Christmas Miracles! Book One.
Summery:Willow wakes up not relizing that today is the anniversary of when she lost Tara. She finds comfort in a phone call.
Characters: Kennedy, Other, Willow - Genres: Fluff - Rating: G - Warnings: none -
Chapters: 4
Completed: Yes
Comments: Yes Please.
Memories.
It had been three long years since the passing of the beautiful sultress that Willow called Tara, The morning began not to terribly, she woke and stretched. Willow hadn’t even noticed that it was the fate full day that three years ago she had lost her beloved.
"Morning." a soft voice spoke from behind her.
"Mmm Morning." She rolled over and looked at the person that had been sharing her bed for almost two years now, Willow looked deep into those dark brown eyes, she leaned in and laid a soft morning kiss on the lips of this bed warmer. The redhead rolled onto her back and looked at the clock, 9:30 the red light blinking at her, she groaned for a moment and then tossed the covers off herself. She sat up and yawned while her feet dangled off the side of the bed. "I have so much to do. Why can't today be Friday?" She turned and looked at her girlfriend and smiled.
"You could call in sick!" The brunette retorted and smiled.
"oh no, they need me badly today, these new artefacts came in and they want me to decipher the codes, and there is that statue that still needs to be dated and restored. I can’t wait to see the language of those tablets, this could rock the whole existence as we know It." she paused "well magickly speaking."
She smiled and stood off the mattress, her feet now firmly planted on the floor. She looked around and wondered what time her meeting was with that scientist from Minsk. Walking over to her dresser she picked up her little appointment book and flipped the pages, her finger scanned over the days and stopped on today’s date. Willow's muscles went limp the book falling from her hands, how could she of forgotten, she promised she would never forget, this couldn’t be happening, her eyes started to well with tears.
Kennedy heard the book drop to the ground and her vision snapped up to Willow. "Something wrong?" She knew there obviously was.
"Do you know what today is?" Willow retorted.
"Yah its May 7th 2004." She smiled she was always a bright girl!
"It’s not just the 7th Kennedy... It's-it's the day." She stopped herself.
"It’s the day what, that you first started your period?" She laughed.
"Kennedy, would you just shut your mouth." Willow was getting angry at herself and Kennedy’s lack in judgement.
"I guess I was right." She smiled trying to make light of the situation and Willow just snapping at her.
Willow took a long breath she couldn’t go into work like this, she was an emotional mess. She lifted her cell phone off the dresser, pulling the charging plug out of the connection port, flipped it open and dialled her work extension.
"Hey Freda, it's Willow." A light young voice came sweetly into her ear.
"Hey Will, are you ok you don’t sound to good, is everything alright?"
willow sighed before answering. "um yeah I will be ok, I just wanted to call you and have you reschedule all my appointments today for next week."
Freda's voice came across the line again. "Ok Willow, I'll try my best but the big guys up stairs wont like it much."
This was hard, how could she explain this to Freda so they both wouldn't get in trouble? "Freda." She paused "If you have to just tell them.” she paused again thinking of what to say. "Tell them I lost a family member and I have to go and say goodbye."
Freda gasped. "Oh my! Willow, Are you ok?"
Willow was silent for a few moments. "To be honest, I lost her three years ago and she... she"
Freda interrupted. “Your mom?"
Willow chuckled for the first time today. "No, she's still living, and being a mom. No it's, it's" she made sounds of hesitation. "it was my" Her pauses were keeping Freda on the edge of her seat. "Tara."
Freda laughed and had a mental sigh of relief. "You lost your Tara? What’s a Tara?"
Willow smiled at the honest question, she would have taken it that way too. "Tara was my soul mate."
Freda wasn’t sure what Willow meant. "Oh dear, so you have been alone for three years? Oh my! It's time for you to jump back out here girl."
Willow smiled. "I do have someone now; just" she stopped before she went on knowing Kennedy was in ear shot. "Well we can talk more when I come in tomorrow."
Freda smiled. "Sounds like you need a friend."
"oh boy, do I!" Willow responded with lots of enthusiasm. Willow dressed and brushed her teeth while she continued her conversation with Freda.
Kennedy had been listening to her conversation this whole time, she had completely forgotten about Tara. "Hey Will, give me about an hour and I'll come get you and we can talk, maybe fix you up a little, make things better!" Freda's reassuring voice sounded in Willow's ear.
For the first time in three years, even with Kennedy around she felt not so alone. She felt like something was coming back in her life that she hadn’t seen in a long time. "ok, do you have any ideas where we can go?"
Kennedy heard Willow and thought it best that she should get dressed if they were going out.
"Oh I hadn’t thought that far ahead yet, but I will give some thought on my way."
"Freda don’t you need my address?"
Freda thought for a moment. "I think I have it in the employee files."
They ended their conversation, Willow turned with her disconnected phone call and saw Kennedy dressing. "Going somewhere?" she lifted a brow.
Kennedy looked up from zipping her boot shut. "Yah aren’t we?"
Willow looked confused. "I am. business lunch, and then I have to take care of some things."
