Please read the Disclaimer before continuing to remain in the site or reading the stories. These stories contain adult material with scenes of women loving women. Consider this story to have an R rating. If this is illegal in your state or you are underage, please go to a more appropriate site now.

http://www.quiknet.com/~lcountry/unexpected01.html

By Lisa Countryman

July 2002

CHAPTER SIX

"I think we lost our little astronomer," Willow whispered. She leaned over Tara and looked at Brianna. The tiny redheaded child was snuggled into the crook of Tara’s arm on the opposite side. "Yep, she’s out."

"At least she saw some shooting stars." Tara pulled Willow closer.

"And got some quality cocoa," Willow reminded her lover.

"I think you were more excited about the cocoa than she was." Tara chuckled. "But don’t go getting any ideas. One cup only."

"I only had one cup," Willow assured Tara. She smiled as a plot to have cocoa with breakfast hatched.

"I locked up the cocoa powder, so don’t think you can have it for breakfast." She felt Willow tense. Tara’s chest shook as she began to giggle.

"Well, dairy," Willow tried. "That’s got calcium for the baby."

"Nope." Tara kissed the top of Willow’s head.

"Fine." Willow sighed and pulled the sleeping bag higher and wormed her way under Tara’s arm. "Mmm, that’s better."

"Oh, goddess, that is better." Tara giggled as she felt Willow’s hand sneak under her nightshirt.

"Yeah? You like that?" Willow scooted onto Tara’s chest and kissed her. "If we didn’t have little-miss-prying-eyes six inches away, I’d make love to under these stars right now."

A voice echoed across the lawn from the patio. "Don’t forget the prying eyes over here," Ceri called sweetly from the deck several yards away.

Brigh snickered in the darkness and swatted her lover on the belly.

"You’re just a voyeur," Willow said as she blushed. She’d forgotten that the two guardians were spread out in front of the gate to the pool area. They’d insisted. They weren’t taking any risk that Brianna might sneak out to the pool area while Willow and Tara slept on the lawn. It was the kind of extra protection they insisted on, even though the pool had a cover that Brianna could walk across without falling through. When it came to the curious child, they didn’t take any chances.

"Oh, trust me, we do our best to avoid seeing you two," Brigh volunteered from the darkness. "But it’s not easy."

"You’re exaggerating," Tara said as she ran her hand down Brianna’s back. The child was out cold.

"Really?" Brigh asked sweetly. "Need I remind you what happened at the Summer Solstice ritual?"

"Oh, shut up," Tara said as she blushed.

The two guardians snickered in the darkness.

"I order you to stop laughing," Tara said in her most regal, commanding voice. She was trying valiantly to not giggle, but the hints of laughter filled her tone.

The two guardians howled with laughter, though they did cover their faces with pillows to keep the noise down. Ceri snorted and struggled to breathe as she laughed uncontrollably.

"No respect," Willow said with a sigh.

"None," Tara agreed. She yawned and tugged Willow closer. "Night, darling," she whispered. "I love you."

"I love you, too," Willow said as she lifted her head and kissed Tara.

"I love you, too," Ceri volunteered in a syrupy sweet voice.

"Oh, and I love you," Brigh added in a husky, sexy voice.

Tara rolled her eyes as Willow settled beside her.

"No respect," Willow repeated as she closed her eyes.

"None," Brigh and Ceri said in unison. A chorus of snickers echoed across the lawn.

*****

Tara woke before Willow. She heard the birds singing just before daybreak and she quietly listened as they continued chirping to welcome the coming day. After a few minutes, she heard muffled whispers and the hum of the pool cover retracting and then splashing as Ceri and Brigh took a predawn swim. Tara smiled as she listened to her friends enjoying the early part of the day. She heard the distinct sound of the two kissing and decided that she would have to tease them later.

Willow was sharing Tara’s pillow and her leg was tossed possessively over Tara’s hip, but her hand was staking the ultimate claim. Willow’s right hand was gently cupping Tara’s breast, as if even in her sleep she needed to feel Tara’s softness.

On Tara’s other side, Brianna was curled under the blonde’s protective arm. Brianna’s tiny hand was slung over Tara’s belly and her foot and was hanging over Tara’s shin. She was a cuddler, just like both her mothers.

The sky began to brighten as the sun made its ascent beyond the mountains. It would be a while before it broke over the horizon, but already the sky was trading the blackness of night for the blue hues of day. The fog was still heavy, covering the valley floor, and a chill hung in the air. The fabric of the sleeping bags felt damp, but Tara was in a warm cocoon between her two beloved redheads. They’d zipped two large bags together so they had a huge space for the three of them to share.

Tara needed the relaxing time to reflect. Sheila was driving her insane. Tara’s nerves were frayed, and twice the day before she had almost snapped at Brianna. Tara never wanted to let anger into her relationship with her daughter. Tara knew all about that. Her own father had a short temper and he had been all too willing to give it free rein. Tara shivered as the memories of her own childhood chilled her soul. She pushed them quickly away and she thought about her own actions with Brianna the day before, and she thanked the goddess that she had not yelled at her precious baby girl.

