Baby's Coming Back
by willow
Don't
[reviews]
Chapter 6: Don't
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"Well, I should get going," Willow said, standing up from the sofa with Paige who had her little arms wrapped around her mommy's neck. They had finished lunch at one and it turned two before Willow was able to get her over-excited daughter to take her mid-day nap. Now half three, Willow felt that she had outstayed her welcome being at the Summers' house for a good five and a half hours.
"Are you sure, dear? You could stay for dinner if you like?" Joyce asked, hoping to get a good meal down Willow. She knew, being a single mom herself, that Willow probably didn't give much thought about what she was eating now she had a child to bring up by herself. Willow did look thin, but with looking after such an active child it was completely understandable, especially since she was so naturally thin anyway.
"Uhh, mom, the guys are coming 'round later..." Buffy said, before Willow could reply. "I mean you can stay if you're ready to see them?" Buffy said, grabbing one of Willow's hands and grazing her thumb gently over her boney hand.
Willow's eyes widened at the suggestion. Today had been great with Buffy, she just felt the others wouldn't understand as well as her best friend. "Well, the uhhh... thing is, with today... and the going home... and the guys, I don't know if... well..."
Paige laughed at Willow's babble, "Spit 't'out, mommy!"
Buffy smiled at the little girl and held out her arms for Paige to climb into. She rested the little girl on her hip and turned her head towards her. "Now since mommy can't make her mind up, why don't you decide?" Paige tilted her head at the request, wondering what Buffy was about to ask. "You want to stay for dinner and see some more of mommy's friends?" Paige nodded with a smile before wrapping her arms around Buffy's neck and hugging tight. "Well, that's decided then." Willow gave Buffy a half-hearted smile as she hugged herself. The slayer put the little girl down, who immediately ran for Mrs. Fluffytail. She walked up to Willow and rubbed a hand up and down one of her arms. "It'll be fine, I promise," she smiled, "they've missed you *nearly* as much as I have."
Willow nodded, "Ok, b-but..." she looked to her little girl, "what if..."
"No, what if's, ok?" Buffy hugged her to try and ease away the worries. Willow just nodded against her shoulder.
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"S-so who is she?" Willow asked. She was sat next to Buffy on the couch, nervously playing with the bottom of her shirt. Buffy had just told her that Tara had a new girlfriend and by the way the slayer was acting, Willow guessed that it was someone she already knew.
"Um, well..." at the moment the doorbell rang and Buffy jumped up off the sofa. "Right, ok, you ready?" Willow swallowed but nodded her head. Buffy took her hand and pulled her up off the couch. She walked towards the door with her hand gently resting on Willow's back. She stepped forward to open the door with Willow waiting nervously behind her.
"Hey, Xand," Buffy smiled as she let him in.
"Hey, Buff, I brought wine," he said with a goofy grin, handing the bottle to Buffy. Only then did he notice the woman standing behind her. "Willow?"
Willow tried to smile, but she couldn't, she was too scared of rejection from her oldest friend. She couldn't find words either. How was she supposed to explain to Xander that why she just took off without a goodbye? And why was Xander wearing an eye patch, what happened to his eye? She managed to squeak out a "hey".
"Oh, my God," Xander pulled her into an embrace, squeezing tightly. "You're back," he whispered, barely catching Willow's ears. Tears made their way down his right cheek.
"I'm back," Willow confirmed, voice slightly louder.
"Hey, what's for dinner?" Anya asked Buffy as she walked through the door, not yet noticing the witch.
"Uhh... garlic chicken," Buffy said, a little taken back by how oblivious the ex-demon was to what was going on.
"Willow! You're back!" she exclaimed, finally noticing the woman who was hugging her fiancé.
"That's what I said," Xander smiled as the two broke the hug and he subtley wiped away tears.
"Are you still magic crazy?" Anya asked, approaching the witch.
"Umm... no," Willow said, looking down and shaking her head.
"Oh, good," Anya pulled her into a hug. Even though the two drove each other crazy most of the time, they were still good friends and had missed each other alot.
Buffy ushered them all into the living room and went to check on dinner, leaving Willow alone with Anya and Xander. As they all sat down, Paige came running up to Willow, plonking herself on her mommy's lap, waiting to be introduced to the new people. As both Xander and Anya stared wide eyed, Willow smiled sheepishly.
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A few minutes later, Anya and Paige were playing a game with Mrs. Fluffytail on the floor. Xander smiled at how good his future wife was with kids, and Willow was smiling at the goofy, proud look on his face.
When the doorbell went, Buffy went to the door, still with oven mits on. She greeted Tara and Faith and led the giggly couple into the living room where the others were waiting. The two stopped their laughter when they noticed Willow on the couch.
"Willow!" Tara jumped away from Faith slightly, earning a frown from the former rogue slayer. But it was too late, Willow had seen them together. Happy. She paled and frowned out of hurt and confusion.
"I've been replaced by Faith?" Her voice broke slightly and Tara looked away, fidgeting with her hands.
"Right," Willow nodded once and stood up picking her little girl up and walking into the kitchen.
Faith walked up to Tara and put an arm around her, "What was that?"
"Don't," Tara said quietly, pushing Faith away and sitting down on the arm chair.
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Can I have some more reviews pleeeeeeeeeease? =]