to the store.
After Joyce broke the hug she told Buffy that she needed her help in the kitchen to finish preparing the stuff for the grill. Willow offered to help, but Joyce told her to relax and it would only take a few minutes. Dawn quickly disappeared outside to prep the grill.
Willow was sitting in the living room waiting for them to return when her mind wandered to Tara as it frequently did. Smiling to herself Willow decided to send Tara a message. When she pulled out her phone she saw that there was already a message waiting. She opened it up and read Tara's message and smiled.
"Good morning beautiful. I hope you have a great day! I'll be thinking about you too." Willow wrote and sent the text to Tara.
"So, Willow, it seems you are settling into your new job pretty well," said Joyce as she and Buffy returned to the living room.
"Yeah, the job is great and so are the people there," said Willow.
"So, tell me about it."
"Well, my second week there is when my department loaned me out to the Marketing department to help them with their new campaign."
"What are you doing for that?" asked Joyce showing her genuine interest.
"Right now Tara and I are working on putting together a website, well websites since I think I am going to do a couple depending on if people click on links from some of our sponsors and such. I am building scripts as well."
"That is all greek to me, you know that."
Willow started to laugh, "Tara said the same thing one day when I told her I was getting the programming languages mixed up."
"So, tell me about Tara?"
"Tara is the head of Marketing and who I am working on the campaign with," said Willow. "She is one of my bosses, and her Dad is the one that started the company."
"So, she is the owners daughter? Wow, you went straight to the top," Joyce said impressed. "I'm curious on what TDM stands for."
"I asked Donnie that same question in my interview," laughed Willow. "It stands for Tara Donnie Maclay. He said his Dad wasn't real original and since he was starting the business for them..."
"THAT is what TDM stands for?" said Dawn coming in from the backyard.
"Yeah," said Willow.
"It sounds like they are pretty hands on with employees," said Joyce.
"Oh they are very hands on and neither Donnie or Tara have that snooty attitude like Cordelia had/has."
"Dawn, how do you know them?"
"Willow and Tara came in to get some coffee last weekend and then the next day Buffy and Willow came in then Donnie, Faith, and Tara came in and sat in my section."
"We ended up going to the beach with them and hanging out for the day," added Buffy.
"Well, I must say that it sounds like Sunnydale is lucky to have the company and them here."
"I think so," said Willow sharing a smirk with Buffy.
"Have you met Mr. Maclay yet?" asked Dawn.
"Yeah, I met him this week. He is just as nice as Tara and Donnie are."
"So, Buffy, how are things going at the gym for you?"
"The gym is great, the personal trainer stuff is progressing and I am in talks with Faith for some partnering with TDM as well," said Buffy.
"Faith? The HR person," said Joyce.
"She and Tara have been best friends for like 10 years. So when we hung out with them last Sunday she was there."
"How old are these people?" asked Joyce. "I don't mean to be rude, but to be the head of a department usually takes time. Unless because of their Father they just got put into the job."
"Actually, Tara and Donnie have been part of the company since it started and they all have their degrees. Tara and Faith are I believe a year or two older than Buffy and I, Donnie is a four years older than Tara."
"They have been involved since the start?" asked Joyce.
"I don't mean they were making decisions, but Mr. Maclay made sure they learned the business from the ground up. When Tara and Faith became friends they allowed her into the company to learn as well. Tara said that her and Faith both graduated high school at 16 and then they were on some accelerated program and graduated with their 4-year degree two years later."
"Wow, really?" said Buffy.
"Yeah, so for them already being department heads isn't that far-fetched," said Willow a hint of pride in her voice.
"I'm impressed," said Buffy.
"Now I know this is the right company for you," said Joyce as she went to grab the stuff for the grill.
Tara arrived at her Father's house a few minutes before 11. She rang the doorbell since he hands were too full to open the door.
"Hi Honey," said Donald as he answered the door and took one of the bags from Tara.
"Thanks," said Tara as she leaned over and kissed her Dad on the cheek.
"I said bring a fruit salad, not that you had to make one," he laughed as they headed into the kitchen.
"They didn't have anything I wanted, so I just thought it would be easier if I made it."
"Well, thank you. Donnie and Faith should be here soon and then we can have a nice relaxing day together."
"Have I told you recently how you are the best Dad there ever was?"
"No, and not that I am disputing it or mind hearing it, but why am I the best Dad there ever was?" asked Donald.
"I love that you include Faith on family day," said Tara.
"Well, she is family. Maybe not by blood, but for everything we have been through and everything she has helped with. She is my second daughter!"
"I love you Daddy," said Tara throwing her arms around her Father and hugging him close.
Donnie and Faith chose that moment to arrive.
"What did you do to make her all mushy now? She can't have been here too long," teased Donnie.
"Can't I just appreciate having the best Dad in the world?" said Tara sticking her tongue out at her brother as she broke the hug and went to make the fruit salad.
