Hi All...

Thanks as always for the wonderful reviews! I'm glad everyone is still enjoying my little fic:) I get a lot of "I don't usually like AU..." and yeah, I get it. Some AU's have the characters so completely out of character, that they are definitely hard to follow. I may stray from the course every now and then, but I really try to keep them true to the originals. I hold to the belief that one can put them in any situation, as long as you keep their little quirks. ie. Tara's stutter, Willow's stammering and sometimes child like speech pattern, the shrimp allergy, etc...all very important. So, in other words...I'm glad it's working! Enjoy the next chapter...lot's more to come:)

Chapter 26

As if on a strict schedule, at precisely four am, a shrill scream echoed through the baby monitor in Tara's bedroom. Tara's eyes popped open and she groaned slightly; more than used to being awakened at all hours of the night. Willow's reaction, however, was far more dramatic.

The redhead had been sleeping soundly, cuddled against Tara's back and breathing heavily when Chelsea's screech caused her to shoot straight up and shout, "Don't warn the tadpoles!" Startling Tara and nearly knocking her on to the floor.

"Shhhhh, sweetie. It's okay." Tara whispered, rubbing Willow's back and trying to gently calm her girlfriend.

Willow was disoriented and her hair was sticking out in all directions. "Tara, what are you doing here?" She asked in an alarmed tone.

Tara half smiled, reaching up to smooth down some of the wild red tresses. "We're in my room Will, you're sleeping over, remember?"

"Oh, I…" Willow shifted awkwardly and glanced around; trying to quell her confusion and the hazy dream that was still lingering in her sleepy mind.

"Don't warn the tadpoles?" Tara asked.

"I…I…I have frog fear." Willow was completely embarrassed. "Sorry, I didn't hurt you, did I?"

Tara cupped Willow's chin, pulled her close and gently kissed her on the lips. "No, I'm fine." Tara mumbled just as another loud shriek echoed through the monitor.

"Oh God! Why is she screaming like that? I-Is she alright? What time is it? Wha-" Willow exclaimed, interrupted again by Tara's lips. She smiled sleepily when Tara pulled away.

"She's fine, just hungry. I'll be back in a bit, okay?"

Willow nodded as Tara hopped out of bed to change and feed her cranky infant. Willow sighed and dropped back on her pillow with her hands behind her head; listening intently as Tara whispered and hummed to Chelsea. The baby quieted, but continued to grumble and fuss. Willow threw the blankets aside, deciding to make a bathroom run while Tara was occupied. She returned a few minutes later to find Tara propped up in the bed and breast-feeding Chelsea.

"Hey," Tara said sheepishly.

Willow stopped in the middle of the room. "Hey, is everything okay?"

"Yeah, she didn't feel much like settling down. I guess she's used to being in here at night. I um, think I created a monster…sorry."

"Oh no, it's fine." Willow was shifting from foot to foot and nervously wringing with her hands. "I'll just sleep over here in the chair or on the floor or something…" She was definitely disappointed, but she understood and would never think of disrupting their routine.

"Baby, c'mere…" Tara said, reaching out her left arm. Tara opened and closed her hand several times as she beckoned for Willow to come closer.

Willow tentatively moved forward, taking Tara's out stretched hand and sitting gingerly on the side of the bed. The girl was a nervous wreck, her heart pounding and her breathing shallow. Willow tried desperately not to stare, but the thought of actually seeing her girlfriend's naked breast was just to enticing.

"Will, come up here, please? I-I want you in the bed with me…with us," Tara whispered, pulling Willow closer.

Willow thought she should say something in protest, but seeing Tara breast feed, up close and personal, was having a profound effect on the redhead. Willow finally acquiesced and slowly crawled in next to Tara. Willow was shaky as she laid her head on Tara's shoulder and watched as she fed her daughter.

