Ericmc020304 – Well, there was an established birthday 'tradition' of lingerie in the other two fics, so I had to start it somewhere ;) This was the special candle Tara got Willow for Christmas, when the wax melts it turns into lotion – it's a real product, I can't put links here or I'd show you! Although people do use real candles sometimes too, it doesn't damage skin when it's done in little drops. And yes, a gift would have been nice but it was all Tara who denied it – by next birthday they'll have worked out that kink.

Willara4ever – Thanks! :) :)

gimpy72 – I kept meaning to reply to your PM! Ahh, whoops! I don't have a cat but I do have clumsy fingers that often do the same thing. Well doing nothing all day sounds like a great birthday to me! :D (unless it was a boring 'nothing' and not a relaxing 'nothing') Hope you enjoyed your Irish food (these guys are heading to one in a few chapters too!)

ThatsLoveBiotch – Hi! Welcome to the fandom :) (pro tip: when you get to Season Six, Episode 19, switch off when you see Tara wearing a blue sweater in the bedroom)

Wow, I'm so happy you've enjoyed some of my fics. I absolutely adore writing for them and it makes me so happy when others like reading, it feels like one big awesome w/t family! For me, when I started writing, I really just wanted to give them happy times. I just wanted them to be happy, and for me, happiness would be family and babies and marriage and all that. I know that's not everyone's 'happy', but that's what I wanted to give them. I'm big on them having a loving family!

I'm so with you on the drama, at the start I had people tell me I absolutely had to have conflict and it ended up with jarring conflict put in for the sake of it, which isn't a good way to write. It's been a few years now though so I think I've figured how to write my own style and only let the drama happen if it comes up naturally.

Thank you for the well wishes, I'm doing good :) And thank you so much for your thought-out feedback! It's always so nice to get! :) :)

And yes, yes, yes, there will be a sequel to Family Conf. I have soooo much planned out for them! I'm not sure the format it will come in (short stories, one shots, a longer one etc) yet, but I have so much I want to tell of their story.


The sun was high in the sky and had been for several hours.

Willow and Tara were curled up together in one tiny spot in the middle of the hotel bed, still soundly asleep much later than either normally would – almost entirely due to the fact that they'd both finally crashed right before sun-up. They'd spent the better part of the whole night duly celebrating Tara's birthday.

There were feet of mattress both sides of them if either had wanted to sprawl out, but they'd fallen into each other in that spot and hadn't moved since.

Tara was the first to stir; eyelashes fluttering against Willow's breast, where her head was resting. She was content to stay there for quite a while, leaving soft kisses against Willow's skin, before eventually starting to shift. Willow made her consciousness known with a groan.

"Noooooo, stay."

Tara's lips quirked up on one side.

"I thought you were asleep."

Willow just whined again, so Tara lay back down with her back against her girlfriend's front.

"I'm not going anywhere, I was just turning around."

Willow smiled, eyes still closed, and curled herself right around Tara.

"Mmm, I like being the big spoon."

Tara made her agreement known by covering the hand that was rubbing her belly and squeezing. They lapsed into silence again for quite a while until Willow broke it, nuzzling into Tara's hair.

"When we have our own house can we have a biiiggg bed like this?"

Tara spent a few moments enjoying that thought.

"Mmhhmm. For family cuddles."

Willow cuddled even more into Tara, sighing softly.

"That sounds so good. Sunday morning snuggles. And a big table for family dinners too."

Tara smiled and swallowed a happy lump of emotion. She turned onto her back, and touched Willow's cheek affectionately.

"I love you."

Willow opened her eyes and returned the touch. She kissed over each of Tara's eyelids, then pressed their lips sweetly. After a moment, she tilted her head and deepened the kiss, dropping her hand to entwine her fingers with Tara's.

Tara felt her breath quicken as Willow rolled on top of her and gently pinned her arms up beside her head. She opened her mouth when Willow's tongue requested entrance, eager to play with it.

Willow released one of Tara's arms to let her hand cup a full breast, her fingers caressing the delicate skin as it grew taut around her. Her other hand let Tara's wrist go limp so it could join in on the fun.

Tara put her hands on the back of Willow's neck and her fingers slid up into her girlfriend's scalp. She slowly moved them down Willow's neck and back, her short nails leaving a light scratch trail behind her.

Willow tilted her head back when she felt the graze along her spine. She took in some needed breaths as Tara took the offering of skin and licked from the base of Willow's throat, up and around to nibble on her ear.

