"Hi honey," Tara greeted and took the redhead's hand, unsure how she'd react to what she was about to tell her, "This is... Um, Willow, this is Michelle. My aunt. On my mother's side."

Willow's face went from even more confused to hurt within a matter of seconds and she dropped her wife's hand. Tara instantly knew what was wrong and quickly swooped Willow's hand back into hers.

"I didn't know, either. I just found out. I'd never keep something like that from you."

Willow smiled apologetically at the blonde before looking between her and the newly-introduced Michelle.

"I'm very confused."

"That makes three of us," Michelle responded, extending her hand, "It's nice to meet you, Willow."

Willow cautiously took Michelle's hand and shook it.

"We're gonna go back to the house and talk," Tara said, squeezing her wife's hand, "Michelle's gonna drive us."

"Okay..." Willow replied, guardedly, "Do you want me to go to Buffy's?"

Tara shook her head.

"No, I want you to be there."

If for no other reason than I could be an emotional wreck by the end of the night and need you to hold me.

Willow understood the look her wife was giving her - she needed her to be support-girl and that's exactly what Willow intended to be. She was glad she'd rejected the idea to go to Buffy's as well, because quite frankly she wouldn't have gone.

Michelle smiled at the silent communication and looks the two younger girls were exchanging, the obvious love they shared. She knew she had a lot of explaining to do, but at least Tara seemed receptive to listen.

"My car is right over here..." she said, pointing in the opposite direction to where they were standing, "We could pick up some dinner on the way...give us more time to talk."

"That sounds good," Tara agreed, "Alright with you, sweetie?"

Willow nodded, still completely uneasy with the entire situation. They made their way over to the car and the couple climbed into the backseat, an unspoken understanding between them that they needed to continue holding each other's hand and the ride back to the house was silent except for a quick stop at an Italian place to get dinner and Willow giving directions.

"This is a lovely home," Michelle said as they walked into the house.

"We just moved in," Tara replied cautiously, "Still settling."

"I'll get plates," Willow spoke up and gave Tara a kiss on the cheek, whispering in her ear, "I love you."

Tara squeezed the redhead's shoulder before leading Michelle into the dining room, gesturing for her to sit down. Willow followed just a few moments later with plates and cutlery and they all settled into eating; the silence continuing, the awkwardness palpable as they ate.

Willow pushed a piece of garlic bread around on her plate, watching the other two doing the same with their own food. She sighed and dropped her fork on the plate in frustration before turning to Michelle.

"Okay I need to know what the hell your deal is."

"Willow!" Tara hissed in a scolding tone, glaring at her wife from across the table.

Willow held up her hands in defence but kept a determined look on her face.

"Baby, I'm sorry but I'll be damned if I'm just gonna sit back and let another member of your family hurt you again."

Michelle's head shot up at this and she gaped at Tara.

"Again? What does she mean again?"

Tara sighed and dropped her head into her hands.

"Your...your father hurt you?" Michelle continued after a minute as she made sense of Willow's statement, the shock evident on her face, "I always knew he was strict, but I never thought...Oh god."

Willow gulped as she realised the floodgates she'd released and rushed over to Tara's side, who meet her wife's gaze.

"Can you leave us alone, Willow?"

Willow moved her hand up to cup the blonde's cheek.

"Baby, I'm so sor-"

Tara sighed again and shook her head, giving the smaller girl's palm that was against her cheek a kiss in the process.

"I'm not mad. I just..."

"Okay, okay," Willow was reluctant to leave but understood Tara needed to discuss things in private with her aunt so leaned forward and placed a firm, lingering kiss against her temple, "I'll just be in the living room, okay?"

Tara nodded and watched as the redhead walked out of the dining room, closing the door behind her, and heard the television being turned on a moment later. She turned to Michelle and inhaled as she prepared to speak.

"Yes, my father hurt me. He started drinking after..." Tara took a deep breath and shook her head, "After. And he...he used his fists to vent his frustration."

"Oh god," Michelle repeated, almost sobbing, "Tara I had no idea. If I'd known, I wouldn't have just left you there."

Tara set her jaw and regarded her aunt seriously.

"Why...why weren't you there? Why did I never see you again?"

Michelle sighed.

"I just...I felt so guilty. And your father told me to stay away, I thought I was doing what was best for you."

"Wait..." Tara looked up, confused, "What did you have to feel guilty about?"

"I..." Michelle stopped for a moment, her breath catching in her throat, "I was driving the car."

Tara looked completely bewildered until she realised what her aunt was saying.