Kennedy stood up, her brows furrowed in anger. "Willow, are you cheating on me?" her voice a bit raised.
"Oh god Kennedy how could you think that?"
The girls began to argue, the vibe in the room heated to near boiling. Willow heard Freda pull into her driveway; she hadn’t realized how long she and Kennedy had been arguing for until she heard the honk of Freda's Jetta.
"Kennedy, I can’t do this anymore, I've got to go my ride is waiting, this is too much for me to handle today." With the words barely escaping her mouth she grabbed her jacket and walked out of the room.
Friends.
The tree's of the Franklin Roosevelt park were very green and billowing in the May wind, it was an extraordinary feeling.
"So tell me more about Tara, Willow, how did you two meet?"
Continuing her stride she stopped and looked at Freda. "You wouldn’t believe me even if I could show you pictures" she smiled.
Covering her eyes from the bright sun Freda smiled. "Try me!" she was having a wonderful time with this gorgeous redhead.
Willow sighed. "Ok but don’t think I'm crazy" Freda nodded. "I met Tara one afternoon at a Wiccan meeting, we were both freshman in UC Sunnydale." she swallowed and they continued their walk as she spoke. "After Oz had left, it was just so weird to be in that place again. This time with another woman, she was beautiful Freda, her heart was huge, it had so much compassion and love, I don’t know what I would of done if we had never met, probably be with some lame guy not understanding myself."
"We all find those people Will, its the ones that are true that are forever with us" they both smiled.
Taking seats next to a tree the blades of grass felt amazingly cool in the shade. Both looking off into the distance Freda broke the silence.
"Your not happy with her are you?"
Willow turned her head and looked directly into her blue eyes. "Who? Kennedy?"
"No, Barney" she laughed. "Yes, Kennedy, how many girls are you seeing?"
Willow laughed. "Oh Kennedy, well it happened all so fast kinda like Tara, but Tara was different, she was someone I could relate to, she had everything in her that I ever wanted in someone for a relationship." she paused as she looked into Freda's eyes. "You have her eyes."
Freda tilted her head. "should I close them?"
she smiled. "oh no, they are beautiful, don’t close them." They smiled. "it’s just nice, they kinda help." she lightly laughed. "I can’t believe I just said that, I'm sorry Freda" She paused as if to think to make sure she didn't blurt out more embarrasing thoughts. "Thanks again for talking with me." "Well hey what are secretaries for, good listeners, great typists and we always have such great phone etiquette!" she smiled and laughed again.
"Hey are you hungry?" Willow asked slightly changing the subject.
"A little, but lets chat some more here and then we can go to this great diner. They don’t open for another hour or so." She smiled. "Great Caesar salads!" she added. "so you and Tara, how long had you been together?"
"Two and a half years, almost three."
"that is a long time."
"It was the best part of my life, I would love to go back, back in time, I wish I..." her eyes started to tear.
"Willow don’t blame yourself, you didn’t know." She pulled her into a hug and held this tender soul tight. "It will get better I promise, It takes Time. You can’t just expect to have coffee one day and it all be ok."
Willow pushed away she was a bit frightened. "She would of said something like that, she did once say something like that… eerie"
Freda looked at her in dismay. "she did?" Willow nodded. "must be something southern." shrugging off the coincidence Freda went on. "How did you meet Kennedy?"
"She was in a class that Buffy was teaching, kinda a self defence class." she smiled
"Your friend Buffy sounds tough"
Willow's eyes widening. "oh she is, strongest girl I know, other than Faith, they are kinda like a team of self defence guru's!"
"Guru's huh, that sounds interesting, but lets come back to that later, I want to be here for you, so you can work through this bad day." She smiled and touched willow's hand patting and consolingly. "Was Tara your first?" Willow nodded again. "She sounds like a great girl, catch, and everything in the middle!" she smiled again. Willow arched a brow, that was the second time she sounded like Tara, must have been like she said a Southern thing.
Holidays.
It was now late December, Freda was just packing up for the holidays when she saw a little note she had left on her desk. "Don’t forget to give Willow her present" she had bought her a large assortment of candles off of eBay, from some woman that said they were a great thing for the woman in need of a spiritual guide. Some person that was crazy enough to call herself demon_with_feelings. An odd one she was, her thank you message was. "Thank you for your money, now please go, come back with lots more money...." she laughed at this eBay seller and went on, picking the package up from her file cabinet she marched over to Will's office and knocked lightly. "Come in" opening the door partially she poked her head in.
"Hey, I was just getting ready to leave, and well I have something for you for the holidays!" Walking in she handed Willow the present, wrapped in Christmas sponge bob paper. "Sorry about the design my nephew loves him and I thought why waste a tree, besides he is a cute little yellow guy" she smiled.
"Oh Freda, it's lovely. Thank you so much. I didn’t have much time but I got this for you." Pulling an envelope from her mail tray she smiled. “It isn’t very personal but I thought you could use it" She smiled and so did Freda.
“I can’t wait to open it, see you after the New Year?" Willow nodded and smiled.
