I'm gonna smile my best smile
And I'm gonna laugh like it's going out of style
Look into her eyes and pray that she don't see
That learning to live again is killing me.
--Garth Brooks
Katina's front porch was brightly lit when Tara arrived with Spike and Willow in tow. At least she wouldn't be waking Kit. Spike stood to the side as Tara rapped softly on the front door. If Kit was in the middle of a spell or had dozed off on the couch as she was prone to do, Tara didn't want to startle her. The door cracked open just a bit revealing Kit in a cream-colored camisole and matching cream-colored flannel capris with a smattering of blue cornflowers. She was barefoot and had her hair pulled into a knot secured by a pencil. She was wearing a pair of tortoise-framed reading glasses.
"Hey," she smiled when she saw her sister. Spike stayed back in the shadows with Willow. Tara had wanted to ease into telling Kit that Spike was back. "I was just getting ready to do a spell. Want to come in?"
Tara looked through the front door and saw the familiar chalk circle holding the envelope and white roses. She was still performing her nightly protection spells for him. That was good. She hadn't completely given up on him.
"Have you been out to the cemetery today?" she asked cautiously, sensing that she hadn't.
"No, I'm a total slacker. I got up around 3, went running, hit the Espresso Pump on the way home, took a shower and then put my PJ's back on," she admitted. "Oh yeah, I ate a pint of Chunky Monkey. Highlight of my day. Come on in. Quit standing out there dancing from one foot to another."
"Uh, Kitty... I kind of have something to tell you--"
She saw Kit's brow furrow as she looked out to the walkway. She knew that look. Kit felt him.
"Are you okay?" she asked quietly.
Kit continued to scan her yard and then opened the door wide and stepped out onto the porch to come face to face with Spike. Tara saw Kit's eyes dance back to life as she drank him in.
"William," she whispered. She looked up into his blue eyes and saw the spark shine even brighter than it had the last time she saw him. She reached out a trembling hand to stroke his cheek. "Oh my Goddess, William!" She flew into his arms and buried her head in his chest. "I didn't know if you were ever coming back," she whispered so quietly that only he could hear her.
Willow went to Tara's side and reached for her hand. She couldn't help but smile at the unlikely pair. It was as if the whole universe had come to a screeching halt and nobody existed except for Kit and Spike. He was mumbling apologies as the tears began misting his eyes. He hadn't realised how much he'd missed her.
"I'm so sorry, Kitten. So sorry," he told her. "I had to be sure I couldn't hurt you."
"All you had to do is ask," she grinned, just happy that he had come back. "Every night I prayed that you were safe and that you'd come back."
Tara and Willow had started making their way down the walkway to the sidewalk.
"You don't know how much it means--" Kit was cut off as Tara shook her head. "Or maybe you do."
"I'll call you tomorrow, Kitty. Late tomorrow," Tara grinned before leading Willow back toward Revello Drive.
"Are you going to invite-"
She pulled him through the doorway and laced her hands around the back of his neck. She stood on her tip-toes and then placed a gentle kiss on his lips.
"Come in."
The End
