Title:
This Look of Love Chapter 5 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 5 - Payment
in Full
Willow and Tara walked from the courtyard
to the doors of the reception hall. As they walked around the
building both women noticed a smoldering urn. They looked at one
another in confusion and stepped in for an inspection. Their concern
grew as they wondered if a spell had been cast during the ceremony.
The Scooby gang was suddenly aware that Willow noticed the urn. They
quickly moved to intercept her.
Willow stepped forward and
reached her hand inside. She pulled out a half singed piece of paper
and quickly identified it as part of someone's itinerary.
"How
could they do this," Willow said in shock. "Is this what they
think of my..." She was interrupted.
"Will, sweetie,"
Tara answered with a slight chuckle. "You really did go over the
top with the lists and the planning."
"And it has paid
off," Willow quickly responded. "Hasn't it!"
"Yes,
my love it has," Tara stated proudly, "today has been
perfect."
"And you had no itinerary," Willow pointed out
the fact with a slight pout. "So you should be more supportive.
"Yes, Willow," Tara smiled. "You took wonderful care of
me today and I love you for it. In fact I plan to show you just how
much later," She winked, raised her eyebrow and smiled at her
wife.
"Well then okay," Willow grinned briefly forgetting
everything she had been worried about.
Buffy approached the
women fully aware that their itinerary torching had been uncovered.
She looked at the fast approaching Scooby gang hoping for support.
"Buffy, did you burn all of Willow's hard work," Dawn
accused with a 'hope I can save my own ass' grin.
Anya and
Xander feigned shock to the best of their abilities. Giles was silent
upon his approach. The entire gang folded at the sight of Willow,
confessing how Buffy plotted the entire event.
"What the
who?" Buffy said in shock. "But I..."
"Um...
Anya," Willow asked, "Isn't that your urn from the magic
box?"
"Oh my god Buffy, you're a klepto now too?" Anya
said.
"OK all of you can stop now," Tara laughed. "Willow
has figured it all out, you've been caught, She is crushed beyond
repair, but I have promised to make her feel better later." Tara
turned to her wife giving a wink.
"Yes, she has," Willow
said pulling her girl in for a hug and a kiss. "Tara makes all
things better."
"Right then," Giles pulled off his
glasses giving them a quick polish, "let us all move inside before
we make a scene." He grabbed the candle from Buffy's hand,
looking away so as not to reveal his laughter.
"Buffy,"
Anya grabbed her shoulder, "I expect you to return that urn along
with whatever else you took."
The whole gang nodded in
agreement and left Buffy standing mouth agape next to the still
smoldering urn. The rest of the guests entered the hall. As the last
one walked in, Anya peeped her head out.
"Hey Buffy," She
squawked, "next time cover the urn. The top was right in the box we
brought it in." Anya snickered and went back in.
Buffy
mumbled under her breath as she put the urn away and carried it back
to Xander's car. It was smoking just lightly but she put it in the
back seat anyway. Then she went back into the reception hall.
As
she entered her heart softened from the elegant glow of candlelight.
She moved through the room to where her Scooby family waited for her.
They were all enjoying a good laugh at her expense.
"Burned
your ass this time didn't ya," Xander punched Buffy's shoulder
lightly.
"Yea Buffy, when you play with fire you might get
burned," Anya added with a grin.
"Hey Buff," Dawn
chirped in, "where there's smoke there's fire."
Everyone
thoroughly enjoyed the little stabs at Buffy, and she took it like a
trooper.
"Unoriginal much?," Buffy stared at them all. "Be
careful guys paybacks a bitch."
They all looked at her and
laughed hysterically. The subject quickly changed as Willow and Tara
called for attention at the front of the room.
"Everyone can
we have your attention for a minute?" Willow spoke loudly. "Tara
and I just wanted to thank you all for being here."
"Yes,"
Tara said wrapping her arms around Willow as she moved behind her.
"Today has been just wonderful, and we are so happy that all of you
came. There is a buffet over here and we'd like to ask you all to
come up and help yourself to some food."
They started the
line making small plates of food they sat with the rest of the gang
and ate. Once they had finished the newlyweds quickly moved over to
the cake table. After regaining the attention of their guests, they
proceeded to cut the cake.
They tenderly shared the first
piece with each other giving affectionate kisses after every bite.
They decided to serve the cake to all their guests this gave them the
opportunity to say an individual hello to everyone.
The
evening progressed as wedding receptions generally do and the dance
floor was cleared for the first dance. Willow and Tara called out the
whole gang for the first dance in order to shadow their embarrassing
dance moves. Dawn danced with her date as Giles and Buffy took the
floor. Xander and Anya swiftly moved together as the music played.
They all danced to the song that played during the wedding ceremony.
As the song ended Willow and Tara decided to make a hasty retreat.
They said their farewells. Tara was talking to Dawn as Giles
handed Willow the keys to his car.
"All of your bags are in
the trunk," Giles told Willow. "Does she know yet?" he
whispered.
"Not yet," Willow replied. "I decided to just
do it tonight. Xander and you are the only two that know, so we
should be okay."
"Wonderful," he replied. "So you'll
let us know when to come by?"
"Yes, I will." Willow
answered. "My guess is she will want a day or two."
"Fine
then," Giles said, "We'll wait to hear from you."
With
that said, Willow and Tara waved goodbye and headed out to the car.
The party was still going strong so they slipped out rather quietly.
Unfortunately for the Newlyweds Giles had caved in to tradition and
decorated the car with just married signs and streamers. The women
laughed and got in. On the front seat of the car was a long flat box
with a card attached.
"Should I open it?" Tara asked.
"My guess is that it's from Giles," Willow answered,
"So I'm sure he intended us to use it tonight." She was
suddenly worried about what might be inside. Tara shook it and it
rattled just a bit.
"It's not Anya's handwriting is it?"
Willow asked with fear, worried it might hold some unmentionable
sexual devices.
"It actually looks like Buffy's," Tara
answered realizing the thoughts that were trampling through Willow's
mind. She opened the envelope and took out the card. She smiled and
read it out loud.
I may not know where you are going but I
know what you will be doing. We all love you both very much.
Buffy
"Tara, I'm really afraid what might be in there."
Willow looked at her with worry. Tara tore the paper from the box to
reveal an anniversary edition of Monopoly. They looked at each other
and laughed.
"So off to the airport?" Tara asked holding
Willow's hand.
"Well actually there has been a change of
plans," Willow smiled. "You trust me?" She kissed the ring on
her wife's hand letting go so she could start the car.
"100
percent," Tara answered.
"Good, because I have a wedding
gift for you." Willow looked at her wife, put the car in gear and
drove away.
TBC
