Chapter 5
(AUTHORS NOTE: [contains spoiler for TV Series, Season 6] The next couple of chapters will be about Relationships and all. This is not just here to show how the characters feel about each other, it will also advance along the story, even though there is no violence etc. Oh, yeah, by the way, there's going to be lots of stuff about Willow and Tara cause I just saw the episode on TV where Tara dies and Willow goes apeshit, and that aint gonna happen, and although this is a separate story from the TV series, I am often influenced to write about what the TV's series's message was that week, and since Tara is my favourite character, I'm keeping her alive)
Buffy was in the kitchen making a sandwich. She had just gotten out all the packets of chips and junk food she could find ready for the night's vidfest. From looking at all the food, Buffy suddenly got hungry and decided to make herself a sandwich. She was lost in thought about what had happened that day. She was just starting to realise something, and she wasn't sure if she liked it or not. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn't hear Xander come in and through the house.
"Hey Buff? Making a sandwich?" Xander asked.
"Y-Yeah… What are you doing here?" Buffy asked. "There's still another hour."
"I just came by to drop off the videos and some food. I've got to go and get Anya from the Magic Box. She said that she volunteered to close up and let Giles go home and have some rest," Xander explained.
"Oh, that was nice of her," Buffy said. "Don't often see things like that from her," Buffy thought, not realising that she'd said it. She looked to Xander. "I mean, usually, she doesn't offer to do things like that. I didn't mean…" Buffy started.
"I know exactly what you meant Buffy. You don't have to explain it," Xander said calmly. Buffy was glad that he knew what she meant. Dawn came bouncing into the kitchen.
"Xander! What are you doing here so early?" Dawn asked.
"Well, you know, this house, I just can't get enough of it. Four of the most beautiful women in my life living under the same roof. Just had to stop by," Xander replied. Buffy and Dawn were flattered, Dawn more so as Xander had called her a woman. Dawn just grabbed some chips and went back upstairs to her room. "Speaking of beautiful women. Where's Willow and Tara?"
"Upstairs, taking your advice," Buffy replied.
"What advice?" Xander asked.
"To get a room," Buffy replied.
"Oh," he replied. There was a long silence. "So, what was up with those two in the Magic Box today?" Xander asked. "It was like they hadn't seen each other in a million years."
"Each of them almost got killed Xander. And they almost lost each other. They really love each other. Coming back to the Magic Box today, Willow was more upset about almost loosing Tara than she was about dying herself," Buffy explained.
"Yeah," Xander replied. "I'll never have that with Anya… I mean, I love her, and I'm very sure that she loves me, but we won't ever have that kind of relationship," he said, saddening.
"Hey. Don't get all gloom and doom. Anya's great for you, and you're great for Anya. You don't have to be soul mates to really love each other," Buffy said.
"Yeah. You're right," Xander replied.
"Off with you. Go and get that girl of yours," Buffy said to Xander while making shooing motions with her hands. She watched as Xander stiffly walked out of the house, obviously still feeling the after effects of the beating he received. She thought about what had just happened, and realised that it was backing up what she had been thinking about before.
When Xander got walked into the Magic Box, the place almost looked like new. All the things that fell off the bookcase were cleaned up. Buffy had shifted the bookcase back to where it was supposed to be before she left.
"Anya! You ready to go?" Xander shouted. He was surprised when Anya popped up from behind the counter. "Whatcha doin?"
"Cleaning. Everything's so dirty," Anya said.
"Look, Anya, I've been thinking on my way over here in the car," Xander started.
"What did you think about?" Anya asked.
"Us," Xander said. Before Anya had a chance to reply, he kept going. "I think, that if we're going to tell Buffy and the others about us, it should be tonight. Everyone's so happy, and I reckon we should tell them all tonight," Xander said.
"Are you serious?" Anya asked.
"Yep," he replied. Anya rushed through the foldable section of the counter and kissed Xander.