"Where do you want me to put these?" asked Faith holding two bags of ice.
"The cooler is out on the patio. Donnie did you bring the drinks?"
"Yeah, I will put them in the cooler as soon as Faith is done adding the ice."
"Great!"
Tara finished making the fruit salad and put it in the refrigerator and then went and joined the others out on the back deck. The three of them were nursing beers and Donnie had set out a wine cooler for Tara. She thanked him and sat down next to Faith.
"So, how was your tour with Willow yesterday?" asked Faith.
"It was good."
"You took another tour with Willow?" asked Donnie.
"Is there that much of Sunnydale to see?" asked Donald.
"Well, the first time we went she showed me a lot, but then we hit the zoo and you know me and animals," said Tara as the others rolled their eyes and laughed. "Yesterday she showed me the campus and told me about going to school there and then we went to this neat place called Kingman's Bluff."
"I've heard of that place," said Faith. "I heard you can see the ocean from it."
"Yeah, it was amazing up there and then we talked about our families and watched the sunset. I think I may take my telescope up there some night."
"Was it that great of a place to see the stars from?" asked her brother.
"It was fantastic. There aren't any trees to block any view."
"Sounds better than where I went last night to check out the stars," laughed Faith.
"You are becoming good friends with Willow aren't you Tara?" asked her Father.
"Yeah, she is a lot of fun to hang out with."
"I like her friend Buffy," said Donnie.
"Who is this Buffy?" asked Donald.
"She is Willow's best friend. Sort of her Faith."
"I see. What does Buffy do?"
"She is a personal trainer and works at one of the gyms in town," said Donnie. "I was thinking of seeing if she could help me train and then I can join the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge and run in the Boston Marathon."
"Why in Boston?" asked Faith.
"Well, it was one of the first places I remember feeling at home, and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute there helped Mom so much when she was sick. I want to give back something," Donnie said choking up some at the loss of his Mother.
"I think that is a fantastic idea," said his Father putting his hand on his son's shoulder.
"I know Buffy would help you with that dude," said Faith.
"That is a great idea Donnie," said Tara.
"Tara, can you give me a hand getting the grill going and starting the food," asked her Father.
"Sure Dad." As Tara went in to help her dad she checked her phone and saw the message from Willow and smiled.
Tara and her Dad got the food and he grilled lunch for the group and then they moved to the yard to play a little badminton. It was guys versus girls. The girls winning and both Donnie and Donald claiming they let them win, but everyone knowing that the girls won fair and square.
After eating lunch Willow and Buffy cleaned up and did the dishes for Mrs. Summers' since she had cooked and had gotten a headache she said from the heat.
"Will, have you noticed that Mom gets a lot of headaches?" asked Buffy.
"I don't know. I never really thought about it," said Willow.
"Dawn said she gets several per week but she can't convince Mom to go to the doctor to get it looked at."
"Do you want me to try?"
"I think she might listen to you," said Buffy.
"When she gets up I'll talk to her then."
"Thanks Willow. What do you say we go watch a movie or something on Netflix?"
"Sounds like a plan to me."
Willow and Buffy joined Dawn in the living room and the three turned on Netflix and when they couldn't find a movie, they agreed on Dawn's suggestion that they continue watching the 'Lost Girl' series they had started a couple of weeks prior.
Dawn and Buffy discussed how they thought the lead male was hot and how him changing to a wolf didn't matter to them. Dawn left the room to get more drinks in-between episodes.
"So, obviously Dyson isn't who you find hot," said Buffy.
"No, he isn't. I think Lauren the Doctor is cute," smiled Willow.
"You have a thing for blondes huh?!"
"I have a thing for one blonde, but I can appreciate the beauty of others," smiled Willow.
"So, things with you two are going well. In the friendship category?" asked Buffy.
"Yeah, I really enjoy spending time with her."
"You seem happier. I'm glad you guys are friends."
Dawn came back and Joyce passed through headed to the kitchen waving as she went by.
"I'm going to go chat with Joyce quick," said Willow.
"Hi Willow," said Joyce as Willow entered the kitchen.
"Hey Joyce. Can we talk for a minute?"
"Sure, is everything alright?" asked Joyce as they sat down on the stools at the island.
"That is what I want to ask you. I heard that you have been getting a lot of headaches."
"You've been talking with Dawn."
"Actually Buffy, but that doesn't make the seriousness or my caring any less. How long has it been going on?"
"I have been getting these regular headaches like today for about two months."
"Two months? Joyce, that isn't normal. Have you seen a doctor yet?" asked Willow and Joyce just shook her head. "Will you go see a doctor?"
"If I thought it was serious I would," answered Joyce.
"For me?" asked Willow pouting slightly knowing that Joyce was powerless to this.
"You are going to hound me until I go aren't you?" asked Joyce receiving a nod from the redhead. "Fine, for you and to get my daughters off my back I will go."
"Thank you," said Willow hugging the older woman. "If you want me to go and hold your hand, just say the word and I am there."