"Freda if you aren’t doing anything for Christmas I'd love to have you over, my extended family is in Europe and I can’t see me going this time."
"Oh, well umm, I was supposed to fly home, sorry I can’t make it." Willow smiled and understood. "Offer still stands till 12:00 am December 26th" They chuckled and then were off in their respectable destinations.
The tree was tall, well to Willow it was tall, it was beautiful, she had it decorated with an assorted collection of balls, little ornaments from Disney to wooden hand carved drummer boys. The tree topper was gorgeous it was a blonde angel with beautiful blue eyes that she had picked up one late night in a hurry, because her star had broken while she was trying to put it on. "Well it isn’t a menorah" she chuckled. " A Jewish lesbian witch celebrating Christmas, this is one for Guinness" She smiled but her heart wasn’t, she had no family here, they were all in Europe celebrating, Xander, Buffy Dawnie, and Giles. She really did miss them.
Some might ask why Kennedy wasn’t home to be with her Willow, but the answer is a simple one. When Willow had come home that day from talking with Freda, Kennedy was gone. No one had heard from her in almost seven months, she had just vanished her clothes still there everything. No one knew. Willow sat down on her couch and smiled, her decorating skills were beautiful. Her heart smiled at her little angel tree topper, It reminded her of Tara but lately these days everything reminded her of Tara. She missed her, needed her, and wanted her.
The holidays were always the hardest to live with out her. "I miss you baby, I have a gift for every Christmas and Birthday we have missed together. I hope when I leave this world I can give them to you, I know that the material cant go but I can describe them to you. Most of all I cant wait to be back in your arms, I miss you, I miss us." A small tear streamed down her cheek, every night before Christmas, before bed when Kennedy was asleep, she would sneak down to the tree and put a little present in the back, and then talk to Tara. It was what had kept her going all these years and months, to know that she would have this time with Tara before the holiday. Just her and her beloved.
Willow stood up and walked to a little drawer she opened it and pulled out a black velvet box, it had a small gold bow on the top she smiled and took it to the tree. She sat down and set it in the front for all to see, "That’s your present baby, I hope you like it." she smiled again her bum resting on her heels, she was just staring at the box. From out of the sounds of snow falling and the wind lightly rustling the bushes she heard a beautiful sound .
"Dashing through the snow in one horse open slay over fields we go laughing all the way ha-ha!" She looked around and thought that it was the local church, they always had carols on Christmas eve, she smiled and stood up, walking to the door. "Bells on bob tails ring making spirits bright what fun it is to ride and sing and sing this song to night!" She smiled opening the door to greet the local men and women.
"Oh my god Buffy!" She ran out into the snow and hugged her best friend tight, her eyes started to water. "Dawnie!" she hugged her next. "You guys!" Her heart was on fire with excitement and shock, her eyes lighting up. "I cant believe you made it! But what about Giles?" Her glimmer that she had only moments ago started to fade noticing that there were two missing. Buffy looked to Dawn and then back to Willow.
"oh he isn’t much for the snowy white, more of a tea and green isle kinda guy!" They all smiled, greatful that they were all together.
"O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem" Stepping from behind the side of her house a beautiful deep English voice sang. "Happy Christmas Willow" Giles hugged Willow, he was so happy that Buffy and Dawn had wanted to surprise the redhead this way, through all of the things and years he had become fond of all the kids, they were like is adopted children.
"Oh my god you guys!" her tears started to well she hugged Giles tight, this was almost the best Christmas ever, the one thing that was missing she had never done without.
Unexpected.
"Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on,
our troubles will be out of sight
have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on,
our troubles will be miles away.
Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
gather near to us once more.
Through the years
we all will be together,
if the Fates allow
hang a shining star
upon the highest bough.
And have yourself
a merry little Christmas now."
Xander smiled walking up from the shadows with an out stretched present. "Merry Christmas Will" he hugged her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. They all walked inside and shut the door, the little Christmas wreath spilling snow onto the porch. They talked and ate cookies, drinking hot Chocolate. Buffy was stooped by the tree setting down presents. "So Will, how is Christmas out of Sunnydale?" spinning and asking.
"Oh it’s nice, first time with snow!" she smiled.
"Snow is good, nice, white and fluffy!" She stated with a smile in her cute little voice, and hugged her best friend.
"Well what do you all say to a round of Deck the Halls?" Giles stood from the winged chair next to the fire place.
Dawn looked up. “twelve days of Christmas?" She asked with hope.
Everyone smiled and began to sing.
"We wish you a Merry Christmas;
we wish you a Merry Christmas;
we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Good tidings we bring to you and your king;
Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Oh, bring us a Figgie pudding;
Oh, bring us a Figgie pudding;
Oh, bring us a Figgie pudding and a cup of good cheer.
We won't go until we get some;
We won't go until we get some;
We won't go until we get some, so bring some out here.
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."
A light knock was heard at the door, Willow looked at everyone and took a head count "Think its Santa?" she smiled walking to the door "Freda?" she smiled
"Sorry I hope I’m not interrupting but my flight was cancelled and I had no where to go."
