bluepaintbox: I liked that line too! :D Thanks for reading.
Guest: Thanks for commenting!
Willara4ever: Thank you for always helping!
Sorry for the skipped weeks. My daughter is graduating on the 14th and that means the Dammit Do list caught up with me. I don't know that there will be an update the weekend of the 14th, but I will try!
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 Willara4ever for all your help with this story. Thanks for being the best beta on this and all my published and especially the unpublished stories I have going. Thanks to matash21 for the awesome cover image!
Chapter 38
"Um, Will, Sweetie? Are you ready to go?" Tara called as she finished packing their bags and moving them towards the door.
"Are you sure we can't drive?" whined Willow as she exited the bathroom.
"Positive. Sweetie, you are going to be fine. I know you hate flying, but I'm still hoping that by the end of this campaign you'll feel better about it."
Tara walked over and wrapped her arms around her fiancée and kissed the side of Willow's head. Willow looked up at her lovingly and they exchanged a soft kiss.
"So, where are we headed this time?" asked Willow sighing.
"Um, Wisconsin," Tara responded as she glanced at the tickets on the desk.
"Um, Baby? Isn't it cold there?" asked Willow pulling out of the hug and looking at the blonde.
"Well, I was going to go to Chicago, but there was something that I wanted to show you so instead of taking a day trip I just chose to move the conference to Wisconsin."
"Have you ever been to Wisconsin?"
"Twice. We went for a huge Cranberry Festival and the other time was to go through their famous corn maze."
"Their what? What the hell is a corn maze?"
"I'll show you when we get to the airport. It is a lot of fun and WE are going to do it," said Tara grabbing some of their bags and heading towards the door while Willow stood there opening and closing her mouth.
"Tara, tell me what the hell a corn maze is. I've seen Children of the Corn…" whined Willow as they sat down outside their gate to wait for the plane and to board.
"Sweetie, hand me my tablet and I'll show you," laughed Tara.
Willow handed Tara her tablet and the blonde clicked around getting on the internet and pulled up the website for the 'Treinen Farm Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch' and handed the tablet back over to the redhead.
"Read this my love," said Tara.
Willow read the website and learned about maze and the farm. Tara could see Willow's inner child coming to life as well as the nerdy side of her.
"How did you find this place?" asked Willow as she handed Tara back her tablet.
Just as Tara was about to respond their flight was called. The two women boarded the plane and then Willow asked Tara again about how she found the place.
"My Mom saw it featured on TV. She thought it would be fun so my Mom and Dad took us there one year. We had a parents vs kids to see who could get through the maze first and get the most hole punches for the secret locations."
"I'm going to guess you and Donnie won?"
"Barely. Mom and Dad missed one of the secret locations, but we came out of the maze at the same time. It was so much fun. I thought that since it was late October and we're going to be in that area it would be fun for you and I to go through it."
"It sounds amazing. I can't believe that they cut that into their corn field."
"They choose a different design every year. So, will you go with me?" asked Tara.
"I can't wait," grinned Willow. "Thank you for sharing stuff like that with me."
"I want to share every bit of my life with you," Tara said before giving Willow a chaste kiss.
Willow and Tara talked about what the maze was like. Tara told Willow about the Cranberry festival they went to. Willow was amazed that Tara's parents took the time to make sure their kids had these life experiences. She vowed to herself that when they had kids they would make sure they made the time to give their children these experiences.
"Sweetie? What are you thinking about?" asked Tara looking at the redhead who had a dreamy smile on her face.
"Huh?"
"What were you thinking about just now?"
"Oh, I was thinking about how amazing it is that your parents took the time to give you and Donnie such amazing memories and how I want us to do that with our kids."
"Kids? Plural?" said Tara grinning and raising an eyebrow.
"Um, yeah," said Willow scared that Tara didn't want more than one. She knew they had mentioned having a kid, but it wasn't something they had set in their plan for their life together...yet.
"I love the idea. How many kids do you want?"
