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

Unexpected Consequences: Milestones

By Lisa Countryman

© July 2002

CHAPTER EIGHT

Tara was pacing when the beeper on Brent’s waist went off. She spun and looked at the guardian. "Brianna?" She rushed toward the couch were Brent was holding Megan.

"I’m sure it’s nothing." Brent carefully handed the baby to Diana and yanked her beeper from her waist and looked at the code. Her eyes narrowed and she moved to the waiting room door in one graceful leap. She drew her sword from inside the back of her jacket effortlessly. The guardians had custom designed leather coats that hid a sheath across their backs. One gentle tug and the blade was in her hand and she was ready for battle.

"Uh…" Ira stared at the sword and took a step back against the wall.

"What is it?" Tara moved to Brent’s side.

The elder guardian shoved Tara away from the open door. "Lady Tara, stay out of the way," Brent said harshly. She wouldn’t allow Tara into harm’s way, and an open doorway during an emergency was not safe. She looked up and down the hallway and let out a relieved sigh when she saw three of the Imbolc guard running toward her. "Report!" Brent ordered.

"Ceridwen activated the defend command," Brigan said as she took a protective stance in front of the door. The other Imbolc guards continued down the hall and took up positions in front of the entrance to the OR where Willow was being treated.

"I can see that," Brent said tersely. "Has the compound been breeched?"

"I don’t think so," Brigan said quickly. She was second in command, and she had as much information as anyone.

"Tara, what’s going on?" Ira asked.

"Just stay out of the way and do whatever they tell you." Tara went to Diana and took Megan from the doctor.

After a few tense minutes, Brent’s cell phone rang and she yanked it from her belt with her left hand, keeping her sword ready in her dominant hand. "Report," she barked into the phone. She listened and took a deep breath. She slowly released it. Her jaw twitched. "Understood. Have the guard stand down." She hung up the phone and sheathed her sword and then turned to Tara and had to wait a moment before speaking. The elder was seething with rage.

"Brent?" Tara asked. She heard Brent’s beeper signal the all clear, but her relief was dampened by the fury on Brent’s face.

"Miss Brianna called for defense," Brent said. Her tone made it clear that she was not angry with the young child for the action. Brent squeezed her hands into tight fists to stop her hands from shaking. Rage practically oozed from her skin.

"We knew that. Why?" Tara squared her jaw and moved closer. "What happened?"

"She was being kidnapped." Brent turned and gave Ira a near lethal glare.

"What?" Tara shifted Megan in her arms.

"It seems Mrs. Rosenberg decided she should take Brianna and keep her until Willow recovers." Brent continued staring down Ira. "She told Miss Brianna not to worry because she was going to keep her if anything happened to Willow. Apparently, Mister and Mrs. Rosenberg’s lawyer said Brianna had to go with them."

"How dare you!" Tara spun toward Ira. The fury in her blue eyes made her appear wild and dangerous, which she was.

"Now, calm down," Ira said. He backed away from Tara. He’d never seen the gentle blonde so much as raise her voice and the wrath in her eyes made him more than a little nervous.

Megan began to fuss in Tara’s arms, as if reacting to her mother’s ill mood.

"Shh, sweetie," Tara’s tone was soothing and full of love. She carried the baby to Diana and handed her to the doctor. When she spun to face Ira, every sign of love or compassion was gone. She looked like snarling lion about to pounce.

"Now, Tara, I’m sure Sheila wasn’t going to take Brianna anywhere…" Ira backed into the wall.

"You think you can take my child?" Tara’s voice was soft and frighteningly calm. "You think some lawyer can give you the right to steal my children?"

"We … we were just trying to make sure Brianna and Megan are taken care of," Ira said. He straightened his back and edged away from the wall. "We won’t take the children. Willow’s going to be fine."

"And if she hadn’t been?" Tara’s hands shook as she fought to contain the magic coursing through her veins. Her body was reacting to a threat to her children, and that reaction was sending powerful magic to the surface.

"Well, we are her family," Ira said defensively.

"And just what is Tara?" Brent asked as she moved to Tara’s side.

