"Once Upon a Night Part 1"
"Tara, meet me at the Bronze at 7.
I have a surprise for you.
Love,
Me"
read the card Willow had left on the kitchen counter beneath a single wildflower. Tara was a little bit nervous yet very excited. She looked at the clock anxiously awaiting the two hours she had to get ready. It didn't take the wiccan beauty a long time to get ready, but she didn't want to be rushed and she wanted to be completely desirable to Willow. Tara didn't know that even at her worst, Willow found her completely irresistible.
Tara ran upstairs to take a shower, though she had done so earlier that day, she wanted to be completely perfect for her love. She carefully removed her skirt, blouse, and undergarments, then removed the chopsticks from her ponytail and let the soft blond hair fall to the middle of her back. She shivered a little at the thought of the passion filled evening she had spent with Willow the night before. She turned the water on which immediately became warm and stepped in. She reached for the shampoo in the corner and lathered her long hair which had grown beneath the water, then followed systematically with conditioner and ran her fingers through her hair which seemed to be completely free of tangles, as she brushed it every night before she went to bed.
Tara slowly got out of the shower and wrapped the towel around her waist, though her hair was free of tangles, she proceeded to brush it and for once wear it completely down. She stood in front of the mirror modeling various skirts and shirts before finally deciding on a simple, black, off the shoulder dress which extended a few inches below her knees. She donned a pair of strappy heels and put on some very subtle lip gloss. Tara looked at the clock: "hmm, 6:45, is there anything else?" she gave herself one last look in the mirror and decided she had done all she needed to do.
Tara walked a short way to the Bronze which was seemed to be completely isolated. It was dark except for the usual light, but she knew Willow would never do anything to put her in any harm. She opened the door to see a completely empty bronze, decorated with hanging candles.
"Magic free" the red head softly whispered in her ear as she wrapped her arms around Tara's waist. Tara turned with tears in her eyes and looked at Willow. She smiled the biggest smile at Willow who, when she saw Tara, nearly forgot how to breathe. Willow stepped back completely stunned, "Tara, wow...I...wow". Tara pulled her to her closely and whispered "Why?"
"Tara, you are the most amazing woman I have ever met. In the past years we've been together, we've done it all, fought, broken up, gotten back together, neared death, and through it all you've been my support system, my best friend, my lover, and my confidante. I wouldn't have had it and I don't want it any other way."
Tara was about to speak but Willow softly put her index finger over her full lips as she turned around to grab something. She fell to the ground on one knee, and opened a black box containing a silver ring with a subtle diamond resting on the top, and asked: "Tara Maclay, will you marry me?"
Tears ran down Tara's face as she kneeled next to Willow and said yes over and over and over until Willow took her hand and led her to the spot on the dancefloor the first time they danced. Music began to play and Tara asked "How did you do that?" Willow replied with a smile "Magic...the natural kind"