"You were there? But Dad said...Dad said..."

"I thought he might," Michelle sighed, understanding that Tara meant her father had always told her that her mother had been alone when she crashed, "As far as he was concerned, you didn't know I existed. That's why we always told you I was your mother's 'friend', in case you accidentally said something to him. He always had this irrational hatred for our side of the family. Mom and Dad...your grandparents...he barely abided them at holidays...they died before you were born, so your mother never fought him on keeping contact. He was always so controlling of Lisa..."

Tara felt her heart clench as she heard her mother's name and fought back the tears.

"She said it was just his way, and I accepted that. He never hurt her, I know that for sure, I would've been able to tell, she would have told me. And she would've left if she ever thought he'd hurt you. You were her pride and joy, she never would have let any harm come to you if she could have prevented it. But that day...she was coming over here to see me. Your birthday was coming up and I wasn't going to get to see you, so she came over to pick up a present I had for you. But she broke down on the I-90 so I called the tow and went to collect her so I could take her home before your father came home from work. We were..." Michelle choked back a sob as a few tears began to fall, "We were only a couple of miles outside Rochester when the truck came at us. It all happened so fast. I just remember screaming and then waking up in a hospital bed with your father standing over me, telling me Lisa was dead and to stay away from his family. Oh Tara, I had no idea. It's my job to prevent the kind of things that happened to you from happening and I didn't even notice. I can't...I don't even know how to begin to apologise."

Tara's head was reeling from this onslaught of new information. How her father had manipulated the entire situation surrounding her mother's death to ensure she was isolated from anyone who could've been an ally to her in the dark eight years that followed before she escaped to Boston. The sick realisation that her father controlled her entire existence of her younger years for a reason, that the abuse he inflicted on her was intentional and not just the result of too much alcohol in his system.

"I, um...I...This is..."

"Do you want me to leave?" Michelle asked softly, "I understand if you could never forgive me for..."

"You couldn't have known," Tara replied, her voice a course whisper, "And if...if mom had to...go...I'm just glad she spent her last moments with...with someone she lov-"

The tears she'd been fighting back finally started pouring down her face and Michelle quickly produced a pack of tissues from her pocket, offering one to her crying niece, which Tara gladly accepted and wiped her tears.

"I'm sorry, it's just, this is all so..."

"I understand," Michelle soothed, stroking the blonde's hair, "Tara, I have to ask, your father, how did you...? Is he still...?"

Tara took a deep breath to calm herself as she spoke again in a shaky voice.

"I applied for scholarships secretly, accepted the first one that came through the door. Once I graduated high school, I packed a bag one night and left first thing in the morning, before he even woke up. I don't know whether he tried to find me, I never heard anything if he did. He only ever saw me as a waste of space, he told me that enough."

Michelle felt sick to her stomach.

"How did you...how could a little girl possibly survive all of that? Be the strong woman I see here today?"

"There was a diary," Tara replied, a sad smile gracing her features, "I found it when I was down in the basement one day. It was Mom's. She wrote about finding out she was pregnant with me and how happy she was. She wrote in it every day of her pregnancy and then sporadically up until about a month before the accident. I knew I was loved and that I had her strength, that's what got me through it. Not that it didn't affect me. I buried myself in college work for the first year and half after I left, didn't think about anything other than that. But then I met Willow, and well, she helped me deal with it. She made me able to trust again and showed me what love really was. I still...it's not something that I think about or something I think I'll ever really get over, but she...she holds me when the memories start to overwhelm me. She makes me feel safe. I'm who I am today because of her."

Michelle smiled.

"You really love her."

Tara laughed out loud.

"I think that's a massive understatement, but yes, I really love her. She's my everything."

"It's wonderful you found someone you want to spend your life with. A life..." Michelle stopped and met Tara's eyes, "A life I'd really like to be a part of again. If you'd let me?"

Tara wiped the last of her tears away and nodded.

"I'm a big believer in fate. I've kinda had to be, if I hadn't had the childhood I had I wouldn't have gone to Boston, I wouldn't have met Willow, and..." Tara stopped for a moment and shook her head as the possibilities of life without Willow went through her head, "Apart from many other things that I don't care to think about, we wouldn't have moved to Buffalo. I think we were meant to meet again. So yes, I would very much like if you were a part of my life again. And as my aunt this time."

Michelle moved forwards and embraced Tara warmly, a few more tears trickling down her face, but of happiness this time. She felt her heart swell as Tara hugged back and remembered the little girl she'd been so fond of all those years ago, rejoicing in the fact that she was back in her life. They spent the next few hours talking, catching up on the time they'd missed.