Buffy was looking through the selection of movies that Xander had brought over from the video store. It was true, he did get something for everyone. He got all the romantic movies for the girls, and the action movies for him and Buffy. There was also all the horror and mystery movies that everyone loved watching too. Buffy always loved watching the action movies and judging them, telling everyone what the characters should do. She looked back through the collection and saw that Xander did actually put some thought into the movie selection. She saw Practical Magic lying there, for Willow and Tara, and she saw a movie about Vampires, obviously for her. She laughed as she saw A hundred ways to succeed in Business without really trying. It was obviously for Anya. She heard a knock at the door and let Xander and Anya in, but Dawn beat her to the door.
"I'm back," Xander said. "We all ready for the vidfest?"
"Yep. Got food, drink, videos, chairs, and TV," Buffy replied.
"Hey. Before we start, I've got an announcement to make," Xander said. "Where's Willow and Tara?" he asked. "They still upstairs?"
"Guess," Buffy replied.
"Could you go and get them. I really want them here for this," Xander said. Buffy walked up the stairs and knocked on their door.
"Willow! Tara! Vidfest's starting," Buffy said. She heard a series of garbled words from the other side of the door. "Say again?" Buffy asked.
"We'll be right there," she managed to hear Willow reply. Buffy wasn't convinced by the sound in her voice. "Xander says he want's to make an announcement, and he really wants you there," Buffy said. She heard more garbled words. She waited for about a minute, and then Willow replied.
"Oh, alright, we'll be right down," Willow said again. She returned downstairs to see everyone standing around the front door.
"They'll be right down," Buffy said. They waited in silence for the two to come down. "Any hint of what this announcement might be?" Buffy asked.
"Nope. You'll just have to wait," Xander said. Willow and Tara came down the stairs, their arms wrapped around each other.
"Glad you could make it," Anya said.
"Oh, we had to rush, you know. All the traffic and everything," Tara said. They got down to the bottom of the stairs, and completed the rough circle everyone was standing in.
"What's the announcement?" Dawn asked. Xander paused for a second, thinking.
"It's about Anya and I," he said, leaving a dramatic pause. "We're getting married." Buffy could feel her eyes go wide as she looked at the pair. She was speechless. She looked as Willow charged to him and thumped into him, almost sending him crashing to the door.
"Congratulations!" she said in a little girlish voice.
"Wow," Buffy said. "Congratulations!" She watched as everyone congratulated him and Anya and hugged them both.
"We've got to tell Giles," Willow said while waving her arms around. She looked happier than Anya did. She raced into the kitchen and everyone heard her tell Giles in rapid fire what had happened. No one in the lounge room could understand a single word Willow said, including Tara. Everyone laughed as Willow had to repeat what she had said into the phone three times until Giles understood what was happening.
"So, when did Xander propose?" Tara asked Anya.
"Just before we went running off to save Dawn from Glory, all that time ago," Anya said. Everyone was breathless.
"All that time, and you didn't tell us?" Dawn asked.
"It was a bad time. We didn't want to tell you all," Xander said. Everyone signalled that they understood. Willow came back to the group.
"Giles says congratulations and gives you both his best wishes," Willow said.
"So, how did Xander propose?" Tara asked again.
"Well, we were in the basement of the Magic Box, searching for the Dagon Sphere, and I said that I bet no one could be more nervous that I was right then, Xander says 'you want to bet on that' and holds up the ring. I told him to give it to me after the world didn't end," Anya said.
"Awe, that's so romantic," Dawn said. "Except for the location and all."
"Yeah, well, Anya didn't mention that she slapped me," Xander replied. Everyone raised their eyebrows.
"I thought that he was just doing it because the world was going to end, and it would be romantic and all, and he knew that he didn't have to go through with it," Anya said sheepishly.
"Do you have the ring on you?" Tara asked. Buffy noticed that Tara was asking all the questions.
"I didn't know that we were going to be telling you tonight. Xander showed up and the Magic Box to pick me up to come here and said that we're telling you all," Anya said. Buffy smiled as she realised that what she had said to Xander might have influenced that decision.
"So, when's the wedding?" Tara asked.
"We don't know yet. Have got to sort that out," Xander said. They all made their way over to the lounge and sat down and began watching all the videos. Buffy looked at Xander and Anya, who were sitting on the couch. She looked to Willow and Tara, who were sitting on the floor. She noticed that they had their hands joined again, and Buffy noticed that their whole bodies were touching each other as they sat side by side. She saw Willow's head resting on Tara's shoulder, and it was then that she realised she had an almost definite answer to what she was thinking about earlier.
