Chapter 17

"But I don't want to go to dinner without Hebe!" Paige literally screamed up at Prue.

"Willow!" Prue cried through the house.

"Yep?" Willow said coming down the stairs, a baby blanket slung over her left shoulder.

"I don't know what to do," she whispered desperately.

"It's okay Prue. I'll take care of it. You just go get Piper ready." Prue hurried upstairs as Willow continued down the stairs. Paige sat stubbornly on the hardwood floor.

"Paigey," Willow said in a singsong voice as she neared Paige.

"I'm not going any where Auntie Willow," Paige said folding her arms defiantly across her chest.

"Why don't you want to go to dinner?" Willow asked sweetly to her as she knelt down to her height.

"Because Hebe won't be there," Paige said, trying as hard as she could not to look up at Willow.

"It'll be okay pal," Willow said lifting Paige. "This is the nurse that takes care of Phoebe. You don't want to make Prue and me sad. Do you?" Willow put on a pouty face. Paige giggled.

"No."

"See that's better, why don't you go get your shoes so we can get going," Willow set Paige on the floor and watched her toddle off. Soon Oz came down the stairs with Laci on his shoulders, Prue and Piper close behind.

"You know I hate it when you do that," Willow sighed and smiled at Oz.

"What am I going to do? Drop her?" Oz asked innocently taking Laci off of his shoulders and tossing her in the air and catching her again.

"OZ!" Willow cried at her fearless boyfriend as Laci giggled happily.

"Anan Da dee! Anan!"

"No baby Daddy can't do it again," Willow said taking Laci from Oz and giving him a stern look.

"Oh come on Will," Oz said putting his arms around Willow's waist and blowing softly into her ear, giving her goosebumps.

"Oz quit!" Willow cried playfully hitting Oz on the shoulder.

"Mommy do it peas?" Laci asked.

"I think I'll let daddy take care of the daredevil in you Lac," Willow said reluctantly handing Laci back to Oz.

He held her up with one hand above his head, as high as he could reach, looked at his little protective mommy he had as his soul mate and asked "What could happen?"

"MY TURN!" Paige cried rushed into the room and ran up to Oz's legs. Oz set Laci on the floor then tossed Paige up in the air a few times as she giggled hysterically.

"No I turn!" Laci cried jealously watching her daddy play with Paigey. Oz handed Paige one handedly to Prue as the 6 headed out the door to Britney's. Buffy, Amy, and Megan were going to meet them there.

"I turn!" Laci cried again from Willow's arms.

"Maybe later babe," Oz kissed Laci on the head as he climbed into the front seat of his and Willow's black mini van.

"I turn," Laci whispered sadly as Willow strapped her into her car seat. When they got to the front of Britney's they saw Buffy's expedition parked outside.

"Ready?" Willow turned around and asked everyone in the back.

"READY!" came the replies of everyone. Paige and Laci's sounded more like 'eddy'. When they opened the door of the car Willow stood Laci on the ground. As everyone headed up the driveway Oz snuck up behind Laci and tickled her on the neck.

"NO!" Laci cried frustrated with Oz and went up to Willow's legs and started crying.

"What's wrong Laci honey?" Willow asked looking down at her daughter.

"Mommy I need to hold you," Laci cried, tears streaking her tiny face.

"Okay baby. It's okay," Willow cooed gently as she lifted Laci. Oz tapped Willow on the shoulder as Piper rang the doorbell.

"What's the matter with her?" he whispered. Willow tugged Oz's ear gently down to her mouth.

"She's jealous," she whispered. Her breathe tickled his ear. Oz stood puzzled for a second but was brought out of it when Britney answered the door.

"Hi guys," she said happily and lead everyone into her living room. Megan and Amy sat on the couch with 4 purring kittens between them. Buffy sat on the floor trailing a string around for another one as she talked with Britney's boyfriend who had Howie on his lap.

"Everyone this is my boyfriend Travis Annaki. Travis this is Prue and her 2 little sisters Paige and Piper. And this is Willow and her daughter Laci and her boyfriend Daniel Osborne," Britney introduced everyone.

"Oz will do though," Oz replied.

"Prue is the sister of Phoebe Halliwell, the little girl I told you was in a coma," Britney explained to Travis. He nodded sympathetically.

"And Oz is the one I told you was in a band," Britney said. Travis seemed impressed by this. Willow smiled shyly at Oz. As he went to go sit down to talk to Travis she mouthed the words 'I love you baby.'

The night was great. Britney made great food and they got to spend a lot of time with Howie, who they now all resigned (out of respect) to call Joey. Now Buffy had gone home with Megan and Amy for the night and Willow and Oz had came back to the Halliwells. Everyone had bid their goodnights and now, after putting Laci to sleep with Paige, Willow sat with Oz on the bed they shared. Willow was still full of energy and out of no where pinned Oz to the bed.

"Will!" Oz whispered, taken by surprise.

"Play with me," Willow whimpered.

"But Wills..." Oz protested but stopped when he saw the pouty puppy face Willow was giving him.

"Oh alright," Oz said flipping Willow over. Willow screamed underneath Oz.

"Shhh! Wills your going to wake everybody up. Do you give up?"

"No!" Another yelp of screams and laughter erupted from the redhead on the bed.

"Willow! Hush! Are you sure?"

"Yes," she said, panting with relief from the time Oz wasn't tickling her. Oz continued his assault. A yip of surprise escaped him. Pure mischief greeted Oz as he met Willow's eyes.

"Gotcha!"

"Oh yeah?"

Nodding, she murmured, "Oh yeah."

"Oh yeah?" Cries of laughter rang throughout the tiny room as Oz resumed his attack. The two rolled around the bed.

"Say uncle and I'll stop."

"Never!" Smiling broadly Oz stared deeply into Willow's eyes, stopping all movement for the time being.

"Willow?"

"Yes, Oz?"

"You know I love you, right?"

"Yes."

"Just wanted to remind you." Willow laughed. "Oz?"

"Give up?" he asked looking triumphant.

"No, but I'm sleepy now," she said yawning.

"Oh I see how it is. On the verge of defeat now she's sleepy," Oz said playfully shaking his head.

"Oh Oz," Willow sighed easing her head into the crook of his neck. They were soon sound asleep.

Hey everyone. I am truly sorry for my gap in updates. I hope these two pretty long chapters will still keep you interested while I continue the other chapters in the works. I hope your all still out there somewhere willing to read! I don't blame you if you've given up on me!

Dru