Hey, Baby
by Rin
Conflict
[reviews]
A/N: I'm really enjoying where this story takes me. I just hope you feel the same way.
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"Happy New Year!" The gang was gathered at the Harris house, and it didn't take long for everybody to get into the spirit. Dawn had even brought a date, which shocked both Buffy (since she didn't know she was dating anybody), and Willow (because it was Andrew). The two lovers only consented that at least she wasn't dating Frankenstein anymore. Jesse was put to bed early, despite protests from Faith, who was teaching the little girl the difference between leather and cotton, despite a grumbling Anya. Unfortunately, the mother usually wins, so Faith had to play with Kennedy instead (not that she minded). Xander was handing out cigars to everybody in the room that the guys at the office had given him (Willow was given some, too with lots of laughs), and Anya was going around taking them back. When Xander actually lit a cigar, she threw a major fit, and dragged him by the ear out of the room after she extinguished the "over-sized, brown lung killer."
Willow and Buffy had stayed cuddled on the couch part of the night, just happy to be together...as per usual. The biggest surprise at the party was when Fred, Gunn, and Cordelia showed up, and brought a guest: Angel. Xander didn't take to him easily at all, and the others were weary of the newcomer but eventually Buffy (after the shock wore off, and the initial anger at the LA crew for bringing him) stalked over to him, and greeted him. After getting the back-story in private about the man and the blonde from Willow, Xander decided that he REALLY didn't like the dark stranger. Nobody messes with Willow's Buffy, if he has anything to say about it. After those first few uncomfortable minutes, the party went on as planned with everybody ignoring the strange man for the most part. Of course, he wasn't making much of an effort to fit in, since he was lurking over in the corner in the shadows most of the night. It was kind of creepy.
The ball dropped in Times Square on the television, and the gang cheered, sang, and kissed. It took a few minutes to get Anya away from smothering Xander in kisses. Apparently, her hormones were screaming orgasms, too. That made Buffy feel better about wanting to completely tear Willow's clothes off (she was wearing the low cut green blouse the blonde bought her for Christmas), and taking her in front of everybody. All night long, Buffy wanted a drink, and all night long, Willow deflected her from the alcohol and soda stand. The blonde sneered at her wife, and accepted the orange/grapefruit juice with a growl. The redhead had even steered clear of soda and alcohol, making sure that every liquid in their household was healthy; she had told Buffy that she would adhere to the same diet...to make it fair. That meant no caffeine (the blonde laughed at Willow after the agreement was sealed with a kiss, when the redhead made her whiny noise when she found out that meant no mochas), no alcohol, no overly greasy food, and lots of fresh vegetables. Thus far, Buffy had only gone behind Willow's back once to sneak in a Reese's peanut butter cups and a Pepsi (she had a wicked craving).
After goodbyes were said, everybody headed their separate ways. Fred, Gunn, Cordelia, and Angel stayed with Buffy and Willow. The two sent Cordelia and Angel to stay with Dawn and Andrew at the apartment (to keep them in order and to save drama), and Fred and Gunn took the extra bedroom at the house. Buffy had a bout of sickness, and Willow held her hair, soothing her back comfortingly until she was finished. Now, she was in the process of washing her wife's hair in the bathtub. When the redhead asked if she could do anything, the blonde replied bubble bath. Laughing, they both set the water, and stripped before making themselves comfortable in the tub.
"Anymore ouchies?" Willow rinsed the shampooed hair, placing her hand above her wife's brow as a shield for the running soap.
"No more...for now." Buffy grumbled slightly but couldn't keep ill will for long, since she loved it when the redhead washed her hair. She never could explain it but she always got tingles all over her body, and the head massage was divine. "You should have been a hairdresser."
"I don't think you'd be able to share my hands with others." Willow chuckled, and got a sweet smile in return. "Besides, I'm not up with the gossip. I leave that to Cordelia."
"She seemed quiet tonight. Not her usual bitchy self." Buffy leaned back into her wife's front, once Willow finished rinsing the hair.
"No, she didn't. I should ask if something's wrong tomorrow before they leave." Willow wrapped her arms around Buffy's waist, and entwined their fingers, which were resting on the blonde's belly. "What did those books you picked up from Anya's have to say? I'm sorry I haven't had time to read them yet but I promise I will soon."
"It's okay, Wills. You've been super busy at work. I get that, and I'm sorry I snapped yesterday about you being late." Buffy smiled sheepishly.
"Hey, I WAS late. You had every right to be mad. I promised you a nice dinner out, and I should've called. Not everything is your hormones, baby." Willow kissed her wife's soaked, bubbly cheek.
