At Long Last
by willowfan
Chapter 2
[reviews]
I wanted to thank everyone for their reviews and their patience. Like I said this is my first Willow/Buffy story so it's a little harder than I thought to write. However, this is not my first fan fiction. I have several stories on other sites. All are Buffyverse just other pairings. I hope you like the update.Any mistakes are mine, as I wanted to update today as promised and I didn't finish to give it to my friend and beta last night so here it is.
At Long Last
Chapter 2
The redhead and the blonde sit facing each other on the couch. The toddler plays on the floor near them with an assortment of toys.
Buffy looks at the little girl, then the little girl's mother. "That's a lot of toys Will." A question in her tone.
"She's ah-she gets bored easily," explains Willow.
"Like her mama?" Buffy grins.
The witch nods, her eyes falling on the child and her fingers reaching to play in soft red hair. "Mostly-" she looks up at the blonde Slayer, "she's like me but she isn't-she has no-she's not-" her final words only heard by Slayer hearing. "She's not a witch."
"She's so young how can you-" she stops as her friend speaks.
"I took her to a coven. Giles called them for me."
"So you got help?" Buffy asks.
To her surprise Willow shakes her head, "I-we talked-they tested Eve and I made plans to come back. I wanted to see you first." Her eyes meet Buffy's.
"When do you have to leave?" Sadness creeps in.
"No definite date-just when I'm ready." Willow answers. She tries to smile.
Buffy puts a hand on her knee and smiles at her friend. "I'm here Will-anything you need."
"Thanks." She looks away again.
"Mama-" Eve calls.
"What baby girl?" She looks at her child, love in her eyes.
"Ice cream," she smiles.
Buffy smiles at her and so does the redhead. "How about hot dogs and mac & cheese instead?"
The child crawls onto her mama's lap and hugs her around the neck. "Ice cream." She repeats as she kisses her lips.
Buffy can't contain a laugh. "How can you tell her no when she's so cute?"
Willow rolls her eyes, "Cause I'm the mama-taking care of her that's my job."
Buffy nods, "Tough job."
"Sometimes." Willow agrees. She kisses the little girl. "Hot dogs and mac & cheese-then after a nap we'll have ice cream."
Eve seems to be contemplating the words then she nods and grins. "Hot dogs-" she says as she slides from her mama's lap back to play with her toys.
Willow looks at the blonde, "So wanna help me cook?"
"Could be talked into it."
"You can have ice cream later too." Willow smiles.
"You got a deal." They start toward the kitchen.
***************************************************
After lunch, the little girl sleeps on Willow's lap. Buffy can't stop her fingers from stroking her hair. "How old is she Will?"
"She's two a little over two-her birthday was last month." There is silence that seems to last a little too long. "Something on your mind Buff?" A little smile finds her lips as she knows what her friend wants to ask, but she knows Buffy can't figure out how to voice the question.
"How did-" she stops. "I mean I know how if there wasn't magic," she looks at the witch. "If there wasn't magic then-"
Willow cuts her off, "No magic."
"So the normal way. K. Well except-the whole you liking girls part-so-" she stops again.
The redhead takes in a deep breath and lets it out slowly. She knew when she decided to come home she'd have a lot to explain. "Still like girls. Just when I left here well not in the best frame of mind. I was in bar, drank way more than I can ever remember drinking before and I picked up-"
Buffy interrupts shocked, "You picked up a guy?"
Willow nods, looking down embarrassed by her actions and her admittance. "Yeah-don't even remember his name. Which I guess gets really interesting when she's older. Not sure how I'm gonna tell her that part, but I'll find a way." She brushes her lips against Eve's forehead.
"When you found out-" Buffy stops, afraid of the answer.
"Why didn't I come back here?" Buffy nods. "I was still in a bad place-angry-I wasn't ready. So-"
"You dealt with everything, all by yourself?" Buffy supplies and her friend nods.
Before the conversation can continue the child stirs in her lap. "Let me put her to bed and then you can tell me about everything I missed."
Buffy stands, "I can-I mean if it's okay I can tuck her in." Willow smiles and nods. The blonde Slayer picks up the little girl gently and tucks her against her chest. "Be right back." She walks from the room, she can tell the redhead's eyes are following her. Buffy smiles at the thought.
***************************************************
Tara comes home from work to find Faith sitting on the couch smiling up at her. Tara smiles back as she walks toward her. The dark Slayer stands and wraps her girl in a hug. "Not that I'm not happy, but why are you here so early? I thought this was your late night?"
Faith brushes a kiss to her lips then smiles seductively as she playfully wiggles her eyebrows at her blonde. "Thought we could take off for a couple of days."
Tara kisses her softly, "Just the two of us?"
"That was the plan," they share another kiss.
Tara runs the back of her hand along Faith's cheek, "You know, she'll still be here when we get back-eventually I'll have to talk to her."