"I'll think about it," said Joyce.
"That is all I ask," said Willow hugging the woman again and then bouncing out of the room as Joyce shook her head wondering how it was Willow could always get her to do stuff she didn't want to.
"So, how are you and Red doing?" asked Faith when her and Tara were alone.
"Really good. Yesterday was a blast," said Tara.
"So, how long are you going to pretend to do this friend thing?" asked Faith.
"It isn't a pretend friendship, Faith. Willow is my friend."
"That didn't come out right. I just want to see you happy and I know that being involved with her would make you happy."
"I know and I love you for it, but let's just give some time," said Tara.
"Alright, I won't pressure you or push it anymore. How was she doing after the Oz thing?"
"It shook her for a bit and then she moved past it. I asked her before she left last night how her arm was and she said it didn't hurt," Tara said a hint of anger in her voice.
"We should all go out some night. I want to get to know Red outside of work. I know she is nothing like Erin, but she is not going to get the Faith sign of approval until after I get to know her."
"I would like that idea. I'll see if her and Buffy can join us some night. Maybe dinner and a movie?"
"That sounds like fun."
Tara pulled out her phone and messaged Willow. "Hey Sweetie! I hope your day is going well. Faith and I were talking and we were thinking that maybe you, Buffy, Faith, and I could do dinner and a movie some night. Faith wants to get to know you better."
It was only a minute and Willow replied. "Hey Baby! I am having a good day, I hope you are too. Buffy said that the 4 of us going out some night sounds like a lot of fun. Maybe I can call you later tonight to talk about it?"
"Willow said that her and Buffy are in for the dinner and movie," Tara told Faith after reading Willow's reply.
"Great!"
"I'll give her a call later or talk to her tomorrow at work about when we should do this," said Tara shooting Willow a quick text that she would love to talk to her later.
The guys came back outside and as always the discussion turned to work.
"Do you think things are going to get better after our 'intervention' with the Seattle division?" asked Tara.
"Not really," answered her Father. "If they don't start to turn around soon I am going have to send one or two people out there to overhaul the system and the management."
"Who are you thinking of sending," asked Donnie.
"Well, Tara, I think I am going to send you because you are my marketing genius and we are going to need to do damage control."
"Dad, I do marketing not PR."
"I know, but you have an amazing rapport with the staff and community there. Donnie, who do you think I should send for overhauling the computer system and securing it?"
"Willow, without a doubt. I know I say this a lot, but dammit Dad she is the brightest Analyst or Specialist I have. We got majorly lucky when we snagged her."
"And she can handle the system overhaul? I mean she is so new to the company," questioned Donald.
"Trust me Dad, Willow can more than handle it," said Tara.
"I agree with those two. She is sharp," said Faith.
"Well, then I will keep her in mind. I thought maybe Jesse would be a good choice as well."
"Willow is stronger in programming and security," said Donnie.
"Alright then, if we have to do the overhaul I will send her. Faith, I want you to head out there and crack some heads around this week. I was thinking of sending you Thursday morning."
"That isn't a problem," said Faith.
"Great! Thank you for understanding. We'll meet tomorrow and I can go over what I want done there. Donnie, can you start getting Willow up to speed on what she may need to do if we need the overhaul done?"
"Sure, but is that going to cause an issue with the campaign?" asked Donnie looking at his sister.
"No, she has a lot of things already in place after spending Friday scoping out scripts...whatever that means," Tara said laughing.
"Great! So, now that we have that taken care of. Enough business talk," said the older Maclay.
"I agree," agreed Tara.
"So, is anyone dating or found interests?" asked Donald.
"Tara saw someone," said Donnie receiving a glare from Faith and Tara.
"Yes, I saw someone the first night we went out, that was it," said Tara.
"That is a start," said her Dad. "Faith? Donnie? Anyone for you two?"
"None for me," said Faith.
"I haven't looked honestly," said Donnie.
"So, Tara, the one who hasn't been interested in ANYONE since that woman broke her heart has looked and neither of you have? Have we entered an alternate universe?" teased Mr. Maclay. Everyone laughed when they realized how true what he was saying was.
As evening set in the group said their goodbyes and headed home. Tara was anxiously awaiting her phone call with Willow. She still wasn't sure how to handle how the redhead had become so important in her life so quickly.
As nightfall set over the Summers' house, Willow and Buffy made dinner and then after cleaning up they decided it was time to head back to their apartment. Willow was antsy to talk to Tara, and Buffy just wanted to go home to relax. They said their goodbyes and walked back to their apartment discussing how the day had gone and the conversation Willow had with Joyce about the Doctor.
As they were walking into their apartment Buffy called dibs on the bathtub. She wanted to soak away here stress.
Willow went to her room to change into her pajamas and then she got comfortable in her bed and sent Tara a text asking when she wanted to talk. No sooner had she sent the message when Tara replied with a single word. "NOW!"
TBC...