"Yeah but it feels like it sometimes. I mean...everything is just so much more intense, and I know that I already have super-charged hormones because of my problems but still...it seems like everything is magnified by a hundred, whereas it already was to begin with." Buffy sighed deeply, and relaxed her shoulders slightly. The warm water, and the sensation of their slick, soapy bodies pressed together was tranquility to the blonde. "I shouldn't have snapped, though. I don't think I've ever yelled at you as much as I have in the past two months. I hate that."
"What? That you haven't yelled at me more, or that you're yelling at me?" Willow chuckled slightly, splashing the bubbles with their entwined hands.
"You know what I mean." Buffy just smirked lightly, and felt Willow nod against her cheek. "Have you thought about baby names any? I know it's early but I guess now is a good a time as any to start."
"Hmm...not really but I have some friends from the office that have combined their names to get their kids' names." Willow pondered the question. "Tony in recording married a woman named Keri, and they named their little girl Tori."
"Whether it's a girl or a boy, I don't believe this baby will be happy being name Billow, or Wiffy." Buffy laughed heartily. She loved how the simplest thing could amuse her about her wife. The redhead really was one of a kind. "Let's just start thinking about it, okay? No need to go there quite yet."
"Okay." Willow kissed Buffy's neck, and the blonde moved their hands in circles atop her belly, outlining the approximate place where the baby was growing inside. "I have thought about the baby's room, though."
"Oh?" Buffy arched an eyebrow. This was going to be interesting.
"Yeah. I was thinking that I could take my office here, since it's connected directly to this room, and I could move all of that stuff into the guest bedroom. It wouldn't be much of a problem, and we could even move Jesse's crib in there, too for when she visits." Willow smiled, proud that she was even getting the chance to think about these things.
"Sounds great, Will. We can start moving..."
"You're not moving anything, missy. I'm not risking anything, so I'll get Xander to help moving things." Willow sounded so butch and commanding, it surprised the blonde.
"Woah, Will...with the butch." Buffy chuckled.
"Sorry." She shrugged sheepishly. "I just don't want you to get hurt, or risk getting hurt, and hurting the baby."
"I know. Thank you." Buffy turned her head slightly, and kissed the redhead sweetly. "You're so domineering sometimes, you skank."
"Hey! I'll have you know, young lady, that I intend to get you back for that comment." Willow looked at her with mock admonishment, and lost her resolve when Buffy kissed her again.
"We should get out; the water's starting to get cold, and your fingers are starting to prune." Buffy removed herself from Willow's embrace, and released the drain. Grabbing their towels, the girls dried off, and put on their robes before exiting to their room. Buffy sat at the vanity chair, facing the mirror, while Willow combed through her blonde locks. "I'm sorry Angel was there."
"Hey. You don't have to apologize; you didn't know." Willow carefully parted the blonde's hair, and continued to gently comb the tangles free. "Besides, he did look lonely, and extra broody. Maybe he needed to be there. It's not like he caused any problems."
"This time. How do I know he won't 'lose his soul' again, and go evil, and start killing people?" Buffy looked into the mirror, locking eyes with Willow. "I just...he is dangerous, and I'm not ready for him to be there yet. I realize that there's a possibility that he WILL be there now...I'm just not ready yet."
"You are one hell of a woman." Willow placed the comb on the dresser, after running it quickly through her own hair.
"You're not too shabby yourself." Buffy stood up, dropping her robe, and undoing the loose tie on Willow's. Hearing the redhead's breath hitch, she embraced her fully, and captured her lips in a tender lock. Once again, it was time to quell super slayer hormones.
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Willow felt like she was being pulled in twenty directions. At work, business was more stressful than usual. With Rogue Slayer in the studio cutting their 3rd album, there was chaos in the recording booth because the studio producer was always coming in late, making it near impossible to get the album cut in time for Spring. She was going to have to fire this guy, and hire somebody new, and personnel seemed to be slacking on their jobs, too. Every day, somebody from personnel would call her, or drop by her office, and ask a question about a potential employee. Since it was taking so long to find a new person, the album's producer dropped out at the last minute, and now Kennedy of all people was producing the record, which was a thorn in and of its self. The young brunette didn't know the first thing about producing, and Willow had to go over the same thing night after night on the phone, explaining what she was expected to do (and one of them was NOT to constantly distract the band's singer during recording so that they could make a little private session of their own). Xander was walking on a thin rope, too. It looked like he hadn't slept in days, if the dark circles under his eyes, and the literal nodding off during meetings were any significance.