A breeze tickled Tara’s nose and the salty sea air filled her lungs. She took a deep breath and looked over at Willow. The redhead was snuggled against her to ward off the chill of the lingering fog. There was nothing Tara couldn’t face as long as she had Willow at her side. She smiled. Sheila could say just about anything, and Tara would forgive her. Sheila Rosenberg, for all her faults, had earned Tara’s gratitude with one simple act, giving birth to Willow. The only way Sheila could ever undo that debt was by hurting Willow or Brianna. She didn’t think Sheila would do that, so Tara tried to let go of her previous night’s anger. Her timing was perfect. She had mush more pleasant things to grab her attention.

"Mmm…" Willow sighed and burrowed her face closer to Tara’s. She nuzzled under Tara’s hair and sleepily kissed the soft skin just below Tara’s ear.

"Morning, my darling," Tara whispered. A huge grin covered her face. She loved that Willow always woke by kissing her. It was as if Willow needed a fix of Tara-skin after being separated by slumber. Willow’s first order of every day was to steal a kiss and take a loving taste of Tara’s essence.

"Morning." Willow yawned as she caressed Tara’s breast. She opened her eyes and glanced over at Brianna. "Could she be any cuter?" Willow grinned.

"Doubtful," Tara decided. She lifted her head so she could see their daughter. Brianna was nestled at her side with an angelic smile, as if she didn’t have a care in the universe.

"What time is it?" Willow whispered. She yawned again and tilted her face so she could kiss Tara’s neck again.

"The sun’s almost up," Tara said. "What time is sunrise?"

"Too early." Willow burrowed under the blanket and then playfully nipped Tara’s breast. "Or maybe not," she added with a sexy purr. She pressed her warm mouth over Tara’s warmer breast. She got a mouth full of cotton, but the firm circle of flesh beneath the nightshirt was worth the dry mouth. That firm flesh reacted and began to stiffen even more.

"Oh, Willow…" Tara inhaled sharply and grinned lazily.

"One minute!" Ceri said from the pool. "They lasted one minute before mauling each other."

Willow popped her head out of the sleeping bag like a mole coming into the noonday sun. Her eyes narrowed against the coming daylight and her hair was tangled in every direction from the static electricity under the covers.

"Oh, please," Tara said as she rolled her eyes. "They’ve been necking in the pool for the last half hour."

"Really?" Willow asked with a smirk.

There was no reply from the pool.

"Really," Tara said as she draped her arms over Willow’s back and pulled her higher onto her chest. "How’s my newest baby?" Tara asked as she snaked a hand between their bodies and pressed her palm to Willow’s belly. "Is Megan awake?"

"She’s kicking my bladder," Willow informed her lover. "I swear she does it on purpose."

"Well, I know Brianna did." She glanced over at her daughter. "She looks so sweet when she’s asleep, but that child aimed for my bladder every chance she got."

"Maybe we should take her inside," Willow suggested.

"Nah, let her wake up outside." Tara’s eyes lit up and a crooked grin covered her features. "She was so excited last night. We should sleep outside again soon."

"Better be in the next few days." Willow rolled onto her back and rubbed her huge belly. "I doubt we’ll want Megan sleeping in the fog anytime soon once she’s out’a me."

"Someday we’ll sleep out here with both of them and drink cocoa and watch the stars…" Tara had a far away look in her blue eyes. "Maybe with a few more cute little redheads running around, too."

"Just how many redheads do you plan on having?" Willow asked as she rolled toward Tara and gave her an adoring look.

"Dozens," Tara said with a serious expression.

"And how many blondes?" Willow asked, playing along.

"Maybe half dozen," Tara said after considering it for a moment.

"No," Willow said, drawing the word out as she shook her head. "I think six of each will do." She patted her belly. "Maybe we have our first blonde right here."

Tara leaned over and kissed Willow tenderly. "As long as she’s healthy, I wouldn’t care if she were bald."

Their eyes met and they quietly let their love flow back and forth without another word. The unspoken promises of eternity ebbed and flowed between them. Willow reached over and cupped Tara’s chin and looked into her eyes intensely.

"Forever," Tara whispered reverently.

"Forever is just the beginning." Willow’s voice was husky with emotion.

The moment was shattered by a loud shriek from the patio. "Good heavens, it’s freezing out here!" Sheila hurried past the pool and glared at Willow and Tara. "Willow Danielle Rosenberg, you’ll catch your death out here."

"I’m fine, mother." Willow was still staring into Tara’s eyes. She wasn’t ready to give the moment up just yet.

"Brianna will catch pneumonia," Sheila insisted.

"We’re fine," Willow insisted. She ran her hand through Tara’s golden hair and smiled.

"Good morning, Sheila," Tara said. She wanted to get along with Willow’s mom, but right now, Tara was still busy memorizing the exact shade of Willow’s eyes. The grass brought out the deep green hues and Tara thought it was the most beautiful shade she’d ever seen. She wondered if there were any stones that color, then decided that even emeralds paled when compared to Willow’s eyes. That thought made her heart ache. More than a year earlier, she had picked out a ring for Willow that was accented with emeralds, but she hadn’t kept it. Tara had picked the ring up from the jeweler moments before the Keeper and his men had kidnapped her. She took the ring back. Looking at it reminded her of death.