Willow smiled "Oh no interruptionage, nope! none!" She ushered Freda inside, she shook the snow from her hair. "Every one this is Freda" Willow smiled and introduced her as they walked into the living room. Everyone took turns saying hi and telling her Merry Christmas.
Willow walked into the kitchen to refresh the plate of cookies, she was finally smiling inside. This was the best Christmas she had, had in a long time, it was gorgeous and beautiful in every sense of the words.
"Need some help?" a soft voice asked from behind her.
"umm maybe a little." Willow turned around and smiled at Freda.
"What would you like me to do?"
"Could you take these into the front room and umm see who needs some drinks while I pull things out?"
"Sure." Freda picked up the tray, walking into the front room she set the cookies down and smiled. "Would anyone like a refresh or something to drink?"
Giles looked up "umm a spot of tea would be great."
"ok tea for Mr. Giles, gotcha." She started to walk back to the kitchen to tell willow they needed some hot water boiled but she heard Buffy say something. Stopping in the door way to turn around "Sorry Buffy I didn’t hear you, what did you need?"
"Two hot chocolates please!" she smiled.
"Oh I'd love some more Chocolaty yummy goodness too!" Xander added.
"Ok so Tea for Mr. Giles and three hot chocolates, I think I should trade in being a secretary and become a short order waitress, I need two Bonnie and Clyde's on a raft and rickem!" she laughed as she started to turn around, Buffy and everyone else thoroughly enjoying her sense of humour. Once she had left the room Buffy turned to Giles.
"Doesn’t she remind you of someone?"
"Yes inexplicably well." His mind in thought while he answered.
"Her smile."
"It's her; I know it, but maybe just a coincidence."
"Giles, did you see her eyes?"
"So blue."
Freda walked into the kitchen. "We need a cup of tea for Mr. Giles and three hot chocolates."
"Mmk, three hot chocolat-y goodness’s coming up and some tea for Giles"
"Your friends are really nice Will."
"Yeah, they great!" Willow turned from the stove and smiled at Freda.
Walking back from the kitchen the two girls gave everyone there drinks.
"Thank you Willow." Giles smiled up to her still a bit in thought.
"Thanks Will" Buffy smiled.
"Wow Freda! best Hot chocolate ever." Xander retorted.
Squinting a little, she smiled "Oh I just held the cup, Willow made the liquid!"
"Still good." he took a drink.
"Here you go, Dawn, right?" she smiled handing her the cup.
"Yep, Dawn, thanks." taking the cup.
"Freda we forgot out drinks." Willow stated.
"Want me to go get them?"
"oh no, I was wondering if you wanted to go back with me?"
"Sure!"
The two girls left the front room heading for the kitchen. Buffy looked at everyone and then to Giles. "How do they not see it?"
"Striking resemblance." He took off his glasses and cleaned them with the white hankie that was pulled from his tweed pocket.
"I know. I smell a demon."
"She wasn’t a demon Buffy."
"I know Spike took care of that for us."
"We can’t research now, it will look suspicious."
"You think Willow went all Witchie Wacky and did a spell?"
"I can’t say that I know she didn’t, but we would have felt it in the balances."
"could she of done it under the radar?"
"Its hard to say really, shh they're coming." He spoke in a hushed tone.
Willow stopped in the archway with Freda next to her. "Does anyone have a match or a lighter?" Willow quickly questioned, wanting to hurry and use the flame to light the a candle that she had gotten.
"I have a lighter Will." Xander dug in his pockets.
Buffy looked at Giles and she was trying to give him a heads up for the asking of the lighter. "What'cha need a lighter for Will?"
"Freda got me some candles for Christmas and it has this one scent that is my favourite." she smiled.
"Hey look!" Dawn pointed above Willow and Freda.
Both of the girls looked up and then at each other. Will turned her head and smiled at dawn. "Dawnie, sweetie, I don’t think Freda kisses girls."
"I don’t?" Freda looked at Willow.
"Do you?"
"I could!"
"But aren’t you with Raymond from purchasing?"
"That doesn’t mean I break traditions." she laughed.
"oh, umm, but umm" she stammered along.
Freda laughed, "Will its a kiss not a marriage proposal!" She pulled willow close enough so she could peck her on the lips, The two girls lips met and sparks started to happen. Willow was about to pull away when Freda pulled her closer her mouth pressing harder against Willow's. Shocking Willow she hadn’t expected this at all, but she felt something, her heart jumped it pattered uncontrollably, oh god she felt like she hadn’t been kissed this way since, since Tara!
"Giles do you see that?" Buffy stammered her eyes wide.
His glasses were off again and he was cleaning them "see what?"
"Look!" she pointed.
He squinted, his nose crinkling, then relized he need to put back on his glasses.Affixing them he blinked returning his vison to normal. "Oh dear god!"
Willow and Freda were floating, sparklies circling them; no one could explain this strange occurrence. The bells of the grandfather clock in her hall struck dong...dong...dong it went on for twelve strikes, after the last had finished the girls slowly floated down, down to the floor. Their feet now planted firmly, the kiss braking Willow opened her eyes and stammered out a word.