"I know you love the children," Ira admitted. "But even you must see that they’d be better off with real family, than just some stran—" Ira’s words died in his throat. He thought he could actually see tiny flames in Tara’s eyes. He shook his head knowing he must be imagining things.

Tara lifted her hand toward Ira, but Brent grabbed her wrist.

"My Lady," Brent said gently. The term of endearment calmed Tara. "Brianna is safe," Brent said with a wince. She could feel her palm burning where she held Tara’s wrist. The power flowing through the young witch was astonishing.

"These … are … my … children." Tara’s muscles trembled as she fought the urge to grab her father-in-law.

"I told Sheila we shouldn’t proceed…" He finally realized that he had a very angry, dangerous woman ready to rip him limb from limb. He was also still reeling from the strange events, and the fact that Brent had pulled a sword seemingly out of thin air.

Tara’s eyes narrowed and she felt power filling her tense frame.

"We wanted to have Willow sign guardianship papers in case something ever happened to her." Ira suddenly realized that he had underestimated Tara’s protective streak.

Tara took a deep breath. Her body surged with rage.

"My Lady." Brent pulled Tara a few feet away from Ira. She released her grip and looked down at her palm. The scarred skin was red and blistered, as if she had a severe sunburn. The heat from Tara’s skin had blistered the scars Brent still had from years earlier when she had faced Tara in the Imbolc challenge. "He is still Willow’s father," Brent whispered.

Tara turned and looked into Brent’s eyes. Magical flames flickered behind Tara’s irises.

In that instant, Brent knew Tara’s mage abilities were now fully activated. The appearance of fire in the eyes had long been used metaphorically to describe rage. Few knew that the literary device was born of fact. An enraged mage would have mystical flames erupt behind her eyes when she was trying to contain fury. It was the true origin of the expression ‘reaching the boiling point.’ The appearance of the flames meant Tara was one of the youngest mages in recorded history.

"My Lady, they will never take your children," Brent swore. She gave Tara a half smile. "Do you think we’d allow that? Do you think I would allow that?" She smoothed Tara’s hair into place and smiled. "They have no idea the resources we have," she added with a twinkle in her eyes. "Justice is a woman for a reason. Our influence reaches further than even you know."

Tara closed her eyes and sighed. When she opened her eyes, the flames were gone, but her expression was still full of fury. "I need to see my baby girl," she whispered.

"I’m sure they’re bringing Brianna here right now," Brent promised. She pulled Tara further away from Ira and sat the blonde down on the couch. "And no one is going to keep you from her. I won’t let anyone hurt you, my precious Lady, not even Willow’s parents." She turned and gave Ira a look so dangerous he actually flinched.

He cleared his throat. "So, where is Sheila?" Ira asked.

Brent smiled and turned toward Tara.

The blonde mage bit her lip and turned away. She smirked as she realized exactly where Sheila must be.

*****

"Let me out of here!" Sheila yelled as she banged on the wall of the holding cell.

A tiny window on the door slid open. "I’m sorry, but only Willow or Tara can approve your release," Brigh said sweetly. "Willow’s still in surgery, and I don’t think Tara is going to be letting you out any time soon." She closed the window with a bang.

"This is unlawful imprisonment!" Sheila yelled.

The tiny door opened with a swoosh. "Didn’t Willow ever tell you?" Brigh smiled sweetly. "The sanctuary grounds are technically considered an embassy. You’re standing on the sovereign land of the United Kingdom. US law doesn’t apply." She slammed the door closed.

"What?" Sheila yelled. She stared at the door and wondered what in the world was going on.

*****

Ira gave up trying to ask questions. He had never seen this side of Tara and he had no idea how to interact with her. He sat in the corner and decided that when Willow was better, he was going to make her explain the strange happenings. He glanced over and frowned. Brent was holding Megan as the infant slept. The old woman looked like a typical grandmother, like she should be baking cookies, yet Brent had yanked a sword out of her jacket with expert skill. Ira wondered how much trouble Sheila had caused. He heard footsteps and looked over in time to see Ceri coming through the door holding Brianna.

"Mama…" Brianna whispered as Ceri stopped in the doorway.

Tara held back a sob.