Tara learnt how Michelle had fallen into quite a deep depression after her mother's death, blaming herself for her role in it and was something she'd only recently come to terms with, after a lot of counselling. Michelle learnt all about Tara's life post-leaving home, and they laughed at how they'd both been attracted to the same professions. Michelle had also been able to enlighten Tara about her mother and heard stories of when they were young, things she'd never been privy to before.

"Oh god, it's late," Michelle said through her laughter as she told Tara about the time her and her sister had had a crush on the same boy in junior high and how it had lead to them refusing to talk to each other for a week, "I should go. We both have work in the morning. Oh and I promise to be of actual assistance tomorrow and not just stare at you all day."

"Of all the social work offices in all the world, I end up in yours. I'm really glad we met. You know, again," Tara said with a soft smile, before glancing over at the closed door that lead to the living room, "If I know my wife, and I do...she's gonna toss and turn all night if she doesn't..."

"Check me out herself?" Michelle surmised.

"Yea," Tara nodded, a fond smile on her face, "She's very protective."

Michelle looked pleased at that.

"Well that's a good quality to have in a partner. Should I be prepared for the Spanish Inquisition?"

"I'm not sure," Tara replied, biting her lip, "Can I...?"

She nodded towards the door and Michelle nodded back in agreement, so she got up and walked into the living room, closing the door behind her to give herself and Willow a moment alone. The redhead was up like a shot as soon as the blonde had entered the room and was hugging her wife in a matter of seconds.

"Are you okay? Is she okay? I've been trying not to disturb but it's kinda been killing me not knowing and I heard laughing so that was really good but I was still kinda scared, I mean, how the hell did this all happen you know, and it's all so sudden and I mean, are we even sure-"

She was cut off as Tara cupped the back of her head and pulled her in for a gentle, tender kiss.

"I'm sure," Tara replied when she pulled back after a minute, "I trust her. But I know you need your own reassurances. So go. But please, Willow...go easy on her."

"I'm not a monster," Willow responded with a small scowl, "I'm not gonna rip her to shreds."

"I know," Tara said softly, "But I also know you'd do anything to keep me safe and away from any pain. Just like I would for you. But she's the real deal, okay? She's family."

Willow looked down, before looking up again, insecurity plaguing her eyes.

"Am I family?"

"Willow," Tara replied, resting their foreheads together, "You will always be the most important person in my life, okay? She may be blood, but you...you course through every fibre of my being."

Willow saw the truth shining in Tara's eyes and nodded.

"I know. I know that, I'm sorry, it's just..."

"Surreal," Tara replied with a quiet, almost disbelieving laugh, "I know. But the way the past four months of our lives has gone, I'm kinda getting used to the unexpected happening."

Willow let out a small laugh, she had to agree.

"Just give me five minutes. You trust her, and I trust you, but..."

Tara nodded with a smile.

"I get it. Go."

Willow leant in for another quick kiss before slipping past Tara and into the dining room, closing the door behind her and crossing her arms over her chest before raising one hand in a small, guarded wave.

"Hi. Um, I guess I didn't really introduce myself properly before. Willow. Rosenberg-Maclay. I'm, um, Tara's wife."

"Hi," Michelle replied, despite knowing all of that, "I'm Michelle Monroe. Tara's aunt."

Willow sat down in the seat Tara had vacated before.

"How did you find her?"

"It kind of just happened," Michelle replied with a shrug, "I work at the DCF office as well."

"Oh," Willow responded, surprised. Everything had happened so fast she was unsure of how exactly it all came to be, "Oh. Well that's quite the coincidence."

"Tara called it fate. I'm inclined to agree."

Willow tapped her fingers against the table, her face seemingly in thought.

"And you knew Tara existed?"

Michelle sighed sadly.

"Yes. But we lost contact after my sister – her mother – died. And Willow, I can assure you, I had no idea about what her father was doing to her. I never warmed to the man but my sister loved him so I thought he was a good person, even if he was strict and controlling. Had I known, I would have done everything in my power to stop him, to get her away. I love Tara, I have ever since I visited her in the hospital right after she was born. It tore me up when I had to stop seeing her, but for reasons that I'm sure Tara will explain to you, I thought I was doing the right thing by staying away. And I can promise you, I will never, ever cause her any harm."

Willow kept the woman's gaze steady for a tense moment before nodding and exhaling slowly.

"Okay."

"Does that mean I get the Willow seal of approval?" Michelle asked hopefully.