"Tara?"
"Hmmm?" Tara spoke.
Characters: Kennedy, Other, Willow - Genres: Fluff - Rating: G - Warnings: none -
Chapters: 4
Completed: Yes
Comments: Yes Please.
Memories.
It had been three long years since the passing of the beautiful sultress that Willow called Tara, The morning began not to terribly, she woke and stretched. Willow hadn’t even noticed that it was the fate full day that three years ago she had lost her beloved.
"Morning." a soft voice spoke from behind her.
"Mmm Morning." She rolled over and looked at the person that had been sharing her bed for almost two years now, Willow looked deep into those dark brown eyes, she leaned in and laid a soft morning kiss on the lips of this bed warmer. The redhead rolled onto her back and looked at the clock, 9:30 the red light blinking at her, she groaned for a moment and then tossed the covers off herself. She sat up and yawned while her feet dangled off the side of the bed. "I have so much to do. Why can't today be Friday?" She turned and looked at her girlfriend and smiled.
"You could call in sick!" The brunette retorted and smiled.
"oh no, they need me badly today, these new artefacts came in and they want me to decipher the codes, and there is that statue that still needs to be dated and restored. I can’t wait to see the language of those tablets, this could rock the whole existence as we know It." she paused "well magickly speaking."
She smiled and stood off the mattress, her feet now firmly planted on the floor. She looked around and wondered what time her meeting was with that scientist from Minsk. Walking over to her dresser she picked up her little appointment book and flipped the pages, her finger scanned over the days and stopped on today’s date. Willow's muscles went limp the book falling from her hands, how could she of forgotten, she promised she would never forget, this couldn’t be happening, her eyes started to well with tears.
Kennedy heard the book drop to the ground and her vision snapped up to Willow. "Something wrong?" She knew there obviously was.
"Do you know what today is?" Willow retorted.
"Yah its May 7th 2004." She smiled she was always a bright girl!
"It’s not just the 7th Kennedy... It's-it's the day." She stopped herself.
"It’s the day what, that you first started your period?" She laughed.
"Kennedy, would you just shut your mouth." Willow was getting angry at herself and Kennedy’s lack in judgement.
"I guess I was right." She smiled trying to make light of the situation and Willow just snapping at her.
Willow took a long breath she couldn’t go into work like this, she was an emotional mess. She lifted her cell phone off the dresser, pulling the charging plug out of the connection port, flipped it open and dialled her work extension.
"Hey Freda, it's Willow." A light young voice came sweetly into her ear.
"Hey Will, are you ok you don’t sound to good, is everything alright?"
willow sighed before answering. "um yeah I will be ok, I just wanted to call you and have you reschedule all my appointments today for next week."
Freda's voice came across the line again. "Ok Willow, I'll try my best but the big guys up stairs wont like it much."
This was hard, how could she explain this to Freda so they both wouldn't get in trouble? "Freda." She paused "If you have to just tell them.” she paused again thinking of what to say. "Tell them I lost a family member and I have to go and say goodbye."
Freda gasped. "Oh my! Willow, Are you ok?"
Willow was silent for a few moments. "To be honest, I lost her three years ago and she... she"
Freda interrupted. “Your mom?"
Willow chuckled for the first time today. "No, she's still living, and being a mom. No it's, it's" she made sounds of hesitation. "it was my" Her pauses were keeping Freda on the edge of her seat. "Tara."
Freda laughed and had a mental sigh of relief. "You lost your Tara? What’s a Tara?"
Willow smiled at the honest question, she would have taken it that way too. "Tara was my soul mate."
Freda wasn’t sure what Willow meant. "Oh dear, so you have been alone for three years? Oh my! It's time for you to jump back out here girl."
Willow smiled. "I do have someone now; just" she stopped before she went on knowing Kennedy was in ear shot. "Well we can talk more when I come in tomorrow."
Freda smiled. "Sounds like you need a friend."
"oh boy, do I!" Willow responded with lots of enthusiasm. Willow dressed and brushed her teeth while she continued her conversation with Freda.
Kennedy had been listening to her conversation this whole time, she had completely forgotten about Tara. "Hey Will, give me about an hour and I'll come get you and we can talk, maybe fix you up a little, make things better!" Freda's reassuring voice sounded in Willow's ear.
For the first time in three years, even with Kennedy around she felt not so alone. She felt like something was coming back in her life that she hadn’t seen in a long time. "ok, do you have any ideas where we can go?"
Kennedy heard Willow and thought it best that she should get dressed if they were going out.
"Oh I hadn’t thought that far ahead yet, but I will give some thought on my way."
"Freda don’t you need my address?"
Freda thought for a moment. "I think I have it in the employee files."
They ended their conversation, Willow turned with her disconnected phone call and saw Kennedy dressing. "Going somewhere?" she lifted a brow.
Kennedy looked up from zipping her boot shut. "Yah aren’t we?"
Willow looked confused. "I am. business lunch, and then I have to take care of some things."
Kennedy stood up, her brows furrowed in anger. "Willow, are you cheating on me?" her voice a bit raised.