"Two or three. And before you ask I don't care if they are boys or girls or one of each, just as long as they are ours."
"I couldn't agree more. I love you," said Tara leaning over and kissing Willow.
"I love you too. Um, one question that I haven't asked and in all honesty I'm sort of scared to ask, but, where do you want to live? I mean do you want to stay in Sunnydale? Do you see us moving around like you have been?" asked Willow nervously.
Tara took Willow's hand and brought it up and kissed her knuckles.
"I have thought about it, and I love Sunnydale. If you want to stay there, I'd love to buy a house and build our life and family there. The only thing that I truly need for my life to be complete is you. I love traveling, but the moving and not having a true place to call home for any length of time, that is fine when you are single, I'm not single anymore."
"You aren't?" teased Willow.
"Nope, see this amazingly hot redhead bought me this beautiful ring," said Tara extending her arm and admiring the ring Willow had given her.
"So, you like this redhead a little?"
"Yeah, she's sort of grown on me," laughed Tara.
"It feels like we've been sitting on this runway forever," commented Willow.
"Will, we left the airport a long time ago."
"We did?" squeaked Willow.
"Yep, now back to me liking this hot redhead," said Tara.
"Yeah, back to that," Willow said smiling.
Tara leaned forward and brushed her lips with Willow's. The two sat staring into the other's eyes until they were interrupted by the flight attendant asking if they wanted drinks. They both declined. Tara took Willow's hand in her own and leaned back in the seat and closed her eyes.
The landing was more tense than the takeoff. The main reason was that Tara wasn't able to keep the redhead distracted as she had earlier. Once they landed Willow went to get their checked bag while Tara went to the car rental kiosk to get their car. Willow grabbed their bag and met Tara as she was leaving the car kiosk. The couple walked out to their car.
"This is not warm weather," said Willow her teeth chattering.
"Yeah, we may need to get sweatshirts or coats before we go to the maze. I can't have my girl freezing before I get the chance to marry her," laughed Tara as they got in the car and Tara started off for their hotel.
"No, you can't," laughed Willow as she looked out at the scenery. "It's pretty here."
"Yeah, it is," agreed Tara as they drove down the isthmus towards their hotel.
Arriving at the Sheraton Hotel, Tara checked them in and they went up to their room. Tara hung up their 'Event' clothes before joining Willow who was lounging on the bed.
"Hi beautiful," said Willow as Tara lay down beside her.
"Hi. Whatcha doin'?" asked the blonde laying on her side next to the redhead.
"I was thinking about how much I love you and how lucky I am to have you in my life."
"I feel the same way Sweetie."
Just as Tara was getting ready to kiss Willow, Tara heard her phone groaned and grabbed her phone and answered it.
"Hi Daddy," said Tara.
"Hi Honey. Did you make it to Madison alright? Was the flight smooth?"
"Yeah, we made it fine. The flight was smooth, I even had Willow distracted enough that she didn't even know we took off."
"I'm not sure I want to know that you had her distracted," replied Donald with a small laugh.
"DADDY," exclaimed Tara blushing and looking and seeing Willow lift her eyebrow. "We were talking. Sheesh."
From hearing Tara's side of the conversation Willow blushed imagining what Mr. Maclay had said.
"I'm sorry Honey. You are too easy to pick on at times. So, do you have plans for the next couple of days before the launch?"
"I'm taking Willow to the corn maze that we went too that one time with Mom. Then, we're going to go walk through the arboretum. With the trees changing colors, I thought it would be nice."
"That sounds like a lot of fun. Well, the reason I called is to tell you that Willow's ring arrived and I'm going to send it to you there in Madison via private carrier."
"That's great. Thank you!"
"It should be there sometime before 10 tomorrow morning," Donald said.
"You are the best! I love you Daddy," Tara said giddily.
"I love you too honey. I'll let you get back to enjoying your time with Willow. Call me and let me know how she likes the corn maze."
"I will. Thanks again, Daddy!"
Tara hung up the phone and turned and saw Willow giving her a questioning look.