Everyone was easily asleep by midnight, the activities of the previous day having their effects. Even Buffy, who was meant to have high stamina fell asleep. However, in the morning, Buffy was the first to rise. She went into the kitchen and made herself some breakfast, which only consisted of cereal and toast. She had almost figured out what she had been thinking about, but decided not to tell everyone until the end of their two week break. Buffy had much more important things on her mind at the moment. She waited until everyone was awake, and she asked Xander and Anya to stay for breakfast.
"We've got to have a celebration at the Bronze tonight," Buffy said to them all. Everyone was eager and nodded in agreement.
Buffy waited until later that day until she asked Willow the question that would make or break the answer she had formed in her head.
"So, Buffy, what do you want to talk about?" Willow asked.
"I want to know about the spell that brought me back? I need details," Buffy asked.
"Oh, yeah, sure. Well, we needed four people to do it, and that was Me, Tara, Anya and Xander. We didn't tell Giles because we didn't think that he'd understand, which he didn't. But, well, anyway, I had to invoke Osiris and Isis, and bring their energy to the circle we had performed around you. Things didn't go as expected though. Instead of me being the channel and giving you life, it went to everyone. I got asked this question in my head, and I didn't even know what it was, but I knew the answer. Then, we gave you our energy, and then, we passed out," Willow explained.
"Is that it?" Buffy asked.
"Yep.. Oh, I almost forgot. I don't know about the others, but I know about me, and Tara. In that moment when we gave our energy to you, me, and Tara, realised that we ourselves weren't raising you, but we were asking the higher power to let us raise you," Willow said. Buffy knew the answer to her rambling right at that moment. Willow had just given her the exact information she needed.
"Thankyou so much Willow," Buffy said.
"Why'd you want to know anyway?" Willow asked.
"Just curious. It's like wanting to know how you're born," Buffy replied.
"I understand," Willow replied.
The same time next week, everyone had gathered at Buffy's house. Everyone except for Tara. Willow had invited everyone over after Tara had offered to go and do the grocery shopping by herself.
"Okay, everyone remember that it's Tara's birthday tomorrow?" Willow asked them all.
"Of course. Could never forget what day that was on," Anya said.
"Yeah, and if any of her family shows up and tells her that she's a demon, we'll know what to do this time," Xander said.
"We having a big Bronze celebration again?" Buffy asked. Willow shook her head.
"Tara asked if we could go out, just me and her," Willow said. "So, that's why the big Bronze celebration's tonight."
"Where are you going?" Buffy asked.
"That real romantic place, down by the river. I've heard it's lit only by candlelight," Willow replied.
"Good Lord," Giles said. Everyone turned to him. "That place costs a fortune."
"Tara said that she wanted it to be special. Really special. It was one year ago tomorrow that all the weight got lifted off her shoulders," Willow said, remembering the day that Tara's family turned up. They had told Tara all her life that at twenty, she would turn into a demon, and that all the women in their family were burdened with that curse, and that only Tara's family knew how to take care of them. It was only thanks to Spike, who figured out that Tara's family only said it to 'keep the women in check' that Tara got to stay in Sunnydale and be with Willow.
"Oh," Buffy said out loud for no apparent reason. Something inside her brain had clicked, and everything became clear.
"What?" Willow asked, concerned.
"Uh, it's nothing. I just remembered where I left my, um, hairbrush, that's all," Buffy lied. "You two just have a good time." As Buffy thought back, she remembered when she had first met Tara. She could barely talk to anyone, and hardly make eye contact. Buffy could see that just by being around Willow had changed her into an outgoing person who loved to live. Since Tara had met Willow, her stutter had all but disappeared, except when she was really nervous.
Tara walked in the door quietly, and she grinned as she saw everyone sitting down in the lounge, with only Willow standing up. She knew that they were talking about what to get her for her birthday. She grinned again. No one knew that while they were talking about what to get her, Tara had actually been out getting Willow something. She walked past the lounge, and she had almost gotten away, before Buffy called out to her.
"Not now," Tara whispered to herself. She knew that if she had to do much talking she would probably cave in. She turned around and went back to the lounge.
