LovingWolf93 - Thanks for the support over the years as my Beta reader.

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jman975 - Please don't give up, I promise as the ideas come to me I'm writing. I've had a horrible case of writer's block for a couple of years now. I think coming back to writing fanfiction will help me.

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Chapter 54

"Hey T, do you really think that you and Willow can go two days without seeing one another?" Faith asked.

"We don't have to. We have the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner tomorrow," said Tara, looking up from her phone and a picture of Willow.

"So, you just aren't sleeping together?"

"Pretty much."

"What the hell is the point then?"

"It'll make our first time as a married couple that much more special, or that is how Willow explained it when she came up with this idea."

"And you bought that?" scoffed Faith.

"It was Willow. She said it with excitement and she was bouncing and, and-"

"Please, stop there. I don't want to hear any more details. I already have a hard time looking at Red in those stupid leather pants you are so fond of."

"Mmmm, leather covered Willow."

"Tara, I swear, you need to stop. I will get the ice bucket and pour it on you if you don't settle down." Faith moved toward the kitchen and Tara realized that Faith wasn't kidding around this time.


"Hello," said Willow, sleepily.

"Willow, darling. It is the day before your wedding. How can you be sleeping at a time like this?" asked Sheila.

"Mom?"

"Why yes, dear."

"Why are you calling at," started Willow before looking at her clock. "Why in the hell are you calling at six in the morning? Mom, I was still sleeping."

"I just don't see how it is that you can sleep the day before your wedding."

"Mom, I was up late, is there a point to this call?"

"I just wanted to know how your checklist was going and if there was anything you and Buffy needed help with."

"Mom, her name is, wait, nevermind, you got it right. Buffy and I were up late last night and I haven't had a chance to look at the to-do list yet. Can I call you back once I check it and see what is on the list?"

"Of course, Honey. Your father and I are here to help and support you and Tara with whatever you need."

"Thank you, Mom."

Willow hung up the phone and lay back down with her arm draped over her eyes.

"Will?" said Buffy, coming out of her room.

"Yeah, Buff?"

"What are you doing up this early? I thought for certain you would still be asleep after I got back from my run."

"My mother called." Willow sat up and saw Buffy stretching and prepping for her run.

"This early?"

"Yeah, it turns out her and my dad are excited and willing to help us with whatever we need."

Buffy laughed as Willow flopped back down on the couch letting out an exasperated sigh.

"I'm going for my run. Try to sleep some more and I'll wake you when I get back," said Buffy, a hint of laughter in her voice. Willow took the opportunity to close her eyes and drift back to sleep.


"Sheila? Who was that on the phone at this ungodly hour?" Ira asked, walking into the living room.

"I was trying to call Willow and see what she needs help with today."

"Sheila, it is six in the morning. Let the poor girl sleep."

"Well, excuse me for being excited. It is the day before she is getting married. We've been through this and know all that needs to be done, she hasn't. I want her day to be perfect," said Sheila, a quiver in her voice. "We weren't there for her as a child, after she gets married she isn't going to need us."

"She's always going to need us, dear. Just because Willow and Tara get married doesn't mean they won't need us. We'll be there to help them buy their first house together…"

"They've already done that. Remember?"

"Oh right, well there will be kids and fights and all sorts of holidays for us to be a part of."

"I guess you are right. Thank you, Ira."


"Wills, what is on the checklist for today?" asked Buffy, exiting her room after her morning run and shower.

"Let me check." Willow grabbed her tablet and brought up her checklist for the wedding. She had made a checklist for all involved with the wedding. Tara had one, Faith had one, Buffy had one, even the parents of the brides had one. "Today, the day before the wedding it says that you and I are going to Sunnydale Spa to get a mani-pedi, well, that is if my feet aren't too ticklish. The last time Tara and I went it was just impossible for me to sit still. I was trying my hardest to sit still, but the woman just kept-"

"Will, focus," said Buffy, covering her babbling friends mouth with her finger.

"Right, sorry. Then we have to go through the outfits and make sure there is something new, something old, something borrowed, and something blue, also, make sure that all jewelry is ready, did you and Faith decide who was going to hold onto the rings?"

"We arm-wrestled for it and Faith won. She's a lot stronger than she looks."

"You arm-wrestled to see who was going to hold our wedding rings? Seriously, Buffy?"

"Well, we tried flipping a coin, but I dropped it and it went under the soda machine," Buffy added, sheepishly.

"Well, then we need to make sure that Faith has the rings and that they are all ready to go."

"On it." Buffy pulled out her phone and messaged Faith to verify that she did indeed have the ring and verified that they were both in the box.

"Have you seen what Tara is wearing?" asked Willow, looking up from her tablet.

"Nope, it's bad luck. Plus, Faith and Tara said that they didn't want to see what we were wearing so we can't see what they are wearing."

"But, but, it's bad luck for me to see Tara before the wedding. It doesn't mean that you can't see her. How are we going to know if we are wearing the same thing or if we are going to clash? Buffy, you need to talk to them and have them let you see what they are wearing."

"Willow, you're wearing white, everything goes with white…"

"Yeah, but you aren't and what if you clash with Faith?"

"I'm wearing a tux, Willow. I promise you that we aren't going to clash."


"Em, babe? Have you seen the wedding rings? Willow wants me to make sure that they are in the case," called Faith.

"You had them last," Emily said as she entered the living room where Faith was going through the stuff on the coffee table.

"You lost our rings?" asked Tara as she stepped out of the guest bedroom.