"Your ring is being sent by private carrier and will be here before 10 tomorrow morning," started Tara seeing Willow's face light up. "And he wants me to call him and let him know what you think of the corn maze."
"So, this time tomorrow everyone is going to know that I'm taken huh," teased Willow.
"Oh, I'm not letting you get that far from me so they are already going to know that you are taken," said Tara as she pushed the redhead onto her back and then Tara pressed her body to Willows.
"I love possessive Tara," said Willow before capturing Tara's lips.
"Do you wanna go dancing tonight?" Tara asked when they finally broke for air. "I mean I know it isn't The Bronze, but there is a LGBT dance club nearby. I used to listen to their DJ when he was on an internet radio channel."
"Um, sure. Do I get to dance close to you?" Willow asked in a sultry tone.
"There is nobody I'd rather have close to me," Tara said returning the sultry tone.
Willow and Tara got ready to go out dancing. Willow opted to wear the leather pants from the night she proposed and a green shirt and then the matching coat. Tara was wearing a pair of tight black pants and a crop top that showed off about an inch of skin.
"You are so gorgeous," said Willow wrapping her arms around Tara's waist.
"So are you my love. Are you ready to go out and dance the night away?"
"Lead the way," said Willow.
Tara grabbed her small clutch purse that had their money and ID's in it. While Willow was getting ready Tara had called down to the front desk to arrange for a ride to the club so that both she and Willow could drink.
When the two women arrived outside the club Plan B, the driver gave them his card and he told them to call and he'd be back to pick them up. Tara thanked the driver and tipped him before they went inside.
"Wow, this place is packed," said Willow.
"Yeah, it is. Do you want to get a drink or dance?"
"Drink, then we can dance," Willow said as she moved them towards the bar.
"What can I get you ladies?" asked the bartender.
"Two Long Island Iced Tea's," said Tara.
"I need to see your ID's."
Tara pulled them out and showed them to the bartender.
"Out of towners? What brings you to the bar and area?"
"I used to listen to DJ Tim online. We're here for a business conference and so when I found out we were coming I checked to see if he was DJ-ing," said Tara as she watched the female bartender making their drinks.
"Which conference?"
"TDM Enterprise kickoff," said Willow. She had been surprised to see it on the marquee sign across from their hotel.
"Fantabulous. I'll be there myself," said the bartender setting their drinks on the bar. "What company are you with?"
"TDM. I'm the Head of Marketing and my fiancée is a Senior Programmer," Tara said smiling at Willow.
"Well, congratulations! How long have you been engaged?"
"Five days," said Willow kissing the ring on Tara's finger.
"Well, the drinks are on the house. Stop back up here in an hour or so and I'll take you to meet DJ Tim as well. He loves to meet fans. By the way, I'm Lynn if you need anything."
"Thank you," said Tara tipping the bartender and then handing Willow her drink. Lynn moved off to help other customers and Willow and Tara moved to find a table.
They drank, sang along with the music, and people watched for a while and then Tara pulled Willow out on the dance floor. The couple danced close and sensually. They both enjoyed the opportunity to be close. Numerous times they exchanged kisses and not so discreet touches. Stuff they couldn't do while at The Bronze.
After an hour they decided to take Lynn up on her offer to meet DJ Tim. The couple made their way back to the bar. Lynn spotted them right away and had two glasses of water waiting for them.
"Thank you," Willow said.
"No problem. So, would you like to meet the DJ?" asked Lynn
"Yes, and thank you," said Tara.
Lynn led them to the DJ booth and she knocked on the door. Tim opened the door and allowed the three women in.
"Hi Lynn," said Tim.
"Hey Tim. I brought you a couple of fans. Tara here used to listen to you when you did that online radio gig. And this is her fiancée, Willow."
"Well, it is great to meet you both," said Tim shaking both of the women's hands.
"It's nice to meet you too," said Tara.
"Hi," said Willow.