"Tara. We were just talking about your birthday, and since you and Willow are going out tomorrow night, we decided to have a Bronze celebration tonight. Are you okay with that?" Buffy asked. Tara was surprised that they had come up with the idea to have a party too.
"Oh. Yeah. T-t-that's a great idea," Tara said back nervously. "I-I'm just going to go a-and put these away," she said while holding up the bags with the groceries in them. She walked into the kitchen, she knew that she had blown it in there, and by the look Buffy had given her, she knew that Buffy suspected something.
Willow was stunned at the place that Tara had taken her to. The rumours were true, it was only lit by candle light. She and Tara had gotten a table in the corner, where the only light source was the single candle on their table. They had just finished their meal when Tara took a hold of Willow's hand and threaded her fingers through hers. Willow looked at Tara's eyes, and she was spellbound. She could look at those beautiful blue eyes forever. She had a hard time taking her eyes away. She watched as the candlelight danced across her lover. Willow looked at Tara, and noticed that in all the darkness, she seemed to glow.
"Willow?" Tara asked softly. It was so soft that Willow just thought that she had imagined it. "Willow?" She asked again, loudly this time.
"Yes," Willow replied, never taking her eyes out of Tara's.
"I-I have a very personal question to ask you… You don't have to answer right away. And I'll understand if you don't a-answer right away," Tara said to her.
"You can ask me anything," Willow replied. She had no idea what Tara was about to ask her, but Willow was confident. She would tell Tara anything. Tara gripped Willow's hand tighter.
"Willow… Will you marry me?" Tara asked. It was those words that brought Willow out of the world inside Tara's eyes. She looked at Tara now, confused.
"What did you say?" Willow asked. She knew that her ears were playing tricks on her.
"Will you marry me?" Tara asked again, while squeezing Willow's hand tighter. This time, she put a small box onto the table in front of Willow and opened it with her free hand. Willow looked at a beautiful ring inside. She looked back to Tara, not knowing what to say. She tried to form words, but she couldn't. She just stared at Tara, and tears began to form in her eyes. "Oh, no. Y-you don't want to? I-I'm so sorry if I upset y-you," Tara said apologetically.
"Tara," Willow said. She couldn't form any other words. "Tara," she said again. The tears were flooding down her cheeks now. She could see the other girl getting upset.
"Tara… Of course I will," Willow finally managed to spit out. Willow saw Tara's eyes snap up at hers.
"Really?" Tara asked. Willow knew that Tara thought her ears were playing tricks on her too. Willow could only nod her head. "Oh yes," Tara said. Willow could almost see all the tension and anxiety flowing out of Tara's body with those two words. Willow could see tears forming in Tara's eyes now. She got up and kissed the woman she loved. After what Willow thought was the longest kiss in the history of mankind, she went back to her seat. Their hands had never parted. She looked back at Tara's eyes. "Willow… I'm so afraid," Tara said. A flood of panic and fear coursed through Willow's veins.
"What are you afraid of?" Willow asked, fear in her voice.
"I'm so afraid… that I'll wake up and this will all be a dream, and that I'll be back at home, w-with my family," Tara said, Willow could feel Tara's hand shaking in hers.
"Oh Tara, this can't be a dream… Dreams aren't this good," Willow replied to her. There was a long silence as the pair just looked at each other, and it seemed that they bathed in each other's stares. "Oh Tara. I can't wait until tomorrow," Willow finally said.
"Why, what's tomorrow?" Tara asked, just clearing the tears from her eyes.
"We go out and get you a ring silly," Willow said innocently to Tara. There was a long silence as both Willow and Tara were caught up in each other.
Willow was a bit embarrassed as she and Tara were almost chased out of the restaurant. They had lost track of time, and when they asked why they were being asked to leave, the waiter said that it was closing time. She was extremely surprised when she learnt that that was one in the morning.
Later that night, Willow and Tara had snuck back into the house, trying not to distrub anyone. When they were lying in bed, Willow in Tara's arms, Tara was still scared that tomorrow she'd wake up to find it all a big, wonderful dream.
"How was this birthday?" Willow asked.
"Best Birthday," Tara replied sweetly. "I love you Mrs. Rosenberg-Maclay."
"I love you too Mrs. Mclay-Rosenberg," Willow whispered back.