"Honey?" Willow felt Tara’s body tense, and she instantly knew Tara was thinking of her dead guardians. "Stay here with me, Tara." She rubbed her lover’s side and let their gazes deepen. "You’re safe. We’re all safe now," she whispered.

"Do you want Willow getting sick?" Sheila was pacing on the patio, completely unaware that anything unusual was going on. "Did you hear me? It’s too cold out here."

"Mommy?" Brianna asked with a yawn. She wasn’t used to strident voices. She could sleep through her mothers talking quietly, or even laughing and roughhousing; those were happy, safe noises. Sheila’s screeching could wake the dead, could wake the dead and make them want to move to a new cemetery.

Tara turned and smoothed the hair out of Brianna’s face. "Morning, my sweet baby girl." Seeing her daughter pushed away any dark thoughts.

"Umm…" Brianna’s eyes opened a crack and then she burrowed against Tara’s side. "Mama…"

"She takes after me," Willow said with a giggle. She reached over and rubbed Brianna’s back. "Morning, sweetie."

"Is she sick?" Sheila asked. "Oh, dear. I knew this would happen." She leaned against the railing and peered toward the lawn. "Should I call a doctor? Call that Shawn Summers. She’s a doctor."

"She fine," Tara said in a soothing tone. She didn’t bother to correct Sheila about Dawn’s status as a med student or her name. The two Summers sisters were doomed to be called Bunny and Shawn. Change just wasn’t in Sheila’s nature.

"Are you sure she isn’t ill?" Sheila asked. "You’ll just have to trust me, we mothers know. Willow, is she sick?"

"She’s just sleepy." Tara ruffled Brianna’s hair. She was doing her best to ignore Sheila’s jab. "Want some breakfast, baby? Triangle cakes?" she asked her sleepy daughter, trying to coax her awake with promises of pancake goodness.

Brianna groaned and burrowed under the sleeping bag.

"Wanna’ go for a swim, Miss Brianna?" Ceri called out. The guardian knew how to get Brianna up in a hurry.

A tiny red head popped out of the covers. Brianna’s blue eyes were suddenly bright and alert. "Can I?"

Tara rolled her eyes and Willow chuckled sleepily.

"It’s too cold," Sheila insisted.

"The water is heated," Brigh pointed out.

"Can I, mama? Mommy?" Brianna wormed out of the sleeping bag and yanked off her baggy pajama bottoms as she looked to her mothers for an answer.

"A short swim," Willow said as she snuggled onto Tara’s chest.

"Willow!" Sheila said, aghast.

"Woo and hoo!" Brianna sprinted across the lawn, flinging her pajama top off as she went. She was down to her panties in an instant. She hugged Brigh’s legs as soon as the guardian opened the gate. "Hi, Grandma." Brianna ran past the older woman and leapt into the pool where Ceri was waiting.

"Whoa!" Ceri caught her and gave her a scolding look. "Miss Brianna?" she asked as she held the child afloat.

"Oh…" Brianna looked back at Brigh contritely. "Floaty?"

"Yes, ‘floaty.’" Brigh frowned as she waded into the water with the life vest in her hand. She buckled it onto Brianna with a serious expression. "No swimming without this, okay?"

Brianna nodded and her smile faded.

"If you don’t wear your floaty, I can’t do this." Brigh tossed Brianna into the air. She hadn’t meant to upset her, but Brianna had Tara’s tender soul.

Brianna splashed into the water at Brigh’s waist and her smile returned. The guardian tossed her into the air again and Brianna laughed. The young child had Willow’s forgiving nature.

Sheila watched in horror and Brianna sank under the water and then bobbed back up. As soon as Brianna’s face broke the surface, she squealed happily.

After a few minutes, Sheila grudgingly admitted that Brianna was having a wonderful time with the two young women, though she still hadn’t figured out why Willow and Tara wanted a house filled of roommates.

Willow was content to rest on Tara’s chest and take a short nap.

"Brianna?" Tara called out after ten minutes. "You need some breakfast. After you eat, mommy or I will take you in the pool, okay?"

"Okay." Brianna sighed dramatically. Like any child, she wasn’t above a bit of rebellious eye rolling.

"Ready to get up?" Tara asked.

"No," Willow whined. She was resting comfortably using Tara’s chest as a giant pillow, or rather, set of pillows. "Still sleepy," she said with a yawn.

"Would you like me to fix breakfast?" Sheila offered. She was at the edge of the lawn and had a curious expression. She’d never seen Willow as content as she was in Tara’s arms. It unsettled her.

"Would you?" Willow smiled without opening her eyes. "Thanks, mommy." She snuggled deeper into Tara’s embrace.

Tara blushed and smiled at Sheila. "She’s not quite awake," Tara said sheepishly.

"I can see that." Sheila smiled and shook her head. Even she could tell that Tara adored Willow. "She always was a bear to get up in the morning. Sometimes I had to swing open her bedroom door and yell, ‘you’re late for the SATs!’"

"What?" Willow sat straight up with a gasp.

"Shh, darling." Tara chuckled and pulled her disoriented lover down to her chest. "No more SATs ever again," she assured Willow. She glanced up at Sheila and smiled.