"Oh god Kennedy how could you think that?"
The girls began to argue, the vibe in the room heated to near boiling. Willow heard Freda pull into her driveway; she hadn’t realized how long she and Kennedy had been arguing for until she heard the honk of Freda's Jetta.
"Kennedy, I can’t do this anymore, I've got to go my ride is waiting, this is too much for me to handle today." With the words barely escaping her mouth she grabbed her jacket and walked out of the room.
Friends.
The tree's of the Franklin Roosevelt park were very green and billowing in the May wind, it was an extraordinary feeling.
"So tell me more about Tara, Willow, how did you two meet?"
Continuing her stride she stopped and looked at Freda. "You wouldn’t believe me even if I could show you pictures" she smiled.
Covering her eyes from the bright sun Freda smiled. "Try me!" she was having a wonderful time with this gorgeous redhead.
Willow sighed. "Ok but don’t think I'm crazy" Freda nodded. "I met Tara one afternoon at a Wiccan meeting, we were both freshman in UC Sunnydale." she swallowed and they continued their walk as she spoke. "After Oz had left, it was just so weird to be in that place again. This time with another woman, she was beautiful Freda, her heart was huge, it had so much compassion and love, I don’t know what I would of done if we had never met, probably be with some lame guy not understanding myself."
"We all find those people Will, its the ones that are true that are forever with us" they both smiled.
Taking seats next to a tree the blades of grass felt amazingly cool in the shade. Both looking off into the distance Freda broke the silence.
"Your not happy with her are you?"
Willow turned her head and looked directly into her blue eyes. "Who? Kennedy?"
"No, Barney" she laughed. "Yes, Kennedy, how many girls are you seeing?"
Willow laughed. "Oh Kennedy, well it happened all so fast kinda like Tara, but Tara was different, she was someone I could relate to, she had everything in her that I ever wanted in someone for a relationship." she paused as she looked into Freda's eyes. "You have her eyes."
Freda tilted her head. "should I close them?"
she smiled. "oh no, they are beautiful, don’t close them." They smiled. "it’s just nice, they kinda help." she lightly laughed. "I can’t believe I just said that, I'm sorry Freda" She paused as if to think to make sure she didn't blurt out more embarrasing thoughts. "Thanks again for talking with me." "Well hey what are secretaries for, good listeners, great typists and we always have such great phone etiquette!" she smiled and laughed again.
"Hey are you hungry?" Willow asked slightly changing the subject.
"A little, but lets chat some more here and then we can go to this great diner. They don’t open for another hour or so." She smiled. "Great Caesar salads!" she added. "so you and Tara, how long had you been together?"
"Two and a half years, almost three."
"that is a long time."
"It was the best part of my life, I would love to go back, back in time, I wish I..." her eyes started to tear.
"Willow don’t blame yourself, you didn’t know." She pulled her into a hug and held this tender soul tight. "It will get better I promise, It takes Time. You can’t just expect to have coffee one day and it all be ok."
Willow pushed away she was a bit frightened. "She would of said something like that, she did once say something like that… eerie"
Freda looked at her in dismay. "she did?" Willow nodded. "must be something southern." shrugging off the coincidence Freda went on. "How did you meet Kennedy?"
"She was in a class that Buffy was teaching, kinda a self defence class." she smiled
"Your friend Buffy sounds tough"
Willow's eyes widening. "oh she is, strongest girl I know, other than Faith, they are kinda like a team of self defence guru's!"
"Guru's huh, that sounds interesting, but lets come back to that later, I want to be here for you, so you can work through this bad day." She smiled and touched willow's hand patting and consolingly. "Was Tara your first?" Willow nodded again. "She sounds like a great girl, catch, and everything in the middle!" she smiled again. Willow arched a brow, that was the second time she sounded like Tara, must have been like she said a Southern thing.
Holidays.
It was now late December, Freda was just packing up for the holidays when she saw a little note she had left on her desk. "Don’t forget to give Willow her present" she had bought her a large assortment of candles off of eBay, from some woman that said they were a great thing for the woman in need of a spiritual guide. Some person that was crazy enough to call herself demon_with_feelings. An odd one she was, her thank you message was. "Thank you for your money, now please go, come back with lots more money...." she laughed at this eBay seller and went on, picking the package up from her file cabinet she marched over to Will's office and knocked lightly. "Come in" opening the door partially she poked her head in.
"Hey, I was just getting ready to leave, and well I have something for you for the holidays!" Walking in she handed Willow the present, wrapped in Christmas sponge bob paper. "Sorry about the design my nephew loves him and I thought why waste a tree, besides he is a cute little yellow guy" she smiled.
"Oh Freda, it's lovely. Thank you so much. I didn’t have much time but I got this for you." Pulling an envelope from her mail tray she smiled. “It isn’t very personal but I thought you could use it" She smiled and so did Freda.
“I can’t wait to open it, see you after the New Year?" Willow nodded and smiled.
"Freda if you aren’t doing anything for Christmas I'd love to have you over, my extended family is in Europe and I can’t see me going this time."
