Title:
This Look of Love
Rating: PG and that is for a curse word or
two.
Feedback: Go for it. This is for all of you not
me.
Summary: This fic takes place about a year after Willow
and Tara graduate. The entire gang is here from S6. Willow and Tara
are getting ready for a very big event. MAJOR romance... zero ANGST
J
Author's Note: Some of the events in this fic actually
took place in my own life. Of course some did not. You can use your
imagination and decide which are which. Enjoy
Copyright
Disclaimer: Joss and Company owns all the characters. But they are
alive and happy here. So screw ME. Not me, but you know
ME.
Chapter 3 Countdown
"I'm heading
out back," Dawn stated to her sister. "According to my itinerary
here I'm supposed to make sure the flowers are set up and
everything's ready." "Buffy, it also says that I should remind
you that you are supposed to help me." Dawn giggled at the little
smilie that Willow had inserted into this task. In fact Willow had
inserted a lot of them into hers, it made her feel very
special.
"Right, I'm ready to roll," Buffy replied.
"Just help me pull up the zipper here on my dress." Buffy
wriggled a bit trying to get it herself.
Dawn gave a quick
pull on the zipper, and spun her sister to look directly at her.
Buffy was wearing a beautiful ¾ length red velvet dress
trimmed with white lace. "Wow Buffy, you look very beautiful. Hey,
Tara." Dawn yelled.
Tara looked up from pulling on her
dress. "What sweetie?"
"You have great taste in
clothes." Dawn replied. Anya and Buffy just looked at each other
trying to hide their obvious amusement in Dawn's statement. "You
actually made my sister look like a girl."
Tara smiled
brightly at Dawn and laughed along with Buffy and Anya. Buffy and
Dawn left the room together to finish the last few tasks on their
very large lists of things to do.
Tara and Anya were alone
together now putting the finishing touches on Tara's dress. Anya
was remembering the day she and Xander actually got married and Tara
was wondering if time could move faster because she wanted to see
Willow. It had been less than twenty-four hours since they had seen
each other, but it felt like months.
"So there you are."
Anya said with a smile. "You're all set." She patted and swiped
the back of the dress. "Every button is buttoned, zipper zipped,
ready to go. Any last questions you need me to answer before you take
the long walk? You know I've done this before, twice
actually."
"Yes, I remember," Tara replied with a grin.
"I'm actually Ok. No questions. No worries."
"Well OK,
if you're sure." Anya responded with a straight face. "I am
pretty sure that this is the point where the butterflies fill your
gut and you pray that the groom isn't running out the back door to
hide from the eternally bonding lifelong commitment."
Tara
giggled a bit and looked at Anya. "I am 100% certain that Willow is
here and everything is fine and we are going to be married
without..." Tara was cut off quickly.
"Don't say another
word," Anya said sharply. "This is Sunnydale, land of the hell
mouth. Don't tempt fate."
"Right!" Tara nodded. "I'm
ready to go, is it time? I'd really like to see Willow right now."
"I
can't believe that Willow wanted us to leave Tara with Anya."
Buffy said looking at her little sister. "I mean who knows what she
could be saying to her. She might scare the crap out of Tara."
"Tara
is fine," Dawn reminded her sister. "Nothing is going to keep
Willow and Tara apart, not even Anya."
"I guess you are
right Dawn," Buffy replied as she pushed open the doors leading to
the courtyard of the cultural center. "WOW," Buffy said in
awe.
"This looks beautiful," Dawn spoke with wide eyes.
"Willow has done a wonderful job out here."
"Thanks,"
Willow said with a broad grin. Buffy and Dawn turned to see Xander
and Willow walking from the opposite exit door. "I had a lot of
help." Willow said waving her 35 page master copy of the itinerary.
The four of them stood together each holding their own copy of
differing size.
"And in a few minutes these will be
history," Xander laughed slapping his hand in the pile of paper.
"I'm actually going to miss my weekly updates and additions. I've
been hauling this around for so long I'm going to miss the extra
pounds."
They all looked at him and laughed.
"Well
you know," Willow replied, "I'm actually updating the software
so the lists can be downloaded into a PDA. It just needs a bit of
tweaking, I was busy, obviously, but after the honeymoon I'll have
time to finish."
"Oh, so then no more tree sacrifices for
the greater glory of wedded bliss?" Xander added with a sarcastic
smile.
"Right," Willow looked with a disapproving smirk.
"And come on I didn't use that much paper."
"Who are
you trying to fool," Buffy looked directly at Willow. "Come on
Will, you have been sliding these pages under our doors for months.
I'm glad the day is finally here so I don't slip and fall on my
ass every time I come home from patrolling."
The small group
just laughed together until they realized the crowd was in place and
they were a few minutes from start time.