"Oh, well, okay." Willow settled back into place as Sheila smiled at Tara and then turned and walked away. Willow arched her back, which had been aching for the last few hours. She snuggled closer to her lover. A stiff back was a cheap price to pay for the joy of sleeping beside Tara under the stars.

"Brianna," Tara called out. "Help grandma fix a nice kosher breakfast. Do remember how to do that?"

Brianna nodded proudly and took Sheila’s hand. "No bacon," she told her grandmother seriously. Brianna was dripping onto the tile even though a fluffy white towel covered her wet panties. "And, no ham either. We have vegetable meat from the co op." She smiled and tugged Sheila toward the house. "It’s not really meat, but it’s kosher," she added with a smile. "Mommy gets it at the co op, too."

"Really?" Sheila asked.

Brianna nodded. "And we have kosher u-pencils," she said solemnly. "You can’t let the dairy u-pencils touch the meat u-pencils," she pointed out. "The un-kosher germs stick to them." The last bit of information was a conclusion Brianna had come to on her own, and ever the scientist, she had tested the theory by poking a huge slab of pork ribs with every kosher utensil in the kitchen one morning. Willow caught her as she was about to begin anointing the pans. Willow moved all the tainted utensils to the nonkosher drawer and bought new ones for the kosher side of the kitchen. Brianna had been grounded for a week, and she decided that her mommy must have seen the un-kosher cooties. It didn’t occur to her that the barbecue sauce had been a dead give away. "I think only mommies can see them," she said with a sigh. Try as she might, Brianna hadn’t been able to find the non-kosher cooties on any of the everyday dishes or serving plates.

"Tara keeps separate utensils?" Sheila was impressed. Many households no longer kept separate cooking utensils, relying on washing the cooking tools between uses.

"Mama says we have to so when you and grandpa come we can respect your ways." Brianna’s face was quite serious. "She said it’s how you honor your god." The young child knew the importance of communing with a deity. She and her mothers gave thanks to Brigit every day.

Sheila glanced over her shoulder at Tara as she went inside with Brianna. She was torn. She was grateful that Tara was teaching Brianna her Jewish culture, but it angered her that Brianna referred to ‘your god.’ Sheila wanted Brianna raised Jewish. She sighed and decided her decision the night before had been the right one.

Tara relaxed and ran her hand over Willow’s hair, smoothing it out as she listened to the calm sounds of the morning. All was right with her world. She was holding Willow in her arms, their daughter was happily entertaining in the house, and Sheila had actually smiled at her.

Willow opened one eye and spied the empty patio. A mischievous grin crept over her features and she moved her hand under the sleeping bag.

"Willow?" Tara asked curiously.

"Hmm?" Willow dipped her hand under Tara’s shirt and quickly had her fingers on Tara’s nipple.

"Um, Will?" Tara’s voice cracked.

"Umm hmm?" Willow closed her eyes. To anyone looking out at the lawn, the redhead looked like she was sound asleep.

"Willow?" Tara asked. Her eyes darted back to the patio, then to the house where her in-laws were probably getting breakfast. "What are you doing?"

"Can’t you tell?" Willow’s lips barely moved, but her hand did. She lovingly worked Tara’s nipples into stiff points and then she slid her hand down and under Tara’s shorts with one fluid movement.

"Honey!" Tara squeaked.

"Yep, there is honey down here," Willow agreed wickedly. She dipped her fingers into the rapidly forming liquid just to prove her point.

"Wil-low..." Tara closed her eyes and gritted her teeth. "We can’t," she said in an insistent whisper.

"We are," Willow corrected. She shifted her weight to get a better angle, but to all the world it looked like she was simply stretching in her sleep.

"Oh, goddess." Tara swallowed with a gulp. "We can’t," she protested weakly. "Remember Solstice?" It was her last chance to cool Willow’s libido; unfortunately, it had the exact opposite effect that Tara had intended.

"Oh, yeah," Willow said with quiet growl. She moved her fingers lower and the tilted them. "I remember Solstice. Do you?"

"Oh, sweet Brigit…" Tara gave up and enjoyed the unorthodox situation. She slowly, inconspicuous parted her legs to allow her lover full access. "We’ll have to be quick," she whispered.

"And quiet," Willow said. She opened one eye and confirmed they were still alone. "I still owe you after the interruption yesterday," Willow said. Her fingers expertly pleasured Tara. "I know you love to jump start the morning."

Tara squeezed Willow closer. She was trying to remain as still as possible, in case anyone looked out the window. The added danger was pushing her to the edge quickly, and though she preferred slow, sensuous lovemaking, there was something to be said for an occasional quick yet discrete public encounter.

Willow could feel Tara’s body growing hot. The warmth from Tara’s body was setting her own skin aflame.

"There," Tara whispered. She took deep, even breaths as Willow drove her higher with expert skill. "Uh, oh, oh goddess, Will," she whispered after several blissful minutes.

"That’s it," Willow spoke without even moving her lips. She could feel Tara’s body beginning to tremble inside. "That’s it, darling. Let it go."

"Oh, god…" Tara whimpered as she fought to keep her excitement contained.