"Fuck…" Willow breathed as Tara used her weight to push them up into a sitting position.

Tara giggled and blushed as her lips brushed along the skin of Willow's neck. She felt Willow's arms cross behind her and encouraged the rubbing together of their chests. She could feel Willow's nipples hit against her skin and moaned when they brushed against her own.

They were both too engrossed with each other to hear the sound of a knock, albeit a quiet one, nor the soft clatter of a cleaning cart being pulled into a room.

That was, until Tara first spotted the cart and then the attractive, tall blonde woman pulling it – though her appearance was far from Tara's mind in that moment.

She made a grab for the sheets and held it around both of them.

The maid spotted them, but didn't seem too bothered. She left fresh towels down and took hold of the cart.

"I'm sorry, I knock," she said with fragmented English and with a noticeable Eastern European accent, looking more amused at the situation than anything else, "I'll come back later."

She left again as if nothing unusual had happened, the door banging closed more loudly than it had opened.

Willow sighed and lay back down on the bed.

"You know, we really get walked in on a lot."

She seemed resigned to the notion more than disturbed by it, but Tara was still a crimson shade of red.

"W-why was she smiling?"

"Because it's probably nice to walk in on one hot and another kinda sorta sometimes alright looking girl instead of some sweaty, fat guy for once?" Willow replied, grinning slightly before she scrunched up her nose, "Sweaty fat guys being the only ones, along with kinda sorta sometimes alright looking girls being the only ones to forget to put up the 'Do Not Disturb' sign, of course."

Tara held the sheet up against her forehead for a few moments, before she tried to make an embarrassed flee for the bathroom. Willow, showing reflexes she didn't always possess, pounced and grabbed her around the middle before she stood.

"No, no, no. I'm sorry, I forgot the sign but it doesn't matter, it really doesn't, we'll never see her again."

Tara covered her face with her hands again, but Willow stayed firm, nuzzling into her girlfriend's hip from behind.

"I'm not letting go until we've forgotten this and are cuddling again. In fact, I'm not letting go then either."

She lifted her head up and kissed the piece of Tara's cheek that wasn't covered.

"I'm pouting. You can't resist the pout. Give into its power."

Tara dropped her hands and cast a sidelong glance at Willow's pouting face. She sighed once, but knew she'd gotten over this experience before and would this time too. Though the idea of a 'Do Not Disturb' sign was now firmly implanted in her mind.

She started to lay back and Willow was right with her, arm around her waist and spooning her as she got the blanket back over them again.

"Mmmm…" Willow moaned softly, everything right in her world again, "Tell me more about our house. Do we have a yard?"

She was tapping her fingers gently on Tara's hip, who was calmed by the action. She closed her eyes and thought about her dream house.

"Yes. With lots of colour."

"And I want a play area!" Willow replied, keen, "Doesn't have to take up the whole yard, but a little swing set and a slide, sandbox, basketball hoop, that kind of stuff."

Tara sighed contentedly.

"That sounds good."

They spent the next while swapping ideas back and forth about what they wanted for a home and family life, until they absolutely had to get up to check out on time. Willow was reluctant to let go of Tara's waist as they tore themselves away from the sheets.

"Come shower with me."

Tara only had to think about it for a second or two, by which time she was already being led into the bathroom. Willow faffed about with the temperature controls for a few moments before finding one comfortable, then stepped through the glass door and pulled Tara in with her under the spray. She held her by the back of her head and waist and swooped her down to kiss Tara passionately.

She had straightened them up before Tara had much chance to even react, though did feel the strength in her knees go and had to lean in on Willow.

"You sure know how to make a girl go weak in the knees."

Willow smiled, her eyes laced with love and affection as the water fell off both of their faces and down their bodies.

"The trick is having a concentrated study. One girl. I wanna know everything about her, just her."

Tara rested her forehead on Willow's and gently rubbed her upper arms up and down. She was going to say something but decided it didn't need to be said and just embraced her girlfriend tighter.

After a few moments, Willow took the bottle of shampoo while Tara took the body wash and they washed each other lovingly, switching bottles half-way through. Once clean – Tara's breasts coming out utterly sparkling – they wrapped themselves in towels and started to get ready.

"These towels are so nice," Tara commented, keeping one around her body while she dried off her legs with the one she'd just taken from her head.

"Steal one," Willow replied, picking some lint off her fuzzy sweater before donning it.

Tara made a clicking sound with her tongue.

"Willow, no."

"Why not?" Willow asked, looking over her shoulder, "They have hundreds, if not thousands."