"Well then don't
all of you look wonderful?" Giles said in a fatherly tone. "And
Willow you are such a beautiful sight."
Willow gave a quick
side-to-side spin of her beautiful 3/4-length dress. It was bright
white trimmed with red lace around the mid cut neck line. Giles slid
in front of Buffy and Dawn hugging Willow tightly.
"Thank
you Giles," Willow replied as they separated. "I should get back
inside, it's just about time. You all have your schedules, so go
get in your spots." Willow turned and walked back into the
building. Just as she entered Anya walked out the other door. Anya
noticed the Scooby group and she walked over.
"So she all
set?" Anya asked.
"Yep, she just went back inside,"
Xander answered.
"So did you bring it Buffy?" Anya
asked.
"Oh yes," Buffy said with a gratified smile. "I
have been waiting to do this for months." Buffy moved around the
side of the building waving the rest of the Scoobies over. They all
stood in front of an ancient urn beautifully adorned with hand
painted animal symbols. Giles pulled a match from his coat pocket,
lighting the kindling in the bottom of the urn.
"I feel like
we should chant or something," Dawn chimed in. "It's like the
changing of the guards." She giggled at her words. Buffy looked in
confusion.
"Don't even try to explain," Giles told Dawn.
"We don't have the time." They both just gave a smirk.
"I'll
give you a chant," Anya spat in frustration. "I'm glad to be
rid of this friggin wad." With those words Anya tossed her
itinerary into the flaming vessel followed quickly by Xander, Buffy,
Dawn and Mr. Giles.
"Good Lord!" Giles stepped back
quickly. "I do believe we may have to call the fire department."
They all looked at each other relief falling over them. Laughter
consumed the group and they quickly moved away from the now
smoldering urn.
"I'll just move this over into the
bushes," Buffy said waving her hand to keep the smoke out of her
eyes. "Maybe I'll dump a bit of water over it too, just in
case."
Anya, Dawn and Buffy moved through the grass into the
courtyard. The air was filled with the sweet aroma of red and white
roses, mixed with hundreds of dripping vanilla scented candles. They
walked up the cobblestone path to the red and white trellis
intricately adorned with a combination of red and white velvet ribbon
interlaced with red and white roses. It smelled like heaven, and the
yard was filled with peace. Every detail for the day was in order
every person took their position.
"You ready?" Xander
peeked his head in the door looking at Willow.
"Oh,
absolutely," she energetically replied.
Xander closed the
door and looked over at Giles giving the thumbs up. Giles opened his
door, peeked his head in and gasped to catch his breath. "Tara, why
you look like an angel. I've never seen you shine so brightly. I'd
have to say you are actually glowing."
Tara blushed bright
red from the compliment and looked directly at Giles. "Thank you
Mr. Giles, today I feel like I'm floating on air."
"Then
you are ready?" Giles asked.
"Oh, Yes!" she leapt toward
the door.
"Well OK then I'll signal to start the music,"
Giles closed the door and turned to signal Buffy, who in turn
signaled the musicians. The music began to play.
The soft
sounds of a guitar began to strum as a piano joined in with the
dulcet sounds of a flute. With that queue, Giles and Xander opened
the doors and Willow and Tara were revealed to the crowd of friends.
Xander and Giles each reached forward to take the hands of the ladies
guiding each out their door. Simultaneously Willow and Tara turned to
look at one another. Overwhelming smiles of love, passion and
excitement moved across their faces as they stepped across the
cobblestone path.
In the Courtyard a woman stepped forward
and began to sing:
Let me say once more that I love you
One more time or just maybe two
That I love the way that you
love me
And I want to know more or you
Tara and
Willow walked toward each other. As the two paths met they joined
hands. When the two women interlaced their fingers they were visibly
strengthened. It was electric. Peace and Love guided them as they
walked toward the center of the courtyard.
Let me say once
more that I need you
One more time or just maybe two
That my
life will always be richer
For the time I've spent here with
you
Tell me that time can't erase
The way that my heart sees
your face
They proudly walked together. They noticed a few
college friends and coworkers but remained focused on one another.
Their hearts were racing and their souls were singing.
"You
look so beautiful," Willow whispered glancing at Tara.
"So
do you," Tara smiled sending her a quick kiss in the air.
You
call my name
I look your way
It's clear you trust each word I
say
When life is long and problems come
You'll always be my
only one
Tell me that time won't erase, this look of love.
I love you... I do I do I do...
Willow and Tara
reached the center of the rose covered trellis. The music slowly
faded. Tara took in a large breath of the sweet scented air. She
looked into Willow's eyes and without making a sound she mouthed
the words, "I do."
"I do too," Willow silently
returned the sentiment.
TBC