"No screaming," Willow whispered with a smirk. Willow had made that mistake on Solstice. They’d been at a late night ceremony and snuck off for a bit of private celebration under their ceremonial blanket. Willow had screamed her release and everyone at the ritual knew exactly what they had been doing to welcome the summer season.

"Will…" Tara gripped Willow almost painfully hard. She inhaled slowly and her body shook underneath Willow and then her arms dropped to the ground. "Wow." She felt like her muscles had turned to Jello.

"Mmm, better that a roller coaster." Willow stilled her hand and cupped Tara’s body as the aftershocks echoed across Tara’s skin. She stayed there for several minutes as Tara slowly came down from her release. Willow was content to listen to Tara’s heart slow from frantic pounding to the slow, steady beat she listened to every night.

"Bad Willow," Tara said with a sensual laugh. She sighed and kissed the top of Willow’s head.

"Wicked even," Willow suggested as she rubbed Tara’s belly.

"Wicked, wicked Willow." Tara continued laughing as she wrapped her arms around Willow and squeezed her closer.

"And don’t you forget it," Willow said with a wanton laugh.

*****

Tara hummed as she chopped cucumbers on the cutting board on the butcher block. It was in the center of the kitchen, and every time Willow squeezed past her, Tara could reach out and rub Willow’s tummy.

Willow was making sandwiches a few feet away, but she kept making excuses to squeeze past Tara.

"Someone’s in a good mood," Ceri commented as she leaned on the counter.

"Umm hmm," Brigh agreed. "She has been since she came in for breakfast this morning."

Tara smiled and continued humming, but she blushed faintly.

"You know anything about that, Willow?" Ceri asked.

"Why would I know anything about Tara’s humming?" Willow asked innocently.

"Maybe because Tara has that ‘cat that was just eaten by the canary’ grin, and you look like the happy little canary," Brigh said sweetly.

"And yet Tara is the one humming," Willow said with a wink. She went to Tara’s side and kissed her cheek.

"Humming’s good." Tara waggled her eyebrows and rested her palm on Willow’s stomach.

"What are you girls talking about?" Sheila asked as she came into the kitchen.

"Birds," Tara said with an innocent grin. "Ceri is quite the bird watcher."

"Really?" Sheila asked. "I’m an amateur ornithologist. What kinds of birds do you like?"

Ceri smiled at Tara and sent mental daggers at the blonde witch.

Willow stifled a giggle and went to the cupboard to get some plates.

"Ceri, why don’t you take Sheila out and tell her all about the local birds," Tara suggested sweetly.

"Maybe after lunch?" Sheila asked.

"Of course," Ceri said. She wondered how she was supposed to become an expert on the local birds in the next hour. She hated birds. She considered them noisy creatures that lived for the chance to deface clean cars. They were barely more than cat bait. Just as she was about to consider begging Willow to save her, she was rescued by a higher power.

Tara tossed the fresh cucumbers into the bowl and then her eyes widened. She looked down at her abundant cleavage and gulped. She felt the familiar sensation that she hadn’t experienced since Brianna gave up breastfeeding. She grabbed Ceri’s arm and gripped it painfully. "Call Diana, right now."

"What is it?" Ceri asked. She spun and caught Brigh’s attention.

"It’s time," Tara whispered in Ceri’s ear. "Right now." She looked down at the growing milk stains on her chest.

"Oh, goddess!" Ceri sprinted for the phone. She remembered that when Tara had delivered Brianna, Willow’s milk had come in right before Tara’s went into labor.

Tara was beginning to panic. "Honey, we need to go to the infirmary, right now." She moved to Willow’s side.

"Are you sick?" Willow asked.

"No…" Tara looked down at her breasts.

"Oh, boy." Willow felt panic overtaking her as well. "Oh, boy…"

"What’s going on?" Sheila asked impatiently.

"The baby’s coming," Tara blurted out.

"And how exactly did you figure that out?" Sheila rolled her eyes. "Don’t you think Willow would be the first to know?"

"Oh, it’s time," Willow said as she and Tara hurried toward the bedroom to get her overnight bag.

"You wait here," Tara nodded at the couch. "I’ll get everything." She helped Willow sit and then looked around the room. "Ceri!" she yelled. "Ceridwen?"

"Coming." Ceri came sprinting down the hall. She held up a set of keys. "I couldn’t find your keys. I had to get Willow’s."

"Let’s get her to the car," Tara said logically. "I want her at the infirmary before she starts hard labor." She grabbed the keys and clutched them in her fist.

"She’s not even in labor," Sheila complained. She looked at Willow and pointed toward Tara. "Is she always this paranoid?"

"She’s not paranoid," Willow said grouchily. She climbed to her feet and waddled toward the door. "But we don’t have to freak out. We have plenty of time." She reached for the doorknob and froze. "Oh, crap!" she said as her water broke.

"Will?" Tara abandoned her quest for the overnight bag and sprinted to Willow’s side. "Honey?" She carefully wrapped her hands around Willow’s waist.

"Okay, eww…" Willow stared at the puddle between her feet.

"Oh, sweet Brigit." Tara yanked the door open and helped Willow outside. "Brigh, get Brianna and bring her to the infirmary."

"Willow’s father has her," Sheila said in a bored tone and then she saw the puddle. "Oui vey! It is time!" She rushed after Willow. "You shouldn’t be walking. Sit down!"