"Wow…" Willow breathed, reaching out and cupping the back of Chelsea's head; gently rubbing her thumb over the soft downy blonde hair. After a moment, Willow's hand began to drift down across the tiny back and eventually rested on Tara's arm. Willow snuggled silently for a long time, in awe as she watched the miracle unfold before her eyes.

Normally, just the mere thought of her girlfriend's naked breasts would have thrown her into an overly aroused frenzy, but this…this was completely different. It was the most incredibly beautiful thing she'd ever seen. Willow had seen Tara feed Chelsea numerous times before, but it had all been from a distance and without actually seeing the connection between mother and child. Willow had never really understood the true beauty in the experience, until now.

"She's beautiful, isn't she?" Tara said, finally breaking the silence.

Willow nodded in agreement and whispered, "You both are."

Tara's heart swelled; she had never before been with anyone that had treated her with such genuine kindness. It was the same kindness Tara saw in Willow the day she returned her math book and then stayed to care for Chelsea. Tara felt the affection radiating off of Willow as she rocked and read to Chelsea. A small and random act of kindness that set in motion a series of events that Tara could never have imagined, not even in her wildest dreams.

Willow glanced up, staring at Tara and looking as if she wanted to say something as her mouth opened with no words coming out.

"Willow?" Tara whispered nervously, seeing the play of emotions on Willow's face. "Are you okay?"

The redhead paused, lifting her hand and running her knuckles across Tara's jaw; gathering her thoughts before answering.

"I just…I-I," Willow stammered. "Do you really want to know?"

Tara nodded, "I always want to know what's going on in there." She said, kissing Willow's hand as it brushed across her lips and locking her cobalt blue eyes on the emerald green ones a few inches away.

"I was wondering if it was possible," Willow whispered, as the blush began to creep across her cheeks.

"What?"

Willow took a deep breath, "I was wondering, if it was possible to love you anymore that I do right now." Willow said without hesitation, "Both of you."

Tara gasped as the tears began to form; stinging in the back of her eyes. "You…you love me?" She asked.

Willow nodded, "I love you Tara Maclay, more than I ever thought I could love anyone." Willow thought she should be scared or nervous, but she wasn't. Declaring her love for Tara seemed like the most natural thing in the world. It wasn't something she planned on saying, especially not after being romantically involved for less than a week, but it just felt right. Willow had known for a long time that she loved Tara, but it wasn't until this moment that she realized she was in love with her and there was no way she'd be able to let it go without saying. "A-And I know it's soon, maybe too soon to say it, but the thing is…I've known for awhile and I…I…normally don't use so many words to say something so small, but…do you get it…at all?"

Tara sniffled, "Not small," She breathed, leaning forward and pressing their lips together. When the kiss ended, Tara blinked and a few tears dripped freely down her ivory cheeks.

"Oh baby…please don't cry, I-I didn't mean to upset you," Willow stammered.

Tara shook her head and whispered, "Not upset."

"They why-"

"Happy, very, very happy."

"Oh…"

Tara shifted and attempted to move Chelsea, but the mini vacuum had no intention of letting go and redoubled her efforts.

Willow giggled softly, "I guess she never wants to let go of you either..."

Tara didn't reply, she simply looked reverently upon her beautiful daughter. She was completely overwhelmed with emotion and unable to verbalize what she was feeling for fear of breaking down completely. They both sat silently for sometime, watching Chelsea until Tara was finally able to dislodge the child.

Willow, longing to participate, held out her hands allowing Tara to easily slide the sleepy infant into her waiting arms. She gently settled Chelsea on her chest; closing her eyes and nuzzling her cheek against the soft blonde hair. She began to pat and rub her back for several moments until she got the desired outcome in the form of a loud burp.

Both girls smiled as Willow moved slightly so she could tuck the infant securely between them. Once the task was completed, she turned towards Tara who reached out; cupping her cheeks and kissing her deeply.