"That doesn't make it right," Tara replied, dropping her towel and bending over to lay out her outfit.

Willow silently but thoroughly enjoyed the view.

"That's okay, I prefer you towel-less anyway."

Tara suddenly realised how much she was showing off and was quick to get her panties on.

Willow pouted again.

"No fair."

She sighed dramatically, then smiled and went back to getting ready. She went to brush her teeth once dressed, and was amused to find Tara making the bed when she came back out.

She decided not to mention it was unnecessary and risk bringing up a certain hotel service, so packed their things back into their overnight bags.

"This was a great night," she said as she carefully folded Tara's dress into the bag and tossed her own things in after it, "I'm so glad we did it."

Tara smoothed out the bed spread.

"Romantic."

"Not it," Willow replied, blushing, "Well, yes, it, but…oh you know what I mean, you're just trying to catch me out!"

Tara smiled and fluffed the pillows once, then went over and embraced Willow from behind.

"Thanks for the champagne."

Willow glanced over her shoulder and scoffed.

"I have no idea what you're talking about. Came with the room."

Tara just smiled again and gave her girlfriend a squeeze. They both grabbed their bags, and Willow made sure she had the two key cards to return before they headed out, holding hands.

While waiting for the elevator, Tara glanced over to the hallway when she heard the sound of wheels against the carpet. The maid from before appeared through a door a moment later pushing her cart and caught Tara's eye. She winked.

Tara turned beetroot and quickly ran into the elevator when the doors sprung open. Willow followed and grinned when she saw the look on Tara's face.

"What're you blushing at?" she asked in a teasing tone, bumping her hip against Tara's, "Thinkin' about me?"

Tara just nodded, making Willow grin again, smug. Tara let Willow take care of the checking out process and stood outside to let the air cool her down.

Willow joined her just a few minutes later.

"Hey do you want to walk around the city for a while? Sun is out. I'll carry your bag if it's too heavy."

Tara shook her head.

"It's not."

Willow smiled and offered her hand. Tara smiled back and took it. It was a cool day, but sunny enough to prevent them needing more than their jackets.

The city was relatively quiet but they both enjoyed having a stroll before stopping for a coffee and a pastry, having missed breakfast.

"I feel so European," Willow commented as she tore a large chunk of her Danish off.

"I always wanted to visit Europe," Tara replied, holding her mug in her hands for warmth, "I saw the Eiffel Tower on TV once when I was little and thought it was the most magical thing in the world."

"Gay Paree, huh?" Willow asked, moving her thumb around her plate to get crumbs, "I toured around Europe one summer when I was 14 with my parents, but we never went to France."

Tara smiled through the steam coming from her coffee.

"That must have been so much fun."

"Yep. It's amazing how the Hilton manages to be the same in every single country," Willow replied, a little bitterly, "I went exploring when we first arrived in Germany, but I got lost and no one spoke English and hey, Jew in Germany, not a whole lot of confidence there, so I mostly just hung around for the rest of the trip. My dad tried to take me to a few museums though when he wasn't meeting clients. That was fun. And there was good food."

Tara watched as Willow all but brought her plate up to her mouth and lick it.

"Do you want another pastry?"

Willow smiled sheepishly.

"Yeah."

Tara went to the counter and brought Willow back a bear claw.

"I'm sorry your European adventure was no fun. We never really had vacations before um, you know. We didn't have much money."

Willow put her bear claw down halfway to her mouth.

"And here's me going on, little miss entitled."

Tara reached across and squeezed Willow's hand.

"I didn't mean that at all."

Willow turned her hand and squeezed back.

"I know, but it's good for me to get a reality check sometimes."

She enjoyed her pastry with a lot less of a heavy heart and gratitude for the blessing of Tara. They each got a to-go drink as they were leaving, Willow getting another mocha while Tara switched to tea since she took her coffee so strong one was always enough for her.

They hit the streets again and were heading in the general direction of home, but weren't in any rush. They strolled down an old neighbourhood of redbrick houses and cobbled streets, and then through a park where they came across an art show going on. People of various age and gender had sketches displayed up on the metal fence behind and most were in the process of making more.

"Fun, like a draw-in!" Willow said excitedly, "You know, instead of a sit-in!"

Tara went to the start of the line to admire the work, giving encouraging words to each person as she passed.

"You should come down here one weekend, show off," Willow said, sticking by Tara, unwilling to let go of her hand, "I'll come with you, we could bring a blanket and everything."

Tara was shy but not all together adverse to the idea.