"I’m fine, mother." Willow continued slowly waddling toward the driveway. "I haven’t even felt any contractions yet."

"I didn’t feel any contractions with you until after my water broke," Sheila said hysterically. "I thought I was having a backache, but then, let me tell you, I had contractions!" She tried to shove Tara out of the way and help Willow herself. "She’s my daughter, move aside."

"Back off!" Tara yelled. Her tone was harsh and dangerous and Sheila staggered back in shock. "She is my wife and I won’t have anyone pushing me aside," she practically snarled. She turned to Willow and smiled sweetly. "You okay, baby?" She kissed Willow’s cheek. "Let’s get you in the car, okay?"

"Wow, I thought I was the one with raging hormones." Willow smiled crookedly.

"Yeah, well … leaking breasts put me in a mood," Tara whispered. "Besides, with the way this pregnancy has gone, you could spit this baby out in ten minutes. I do not want to deliver her in our driveway."

"Good point." Willow hurried her pace.

"You’re going to let her speak to me that way?" Sheila demanded.

Willow spun and pinned her mother in place. "Pretty much." She turned and hurried to the passenger door of their SUV. She doubled over and groaned. "Jesus fucking Christ!" she yelled.

"Willow!" Tara dropped to her knees and held her hands between Willow’s legs.

"Willow Danielle Rosenberg!" Sheila was shocked by her daughter’s language and her choice of deities to call for.

Willow ignored her mother completely. She glared at Tara. "What the hell are you doing?" She grunted as her belly felt like it was ripping in half..

"I don’t want Megan bouncing on the pavement!" Tara shouted. She had her hands under Willow’s skirt with her palms up like she was expecting to catch a fly ball.

"You think she’s gonna shoot out with one contraction?" Willow grunted and then cringed. "One incredibly painful contraction?"

"How should I know?" Tara nodded at Willow’s belly. "My water didn’t break until I’d been in labor for hours."

Willow sighed and rested a hand on the side of the car. "Yeow," she said in a whisper. "That was unpleasant."

"That’s your entire contraction?" Tara asked. "I’ve had sneezes that lasted longer." She furrowed her brow and stared at Willow’s belly.

"Car?" Willow nodded at the SUV.

"Oh, yeah," Tara said as she stood slowly. She kept one hand between Willow’s legs, cupping the redhead’s crotch as she used the other hand to open the door. "Okay, nice and easy."

"Tara…" Willow cleared her throat. "I don’t think she’s gonna’ fall out."

"Well, I’m not gonna’ risk it," Tara snapped. She gasped in horror. "Oh, baby … I’m so sorry. Sweetie, darling … I didn’t mean to snap at you."

"It’s okay." Willow chuckled. "Was I this nervous when Brianna came?"

"Yeah." Tara blushed as she buckled Willow into the seat. "Let’s get you to the infirmary so I can relax." She rushed around the car and jumped behind the wheel. "Oh, goddess, keys! Where are the keys?" She gripped the steering wheel and started to hyperventilate.

Ceri opened the driver’s side door and rested a hand on Tara’s shoulder. "The keys are in your hand." She cleared her throat. "Give them to me. You are not driving."

"Keys… keys!" She looked in her hand and nodded. "Yeah, keys." She looked over at Willow. The redhead was waiting patiently. "Okay, Ceri’s gonna’ drive." Tara crawled between the bucket seats into the passenger area in back. "Ouch…" She had to climb over Brianna’s carseat and got temporarily trapped.

"Why haven’t you left yet?" Sheila said from beside the car. She flung open the back door and jumped in next to Tara. "Well?"

"Go," Tara told Ceri. "Oh, goddess … where’s Brianna?" She leaned between the seats and rested a hand on Willow’s shoulder, needing the contact to calm her frazzled nerves.

"Brigh is bringing her," Ceri said as she started the car. "We decided I should drive you two down the hill." The infirmary was less than a half mile away, but in Tara’s panicked state she might end up parked in a hedge.

"Ira is staying with her," Sheila said. She leaned forward, careful not to crowd the blonde. She didn’t want to incur her wrath again.

"It’ll be okay," Tara promised as Ceri drove down the winding driveway.

"As long as I don’t have any more of those painful contractions, I’m fine." Willow smiled bravely.

"Uh…" Tara remembered her own nine hours of labor. She didn’t think she could survive seeing Willow suffer that way.

"I mean, hey, the first one’s the worst, right?" Willow asked.

Sheila and Tara spun and faced each other. Having both experienced giving birth, neither wanted to explain the reality of the situation to Willow.

"What?" Willow demanded in a plaintive whine.

"Umm…" Tara chuckled nervously.

"Uh…" Sheila looked out the window, suddenly fascinated by the passing scenery.

"What?" Willow asked again. She got an answer to her question, but not from either woman in the back seat. "Son of a bitch!" Willow leaned forward as an intense contraction ravaged her tiny frame. "God damn mother fuc—"

"Willow!" Sheila yelled.