(AUTHORS NOTE: [contains spoiler for TV Series, Season 6] The next couple of chapters will be about Relationships and all. This is not just here to show how the characters feel about each other, it will also advance along the story, even though there is no violence etc. Oh, yeah, by the way, there's going to be lots of stuff about Willow and Tara cause I just saw the episode on TV where Tara dies and Willow goes apeshit, and that aint gonna happen, and although this is a separate story from the TV series, I am often influenced to write about what the TV's series's message was that week, and since Tara is my favourite character, I'm keeping her alive)
Buffy was in the kitchen making a sandwich. She had just gotten out all the packets of chips and junk food she could find ready for the night's vidfest. From looking at all the food, Buffy suddenly got hungry and decided to make herself a sandwich. She was lost in thought about what had happened that day. She was just starting to realise something, and she wasn't sure if she liked it or not. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn't hear Xander come in and through the house.
"Hey Buff? Making a sandwich?" Xander asked.
"Y-Yeah… What are you doing here?" Buffy asked. "There's still another hour."
"I just came by to drop off the videos and some food. I've got to go and get Anya from the Magic Box. She said that she volunteered to close up and let Giles go home and have some rest," Xander explained.
"Oh, that was nice of her," Buffy said. "Don't often see things like that from her," Buffy thought, not realising that she'd said it. She looked to Xander. "I mean, usually, she doesn't offer to do things like that. I didn't mean…" Buffy started.
"I know exactly what you meant Buffy. You don't have to explain it," Xander said calmly. Buffy was glad that he knew what she meant. Dawn came bouncing into the kitchen.
"Xander! What are you doing here so early?" Dawn asked.
"Well, you know, this house, I just can't get enough of it. Four of the most beautiful women in my life living under the same roof. Just had to stop by," Xander replied. Buffy and Dawn were flattered, Dawn more so as Xander had called her a woman. Dawn just grabbed some chips and went back upstairs to her room. "Speaking of beautiful women. Where's Willow and Tara?"
"Upstairs, taking your advice," Buffy replied.
"What advice?" Xander asked.
"To get a room," Buffy replied.
"Oh," he replied. There was a long silence. "So, what was up with those two in the Magic Box today?" Xander asked. "It was like they hadn't seen each other in a million years."
"Each of them almost got killed Xander. And they almost lost each other. They really love each other. Coming back to the Magic Box today, Willow was more upset about almost loosing Tara than she was about dying herself," Buffy explained.
"Yeah," Xander replied. "I'll never have that with Anya… I mean, I love her, and I'm very sure that she loves me, but we won't ever have that kind of relationship," he said, saddening.
"Hey. Don't get all gloom and doom. Anya's great for you, and you're great for Anya. You don't have to be soul mates to really love each other," Buffy said.
"Yeah. You're right," Xander replied.
"Off with you. Go and get that girl of yours," Buffy said to Xander while making shooing motions with her hands. She watched as Xander stiffly walked out of the house, obviously still feeling the after effects of the beating he received. She thought about what had just happened, and realised that it was backing up what she had been thinking about before.
When Xander got walked into the Magic Box, the place almost looked like new. All the things that fell off the bookcase were cleaned up. Buffy had shifted the bookcase back to where it was supposed to be before she left.
"Anya! You ready to go?" Xander shouted. He was surprised when Anya popped up from behind the counter. "Whatcha doin?"
"Cleaning. Everything's so dirty," Anya said.
"Look, Anya, I've been thinking on my way over here in the car," Xander started.
"What did you think about?" Anya asked.
"Us," Xander said. Before Anya had a chance to reply, he kept going. "I think, that if we're going to tell Buffy and the others about us, it should be tonight. Everyone's so happy, and I reckon we should tell them all tonight," Xander said.
"Are you serious?" Anya asked.
"Yep," he replied. Anya rushed through the foldable section of the counter and kissed Xander.
Buffy was looking through the selection of movies that Xander had brought over from the video store. It was true, he did get something for everyone. He got all the romantic movies for the girls, and the action movies for him and Buffy. There was also all the horror and mystery movies that everyone loved watching too. Buffy always loved watching the action movies and judging them, telling everyone what the characters should do. She looked back through the collection and saw that Xander did actually put some thought into the movie selection. She saw Practical Magic lying there, for Willow and Tara, and she saw a movie about Vampires, obviously for her. She laughed as she saw A hundred ways to succeed in Business without really trying. It was obviously for Anya. She heard a knock at the door and let Xander and Anya in, but Dawn beat her to the door.
