"Tara…"

Willow felt consciousness seep into her brain with a light tickle below her knee. She giggled sleepily.

"Mmm…Tara, stop…"

The sensation continued and Willow's leg jerked.

"It tickles," she mumbled, pursing her lips to hold in the laughter, "Feels good though."

Suddenly something leaped out from under the blanket.

"Ahh!" Willow screamed, then put her hand over her heart as she watched Miss Kitty shoot out the door, "Ohhh…"

The cat zipped between Tara's legs, who was standing in the doorway in a short robe, holding two mugs.

"Oh honey," Tara said in a comforting voice as she came and sat on the end of the mattress, "Is the pussy turning you on?"

Willow blushed as she realized the true perpetrator of her morning tonguing.

She grabbed the cup of coffee offered to her as indignantly as she could without sloshing it.

"How long have you been watching me?"

"Long enough to see the kitty find your sweet spot," Tara grinned over her mug, "If I knew the back of your knee was so sensitive…"

She reached out and tickled said spot. Willow jerked away again, a ticklish smile tugging at her lips.

"Stop!"

Tara relented.

"I don't know whether to be offended or not that you thought a spiky cat tongue was mine."

Willow pulled herself up into a sitting position.

"I can't deal with any more drama so I'd appreciate you going with 'not'."

She took a slow sip of coffee. Tara gently rubbed Willow's calf.

"Happy Birthday, love."

Willow smirked to herself. That's why Tara was wearing her short robe.

"Is it?" she asked, rolling her eyes, "Happy?"

"Yes," Tara replied insistently, "Our kids are home. We'll holo with Robyn later. We're—"

"About to be premature grandmothers," Willow grumbled behind her mug.

"—going to spend a lovely, relaxed day together," Tara amended brightly.

Willow perked up.

"Are we?"

"Yes," Tara replied reassuringly, "I'm taking you to breakfast, and then we're going to do a little walking tour."

"Of what?" Willow asked with narrowed eyes.

"Surprise," Tara grinned.

Willow's lips tugged upward.

"What about the kids?"

"I've made them pancakes," Tara shrugged, "Whenever they wake up."

Willow chuckled wryly.

"Some things never change."

Tara's fingers danced toward Willow's knee.

"If you want I can…"

"Quit it," Willow giggled and Tara did, but only to press their lips together.

When they parted, Willow was smiling sadly.

"I don't feel 50."

Tara covered Willow's hand on the bed.

"What do you feel?"

"I dunno," Willow answered honestly.

Tara smiled understandingly.

"Would a birthday present cheer you up?"

Willow tried to withhold a grin.

"Might do," she said, lifting her chin, "Depends."

Tara went over to the closet and brought back something large and flat that still managed to be prettily wrapped. Willow took it with a suspicious look when she felt it to be quite soft and almost like foam.

She ripped open the packaging and revealed a pair of knee pads. She frowned.

"Technically they're for me," Tara explained off the confused look.

Willow turned the pads around in her hands.

"Are you also looking to get into hockey?"

Tara arched an eyebrow alluringly.

"Just the tonsil variety."

"Oh," Willow replied, then her head shot up with wide eyes, "Oh!"

She bounced excitedly.

"Really? Last time either of us tried that we got stuck down there."

Tara stretched her deliciously-on-show legs.

"I've been limbering up."

Willow's eyes followed every stretched, taut muscle.

'Is that a fact?"

Tara brought herself over Willow's body.

"It sure is."

A grin spread across Willow's face.

"In that case…"

Miss Kitty returned but stopped in the doorway, arched her back ready to attack, then spun around and fled so fast the door whooshed shut.

It was quite a while later when Willow and Tara made their way down the stairs, dressed for the day and holding hands.

It was quiet.

"They're seriously still not up?" Willow asked, shaking her head, "Only two of them are teenagers."

Tara tugged Willow's hand.

"Escape now, roll eyes later."

"A plan I can get behind," Willow agreed and happily let Tara bring her out to the car and drive them to their favorite little breakfast nook.

Tara had Eggs Benedict and Willow had hash brows, eggs sunny-side-up, bacon, a sausage patty, and a side of toast.

"Enjoy it, belly," she said, rubbing her stomach before taking the first bite, "Our 50s metabolism is about to set in."

Tara held up her glass of orange juice, which Willow clinked with her mimosa. Hell, she wasn't the designated driver.

"Don't worry, the hot flashes make the thought of eating nauseating," Tara said in what tried to be a comforting tone, though her grin gave her away.

"Bring it," Willow waved her glass around, "I could do with the distraction."