Other things in the office were driving her bonkers, too. Darla's album finally hit a neutral spot, and had stayed there for three weeks, so they weren't losing that much money there anymore. Drusilla's case was still going strong. Apparently, her lawyer was pleading insanity but Willow couldn't figure out what that had to do with anything, since the whole entire lawsuit was about song rights. The media were still hounding her, and sneaking around the offices trying to get comments from anybody they could find in the office. The redhead was never happier that Vi was her secretary. Redheads were known for their quick tempers, and this particular young redhead may seem timid and afraid but she had learned quick how to deflect the enemy. Willow chuckled when she remembered her little meeting with Vi about deflecting the media in the building. 'These guys are dust.' She'd said that with such conviction that Willow added eye care insurance to the young secretary's dental plan.
The Andrew and Dawn situation was bogging her down, too. When they weren't arguing like little girls, they were always over at the house just lazing around. Apparently, the apartment wasn't cool enough anymore. When they were arguing, Willow was forced into intermediary position. Andrew would come into her office between recording sessions of the Nerds new album, and would whine about the situation. Willow would just sit there, and try to either stay awake, or not be annoyed. There were a few times that she thought about conjuring dark powers to rid him. Dawn would call her in tears, or anger; sometimes both. She didn't have time for their problems on top of everything else.
At home, Buffy kept getting sick, and she had actually tired Willow out a few times in the bedroom. The once insatiable redhead had discovered what way too much sex was for the first time in her life. It made her cry. A few times she had found Buffy sneaking away to eat Reese's peanut butter cups, and drink a Pepsi. At first she didn't think that one could possibly hurt but later that night, she found empty cans and wrappers stacked under the bed. She was furious that her wife was being so careless, so she snapped, which caused Buffy to curl up into a ball on the bed, and weep uncontrollably for hours. There were minor and major tiffs, and one night she found herself sleeping on the couch because the blonde had locked her out of their bedroom after a fight over work.
The blonde had still taken those allotted conferences and workshops that were scheduled before the pregnancy, and she was flying or driving for a long time, which Willow decided wasn't a healthy choice for the baby, since it was already at high risk. Buffy, having just gotten back from UCLA was wired to the core, and horny. When she walked in the door, though, Willow wasn't there, even though it was already 10 at night. Trying to calm herself down, she took a long bath, and tried to relax after the long drive. When midnight came around, and still no Willow, she started to get furious, so when the redhead came slumping in the door at 2 in the morning, it took no time for Buffy to start yelling in hysterics. Tears, expletives, and accusations flew from her mouth, as the redhead just sat there on the couch with her head buried in her hands. She was just too exhausted to even lift a finger. The long days were starting to take its toll on her, and when she found the doors to her bedroom locked, she didn't have the strength to cry, and fell onto the couch without even covering herself up before she fell asleep. When Buffy came down the stairs perky and bouncy at dawn, all Willow could do was grumble and curse under her sleepy breath.
When Buffy expected sex after she ate her bowl of Wheaties, Willow just looked at her from her position on the couch, and laughed hysterically, as though she were broke. Then, Buffy stomped up the stairs, and she was locked out again, forcing her to have to go to work that morning in the clothes that she was still in from yesterday. When she came home from work that night, Willow could find Buffy nowhere. Finally, she found her wife unconscious on the floor in the 1st floor bathroom, and rushed her to the hospital. Her adrenaline was running higher than usual, which the doctor connected to something high stress, so the blonde was urged to stay in bed. Luckily, the baby wasn't harmed, and they had successfully wavered past the 1st trimester, the one that Dr. Olivia said would be the most dangerous. Anya came over to their house to check on Buffy during her lunch break that week, and would bring her healthy food, and raunchy reading materials.
Now, it was two days until their 1st wedding anniversary, and Willow was still bogged down with work. There would be no way, barring a large miracle that she could take off for the day. This had caused much debate between the two lovers, and one more problem, and Willow would snap. Xander was having troubles at home, too. His father had just died last week, and he started drinking. He was ignoring Anya and Jesse, and Faith found herself babysitting at least three nights a week. One time, she even had to bring the little girl to the recording studio with her because Xander forgot to pick her up; at least they worked in the same place. His marriage was crumbling because Anya kept accusing him of infidelity; he'd stay down at Willie's for hours at night, and not go home some nights, instead trudging into the office a hung over mess that reeked of sweat, smoke, and booze. This major problem was causing him to slack off on his work to an insurmountable degree, and Willow would get stuck having to finish things for the sake of her company. She was fed up; she didn't know what Xander's deal was but she didn't feel like dealing with that, too. All she wanted was to spend some quiet time alone with her wife, and eat year-old frozen cake. Was that too much to ask?