"I'm back," Xander said. "We all ready for the vidfest?"
"Yep. Got food, drink, videos, chairs, and TV," Buffy replied.
"Hey. Before we start, I've got an announcement to make," Xander said. "Where's Willow and Tara?" he asked. "They still upstairs?"
"Guess," Buffy replied.
"Could you go and get them. I really want them here for this," Xander said. Buffy walked up the stairs and knocked on their door.
"Willow! Tara! Vidfest's starting," Buffy said. She heard a series of garbled words from the other side of the door. "Say again?" Buffy asked.
"We'll be right there," she managed to hear Willow reply. Buffy wasn't convinced by the sound in her voice. "Xander says he want's to make an announcement, and he really wants you there," Buffy said. She heard more garbled words. She waited for about a minute, and then Willow replied.
"Oh, alright, we'll be right down," Willow said again. She returned downstairs to see everyone standing around the front door.
"They'll be right down," Buffy said. They waited in silence for the two to come down. "Any hint of what this announcement might be?" Buffy asked.
"Nope. You'll just have to wait," Xander said. Willow and Tara came down the stairs, their arms wrapped around each other.
"Glad you could make it," Anya said.
"Oh, we had to rush, you know. All the traffic and everything," Tara said. They got down to the bottom of the stairs, and completed the rough circle everyone was standing in.
"What's the announcement?" Dawn asked. Xander paused for a second, thinking.
"It's about Anya and I," he said, leaving a dramatic pause. "We're getting married." Buffy could feel her eyes go wide as she looked at the pair. She was speechless. She looked as Willow charged to him and thumped into him, almost sending him crashing to the door.
"Congratulations!" she said in a little girlish voice.
"Wow," Buffy said. "Congratulations!" She watched as everyone congratulated him and Anya and hugged them both.
"We've got to tell Giles," Willow said while waving her arms around. She looked happier than Anya did. She raced into the kitchen and everyone heard her tell Giles in rapid fire what had happened. No one in the lounge room could understand a single word Willow said, including Tara. Everyone laughed as Willow had to repeat what she had said into the phone three times until Giles understood what was happening.
"So, when did Xander propose?" Tara asked Anya.
"Just before we went running off to save Dawn from Glory, all that time ago," Anya said. Everyone was breathless.
"All that time, and you didn't tell us?" Dawn asked.
"It was a bad time. We didn't want to tell you all," Xander said. Everyone signalled that they understood. Willow came back to the group.
"Giles says congratulations and gives you both his best wishes," Willow said.
"So, how did Xander propose?" Tara asked again.
"Well, we were in the basement of the Magic Box, searching for the Dagon Sphere, and I said that I bet no one could be more nervous that I was right then, Xander says 'you want to bet on that' and holds up the ring. I told him to give it to me after the world didn't end," Anya said.
"Awe, that's so romantic," Dawn said. "Except for the location and all."
"Yeah, well, Anya didn't mention that she slapped me," Xander replied. Everyone raised their eyebrows.
"I thought that he was just doing it because the world was going to end, and it would be romantic and all, and he knew that he didn't have to go through with it," Anya said sheepishly.
"Do you have the ring on you?" Tara asked. Buffy noticed that Tara was asking all the questions.
"I didn't know that we were going to be telling you tonight. Xander showed up and the Magic Box to pick me up to come here and said that we're telling you all," Anya said. Buffy smiled as she realised that what she had said to Xander might have influenced that decision.
"So, when's the wedding?" Tara asked.
"We don't know yet. Have got to sort that out," Xander said. They all made their way over to the lounge and sat down and began watching all the videos. Buffy looked at Xander and Anya, who were sitting on the couch. She looked to Willow and Tara, who were sitting on the floor. She noticed that they had their hands joined again, and Buffy noticed that their whole bodies were touching each other as they sat side by side. She saw Willow's head resting on Tara's shoulder, and it was then that she realised she had an almost definite answer to what she was thinking about earlier.