Tara covered Willow's hand on the table.

"I wish I could make this…"

Willow arched an eyebrow.

"There's no making this easier," she said with a shake of her head.

"No, but," Tara paused and offered a smile, "Not today, hey?"

"Not today," Willow nodded in agreement.

She speared a piece of hash brown and popped it into her mouth.

"So where are we going on this walking tour?"

Willow looked around the large, empty room she was standing in.

Up to now, her walk with Tara had been pleasant if completely normal walk around the city. But then Tara had brought her into one of the buildings and Willow was suddenly at a loss as to what they were doing.

"Very…corporate-chic?" she commented on the stone wall and skylight.

She walked up to Tara sheepishly.

"I'm sorry. I'm trying to tap into my inner artist but she's not answering. I don't get it. What exactly is this, some kind of installation? If so, they need to advertise better. There's no one else here."

Tara chuckled and placed her palms on either side of Willow's collarbone.

"It's a restaurant space," she clarified, "I made some viewings in some open rentals for you to look at and see if you think Bibliosmia might work out here in some more…reasonable locations."

Willow looked up, touched.

"You did that?"

Tara nodded.

"I know you've been pouring over the books and speaking to Marla a lot. You're really into the idea of a Buffalo Bibliosmia."

Willow frowned.

"Did she call you and ask you to get me to stop?"

"No," Tara laughed and tapped Willow's nose, "She sounded excited by the idea. And so am I."

Willow's eyebrows rose softly.

"Really?"

Tara nodded quickly.

"I'd love to see you involved in something like that. You love chatting with the customers when we go out to visit. It would be amazing to have one on our doorstep. You have too much time to think at home. I want to see you busy again with something you truly love."

Willow swallowed and lifted Tara's hands, kissing each set of knuckles.

"Tara, that's amazing. I can't believe you've done all that for me."

Tara slid her hands onto Willow's cheeks and pecked her lips.

"Something tells me corporate-chic isn't doing it for you."

Willow looked around and threw a hand up.

"It's not un-nice. But it's just not…"

Tara smiled and nodded.

"That's okay. We shall move on."

She offered her arm. Willow gladly took it.

It was late afternoon by the time they'd seen all six viewings that Tara had arranged and they stopped for some ice-cream. They sat on a park bench together and linked arms.

"Those were all amazing," Willow said as she spooned a little of Tara's butter pecan.

Tara looked over with a slightly resigned smile.

"But they're not the waterfront location."

They had seen some lovely outfits; vast and intimate, inner views and outer views, every type of wood and marble and stone carved to house a beautiful blueprint to which they could recreate the success of the Sunnydale store, but Willow just didn't feel that same oomph of the restaurant that had sparked the idea in the first place.

"I just felt the Bibliosmia magic there."

Tara dragged the little wooden spoon against her tongue.

"I wonder when the current restaurant is leaving"

"June 1st," Willow answered automatically, then grimaced and looked over apologetically, "I checked into it. I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

Tara didn't seem offended, just curious.

"Did you look into how much it would cost to take over the lease?"

Willow slumped sadly.

"More digits than our phone number," she grumbled and gave a pained look across the bench, "And owned by the Restaurant Direct Group."

Tara gave Willow an unsure look. Willow sighed.

"Which is a subsidiary of McFarland Industries."

Tara's eyes widened.

"Oh, Willow. That's Emmett's—"

Willow held her hands up.

"I know. I know. Too messy. Way too messy," she conceded, picking her ice-cream back up, "I don't even know if I want to do it if I can't do it there."

Her lips pursed.

"But unless one of the biggest faces of corporate greed decides to be philanthropic and pull a Willy Wonka on me, I don't think this is happening."

Tara felt her heart sink. She'd seen how Willow's eyes had lit up with the idea.

"Please think about the other locations? Or scouting your own?"

Willow looked over and leaned over to peck Tara's lips.

"I will," she promised and it wasn't entirely a lie. She'd do it, she just knew nothing would come from it, "And I love you so much for organizing this for me."

They finished their ice-cream and started to head back toward the car.

"Now you have a choice," Tara offered as she started the engine, "Dinner at Vinchenzo's or send the boys out to pick up and eat at home with them?"

"Eat with them," Willow answered automatically, "If they're even up yet. The lazy louts."

They shared a smile and headed home.

As soon as they opened the front door, they could hear the screaming.

"You knew and you didn't tell me?!"

They both rushed in and saw JJ poking an accusing finger at Cleo. Kayden was pulling JJ back and Lily was holding up her hands and rolling her eyes.