"You do," Willow replied with a grin, her voice much warmer than it had been previously, "I'm sorry I've been so...I just have to know she's surrounded by people who care about her. She's had way too much pain and sadness in her life already. I made a vow, long before our wedding ones were said that I'd do everything in my power to stop her experiencing anything like that again. I mean, I know I can't stop her from ever feeling those things, it's not human, it's not healthy, but I can make sure the good always outweighs the bad."

Michelle was quite astounded at the sheer depth of feeling that her niece obviously shared with the woman sitting in front of her.

"I'd like to be part of the good," she said after a moment, "I give you my word I won't leave her again."

"Yea..." Willow replied, before giving another nod, "Yea, okay, I can see you mean it. Plus, Tara's the best judge of character I know, so I was pretty sure when I came in here that you were the real deal. I just have one more question."

Michelle seemed to tense herself in preparation.

"Shoot."

Willow leant forward in her seat.

"How did you know it was her? Was it just the name or...?"

Michelle smiled sadly.

"Her eyes," she replied softly, "I swore I was looking at Lisa all over again."

Willow smiled at that and stood up, before pulling Michelle into a surprise hug.

"Well in that case all I have to say is welcome to the family. If you know what I mean."

"That means the world to me," Michelle replied as she tightened the embrace, "It really does."

They pulled apart, both smiling before walking back out to Tara, who seemed both delighted and relieved that everything seemed to have gone well.

"All okay?"

"All okay," Willow confirmed, taking her wife's hand.

"You've got a wonderful wife," Michelle spoke up, "Your mother would be proud."

Willow averted her gaze and blushed but Tara just smiled.

"I know she would," she replied, squeezing the redhead's hand, before regarding Michelle again, "So, I'll see you at work?"

"Definitely," Michelle responded with another smile, "I'll...I'll see you there, Tara."

Tara let go of Willow's hand to embrace her aunt again.

"I've got to stop these tears," Michelle said, wiping a few errant tears that had come to her eyes again when they parted, "It wouldn't be a good look in work."

Tara laughed and felt Michelle give her shoulder a loving squeeze before she opened the front door.

"I'll be there this time, Tara. I want to be a part of both of your lives."

"That's what I want too," Tara replied softly before retaking Willow's hand and looking at her hopefully.

"That's what we want," Willow said with a smile, "I know for a fact how great it is reconnecting with family members."

Michelle didn't understand the reference but smiled at the words.

"Thank you. I, uh, I should be going," she replied, checking her watch before looking at Tara, "But...again...it's so wonderful to see you. All grown up, I still quite can't believe it. I'll see you at work"

Tara nodded.

"See you there."

Michelle stepped out of the door and walked towards her car, giving a final wave.

"Bye," Willow called and Tara echoed her before the older woman got into her car and drove away.

Tara closed the door and fell back against it, exhaling slowly.

"Wow."

Willow giggled and was about to say something when the blonde started yawning, the events of the day finally catching up with her.

"Okay, missy, up to bed with you," Willow said lovingly, "You look exhausted."

Tara gave a tired smile and pushed herself off of the door, extending her hand.

"Come with me."

"I'll be up in five," Willow reassured her wife, "I just need to do the dishes first."

Tara chuckled and started up the stairs, Willow hearing her mumble something about 'cute OCD' before she gathered the plates from the living room and quickly loaded them into the dishwasher. When it was successfully starting it's cycle, she made sure all the lights were off downstairs and locked up before ascending the stairs and turning into their bedroom, smiling when she saw Tara's sleeping form already in bed. She quickly and quietly pulled on a long t-shirt to sleep in before slipping in beside her wife and spooning her gently.

"I never asked how your day went."

Willow jumped slightly at the sound of the blonde's voice.

"Jeez, Tare, I thought you were asleep," she said before snuggling her wife even tighter, "My day was great. I got some great co-workers and I cracked a case. But I'll tell you all about it tomorrow."

"You're amazing," Tara murmured sleepily, "If I wasn't so tired I'd rip your clothes off and show you how much."

"Uh huh," Willow replied, grinning into the crook of Tara's neck, "I'll hold you to that."

"You better."

They snuggled comfortably together as they got ready for sleep until a thought popped into Willow's head and she had to ask.

"Michelle said you had your mother's eyes. You think that means our kids will have 'em too?"

"Dunno," Tara replied, her voice thick with exhaustion, "Maybe."

Willow cuddled in closer and placed a kiss behind her wife's ear.

"I hope so, baby. I really do."