Lynn left them in the DJ booth. They talked with Tim for a while about music, he explained how he mixed the beats and about his DJ and radio experience. They thanked Tim for his time and went back out and danced some more before getting another drink. The second drink having more of an effect on them. After a couple more hours Willow had Tara call the driver and they went back to the hotel. Once they made it to their room they helped one another out of their clothes and they made love before drifting off to sleep.
Morning arrived and Tara rolled over to see Willow watching her sleep. She smiled as the redhead leaned down and kissed the blonde. The kiss started as a loving, good morning kiss and quickly escalated into one of need and passion. After making love Willow and Tara ordered breakfast and then quickly showered together. As they were leaving the bathroom Tara heard the phone ring and went to answer it. The front desk told her that there was a courier they're asking for her room to deliver a package. Tara smiled knowing that it was Willow's ring. She told the front desk to wait five minutes and then send the courier up.
"Will, you need to get dressed," said Tara as she was pulling out clothes for them to wear.
"But I like naked time with my beautiful fiancée," said Willow dropping the towel that had been wrapped around her.
"The courier is here," said Tara. She watched as what she said finally registered with the redhead.
"Well, then I guess we better get dressed," said Willow grinning and grabbing the clothes that Tara and pulled out for her.
Just as they finished getting dressed Tara heard a knock at the door. She hurried over and it was room service with their breakfast. She had them place the tray on the little table in the corner of the room. The waiter left and about a minute later there was a knock at the door. Tara hurried over and opened the door.
"Good Morning," said Faith as Tara opened the door.
"Faith? What the hell are you doing here?" asked Tara surprised to see her best friend standing where she expected to see the courier her father had sent.
"Daddy dearest said that you were in need of this little box here," said Faith as she walked past Tara entering the room. She then held up the box that everyone knew contained Willow's ring.
"Hi Emily," said Tara as she motioned for Emily to come inside.
"Good morning Tara," said Emily smiling at the blonde.
"So, what is the big deal with this box?" asked Faith tossing the box up in the air and catching it.
"Give me that," said Tara grabbing the box out of the air. "You know damn well what the big deal about this box is."
Willow walked over and wrapped an arm around Tara's waist and kissed her on the side of the head. Tara feeling this relaxed into Willow's hold.
"I love you," Willow whispered into Tara's ear causing the blonde to smile.
Tara turned her head and brought their lips together causing Willow to pull her closer. Faith and Emily waited for a couple of minutes before Faith started coughing to interrupt the two lovebirds. Tara grudgingly pulled away from Willow and glared at the brunette.
"What?" asked Faith as she noticed everyone looking at her. "I gave them a couple of minutes."
"Honey, you promised you were going to behave," said Emily putting a hand on Faith's shoulder.
"Fine...I'm sorry for being rude and interrupting your never-ending kiss," Faith said turning to Willow and Tara.
"Thank you," said Tara. "We just got breakfast, did you guys want something? We can order it quick."
"Thank you, but we ate on the way over from the airport," said Emily.
Faith and Emily sat down on the little couch that was in the room, while Willow and Tara sat down at the table and started to eat their breakfast.
"So, really, what are you two doing here?" asked Tara as she fed Willow a piece of bacon.
"I was serious when I said your dad asked us to bring the box. He said it was too precious to entrust to a courier. Plus, I was curious about these launch things that you two were doing," said Faith.
"I'm just along for the ride before I start working at Maclay Realty," said Emily.
"When are you opening?" asked Willow.
"In two weeks. I have to take my licensing test next week."
"You'll do fine babe," said Faith taking Emily's hand and squeezing it. The two shared a moment together. "So, when do we get to see what's in the box?"
"When I'm ready," said Tara smugly.
They finished eating and Tara set the tray outside the room for them to collect.
"So, would we be interrupting if we hung out with you two today?" asked Faith.
"Not at all. We were going to go to the Arboretum today," said Tara.
"Why?" asked Faith.
"Because we are in the midwest and they have seasons and the trees are all sorts of pretty colors right now," replied Tara. "And Willow has never experienced the season like this."