Tara had been relatively quiet after Willow's surprise revelation and had yet to put words to her feelings. So she did what came natural and poured every ounce of emotion into the kiss, but she knew in her heart, Willow deserved to hear it as well. Tara finally ended the kiss and pulled back slightly, rubbing the pads of her thumbs gently across Willow's cheeks. "I love you too," She finally whispered.

Willow smiled and tried to keep her emotions at bay, but it was no use and a hiccupping sob escaped. The entire time she'd been trying to play it cool and although she wasn't scared to express her feelings, she was worried Tara would not return them.

"Oh sweetie…" Tara said, pulling Willow to her over the top of her sleeping infant. They held on to each other for a long time, until Willow calmed. They kissed again before lying down, with Chelsea between them and drifted off to sleep.

Sleeping in the same bed with the person you are in love with is just about the most intimate and emotionally satisfying thing someone can do. At least those were Willow's thoughts as she awoke to the angelic face of the gorgeous girl sleeping soundly next to her. She longed to snuggle, but Chelsea was still between them and she didn't want to wake Tara, she looked so peaceful.

Willow continued to watch her love sleep until she heard little coos from the baby. Chelsea was awake and as soon as Willow made eye contact, she quickly flipped herself over and began to climb on top of her Will-Will. The redhead rolled on her back to allow the tiny blonde to climb on her belly; taking baby knees to the ribs.

"Ugh," Willow grunted as the baby giggled and bounced happily. "Shhhhh," Willow shushed with an index finger to her lips as Tara groaned and turned on to her opposite side; snoring softly.

"Come on you," Willow whispered, "Let's let Mommy sleep."

Willow cradled Chelsea and rolled out of bed; turning off the baby monitor and taking Chelsea to her room. Willow changed her diaper and dressed her in a comfortable cotton onesie. She also grabbed an extra before heading downstairs as she knew the little girls' raucous eating habits very well.

It was still early and she was the only one up when she entered the kitchen, mindlessly rambling to Chelsea.

The little girl was entranced with Willow as always, cooing, giggling and clapping her hands. There was no denying the close bond the two shared.

An hour or so later when Jen emerged from her downstairs bedroom, she found Willow and Chelsea sprawled out on the family room floor, surrounded by toys, perched on pillows and snuggled together watching cartoons. Chelsea was snug in the crook of Willows arm and vigorously sucking on her pacifier. Jen smiled to herself as she turned around to retrieve her camera. They were just too cute not to capture the moment. She snuck around the corner and took a quick picture without alerting either of them. Jen smiled to herself; both Willow and Chelsea were lying in the same position with equally focused looks on their faces. The only difference was that Willow didn't have a pacifier.

Jen slid the camera in her robe pocket and cleared her throat. "Good morning," She said cheerfully.

"Morning," Willow replied with a wide grin, never moving from her spot on the floor. She was completely comfortable at Tara's house and with her Mom; it had become like a second home to her.

Chelsea sat up, squealing and clapping her hands before pushing off Willow and crawling rapidly towards her grandmother. Jen squatted down and welcomed her with open arms.

"Come to Nanny! Ummm, good morning princess!" She said, smothering Chelsea with kisses and twirling in a circle, much to the youngsters delight. "Are you having fun with Will-Will?" Chelsea simply giggled.

"Is Tara in the kitchen?" Jen asked Willow.

"Still sleeping, she's been really tired lately and she never gets to sleep in, so I decided not to wake her." Willow replied.

Jen couldn't help but smile, feeling incredibly happy that Tara had found such a good friend in Willow. She highly doubted that any of her daughters' cheerleader friends worried too much about Tara's well being.

"Well, don't let her sleep too long or she'll get spoiled," Jen said with a wink as she sat Chelsea beck on the floor.

The infant made happy grunting sounds crawling towards her Will-Will and eventually lunging into Willow's out-stretched arms. Willow pulled the baby into her lap as the two went back to their previous position, snuggled together in front of the TV.