Everyone was easily asleep by midnight, the activities of the previous day having their effects. Even Buffy, who was meant to have high stamina fell asleep. However, in the morning, Buffy was the first to rise. She went into the kitchen and made herself some breakfast, which only consisted of cereal and toast. She had almost figured out what she had been thinking about, but decided not to tell everyone until the end of their two week break. Buffy had much more important things on her mind at the moment. She waited until everyone was awake, and she asked Xander and Anya to stay for breakfast.
"We've got to have a celebration at the Bronze tonight," Buffy said to them all. Everyone was eager and nodded in agreement.
Buffy waited until later that day until she asked Willow the question that would make or break the answer she had formed in her head.
"So, Buffy, what do you want to talk about?" Willow asked.
"I want to know about the spell that brought me back? I need details," Buffy asked.
"Oh, yeah, sure. Well, we needed four people to do it, and that was Me, Tara, Anya and Xander. We didn't tell Giles because we didn't think that he'd understand, which he didn't. But, well, anyway, I had to invoke Osiris and Isis, and bring their energy to the circle we had performed around you. Things didn't go as expected though. Instead of me being the channel and giving you life, it went to everyone. I got asked this question in my head, and I didn't even know what it was, but I knew the answer. Then, we gave you our energy, and then, we passed out," Willow explained.
"Is that it?" Buffy asked.
"Yep.. Oh, I almost forgot. I don't know about the others, but I know about me, and Tara. In that moment when we gave our energy to you, me, and Tara, realised that we ourselves weren't raising you, but we were asking the higher power to let us raise you," Willow said. Buffy knew the answer to her rambling right at that moment. Willow had just given her the exact information she needed.
"Thankyou so much Willow," Buffy said.
"Why'd you want to know anyway?" Willow asked.
"Just curious. It's like wanting to know how you're born," Buffy replied.
"I understand," Willow replied.
The same time next week, everyone had gathered at Buffy's house. Everyone except for Tara. Willow had invited everyone over after Tara had offered to go and do the grocery shopping by herself.
"Okay, everyone remember that it's Tara's birthday tomorrow?" Willow asked them all.
"Of course. Could never forget what day that was on," Anya said.
"Yeah, and if any of her family shows up and tells her that she's a demon, we'll know what to do this time," Xander said.
"We having a big Bronze celebration again?" Buffy asked. Willow shook her head.
"Tara asked if we could go out, just me and her," Willow said. "So, that's why the big Bronze celebration's tonight."
"Where are you going?" Buffy asked.
"That real romantic place, down by the river. I've heard it's lit only by candlelight," Willow replied.
"Good Lord," Giles said. Everyone turned to him. "That place costs a fortune."
"Tara said that she wanted it to be special. Really special. It was one year ago tomorrow that all the weight got lifted off her shoulders," Willow said, remembering the day that Tara's family turned up. They had told Tara all her life that at twenty, she would turn into a demon, and that all the women in their family were burdened with that curse, and that only Tara's family knew how to take care of them. It was only thanks to Spike, who figured out that Tara's family only said it to 'keep the women in check' that Tara got to stay in Sunnydale and be with Willow.
"Oh," Buffy said out loud for no apparent reason. Something inside her brain had clicked, and everything became clear.
"What?" Willow asked, concerned.
"Uh, it's nothing. I just remembered where I left my, um, hairbrush, that's all," Buffy lied. "You two just have a good time." As Buffy thought back, she remembered when she had first met Tara. She could barely talk to anyone, and hardly make eye contact. Buffy could see that just by being around Willow had changed her into an outgoing person who loved to live. Since Tara had met Willow, her stutter had all but disappeared, except when she was really nervous.
Tara walked in the door quietly, and she grinned as she saw everyone sitting down in the lounge, with only Willow standing up. She knew that they were talking about what to get her for her birthday. She grinned again. No one knew that while they were talking about what to get her, Tara had actually been out getting Willow something. She walked past the lounge, and she had almost gotten away, before Buffy called out to her.
"Not now," Tara whispered to herself. She knew that if she had to do much talking she would probably cave in. She turned around and went back to the lounge.