Faith rolls her eyes knowing Tara is right, "So talk to her on Monday after-" she puts her tightly against her. " I spend the weekend having my wicked way with you." She winks, then lets her lips kiss along the blonde's neck.
"Mmm," she moans at the feel of lips against her skin, "You don't play fair." She gasps out as her girl's hand snakes between them to massage her right breast. Tara's eyes fall closed as Faith's actions continue.
Faith's lips nip up to Tara's ear and then to the sensitive spot behind it. The witch groans and the Slayer smiles against her wet skin-breathing out on it making her tremble. "Please Blondie?"
Tara pulls her Faith's lips back to hers and after a tender kiss she pulls back to look into her Slayer's worried eyes. "Okay-we'll leave in the morning."
Faith frowns. "The morning? Why not tonight?"
Tara bites her bottom lip and then grins up at her, "I got plans of my own," she winks, plants a searing kiss on her girl's lips and says, " for tonight." She disappears from the room. Faith smiles and follows but stops confused when she sees her girl go toward the kitchen.
**************************************************
Later Buffy and Willow are discussing the events of the last three years. The redhead listens as the blonde Slayer recounts the events. "After you left well things got pretty wild. Potential Slayers were being killed all over the world."
"Potential Slayers?" Willow is confused.
Buffy nods, "Young girls-training, waiting to be called."
"I didn't know there was-" Willow starts.
"Neither did I until the weird dreams started. A couple of weeks later Giles's showed up on my doorstep with four in tow. Bringers killed their Watchers and the Council thought they'd be safe here."
"Bringers-wait I remember them from before-with Angel." The redhead states and Buffy nods. "Pointy knives and no eyes."
"That's them." Buffy supplies. "They showed soon after." She stops then starts again. "We found out they were agents of the First."
"First?"
"First Evil-the biggest Big Bad."
"And you had to face him?" Buffy nods. "How-I mean evil is always. How can you fight it? How can you win? It's everywhere."
"It wasn't easy and it wasn't without a price. It changed everything."
"How?"
Buffy smiles as she remembers what the blonde witch was able to do. "Tara was able to use the Scythe-this really cool Slayer tool-to turn all of the Potentials into Slayers."
"All-so there's-" Willow stops.
"Thousands." Buffy finishes. "Thousands of us now." She smiles.
"Wow. Wow-" she repeats "And Tara did-" Buffy nods. "Wow. I always knew she had more power then-" she stops.
"She was great-and Spike he was able to wear the amulet Angel brought us and when the Hellmouth was filled with light the uber vamps were destroyed."
"More wow. You were in the Hellmouth?"
"We sealed it, Sunnydale is now Hellmouth free."
Willow frowns, as she seems to think though the words. "Sealed the Hellmouth?" Buffy nods. "Sealed it?"
"Again yes. Why are you so-I don't know surprised?"
"If you-then it should be-Sunnydale should be-"
Buffy finishes for her, "A big hole in the ground?"
"Exactly-I mean it would have-"
"That's what Giles said too-but it didn't happen. Nobody's sure why, but I'm pretty glad that here's still home."
Willow can't stop the smile. "No Hellmouth?" Buffy shakes her head. "So its-no more demons?"
"Still a few sometimes but not like before." Willow looks toward her daughter's room. Buffy smiles. "It's safe here for her now-way safer then before."
"Where are all the Slayers?" Willow asks.
Buffy speaks almost sadly, "Some where lost-more then I had hoped."
"Fighting always," she takes Buffy's hand. "It's not your fault."
"That's what Giles says too."
"He's right." Willow states firmly.
Buffy allows a little smile to find its way to her lips. "Some went home, till they're needed-but most went to Cleveland."
"Cleveland?" She looks unsure then grins teasingly, "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?"
Buffy laughs, "Another Hellmouth."
"Figures." The redhead rolls her eyes.
"There's a Slayers Academy there-and the new Council."
"New Council?" Willow questions.
"Yep-oh oops I forgot to tell you that the old one got blown up."
"Well there has been lots to catch up on. Wow-so who runs the academy- and the Council?"
"Giles." Buffy smiles and Willow nods.
"And where's Xander?"
"Cleveland. He's helping-he is in charge of all the building and is helping train the new Watchers."
"Good for him." She hesitates. "And Tara?"
Buffy looks into sad green eyes, "Tara's here."
The talking is interrupted by a cry from the other room. Both move at once toward the room and the child inside.
Eve is sitting up in her bed rubbing her eyes and sniffling a little. Willow moves to the child, sits down and cuddles her close. "You okay baby girl?"
Eve wraps her arms around her mama, "Frogs in my dreams all hoppy."
Willow hugs her tight. "They're gone now, Mama's got you." Eve holds tighter as the redhead tries to soothe her. "Close your eyes and rest Eve." She presses a kiss to the child's temple and her eyes close.