"Oh, well umm, I was supposed to fly home, sorry I can’t make it." Willow smiled and understood. "Offer still stands till 12:00 am December 26th" They chuckled and then were off in their respectable destinations.
The tree was tall, well to Willow it was tall, it was beautiful, she had it decorated with an assorted collection of balls, little ornaments from Disney to wooden hand carved drummer boys. The tree topper was gorgeous it was a blonde angel with beautiful blue eyes that she had picked up one late night in a hurry, because her star had broken while she was trying to put it on. "Well it isn’t a menorah" she chuckled. " A Jewish lesbian witch celebrating Christmas, this is one for Guinness" She smiled but her heart wasn’t, she had no family here, they were all in Europe celebrating, Xander, Buffy Dawnie, and Giles. She really did miss them.
Some might ask why Kennedy wasn’t home to be with her Willow, but the answer is a simple one. When Willow had come home that day from talking with Freda, Kennedy was gone. No one had heard from her in almost seven months, she had just vanished her clothes still there everything. No one knew. Willow sat down on her couch and smiled, her decorating skills were beautiful. Her heart smiled at her little angel tree topper, It reminded her of Tara but lately these days everything reminded her of Tara. She missed her, needed her, and wanted her.
The holidays were always the hardest to live with out her. "I miss you baby, I have a gift for every Christmas and Birthday we have missed together. I hope when I leave this world I can give them to you, I know that the material cant go but I can describe them to you. Most of all I cant wait to be back in your arms, I miss you, I miss us." A small tear streamed down her cheek, every night before Christmas, before bed when Kennedy was asleep, she would sneak down to the tree and put a little present in the back, and then talk to Tara. It was what had kept her going all these years and months, to know that she would have this time with Tara before the holiday. Just her and her beloved.
Willow stood up and walked to a little drawer she opened it and pulled out a black velvet box, it had a small gold bow on the top she smiled and took it to the tree. She sat down and set it in the front for all to see, "That’s your present baby, I hope you like it." she smiled again her bum resting on her heels, she was just staring at the box. From out of the sounds of snow falling and the wind lightly rustling the bushes she heard a beautiful sound .
"Dashing through the snow in one horse open slay over fields we go laughing all the way ha-ha!" She looked around and thought that it was the local church, they always had carols on Christmas eve, she smiled and stood up, walking to the door. "Bells on bob tails ring making spirits bright what fun it is to ride and sing and sing this song to night!" She smiled opening the door to greet the local men and women.
"Oh my god Buffy!" She ran out into the snow and hugged her best friend tight, her eyes started to water. "Dawnie!" she hugged her next. "You guys!" Her heart was on fire with excitement and shock, her eyes lighting up. "I cant believe you made it! But what about Giles?" Her glimmer that she had only moments ago started to fade noticing that there were two missing. Buffy looked to Dawn and then back to Willow.
"oh he isn’t much for the snowy white, more of a tea and green isle kinda guy!" They all smiled, greatful that they were all together.
"O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem" Stepping from behind the side of her house a beautiful deep English voice sang. "Happy Christmas Willow" Giles hugged Willow, he was so happy that Buffy and Dawn had wanted to surprise the redhead this way, through all of the things and years he had become fond of all the kids, they were like is adopted children.
"Oh my god you guys!" her tears started to well she hugged Giles tight, this was almost the best Christmas ever, the one thing that was missing she had never done without.
Unexpected.
"Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on,
our troubles will be out of sight
have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on,
our troubles will be miles away.
Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
gather near to us once more.
Through the years
we all will be together,
if the Fates allow
hang a shining star
upon the highest bough.
And have yourself
a merry little Christmas now."
Xander smiled walking up from the shadows with an out stretched present. "Merry Christmas Will" he hugged her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. They all walked inside and shut the door, the little Christmas wreath spilling snow onto the porch. They talked and ate cookies, drinking hot Chocolate. Buffy was stooped by the tree setting down presents. "So Will, how is Christmas out of Sunnydale?" spinning and asking.
"Oh it’s nice, first time with snow!" she smiled.
"Snow is good, nice, white and fluffy!" She stated with a smile in her cute little voice, and hugged her best friend.
"Well what do you all say to a round of Deck the Halls?" Giles stood from the winged chair next to the fire place.
Dawn looked up. “twelve days of Christmas?" She asked with hope.
Everyone smiled and began to sing.
"We wish you a Merry Christmas;
we wish you a Merry Christmas;
we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Good tidings we bring to you and your king;
Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Oh, bring us a Figgie pudding;
Oh, bring us a Figgie pudding;
Oh, bring us a Figgie pudding and a cup of good cheer.
We won't go until we get some;
We won't go until we get some;
We won't go until we get some, so bring some out here.
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."
A light knock was heard at the door, Willow looked at everyone and took a head count "Think its Santa?" she smiled walking to the door "Freda?" she smiled
"Sorry I hope I’m not interrupting but my flight was cancelled and I had no where to go."
