Forever, Always, and Then SomeChapter 76
Willow walks in and he shuts the door. Willow: You room is kinda bare. I actually have a dresser and a chair in mine. Oz: Nope just a bed. I guess first come first serve. Willow: I guess. Well I suppose we should sit down. Oz: I can stand or sit on the floor if that would make you more comfortable. Willow: No it is okay. Lets just both sit and well discuss this. Oz: Like two adults. Willow: Exactly. We are two mature adults and we can discuss this thing rationally. Oz: Willow, how can it be rational. Buffy has just informed us that we were destined to have a son. And someone changed our destiny. Willow: I know. And in a way it is sad. But in another way I would have missed out on Tara. And that would also be sad. Oz: I understand. Have you talked to Tara? Willow: I have and she respects what ever I decide. Oz: Are you telling me you are considering this? Willow: Aren’t you. Should we? Oz: Yes, but the difference is I want to have a baby with you, always have, well when we got older. Willow: Like now? Oz: I guess. Willow, I just assumed we would one day marry and have kids. I never expected it to go like this. Willow: Me either. Bur it has. Now where does that leave us. I can’t marry you. We can’t be a family. So how can we raise a child. Oz: I guess that is your answer. I understand. Willow: No, that is not my answer. That was my question. How do we raise a child together if we are not together? Oz: Not sure. Are you asking me, what I would expect from you personally. Willow: Okay really hard blunt question here. Could you get me pregnant and not want to be a full time father to the child. Could you go into it knowing you would only be there part time. Oz: I guess I can ask Angel how it feels. Willow: I guess so. I know it has been hard on him. On both of them. But then they have the whole missing more than just the baby. They miss each other. Oz: Okay……her goes……if we had a child would I want to be his father, the answer is of course. Could I go into it knowing it would not be full time. Much harder question. It would depend on you. I would want to be there a lot. Could you and Tara be comfortable with me invading your lives often? Willow: You have really been thinking about this. Oz: Ever since Buffy left here last night. No way I could sleep. Willow: Oh. Oz: You didn’t answer me. Because it is a critical question. Willow: Right. Would you move back to Sunnydale? I can’t believe we are seriously discussing this. Oz: Me either. And on Sunnydale, maybe but more likely someplace close but not that close. Maybe here in LA or another California town. Willow: Close enough to visit but have to call first. Oz: I guess you could say it that way. Willow: Another question…..how? Oz: How? Willow: Uh natural or well artificial. This is strange. Oz: We should be use to strange, with the hellmouth and all. Willow: Not that kind of strange. Oz: I know, looking for levity. And how would be your decision. But well if it won’t embarrass you I am partial to natural. And that was not a come on. Willow: I know, because I feel the same way. The thought of a clinical environment seems to I don’t know….I guess unnatural. Imagine that. Oz: Okay, deep breath. Willow, do you want to have a child with me? Willow stares at him. Oz: Do you want to think about it more? Willow: No, I know my answer I just need to I guess take my own deep breath. Both look down. Willow reaches out for his hand and holds it. She lifts it to her cheek and his eyes follow it. Willow: Yes, I do. She kisses the palm of his hand. Willow: No man would make a better father. Oz: I can’t believe we just decided to have a baby. Willow: We did. Oz: Well I guess we should uh find out the well best time. Willow: When I am most likely to conceive? Oz: Yes. Willow: What if I told you now? That this is the best time. Not trying to rush but. Oz: Now? Willow: Sorry, forget it. We can wait until next month. Oz: How do you know? Willow: Elevated body temperature. I have been taking mine a lot since I overdosed on magic six months ago so I know my body pretty well and my temperature spiked this morning. Oz: Need a biology refresher, that means best time to conceive? Willow: Yes. Oz: And you knew that coming in here? Willow: Yes. Oz: You came in here to talk or to make a baby? Willow: To talk and if you agreed, well I ….oh forget it. She heads to the door and he stops her. Oz: Whoa. Slow down. If you are ready so am I. But I am not forcing anyone. Willow: I am here of my own free will. He takes her hand and leads her back toward the bed. Oz: Are you sure? Willow: Yes, now stop asking me. Oz: Can I kiss you? Willow: Yes, and no more questions. Oz lifts his hand to her face and gently kisses her. She places her hand on his shoulder and he wraps his arm slowly around her waist. The kiss deepens. He pulls back. Oz: Is this…. Willow: No more questions. She recaptures his mouth and he lowers her onto the bed.
Downstairs. Angel walks down with Conner. Angel: Morning. Dawn: Hey bro. Angel: Bro? Okay where did that come from. Dawn: Okay lame, I am just trying to find a name for you. Angel: Why not use Angel? Dawn: Everyone call you Angel. I was looking for something just for me. Angel: Oh. I like the idea just well bro is not it. Dawn: I know, I am still in the thinking stages. Buffy already took honey, sweety, love, and darling amongst others. Angel: We will think of something. So what are the plans today? Dawn: I am going off with my dad. And I think the others are going shopping or something like that. Angel: Where is everyone? Dawn: Tara is outside talking with Crystal. Xander and Anya are getting breakfast and I have no idea about Willow or Oz. Where is Buffy? Angel: Sleeping. Dawn: She looked like she was having fun last night. Angel: She was. I love seeing her so happy. Dawn: Me too. How long is she staying here? Angel: Until I am sure she can take better care of her self. Dawn: So no time soon. Angel: I would keep her here forever it I could but she will probably be home in a week or so. Dawn: Am I still invited for a visit this summer. Angel: Of course. After school is out. Dawn: Well that is in two weeks. Angel: I will talk to Buffy. Dawn: Thanks.