"Maybe…"

That delighted Willow, who started to skip a little, but reined it in so Tara wouldn't think she was rushing her. She didn't quite understand a lot of what was on display, but she saw Tara was enjoying it and that was good enough for her.

Tara bought one print of a waterfall she liked for $5 and seemed pleased at the thought of hanging it in their room. Willow appreciated its simplicity and was all too happy to have something other than her Spock poster to go on the wall.

They continued walking through the park, smiling at playing children and pointing out cute dogs to each other until they arrived on the other side. Willow was about to step off the curb, unknowingly into a puddle from the rain the night before.

Tara, luckily, spotted it before the final step and pulled Willow back. She tossed her finished cup into a nearby trash can, then put one arm around her girlfriend's shoulders and the other right above her knees, lifting and gliding Willow over the puddle to dry ground.

Willow was shooting her moon-eyes.

"You literally swept me off my feet."

Tara smiled and slipped her hand into Willow's again.

"You'd be grumpy if you had to walk around in soggy socks."

Willow stopped for a moment and hugged Tara sidelong, then went back to walking with a skip in her step.

"Do you know how much I love you?"

Tara shook her head and Willow smiled.

"To the moon and stars."

"And back again?" Tara asked.

Willow smiled even more.

"Yeah. And back again."

They were approaching campus but decided to take a longer route instead since they weren't in any hurry. Tara stopped to look in the window of a thrift store as they passed it.

Willow waited for a second, then tugged her hand gently.

"Wanna go in? You like these places, right?"

Tara nodded, so Willow opened the door and brought them in, looking upwards when a bell sounded as they walked through. She was fascinated by the bell for a moment but found Tara had gone off to look at something by the time her attention snapped back.

The store had a smell of stale cinnamon which wasn't altogether unpleasant and reminded Willow of the 'good room' in her grandparent's house, where the furniture was only sat on once a year and built up an aroma of musk.

She wandered over to the clothes section and admired some of the brightly-coloured pants before spotting a hat hanging from the end of the rail. It was a purple bowler hat that was well-worn and soft to touch. It had obviously been unsold for quite a while, and for a reason, but Willow decided it was worth a second look.

She fixed it on her head and looked in an old mirror that was displayed on a nearby table.

Tara appeared beside her just a second later.

"That's cute."

Willow blushed and turned the hat ever so slightly.

"You like it?"

Tara touched the sides.

"It feels like your sweater."

Willow took that as the compliment it was, coming from Tara, though would be questionably passive-aggressive from anyone else, and smiled at her girlfriend through the mirror.

"Let's find you one!"

She searched through a few bins and found some baseball caps and a few beanies, but nothing she thought suitable for Tara, until her hand found something hidden behind a scruffy scarf.

"Hey look, a beret. French, like we were talking about."

It was made from red wool and when Willow placed it on Tara's head, it fit perfectly.

"That is so pretty."

Tara looked in the same mirror from before.

"You think?"

"It's gorgeous," Willow replied, hands on Tara's waist from behind, "I think Becky would call it 'chic'."

Tara adjusted the beret slightly and finally smiled.

"Let's get them."

They kept their hats on while they paid and left the store again grinning at each other. It was only a couple of blocks before campus loomed in sight, but Willow was hanging back slightly.

"I'm not ready to go home yet. Wanna head to our tree?"

"Sure," Tara agreed, and they diverged slightly to get on that path.

Their tree had a grassy spot just big enough for them to sit thigh-to-thigh with their legs out and hands clasped warmly between them.

"This is cosy," Willow said with a smile, turning Tara's hand over and drawing lazy circles in her palm.

"I love this spot," Tara replied, completely relaxed and happy in that moment, "Do you ever cloud-spot?"

"All the time," Willow replied, looking up to see what formations she could spot, "Hey that one looks like a charmander!"

"A what?" Tara questioned, peering up where Willow was looking.

Willow blushed.

"Um, nothing," she said, quickly changing eye direction, "That one looks like Florida."

They swapped some obvious and some surreal shapes back and forth for a while, until Tara held her hands out at two different angles and moved them towards each other like she was pushing two clouds together.

"Look. They make a heart."

Willow looked at the clouds through Tara's frame to see it properly.

"That's so cool."

They watched the clouds drift towards each other before finally settling their eyes on each other. Tara gently cupped Willow's cheek and pressed their lips together softly.

"I've had the best time. Just us, being together."

Willow smiled and leaned over so their noses rubbed off each other.

"Everything I do, I want to do it with you."