"I’m here, darling," Tara squeezed into the front section of the car between the seats. She took Willow’s hand and regretted it instantly as the redhead gripped her fingers like a vice. "Ouch… ouch…"

"Ouch?" Willow grunted. "You’re telling me ouch?" She panted and squeezed Tara’s hand even harder. "Piss shit fuck!" A foul-mouthed sailor had apparently possessed Willow. "Oh, Christ on a crutch!"

"It’ll pass," Tara promised as she wormed her way forward and tired to look between Willow’s legs to make sure their child didn’t squirt onto the floor.

"Owey, owey, owey," Willow whined. She straightened her back and flopped against the seat. "Ouch," she whimpered. "She’s coming," Willow said as she closed her eyes. "It feels like she coming out right now."

"No she’s not!" Sheila ordered. "You just stop pushing this instant. Willow, lean back and try to relax."

"Relax?" Tara and Willow yelled.

"Yes, relax," Sheila said firmly. "Willow, breath through your mouth. Tara, rub her belly and stop panicking this instant."

Tara and Willow spun and glared at Sheila.

The older woman played her trump card. She raised one eyebrow and gave the two panicked women her best and most intense mother’s glare.

"But, I…" Willow closed her eyes and panted through her mouth.

Tara rubbed Willow tummy and kept her mouth shut. As long as Sheila wasn’t trying to exclude her, Tara was willing to defer to her superior mother status.

The car lurched to a stop and Willow’s door was flung open before the engine was even turned off.

"Get that gurney over here," Diana ordered. She knelt beside Willow and put a hand on her belly. "Hey there." She smiled warmly and probed Willow’s belly. "Your water broke?"

"Uh huh," Willow nodded her head.

"On the carpet, in the living room, just now," Tara said. She didn’t want to leave anything out. "It was very squishy. And wet. It was very wet."

"Turn this way for me," Diana said as she lifted Willow’s feet out of the car so the redhead was facing her. She lifted Willow’s skirt and produced a pair of scissors from her pocket and snipped off the silk panties blocking her view. "Good, you’re not crowning yet." She stood and waved the nurse with the gurney away. "Stand up so we can get you situated in a wheelchair." She nodded at a second nurse, Kathy, who hurried over with the wheelchair.

Willow sat in the chair and smirked as she watched Tara scrambled over the seat and climb out the passenger door behind her.

"Little nervous?" Diana asked with a snicker.

"Diana, if my daughter is born in a parking lot, I will personally make your life a living hell," Tara said as she went to Willow’s side and took her hand. She caught the doctor’s eyes. "And you know I can."

"All-righty then." Dianna clapped her hands in front of her. "Let’s get her inside, shall we?"

Tara nodded and stayed at Willow’s side as they took her inside and transferred her to a delivery bed and dressed her in a gown. Tara changed into a sterile gown while Diana and the nurse hooked Willow up to a fetal heart monitor. After fifteen minutes, Willow’s brow was soaked with sweat.

"Let’s have another peek." Diana lifted the gown and tilted her head to one side. "Wow, you’re crowning already."

"Is that bad?" Tara asked.

"No," Diana said calmly. "She’s fully dilated. It won’t be much longer now."

"But we have to wait for Buffy," Willow said as she took a few deep breaths.

"This baby isn’t waiting for anyone," Diana said with a chuckle. "She’s taking the express way."

"Brigh was gonna’ call Buffy," Ceri said from the back of the delivery room.

"Brent?" Willow asked as she leaned closer to Tara.

"She’s on her way," Tara swore. She had personally asked the nurse to call the elder.

"Willow, why do you want all these strangers in here?" Sheila asked. She was keeping her distance, standing at the furthest wall. "This is a private affair for family. I’ll stay with you." She raised an eyebrow at Tara, indicating that she thought the blonde should leave as well.

Tara’s body stiffened. She expected Sheila’s next suggestion to involve calling Megan’s "father." The blonde witch had reached her limit.

"Mother, these people are my family," Willow said as she held Tara’s hand tightly to keep the blonde from turning toward Sheila.

"Why you’d want to live on some lesbian commune is beyond me," Sheila said with a sigh. "It’s not fair to the Brianna. She should know both her par—"

"Out!" Willow said as another contraction hit. "Ouch. Damn it."

"You heard her," Tara said as she grabbed a towel and wiped Willow’s forehead. The blonde witch had the overwhelming urge to set Sheila straight regarding Megan’s "parents." She smiled as she imagined that conversation. ‘Actually, Sheila, I got Willow pregnant. Ya’ see, we’re witches and I went down on Willow for hours and hours and my skill at cunnilingus not only had her floating over our bed, but it also sparked the life inside her belly. Wild, magical sex is just one of the benefits of living in a lesbian commune.’ Tara giggled even as Ceri escorted Sheila to the waiting room.

"Tara! I’m in pain and you’re laughing?" Willow complained. "What the fu—"

"Oh, no, honey," Tara said quickly. She kissed Willow’s cheek and leaned next to her ear. "Just imagining telling you mother how we really got Bri and Megan."

Willow chuckled despite her pain. "No making me laughing during labor," she grunted.

"Looking good," Diana said. "You’re doing great. You should be done in time for a late lunch."

"Tara?" Willow looked up at her lover as the contraction ended. She raised both eyebrows in question.