"It sounds romantic," said Emily.
"That was the other reason for the walk," Tara said smiling.
The group decided that they would go to the Arboretum and then find some place to eat before going to check out the venue for the conference.
Tara got directions from the front desk. She thanks the man working the desk and the four headed to the car and over to the Arboretum. Once they arrived they parked and headed towards the path. Tara was holding Willow's hand and they were leading Faith and Emily.
"It's really beautiful here," said Willow using her phone to take pictures of the trees and leaves. "I've never seen the trees like this."
"I knew you'd love it," said Tara as she pulled Willow into her arms and kissed her.
"Mmmm, I love you so much," said Willow when they finally broke apart.
Faith and Emily had drifted back behind a ways. They could still see the couple, but they each had their own private space.
Tara saw a bench off to the side of the path. She moved her and Willow over to it. They sat down and cuddled close. After a while of sitting there Tara played with the box that she had in her pocket. Tara slowly opened the box and then got down on one knee in front of Willow and took the redheads left hand in hers.
"Willow, I love you with all my heart and all that I am. I never knew how happy I could be until I met you. You gave me a future and a forever. I know you already asked me, but Willow, will you marry me?" asked Tara holding the ring in one hand and Willow's left hand in her other hand.
"I want nothing more than to marry you and build a life and future together," said Willow as Tara pressed the ring on her finger. Tara leaned into Willow and kissed the redhead soundly.
Neither Willow nor Tara noticed that Faith and Emily had caught up to them and Faith taped the proposal and Emily took pictures so that everyone would have something to remember the moment. The two women lagged back until Willow and Tara broke their kiss.
"Congratulations you two," said Faith as they walked up to the bench.
"Thanks," said Willow and Tara.
"So, do we get to see the rings now?" asked Emily.
Willow and Tara extended their hands and showed Faith and Emily their rings. Both women agreed that the rings were very fitting for the happy couple.
The group continued to walk along the path enjoying the colors of the various trees. Willow and Tara frequently stopped to kiss. Faith was tempted to tease them, but opted not to. She had never seen her best friend as happy as she had since Willow came into her life. Now that they were engaged, she believed that Willow and Tara were meant to be. Fate had brought them together for this purpose.
After the Arboretum the group then headed over to the Bonfyre American Grille as recommended by the man working at the front desk. When they entered Willow and Emily commented on the decor. Willow liked the contemporary side while Emily said it reminded her of a warm ski chalet. They were seated near one a fireplace. Willow being born and raised in California appreciated the warmth that the fireplace had to offer. Especially after being outside walking through the Arboretum.
"This place is really nice," said Emily.
"Yeah, it is," agreed Tara.
The waiter came over and they ordered lunch. Willow ordered the California Turkey Burger, Tara ordered the Korean Beef Taco's, Faith ordered the Shredded Pork And Pickled Cabbage Panini, and Emily ordered the Tinga.
"I didn't see Tinga on the menu, what is it?" asked Tara.
"The menu said it was pulled chicken simmered with tomatoes, chipotles, onions and garlic.
Topped with feta, shredded lettuce & crème fraîche," said Emily.
"That sounds good, but I hope you aren't planning on getting kissed after that," teased Faith. "Chipotles, onions, and garlic...yikes."
"I'm sure if you aren't willing someone else will be," Emily teased back.
The group ate their lunch and then headed over to the venue to check it out. The event wasn't for another two days, but they wanted to make sure that everything was going well with the setup since they were in town beforehand this time.
After they were done at the venue they went back to the hotel to relax and make plans for the following day. Tara told them that they were all going to the corn maze and she challenged Faith and Emily to see who could get all the map pieces and the most secret location punches. Tara knew that Faith would jump at the opportunity to take on Willow and Tara, her competitive side always looking for a good challenge.
They went for a walk along the lake nearby in the early evening. Upon returning to the hotel Willow and Tara went back to their room while Faith and Emily went to their room. They had agreed to meet up for breakfast before heading out-of-town to go to the corn maze.
TBC...