"What is going on?" Willow demanded.

JJ spun around, irate.

"Your daughter decided this weekend would be a great time to announce that she got knocked up."

"Jacob!" Tara scolded, eyes flashing with anger.

JJ threw his hands up.

"Stealing my thunder all over this weekend."

"You're being an ass right now, JJ," Lily rolled her eyes again.

"Bro, you're being really heavy," Kayden said, trying to keep a calm voice, "Nobody is taking away from your news."

Tara looked around and realized Emily wasn't there. She quickly left and went upstairs, where she heard voices.

She pushed the door of the twins' bedroom open, where Emily was sitting on the floor by her bed with a holograph of Robyn shooting up from her phone.

"Emmy, baby girl. No one hates you. There's no shame in any choice, including this one."

Tara silently came over and sat next to Emily, kissing her head.

"Hi Robbie," she smiled at the flickering image.

"Hi Mom," Robyn smiled a crooked smile.

Tara rubbed Emily's arm.

"Your sister is right."

"Can you say that again?" Robyn prompted with a grin.

"We love you, Emily," Tara said instead with a reassuring nod.

"JJ is being a jackass because he wants the attention on him every second," Robyn rolled her eyes and somehow looked just like Lily.

"Robyn," Tara scolded but not as harshly as she'd scolded JJ.

Robyn shrugged one shoulder.

"He is. He'll get over it. What are you supposed to do, stop being pregnant for a couple of weeks until he's ready to pass the baton?! You must have a bump. Hey, show me!"

Emily shyly showed Robyn her stomach. Robyn seemed keen despite the many preventative measures she put in place to make sure she never found herself in such a situation.

"Cool! I'm gonna be an auntie! There's a little koala cub in there. What's it like, Emmy?"

Tara watched Emily shyly but noticeably light up as she talked about her pregnancy and she realized how much that everything had been framed negatively when Emily clearly found positives in it. Enough to want it to continue. She hadn't seen her daughter look so happy in months — longer even than when the pregnancy had become a thing.

She seemed to relish that she finally had something that was just hers.

She was Willow's daughter, after all.

Lily walked in then, looking bored.

"Kayden took JJ out for a drive. So much testosterone stinking up the house."

"Robbie, will you say Happy Birthday to your Momma?" Tara requested as the sisters all waved goodbye to each other.

She just about managed to stand and brought the phone with her.

"I can't wait until these things can walk themselves. Or better yet, me."

"You're hilarious, Mom," Robyn said, deadpan.

Downstairs, Cleo was pouring herself a drink and so Tara nabbed the space by Willow on the couch. She gave her wife a smooch.

"Two old ladies sitting in a tree," Robyn called out, "B-O-R-I-N-G-ME."

Willow did not apologize and just looked a little smug.

"Robbie, how are you? Are you safe out there?"

"Pretty uneventful down here. You chain yourself to one tree, you chain yourself to them all," Robyn replied but sounded chipper, "Sounds like there's way more going on up there and I'm in the middle of the literal rainforest."

Willow slowly deflated.

"It's been…a lot. At least you'll be home soon. Is there any way you can come home in time for your brother's wedding?"

Robyn grimaced.

"Yeah, about that…"

Willow arched an eyebrow sharply.

"Robyn…"

"I got an offer to work with indigenous kids and help with leading the cause to further their education," Robyn explained in an excited rush.

Willow slapped a hand down.

"You need to help with your own education!"

Her eyes filled and she looked away. Robyn's face scrunched.

"Oh jeez, Momma, don't cry. It's not forever! A few extra months tops!"

Tara wrapped an arm around Willow's shoulders and looked at the image of her daughter.

"We miss you."

"I miss you guys too," Robyn replied sincerely, "Hey, is Emmy okay? Because I would not have handled this well if it were me and she's…"

"Stronger than any of us give her credit for," Tara finished softly.

Robyn smiled.

Then Willow did too.

"Moms, I gotta go," Robyn said, blowing a kiss, "Happy Birthday, Momma. Isn't it comforting that it's chaotic as usual even without me there?"

Willow chuckled wryly.

"We love you."

"I love you too," Robyn called in a sing-song voice, "I'll send you ethically-grown coffee beans!"

The image disappeared and Willow and Tara looked at each other and moved in for a hug. Tara spotted Cleo hovering and she opened her arms up.

"Come here soon-to-be-daughter-in-law," she encouraged, "You're not immune to the mom sandwich."

Cleo gratefully positioned herself between them. It reminded her of being a little girl and being wrapped around her Mom's waist while her Mami spooned them both.