"Willow..." Vi came in the door holding a file. Looking up, the worn out woman took the file, and just looked at her secretary to explain. The heavier than normal workload was causing major bummers in the office, and the atmosphere could attest to that. "They found somebody to do recording for Rogue Slayer but I don't think you're going to like it."
"Will they do it?" It shouldn't be this difficult to find a person in the music business that would want to work with a multi-platinum selling band, especially one that was still in their prime.
"She brought this file directly to you; said the guys in personnel didn't know what they were doing anyways." Vi sighed. She hated seeing her boss so dejected, and she wished she could do more but when she suggested staying to help Willow at night, the woman would just dismiss her.
"That's the truth." Willow didn't even hide the coldness behind that comment, and opened the folder. One look at the name, and she looked back up at Vi. "She was just here?"
"Actually, she hasn't left yet. She says that she wants to see you before she goes because she thinks you won't give her a fair chance." Vi shrugged sheepishly. The woman was a little intimidating.
"Whatever. We don't have much a choice, and she's good at what she does. Send her in." Willow took a deep breath, bracing herself for the added drama. Vi nodded, and left. Seconds later, a slim brunette walked in the door with an exaggerated shake to her hips. "Eve."
"Willow." The girl took a seat on the couch, ignoring the icy way her voice was voiced. She took in the office; it'd been some time since she'd seen the inside. These two girls had history. "Like the new look."
"Let's just cut to the chase, Eve. No need for pleasantries; we both know they're not your style." Willow rolled her eyes, and sighed.
"I just wanted to make sure you give me a fair chance for the position. I heard you were hiring, and absolutely had to get down here to put my resume in. Especially when I found out that I'd be working for none other than your hottest new band." Eve stood up, and started scanning the room with a mysterious appeal. It was the same appeal that had captured Willow time and time and time again. "Have you managed to bed the singer yet? Word is that she has a major appetite for her boss." Willow stood up from her desk, and went to take her wedding picture from the girl, who was fingering it with distaste. Eve just continued walking until she sat down again, this time in Willow's desk chair.
"I'm pretty sure this is supposed to be my office." Willow placed the picture in its proper place, willing her love for Buffy to overrule any reaction to Eve. She truly was the epitome of her name; only with her, the redhead was the one who was always tempted.
"Never happen again. Just wanted to, you know...see your face." She crossed her legs, and her skirt hiked up her legs a few inches higher.
"You like to make an entrance." Willow took a deep, calming breath, and willed herself not to be tempted this time. She hadn't actually seen Eve in over two years, avoiding her at every cost. The last sexual tryst they'd had was right before she met Buffy, the night before the gallery. Afterwards, there were several times the brunette would try to sway her back but the redhead was firm in her relationship. The two had a history of sexual trysts between them, and it all started the day after she and Kennedy broke up, and continued up until she met Buffy. Their exchanges were never completely pleasant. Eve was her Spike; the rough sex that's supposed to be used as fake comfort, and just reassurance that she was alive. After much coercing, the girl finally stopped calling her, or trying to surprise her at parties, in her office, etc. Willow was Buffy's now, and the redhead could only smile at the thought. It felt good to smile after all the stress lately. That's how she knew that this time, and forever more, Willow would not take the apple.
"I don't need to make an entrance. I need to make an impression." She looks at Willow, who has a new air of confidence, and a silly smile plastered on her face. "Okay, so I want this job, and I have to go through you to get it. I know we're not exactly on speaking terms, and you're all living the sickening married life now but that doesn't mean that I can't do this. You know I'm good." She eyes Willow with a predatory glare. The redhead just cocks her eyebrow, not amused. "Okay, let me tell you how this works."
"I thought I was in charge." Willow keeps the challenging stare, and when Eve realizes that she's not budging, she continues.
"You're a business, and you have a bottom line." She stands up from the chair, and moves over to the couch. Willow just stands there with her arms crossed. Now, you can take your bands, and start from the top down. You're in a tight place right now, and if things don't get fixed soon, you almost won't have a label anymore."
"Almost?" Willow just watched, and tried to listen professionally but it's hard when you've seen Eve naked on the very same couch she's sitting on at the moment. The redhead had to bite back a chuckle at the memory of their drunken tryst one night that both of them claimed didn't happen under their own free wills, and that magick made them do it.