"No, I didn't lose them, I'm just not entirely certain where in the house they happen to be." Faith gave Tara a sheepish smile but quickly went back to looking as she saw the disappointment in Tara's eyes.

Emily, Faith, and Tara started to search the apartment for the rings.


"What time are the rehearsal and dinner tonight?" asked Buffy, sitting down on the sofa near the redhead checking out her freshly groomed nails.

"The rehearsal is at six, then the dinner's at seven."

"Are you going to be able to make it that long without Tara?" asked Buffy, teasingly.

"We do spend most of our workday not seeing one another," Willow reminded Buffy.

"Yeah, but that is only on the days you don't sneak out for a lunch quickie."

"Well, yeah, I mean, no…" blushed Willow.

Buffy laughed at the shades of red Willow was turning. Sometimes it was just too easy to get her best friend going.


Tara was looking through the stuff in the guest room when she heard Emily callout that she found the rings.

"W-where w-were they?" asked Tara.

"In Faith's tux coat. She put them in there to make sure she didn't lose or forget them," said Emily, laughing.

"Em, I love you. You are a lifesaver," Faith said, hugging her fiancee.

Faith verified that the rings were in the box and replied to Buffy's message from earlier.


Tara: Hey Gorgeous!

Willow: Hey Yourself! I miss you.

Tara: I miss you, too. How are things going there?

Willow: Well, my mother called at six this morning.

Tara: Why in the hell did she call so early?

Willow: She wanted to know if there was anything I needed help with.

Tara: Sorry baby. At least tomorrow is all our day.

Willow: I can't wait. I'm looking forward to seeing you at the rehearsal.

Tara: I'll be the one at the end of the aisle waiting to say 'I Do'

Willow: I love you!

Tara: I love you, too!


Buffy and Willow pulled up to Kingman's Bluff where the ceremony was going to be taking place the following day. They were the first to arrive.

"Just think, in twenty-four hours you and Tara will be here saying your vows and committing to a life together."

"I know. I can't wait," said Willow, a smile illuminating her face.

Just then a small caravan of cars arrived. Willow saw her parent's, Donnie and Donald, Tara, Faith, and Emily all getting out of the cars and making their way over to the duo.

"Hey, gorgeous," Tara said, leaning over and kissing Willow softly.

"Hi, beautiful." Willow took Tara's hand and the couple walked over to where the officiant was standing.

"Willow, Tara, it's good to see you. How are you both feeling about tomorrow?" asked the officiant.

"Nervous, excited, ready," said Tara.

"Excited, scared, happy," replied Willow.

"What has you nervous Tara?"

Tara stood there for a moment, looking at everyone who was there. "I guess I'm nervous because of the whole remembering of the vows."

"And Willow, what has you scared?"

Willow looked at Tara and smiled, "remembering the vows, same as Tara."

The group gave a small laugh before the officiant spoke again. "Well, it is common to be nervous and scared. If you think you are going to forget what you are going to say, there is nothing that says you can't have notecards with the information on them. I have that happen at several of my weddings."

"That isn't tacky?" asked Willow.

"Not at all. You give them to your Maid-of-Honor until it is time to speak. Then you do your vows and give the cards back."

"Tara? What do you think?"

Taking both of Willow's hands Tara smiled and nodded her agreement to this idea. It wasn't ideal, but it was definitely a way for them to remember what they wanted to say. After that was solved the officiant had everyone stand in their places. Willow and Ira stood over to one side of the officiant, Tara, and Donald on the other side. The couple each walked down the aisle with their father, Faith, and Buffy to follow.

"Okay, now here is where I'll start the ceremony and ask who gives these women away. Your fathers will then give you away to one another. Then I will do a short speech and ask for your vows, then I'll have you say your 'I do's', and we'll present you as...I guess we never discussed how you wanted to be introduced."

"We're going to hyphenate our names to Rosenberg-Maclay to honor both of our families," answered Tara.

"Great, then that is how I'll introduce you and you walk down the aisle as a married couple. Any questions or alterations?"

"Not from me," Willow replied.

"Me either," said Tara.

"Great, then did you want to walk through it again or do you think we're set?"

"I think we're good. Willow?"

"I agree. I just can't wait until tomorrow," Willow said, a goofy smile on her face.

"Does anyone else have questions?" asked the officiant to the people standing and watching. Everyone either shook their head or replied no.

"Well, then I guess we're done here and I'll see you ladies tomorrow for your wedding."

"Thank you," both women said in unison.

"Okay, let's head over to Angel's for dinner."


Angel had closed down part of the restaurant for the rehearsal dinner. The following night the reception was going to be at The Bronze in the VIP section. Since it was a weeknight and one of the slower nights, Conner said he would be happy to close down the club for their wedding.

Willow and Tara led the group to the back of Angel's restaurant and the group took their seats. Donald, Ira, and Sheila at one table, Donnie and Emily at another table, then Buffy, Willow, Tara, and Faith at the head table. After they were situated, Angel brought out the food. They had chosen to go with a simple menu of burgers and fries for the rehearsal dinner.

"Wanna sneak away for a few minutes?" Willow asked, leaning over to Tara.

"Mmmm, yes, please," Tara said in a sultry voice.

"I don't think so," said Buffy in a sing-song voice.

"Party pooper," replied Willow, sticking her tongue out at Buffy.

"Willow, baby, don't tease," Tara said, her eyes fixated on the redhead's mouth.

"Sorry."

Dinner went off without a hitch. Then came the time to say goodbye. Willow and Tara said goodbye to their family and prepared to go their separate ways, but not before exchanging several deeply passionate kisses.


tbc...