Tara kissed Cleo's head.

"Thanks for supporting Emily."

"Little sister I never had," Cleo responded fondly and sighed deeply, "I'm glad it happened to her. There's no way Lily or Robyn would have handled it as well."

And that made Willow's head reel back and gave her a lot to think about.

Eventually, the car arrived back in the driveway and the two boys came back inside. Lily and Emily came downstairs and JJ pulled Emily into a hug.

"I'm sorry. I love you. I will be here for you no matter what."

Emily's eyes pricked with tears.

JJ moved over to Willow and pulled her into a hug.

"I'm sorry I got mad on your birthday, maw," he said tearfully, "I just never expected…"

"None of us did," Willow replied softly.

"But Emily has made her choice," Tara added in, "And we're going to band together as a family to support her."

"T-Thank you," Emily smiled at Tara and looked to JJ, "I-I'm sorry I told Cleo and not you."

JJ waved a hand.

"Forget it, kid. She's a great ear," he said sincerely and looked over to his fiancee with that charming look that had attracted her to him in the first place, "And a great—"

"Parents," Cleo whispered with wide eyes.

JJ seemed to remember where he was and paled.

"—woman. To tell womanly things to."

"We haven't spoken to Xander in a while," Willow said, suddenly remembering him for some reason.

"Speaking of…Em, Robbie is right," Tara said, "You're getting a belly. We have to tell everybody else. Including your grandparents."

Emily felt wobbly and had to sit.

"I-I can't."

"Then we will," Tara said, to an unsure look from Willow, "If that's how we can help you, that's how we will help you."

Lily bounced up on her toes.

"In a couple of weeks Ella will be home from Cornell and Pixie will be back from boarding school. I can tell them."

"I'll be chatting with Alex when he's out of training at Quantico. I'll let him know," JJ nodded.

"Liam's parents should tell him. He's still a kid," Kayden pointed out.

Willow held up her hands.

"We'll tell Buffy and Angel. We'll tell all of your aunts and uncles," she resolved, "Should we tell them at your graduation party?"

Cleo arched an eyebrow.

"Is it really 'party' news?"

"Tell people ahead of time. Let them digest it," Tara suggested.

"I'm with Mom," JJ agreed.

"Me too," Lily nodded.

Tara looked over to Emily.

"Emmy?"

Emily had to clear her throat.

"Yes," she said quickly, "Thank you."

JJ encouraged everybody up and they banded together in a giant hug.

"Rosenberg-Maclay, huh!" he cheered, then smiled, "Sorry, I'm around too many sports teams."

The resulting laugh broke the tension and they stayed huddled for a few moments before breaking off to discuss dinner menu options.

After dinner, Tara brought Willow out a glass of wine on the porch.

"What a day," Willow commented as she took a sip, "This is divine. Thank you."

Tara produced something from behind her back.

"At our age, it's hard to come up with something new as a gift."

Willow's eyebrow arched.

"You mean there's more than this morning?"

She grinned and took the tissue-wrapped rectangle. She turned it over and unwrapped it. It was a canvas painting of a lake and flowers. It took her a moment to see the swan boats and recognize where it was set.

"This is the gardens in Boston," she said, touching her heart, "Where we first kissed. Where we got married. It's beautiful."

Tara ran her fingers over Willow's wrist.

"Cleo asked me a few weeks ago what it was like getting married outside. Asked if we worried about the rain and things like that."

Willow looked at Tara with a wry grin.

"You so knew they were engaged."

"Not officially," Tara held her hands up.

"There's that word again…" Willow arched an eyebrow, "How about we start filling each other in on the 'unofficiallys'?"

Tara nodded softly.

"Yes. Okay. But it did make me look back on some memories. I hadn't held a paintbrush since the kids were, well, kids."

It suddenly dawned on Willow why Tara had said what she'd said about new gifts.

"You did this?" she asked, looking at every detail in a new way, "I love it. I love you."

She popped a kiss onto Tara's lips.

"And I love our life," Tara answered resolutely, "Everything it entails."

Willow nodded quietly once. They shared a looked and then Willow slid her hand up Tara's thigh.

"How about we go upstairs and I try on those knee pads for size?"

Tara smirked.

"Well, I can't very well deny you on your birthday."

"Oh really?" Willow asked and leaned in alluringly, "In that case…"

She spent several long, long seconds whispering in Tara's ear. When she pulled away, Tara offered her hand.

"Gladly. But we'll have to be quiet."

Willow grinned.

"Why start now?"