Later that day. Buffy comes downstairs. Buffy: Hi Fred where is everyone? Fred: All you friends from Sunnydale went shopping or sight seeing. Your sister went off with you dad. Buffy: Oh an my husband and son. Fred: Oh them. You are looking for them. Buffy: You know I am. Fred: There down stairs with Cordy. Buffy: Oh, thanks. She goes to the basement door and quietly opens it and walks in. She stands on the landing and watches as they work with the swords. Angel looks up. Angel: Hi, I see you got your rest. Buffy: I did. Where is Conner? Angel points to under the stairs. Angel: In his playpen playing and watching us. Buffy: Do you mind if I watch. Since I can’t play either. Angel: Can you keep your mouth shut? Buffy: Be that way. She turns to leave. Angel: Slow down, I was kidding. You can watch but try to keep your comments to yourself. Buffy: I will try but if you make mistakes I will have to say something. Angel: Fine IF I make a mistake you can say so. But I won’t be making any. Buffy: Hmph. She walks down and she boost up on the table and sits to watch. Angel: No Cordy. You need to anticipate the next move. Most fighters are predictable. But a really good fighter will keep you off guessing. You need to be aware of their next move and keep them guessing at the same time. Cordy: Fun, Know what they are going to do but have no idea what I am going to do. Angel: I guess that is what I said. Want to try. Cordy: Sure. They spar a little but Angel easily predicts her moves. They stop. Angel checks on Conner. Buffy: (m) Cordy. Do you want to kick his butt? Cordy looks at her. Buffy: (m) Just nod if you do. Cordy give a little nod. Buffy: (m) He thinks he is so unpredictable. He’s not, he follows just a few patterns. Within a few moves I know where he is going. If you follow my directions you will have in just a few minutes. Game? Cordy nods slightly and smiles. Angel: Okay ready? Cordy: Sure. Angel holds his sword down toward her foot. Buffy: (m) Okay the number five I see. He will start with an upward to the right. Now just do whatever I say and in about ten moves you will have him on the wall. Angel sweeps upward and Buffy guides Cordy and Cordy gains the immediate advantage before Angel realizes it. And she back him the wall. His sword on the ground. Angel: Okay, that was good. Cordy: Thanks, I have a good teacher. She smiles and peeks at Buffy who is smiling too. Angel: Again. He stands with his sword at a right angle to his leg. Buffy: (m) Number 3. Staring with a side sweep followed by a thrust. Cordy smiles. Angel: Ready? Cordy: Yes.
Again with Buffy’s help within minutes he is prone and swordless. Angel: Great. Buffy: (m) He is so damn predictable. Once more? Cordy gives a slight nod. Angel: Had enough/ Cordy: One more. Angel: Okay, but I will no be as easy this time. Cordy: I am ready. He stands with his sword straight down. Buffy: (m) Okay a number one. He means business, but so do we. He will start with two thrust, first you need to move right and then left. Angel: Ready? Cordy: Oh yeah. They begin, this one last a little longer before she manages to knock his sword away. Angel: Good. That is what I like to see. Cordy: Hey I am learning from the master. Angel: I am not a master. Cordy: Not you. Buffy. Angel: Buffy? Buffy: Hi honey. You are so damn predictable. Cordy: She knew what you were going to do before you even moved. Angel: Huh? Hey I thought you were going to be quiet. Buffy: I kept my mouth shut. And I made no comments to you. Angel: But you were coaching Cordy. Buffy: And she kicked your butt. Cordy: I so did. Angel: I wouldn’t say that. Buffy: Come on. Cordy: Angel it was funny, as soon as you stood there she could tell me the first two or three moves you were going to make. Mr keep them guessing. Angel: I am not that predictable. Buffy: Yes you are. He walks up to her in mock anger. He stands in front of her Angel: Am not. Buffy: Yes you are. Cordy: I am getting out of here. Bye guys. Cordy heads upstairs.
Angel: If I am so predictable, what am I going to do? Buffy: Get yourself very sexually frustrated. Angel: Huh? She whips her legs around his waist and pulls him close. He looks down. Angel: Buffy? Buffy: What? Angel: Not the best position. Buffy: I like it. Now if you want to be released you have to bestow a gift upon the princess. Angel: A gift? A gift of what? Buffy: Of yourself silly Angel gently kisses her. Angel: Like that? Buffy: Party favor. I want the real gift. Angel: The real gift is staying in its wrapper. But I can give you lots of favors, big and small. Buffy: I guess it will do for now. He kisses her deeply. The kisses intensifies. As she senses his passion increasing, she pulls back. Buffy: Sorry, that was not fair of me. Angel: No it is fine. I love the feel of you, but I do need to get a shower. Let me help you down. He lowers her to the ground. She reaches for Conner and stops. Buffy: Maybe you should get him for me. Angel: Smart idea. He leans over the railing and picks up Conner and hands him to her. She head upstairs and he carries the playpen up too.
Later that night The Sunnydale group has left the hotel. Oz is riding with Willow, Tara, and Dawn in the Jeep. Xander and Anya are following in his car behind them. Anya: I can’t wait to get home to our own bed and our own TV. Xander: Me either. Anya: And tomorrow I go back to the store and…. Xander: Oh my god!!!! |
© 2005 Tara