OK
all the big moment is here. Hope you can handle the W/T sugary
goodness.
Title: This Look of Love Chapter 4 of 9
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
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 4 - Seriously I do
The
two women turned to face their family and friends. Holding hands
tightly as Willow began to speak.
"I'm going to start,
well because, that's what we decided," Willow fumbled over her
words. Blushing a bit and clearing her throat with confidence.
"See!
pants," Anya whispered to Buffy and Dawn. They both shushed her and
listened closely.
"Tara and I have been together for a long
time, and in our hearts we've always been joined as one," Willow
confidently professed. "Today is about sharing that with all of
you. We are here to ask you to be a part of who we are and to be part
of who we become as a family." Willow looked at Tara and turned to
look at Buffy, Xander, Dawn, Giles and Anya, yes even Anya. Willow
looked again at Tara signaling her to begin.
"Willow and I
have always thought of today as the beginning of a wonderful
adventure," she said looking at their guests. "And with all the
twists and turns that brought us here, we're excited about the road
ahead. Now I know at this point, I should give Willow her chance to
speak again, but I really wanted to change her itinerary and
continue."
Willow looked at her with shock. She was
surprised by Tara's display of strength and confidence. Tara gave a
half smile and a wink.
"Pants!" Buffy and Dawn leaned
forward and whispered at Anya.
"I'm still ahead," Anya
whispered back.
"Shh," Giles whispered.
They
continued listening to Tara.
Tara turned taking both of
Willow's hands tightly into hers. In that moment everything that
surrounded them disappeared. It was as if they were the only beings
in the universe and emotions spilled forth.
"My sweet
Willow," Tara began with pride. "From the very first moment I saw
you, I was captivated. Every force on this earth drew me to you, and
I could do nothing but succumb." Tara's smile grew on her face.
"We have changed so much since that first day, we are stronger,
wiser and more confident. Every challenge we have faced has brought
us to this place. To the very spot that we are standing at right now,
and there is nowhere else in this world, in this universe, that I'd
rather be."
Tara paused briefly. "On this day, in front
of our family and friends I promise you all of these things." Tara
stopped again this time to wipe the small tear that was sliding down
Willow's pale cheek. "Willow," she spoke with confidence. "I
promise you love, undying and unconditional. I promise you faith, in
who we are and who we will become. And finally I promise you hope,
for all the obstacles that life puts before us, hope will always
strengthen us and keep us focused on what is most important. In
everything that I am you are my wife. You have been from the moment
we first kissed. I have been bound to you with a connection that no
one and nothing could ever break. I offer you everything that I am
and everything that I will become. You are my always." Tara paused
for a moment.
Tara looked over to Xander trying to subtly
queue him to hand her a wedding band but he was caught up in the
moment and missed the queue. "Um, Xander," Tara quietly spoke,
"you have the rings." Xander snapped upright reaching into his
pocket he removed the box and handed one of the rings to Tara.
"Willow," Tara spoke with pride, "my wife, wear this ring as a
symbol of our promises. As this ring surrounds your finger so does my
love surround you," Tara slowly slipped the ring on to her finger.
"It is solid and endless as my commitment to you will always
be."
Tara cupped Willow's face keeping her hands on her
cheeks. Willow reached up pushing them tighter against her skin.
Streams of tears were flowing down her face and Tara gently wiped
them away. Willow took in a large breath trying to recover from the
promise of love and devotion.
"Wow," Willow passionately
professed. "You have taken my breath and my words. I am just in awe
of the woman that is standing in front of me." She smiled at Tara.
"I love you." She stated simply. "At this moment those words
are streaming like a banner across my heart. I am not the same person
you met at that Wicca group," Willow confessed. "I am so much
stronger than she ever was. I am happier, wiser, more courageous, and
most of all I am cherished. On this day, in this spot I am 100%
certain that no person on earth has ever been loved the way I am.
Every day of my life for the rest of my life I will have that love in
me, your love in me. Knowing that makes me the richest woman in the
world." Willow paused briefly to focus her thoughts.
"I
guess you found your words," Tara quietly whispered. Willow
smiled.
"Shh," She whispered placing a finger to Tara's
lips. "It's my turn."
"My wonderful Tara," Willow
paused grasping Tara's hands. "In front of our family and friends
I promise you this. I promise you love, every day for the rest of my
days. I will love you with all that I am. I know that I can never
match your ability to love, because your soul does it without effort.
I can only promise to keep it alive in what I say and how I share it
with you. I promise to comfort you and protect you in sorrow. I know
it will come, and I will be there when it does. Tara, my love,"
Willow moved Tara's hands, tightly pulling them to her chest. Tara
could feel her racing heart. "Baby, every time this beats it beats
for only you, my wife." Willow looked out at her family and
friends, and as she looked back at Tara she found peace. This time
Xander was ready and he handed Willow the ring.
Willow took in
a breath and began, "Tara this ring is a symbol of my love and
devotion to you. As it surrounds your finger so does my love surround
you." Willow slowly slipped the ring on Tara's finger. "It is
solid and endless just as my commitment to you will always be." The
moment was quiet and filled with peace. The two women quietly wept
then slowly leaned in to share a passionate kiss.
A blubbering
sound broke the moment as Buffy, Anya and Xander burst into tears;
Dawn looked at her sister and placed an arm around her shoulder.
Giles just looked at Xander in slight amusement at his
blubbering.
Willow cleared her throat and spoke again this
time directing her words to their guests.
"The first time I
told Tara I loved her," Willow explained with tears rolling down
her cheeks, "we were in the middle of a blackout. I went to her
carrying a single burning candle." Willow looked at Giles and a
still blubbering Xander directing them to their next tasks. The men
stood carrying baskets of candles and began giving them to every
guest.
"Behind us," Tara continued, "is one single
burning flame. It's our symbol of strength, commitment, and courage.
Willow and I have kept that fire inside of us since that day. As you
receive your candle we ask you to bring it here so we can share our
fire with all of you."
Willow moved the large single wick
candle in front of them. Every guest moved forward to receive their
light the Scoobies were the last to light theirs, and move back to
their seats.
"We're not going to pray," Tara offered,
"but we would like you each to ask, whatever deity you honor, for a
blessing. A blessing on this day, on our commitment, on our love and
most of all on our connection with one another." Willow and Tara
removed the candle from its holder and held it together in their
hands. Tara closed her eyes remembering for a moment the joy of that
night. As she opened her eyes streams of tears flowed down her
cheeks. Willow reached to wipe them away keeping one hand tightly
wrapped around the candle.
"I love you," Willow leaned
over and whispered into Tara's ear.
"I know, I can feel it
all around me," Tara replied.
They placed the candle back
into the candleholder, turned to face each other and kissed.
The
guests cheered and attempted to clap but the candles prevented them
from doing so. It brought a rumble of laughter to the crowd.
"We
would like all of you to follow us inside," Willow explained,
"bring your light with you and find a place at a table. All we ask
is that while you are here tonight you keep them burning and every
time you light that candle after today remember the love that was
shared in this place, at this moment."
Willow looked at
Buffy signaling her to queue the musicians. Buffy gave the sign and
the music gently played. With that Willow and Tara sprang forward and
walked slowly toward the center's reception hall.
TBC