Willow smiled "Oh no interruptionage, nope! none!" She ushered Freda inside, she shook the snow from her hair. "Every one this is Freda" Willow smiled and introduced her as they walked into the living room. Everyone took turns saying hi and telling her Merry Christmas.
Willow walked into the kitchen to refresh the plate of cookies, she was finally smiling inside. This was the best Christmas she had, had in a long time, it was gorgeous and beautiful in every sense of the words.
"Need some help?" a soft voice asked from behind her.
"umm maybe a little." Willow turned around and smiled at Freda.
"What would you like me to do?"
"Could you take these into the front room and umm see who needs some drinks while I pull things out?"
"Sure." Freda picked up the tray, walking into the front room she set the cookies down and smiled. "Would anyone like a refresh or something to drink?"
Giles looked up "umm a spot of tea would be great."
"ok tea for Mr. Giles, gotcha." She started to walk back to the kitchen to tell willow they needed some hot water boiled but she heard Buffy say something. Stopping in the door way to turn around "Sorry Buffy I didn’t hear you, what did you need?"
"Two hot chocolates please!" she smiled.
"Oh I'd love some more Chocolaty yummy goodness too!" Xander added.
"Ok so Tea for Mr. Giles and three hot chocolates, I think I should trade in being a secretary and become a short order waitress, I need two Bonnie and Clyde's on a raft and rickem!" she laughed as she started to turn around, Buffy and everyone else thoroughly enjoying her sense of humour. Once she had left the room Buffy turned to Giles.
"Doesn’t she remind you of someone?"
"Yes inexplicably well." His mind in thought while he answered.
"Her smile."
"It's her; I know it, but maybe just a coincidence."
"Giles, did you see her eyes?"
"So blue."
Freda walked into the kitchen. "We need a cup of tea for Mr. Giles and three hot chocolates."
"Mmk, three hot chocolat-y goodness’s coming up and some tea for Giles"
"Your friends are really nice Will."
"Yeah, they great!" Willow turned from the stove and smiled at Freda.
Walking back from the kitchen the two girls gave everyone there drinks.
"Thank you Willow." Giles smiled up to her still a bit in thought.
"Thanks Will" Buffy smiled.
"Wow Freda! best Hot chocolate ever." Xander retorted.
Squinting a little, she smiled "Oh I just held the cup, Willow made the liquid!"
"Still good." he took a drink.
"Here you go, Dawn, right?" she smiled handing her the cup.
"Yep, Dawn, thanks." taking the cup.
"Freda we forgot out drinks." Willow stated.
"Want me to go get them?"
"oh no, I was wondering if you wanted to go back with me?"
"Sure!"
The two girls left the front room heading for the kitchen. Buffy looked at everyone and then to Giles. "How do they not see it?"
"Striking resemblance." He took off his glasses and cleaned them with the white hankie that was pulled from his tweed pocket.
"I know. I smell a demon."
"She wasn’t a demon Buffy."
"I know Spike took care of that for us."
"We can’t research now, it will look suspicious."
"You think Willow went all Witchie Wacky and did a spell?"
"I can’t say that I know she didn’t, but we would have felt it in the balances."
"could she of done it under the radar?"
"Its hard to say really, shh they're coming." He spoke in a hushed tone.
Willow stopped in the archway with Freda next to her. "Does anyone have a match or a lighter?" Willow quickly questioned, wanting to hurry and use the flame to light the a candle that she had gotten.
"I have a lighter Will." Xander dug in his pockets.
Buffy looked at Giles and she was trying to give him a heads up for the asking of the lighter. "What'cha need a lighter for Will?"
"Freda got me some candles for Christmas and it has this one scent that is my favourite." she smiled.
"Hey look!" Dawn pointed above Willow and Freda.
Both of the girls looked up and then at each other. Will turned her head and smiled at dawn. "Dawnie, sweetie, I don’t think Freda kisses girls."
"I don’t?" Freda looked at Willow.
"Do you?"
"I could!"
"But aren’t you with Raymond from purchasing?"
"That doesn’t mean I break traditions." she laughed.
"oh, umm, but umm" she stammered along.
Freda laughed, "Will its a kiss not a marriage proposal!" She pulled willow close enough so she could peck her on the lips, The two girls lips met and sparks started to happen. Willow was about to pull away when Freda pulled her closer her mouth pressing harder against Willow's. Shocking Willow she hadn’t expected this at all, but she felt something, her heart jumped it pattered uncontrollably, oh god she felt like she hadn’t been kissed this way since, since Tara!
"Giles do you see that?" Buffy stammered her eyes wide.
His glasses were off again and he was cleaning them "see what?"
"Look!" she pointed.
He squinted, his nose crinkling, then relized he need to put back on his glasses.Affixing them he blinked returning his vison to normal. "Oh dear god!"
Willow and Freda were floating, sparklies circling them; no one could explain this strange occurrence. The bells of the grandfather clock in her hall struck dong...dong...dong it went on for twelve strikes, after the last had finished the girls slowly floated down, down to the floor. Their feet now planted firmly, the kiss braking Willow opened her eyes and stammered out a word.
"Tara?"
"Hmmm?" Tara spoke.