"Let me see." Tara moved to the bottom of the bed and grinned. "Red, just like Brianna’s." She went back and took Willow’s hand.

"Three redheads." Willow closed her eyes and smiled weakly. "Really got ya’ outnumbered now."

"Next time we’re having a blonde," Tara insisted.

"Well, this pregnancy’s been a breeze," Diana said. "And I wish all my patients moved through labor this quickly."

"Doesn’t feel quick," Willow grumbled.

"Actually, there’s a special name for labor this quick." Diana patted Willow’s knee. "Precipitous labor. That means an extremely rapid delivery lasting less than three hours."

"Three hours is not rapid!" Willow grunted.

"One or two more contractions should do it," Diana promised. "Besides, you haven’t even been in hard labor for an hour." She heard the door open and turned to see Brent rushing in dressed in surgical scrubs. "Perfect timing."

"Lady Willow, how are you?" Brent hurried to Tara’s side.

"Me?" Willow smiled and looked up and the elder. "Fine. Piece a’ cake. Just your typical lady having a baby scenario."

"She’s in a lot of pain," Tara interpreted.

"Just think of the payoff." Brent ran her fingers through Willow’s sweat dampened hair. "You’re gonna’ have another wild handful running around the house before you know it."

"See," Willow nodded. "It’s all about perspective." She hissed as the next contraction began. "And I’m about to get some perspective right now." She lifted her head trying to get closer to her lover. "Tara?"

"Here, baby." Tara pushed past Brent and comforted her lover. "Right here with you."

"You need to let your body push," Diana said as she rested a hand on each of Willow’s thighs.

"Let?" Willow asked between gritted teeth.

"Breathe through your mouth," Tara suggested. She took a deep breath and then picked up Willow’s hand. She cringed as Willow squeezed her hand until her knuckles cracked painfully.

"Good," Diana said. She slid her hands down and rested one palm over Megan’s head so the child wouldn’t come out too quickly and injure Willow. "Keep pushing," she instructed as she guided Megan’s head to one side. "Tara, help her lean forward."

"Almost done," Tara promised. She lifted Willow by the shoulder and then noticed that Brent had moved to the other side and was lifting her as well.

"I’m so proud of you, Lady Willow," Brent said.

Willow grunted as she continued pushing.

"Her head is out," Diana reached out her hand and the nurse gave her a bulb syringe. "She’s nice and pink," she added as she cleared the baby’s nose and mouth.

Willow groaned and then gasped. She took several deep breaths and turned toward Tara. "Tara? Oh, god, ouch. Ah!" Willow said as she continued gasping. "Oh, my god." She held her belly and her face contorted in agony.

"Diana?" Tara asked in a near panic.

"She’s doing great," Diana insisted. She was supporting Megan’s head in both hands. "Keep pushing, sweetie," Diana said.

Willow nodded and tried to push, but she felt lightheaded. She sagged back into Tara’s arms.

"Willow?" Tara knew something was wrong. "Diana?"

"Check her blood pressure," Diana yelled as she noticed that Megan’s heart rate was slowing. "Willow, I need you to push. We need to get Megan out, now."

"I can’t," Willow said weakly. She inhaled with a wince and could barely lift her head. "It hurts."

"I know, honey, but you need to push," Tara urged. Her eyes widened as she watched Willow’s face turn ashen white. "Diana, something is wrong," she said as she turned toward the doctor. "She’s as white as a sheet."

"I know," Diana said harshly. She turned to the nurse. "Get Doctor Bailey and the OR team," she ordered. "Now!"

"Tar—" Willow closed her eyes and dropped her head against Tara’s shoulder.

"Push, damn it," Diana said as she watched Megan’s heart rate plummet.

Willow grimaced and pushed with all the strength she had left.

"Good," Diana said as she eased Megan’s shoulders free.

Willow’s body went limp in Tara’s arms.

"Honey?" Tara lowered Willow to the bed. "Diana!"

The doctor had her hands full. As she pulled Megan the rest of the way out of Willow’s body, a rush of bright red blood poured onto the floor. "Cathy!" She handed Megan to the nurse and clamped her umbilical cord as Doctor Bailey came rushing in with a surgical team that had been on stand by.

"She’s hemorrhaging," Diana said as she moved out of the way.

"Let’s move, people," Doctor Bailey said as she snipped the umbilical cord and pressed a sterile pad between Willow’s legs. She wheeled the bed out the doors even as Tara moved mutely alongside her lover. Tara was torn in two directions. She needed to be with Willow, but Megan was softly crying behind her.

"Tara, you need to let them take her," Diana said gently. "Sweetie, you can’t go to the OR."

"What the hell happened?" Tara asked as she tears ran down her cheeks.

Diana was near tears as well. "I’m so sorry," she whispered.

Tara felt like her world was imploding. She felt her legs buckle, but luckily Diana was there to grab her.

"I’m sorry," Diana repeated sincerely.

End chapter six

Love Tara? Hate what they did to her and Willow on Buffy? Let the ME, UPN and Fox know how you feel. Please take a few minutes to send an email and let the people at Buffy the Vampire Slayer how you feel. Write every week if you feel like it. They need to know we still miss Tara and want her back. I would consider it a personal favor. Thanks!