"Things are always more complicated than they seem, champ." Eve shook her head in amusement. She realized that her former sex appeal wasn't going to work with the redhead anymore. Willow was a lost cause now; she'd completely gone suburban. "You can shut this place down but then, well...you wouldn't have it anymore. If the place closes down, the connection dries up. Bands go next door." She took a moment to breathe a beat. "This is the catch; I'm explaining the catch so you don't have to stand around wondering what it is. See, in order to keep this business running, you have to keep this business running, and that means keeping your bands and clients — most of them anyway — happy."
"That means hiring you." Willow frowned, not liking the option but unable to find an alternative. It was true; her business was in ruins, and she had to find some way to fix it fast, or there wouldn't be a business anymore. She'd worked too long, and too hard to let that happen.
"Well, you're on the ins now, and you can stop the worst of it. Maybe find some new solutions to some old problems." Eve smirked, knowing that even though the leather beneath her would never feel her bare ass again, at least she had a job when she heard Willow sigh.
"Okay. Just...meet me here tomorrow morning at 8, and we'll start you on the rounds." Willow went back to her chair, and leaned her body backwards. "Just so you know, I don't want any funny business. I'm not that kind of girl." The conviction and threat in her voice made Eve flinch slightly. First rule: don't piss off the boss by suggesting a nooner.
"Not a problem. Don't worry; we'll get this company back in top shape by tomorrow night, and you won't have to spend your anniversary behind a stack of papers." Eve stood up, and crossed to the doorway. Willow was eyeing her suspiciously, so she explained. "Xander told me down at Willy's last night. That's how I found out the job was open."
"Why am I not surprised you were at Willy's?" Willow had to hold her anger in about the Xander comment for after the brunette left.
"I never could surprise you, Rosenberg." She turned around, and sauntered out of the office, leaving a partially thankful, angry, nervous, and tired redhead behind to take in the information.
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"Buffy, good news." Willow walked in the door; it was 11, which meant she missed their planned dinner again. She would have been even later but luckily, security was doing their job, and the straying media left her alone. Xander came in around 6 to help, claiming that Anya was driving him crazy. Glad to have the help, Willow didn't say anything to him.
"Fine." Buffy was sitting on the couch in the dark, and the redhead could tell she had been crying. Taking off her jacket, she hung it on the coat rack, and went into the room. While her eyes adjusted, she placed her briefcase against the coffee table, and took a seat beside her wife. Four months pregnant, Buffy's belly showed the beginnings of a growing bulge, which Willow stroked every chance she got.
"Baby, don't be like this, please. I know sorry's not enough but I'm home earlier than I thought." Willow tried to sound chipper but she was drained. With everyone pulling her in twenty different directions, and Buffy needing constant attention but giving none in return, it was overwhelming, and the redhead feared she was losing the ability to care. "Remember Eve?"
"You slept with her again? How is that good news?" Buffy turned around to face her finally, with more tears in her eyes, and an even more hurtful expression.
"No, no baby. I didn't sleep with her again, nor will I ever. I want you, only you. That's good news, too but Eve is part of my good news." Willow softly wiped the trailing tears from her wife's puffy cheeks.
"What is it, then?" Buffy sounded like she was worrying too much again. They'd talked about this last week, and Willow taught the blonde more quick meditation techniques to help her calm down. From the glazed, puffy eyes, and tight muscles in her arms, Buffy had apparently not listened, or something was wrong.
"She came in wanting the job I was telling you about. Remember? I needed somebody to be my liaison, so that I can get more things done in a quicker fashion. She's going to help finish recording, and then, we'll see what happens." Willow kissed the blonde's swollen eyes, and brushed long, blonde locks from her face. "She even thinks we can get everything in order by tomorrow, so that I won't have to work on our anniversary. See, baby, isn't that good news?"
"Yeah, I suppose." Buffy sniffled a few more times, and saw the adoring smile on Willow's face. Even after all this craziness the blonde had been dishing out the past four months, the redhead still stayed by her side. She knew that Willow was wound tight, and was about the snap but something was seriously wrong because all she could think about was that everything was about her. Buffy didn't like the feeling of not being able to comfort her own wife. She wanted help.
"It is, Buffy. You'll see. I promise, and this time, even if I have to let Vi take the reigns, I will be here for our anniversary. Nothing can stop me from being here." Willow kissed her forehead, as she cupped both cheeks lovingly.
"Don't say that. I can't take much more." Buffy sounded tired, and the redhead summoned all of the strength that she had left, and helped her wife stand from the couch.
"Me neither, baby. Me, neither." Placing her arm around Buffy's waist, Willow ushered them upstairs to get some rest. Tomorrow would only tell.