"Tara. We were just talking about your birthday, and since you and Willow are going out tomorrow night, we decided to have a Bronze celebration tonight. Are you okay with that?" Buffy asked. Tara was surprised that they had come up with the idea to have a party too.
"Oh. Yeah. T-t-that's a great idea," Tara said back nervously. "I-I'm just going to go a-and put these away," she said while holding up the bags with the groceries in them. She walked into the kitchen, she knew that she had blown it in there, and by the look Buffy had given her, she knew that Buffy suspected something.
Willow was stunned at the place that Tara had taken her to. The rumours were true, it was only lit by candle light. She and Tara had gotten a table in the corner, where the only light source was the single candle on their table. They had just finished their meal when Tara took a hold of Willow's hand and threaded her fingers through hers. Willow looked at Tara's eyes, and she was spellbound. She could look at those beautiful blue eyes forever. She had a hard time taking her eyes away. She watched as the candlelight danced across her lover. Willow looked at Tara, and noticed that in all the darkness, she seemed to glow.
"Willow?" Tara asked softly. It was so soft that Willow just thought that she had imagined it. "Willow?" She asked again, loudly this time.
"Yes," Willow replied, never taking her eyes out of Tara's.
"I-I have a very personal question to ask you… You don't have to answer right away. And I'll understand if you don't a-answer right away," Tara said to her.
"You can ask me anything," Willow replied. She had no idea what Tara was about to ask her, but Willow was confident. She would tell Tara anything. Tara gripped Willow's hand tighter.
"Willow… Will you marry me?" Tara asked. It was those words that brought Willow out of the world inside Tara's eyes. She looked at Tara now, confused.
"What did you say?" Willow asked. She knew that her ears were playing tricks on her.
"Will you marry me?" Tara asked again, while squeezing Willow's hand tighter. This time, she put a small box onto the table in front of Willow and opened it with her free hand. Willow looked at a beautiful ring inside. She looked back to Tara, not knowing what to say. She tried to form words, but she couldn't. She just stared at Tara, and tears began to form in her eyes. "Oh, no. Y-you don't want to? I-I'm so sorry if I upset y-you," Tara said apologetically.
"Tara," Willow said. She couldn't form any other words. "Tara," she said again. The tears were flooding down her cheeks now. She could see the other girl getting upset.
"Tara… Of course I will," Willow finally managed to spit out. Willow saw Tara's eyes snap up at hers.
"Really?" Tara asked. Willow knew that Tara thought her ears were playing tricks on her too. Willow could only nod her head. "Oh yes," Tara said. Willow could almost see all the tension and anxiety flowing out of Tara's body with those two words. Willow could see tears forming in Tara's eyes now. She got up and kissed the woman she loved. After what Willow thought was the longest kiss in the history of mankind, she went back to her seat. Their hands had never parted. She looked back at Tara's eyes. "Willow… I'm so afraid," Tara said. A flood of panic and fear coursed through Willow's veins.
"What are you afraid of?" Willow asked, fear in her voice.
"I'm so afraid… that I'll wake up and this will all be a dream, and that I'll be back at home, w-with my family," Tara said, Willow could feel Tara's hand shaking in hers.
"Oh Tara, this can't be a dream… Dreams aren't this good," Willow replied to her. There was a long silence as the pair just looked at each other, and it seemed that they bathed in each other's stares. "Oh Tara. I can't wait until tomorrow," Willow finally said.
"Why, what's tomorrow?" Tara asked, just clearing the tears from her eyes.
"We go out and get you a ring silly," Willow said innocently to Tara. There was a long silence as both Willow and Tara were caught up in each other.
Willow was a bit embarrassed as she and Tara were almost chased out of the restaurant. They had lost track of time, and when they asked why they were being asked to leave, the waiter said that it was closing time. She was extremely surprised when she learnt that that was one in the morning.
Later that night, Willow and Tara had snuck back into the house, trying not to distrub anyone. When they were lying in bed, Willow in Tara's arms, Tara was still scared that tomorrow she'd wake up to find it all a big, wonderful dream.
"How was this birthday?" Willow asked.
"Best Birthday," Tara replied sweetly. "I love you Mrs. Rosenberg-Maclay."
"I love you too Mrs. Mclay-Rosenberg," Willow whispered back.