Buffy watches in silence from the door. Her mind busy with questions and thoughts. A part of her thrilled that Willow seems better, happy with her child-but she knows soon she must tell her the rest and see the redhead's heart break.
***************************************************
A few minutes later the blonde and the redhead sit on the couch talking again. "Faith helped?"
"Yeah-she's been a big help. We went to Cleveland in the beginning and worked with the Slayers."
"But you came back?"
"Well Mom and Dawn are here-and well-seemed like the thing to do." Buffy smiles.
"And Faith?"
"She's here and so is Kennedy."
"Kennedy?"
" A new Slayer, one of the Potentials Giles brought that first night-you'll meet her. It's kinda hard not too, she's always hanging out at the house. Mom's wants you come to dinner on Sunday."
"I don't-I -maybe. It's still kinda weird being here."
"I understand."
"Buffy-Tara-does she know I'm-" Buffy nods. "And she's okay with?" Buffy again nods. A smile finds the witch's lips.
Buffy decides to not let her get her hopes up not even the tiniest bit. "She's found someone Will."
The news shocks the redhead but she regroups and lies as best she can. "Good. That's -that's good." Buffy reaches to touch the woman's hand but she pulls away. "She's -she's happy?" Tears slip down her cheeks as she watches Buffy nod.
Buffy reaches forward and though Willow tries to protest her friend pulls her into a hug. The redhead holds her tight as sobs escape from her throat. "It'll be okay-shh-I'm here-I'll make it okay." She continues to whisper in her ear trying to calm her.
***************************************************
Finally after lots of tears and talk the redhead is mostly composed. Buffy still looks worried. "I'm okay Buff-I mean it hurts cause a part of me will always love her-but I knew-I knew we were-that she could never trust me enough to be in love with me again."
Buffy wipes Willow's cheek. "You'll find someone to love Willow."
Eve comes in carrying a stuffed dog and a little blanket. "Ice cream now Mama?" She asks as she tries to get on her lap with all her prizes.
Willow smiles as she lifts the child, her eyes move to Buffy. "I've got someone."
"I guess you do at that." She smiles too. "How about the three of us go to the park and get ice cream and ride the Merry-go-Round?"
"I've been avoiding the whole outside thing." Willow states.
"Figured-so no more avoiding. Come on, let me show you the new old Sunnydale-what do you say?"
Willow nods, "Let me get her bag together." Buffy smiles.
***************************************************
Eve rides the Merry-go-Round pony with Buffy on one side of her and Willow on the other. The redhead's hand rests protectively on her child and the Slayer smiles as she watches them together.
A few minutes later the ride begins to slow and the little girl states, "Again Mama Again."
Willow looks across a Buffy who smiles, "She seems to like this thing as much as Dawn use to," says the blonde with a shrug.
"Last time Evey." Willow smiles at her daughter.
"Last time." She pauses the asks, "But just for today right?"
Willow smiles and leans over to kiss her child, "Last time for today."
Eve smiles and the ride starts again. Buffy smiles as she stands up on the stirrups of the wooden horse. Eve tries to do the same. "No Eve," Willow reprimands. "Sit down."
The child looks to Buffy and the redhead's eyes follow. The mother gives the older woman the evil eye and she sits instantly. "Oopsy." Buffy makes an 'I'm Sorry' face.
Willow smiles at her friend. "She likes to do what grown ups do, you have to be really careful."
"You know this how?"
Willow blushes, "Well after Mama-her first word was-" she stops and leans toward Buffy. She whispers and the Slayer hearing picks up the words Eve's little ears can't. "Damn straight."
Buffy giggles as Willow blushes again.
***************************************************
In the park later, Buffy smiles and nods to something Willow says. The redhead stops to help Eve with her dripping ice cream. She wipes the child's face and they all begin to walk again.
A few minutes later the walking comes to a sudden stop as Buffy sees Faith and Tara in front of them, the dark Slayer has a picnic basket in hand. Buffy tries to steer Willow away before she sees. "Why don't we go back to the ice cream cart-get a cup instead of the cone."
Her try is too late as Willow sees Tara with the Slayer. "Tara-" Willow squeaks out softly but her wide eyes settle on the once Rogue Slayer. "Tara?" Willow tries again a little louder.
The blonde witch tries to understand the scene in front of her as she watches Willow pick up the little girl and the child hide her face to the woman's body. "Will?" Tara's one word voicing her confusion.
They stand not five feet apart, the two Slayers, the two witches and the child. Faith scowls. Tara looks from Willow to the child and back, the redheads are simply quiet. Buffy tries to defuse things. "Hi!" She chirps with false joyfulness. "Fancy meeting the two of you here."
Sorry it took so long. Real life keeps getting in the way. I hope it was worth the wait, let me know what you think. Started on the next chapter already so hopefully the updates will not take so long.
Thanks to Wolfkin for the beta work-couldn't do it without you!