"Here you go." Ceri put Brianna down as she squirmed to get to Tara.

"Mama!" she repeated as she sprinted to Tara.

"Oh, baby girl." Tara scooped Brianna into her arms and hugged her tightly. "Are you okay, sweetie?" she whispered. She kissed Brianna’s cheeks and carried her to the couch and sat.

Brianna nodded and then burst into tears. She’d been brave so far, but now that she was safely in her mama’s arms, she knew she could just be a little girl.

"I’m here, Bri," Tara whispered. "Let it out, baby girl." She looked over Brianna’s shoulder and glared at Ira. "No one is taking you away from me. Ever." Her eyes flashed with anger, but thankfully, no flames appeared.

"Grandma," Brianna sniffled. "Take m-me away. L-lawyers." She sobbed into Tara’s hair.

"Sweetie, who cares about lawyers?" Tara asked as she ran her hand through Brianna’s hair. She eased her daughter back and smiled. "You have mommy and me, and we have Brent and the others." She touched her forehead to Brianna’s. "Lawyers wouldn’t stand a chance."

"Really?" Brianna asked in a tiny voice full of hope and trust.

Tara nodded and kissed Brianna’s nose.

"I didn’t know if I s-should … c-call Ceri…" Brianna spoke between sobs. "Grandma … but … I … and s-she…"

"She was going to take you off the grounds," Tara said as she wiped the tears from Brianna’s cheeks.

"I … s-said …n-no," Brianna stuttered, barely able to get the words out.

"You did the right thing," Tara assured her daughter. Having gone through her own years of stuttering, it pained Tara to see Brianna suffering through it as well. Especially since she knew Brianna usually didn’t stutter at all. "You’re my smart baby girl."

Relief flooded Brianna’s tiny frame. She fell into Tara’s arms and cried hysterically. She hadn’t feared for her life, but the thought of being taken from her mama was terrifying just the same. She’d been afraid she might get in trouble for calling the alarm when the bad men weren’t after her, but she knew she couldn’t leave the grounds without her guardians.

Tara looked over at Brent. She needed to talk to the elder to design an alarm for non-lethal, non-mystical dangers. Tara knew that only the guardians’ intense training had kept Sheila from ending up skewered on the end of an Imbolc sword. That would not have pleased Willow. Just the thought of Willow made Tara’s chest ache. She needed to see her. She glanced over at Diana and raised an eyebrow.

"She should be in recovery by now," Diana said. "As soon as the alarm was called, any visits were put on hold so they could lock down the facilities. The alarm has been canceled."

Tara smiled and hugged Brianna a bit tighter.

"We can see mommy?" Brianna asked. She lifted her head. "She w-won’t be mad at me, w-will she?"

"Baby girl, mommy will not be mad at you." She guided Brianna’s face back to her chest and stroked her hair. She glared at Ira, letting him know that he and his wife were not off the hook. It broke her heart to hear Brianna stutter. She knew that only happened when Brianna was extremely upset. She knew from her own experiences that stuttering would only make Brianna feel more helpless. "You did the right thing, Bri. I’m so proud of you."

Brianna took a deep breath and her whole body shook.

"Mommy’s going to be so proud of you too," Tara whispered. She kissed the top of Brianna’s head and held her tightly.

Megan began to fuss in Brent’s arms. The elder shifted the tiny child and looked down at her. "Hello, Miss Megan. Did you have a nice nap, little one?"

Megan grunted and nuzzled Brent’s chest.

"I think you’re out of luck, young Miss." Brent looked over at Tara and gave her a wry smirk. "That may look full, but it will never quench her thirst."

"Is she sick?" Brianna asked. She turned and looked at her new sister.

"She’s not sick, sweetie." Tara smiled and rubbed Brianna’s back.

Brianna furrowed her brow as she watched Megan grunt and kick her feet inside the blanket she was wrapped with. "Is Megan sad cuz mommy’s sick?"

"No, baby girl." Tara scooted Brianna onto the couch beside her. "Your little sister is hungry." She took Megan from Brent and cradled her. "She eats almost as much as you did when you were a baby." Tara smiled at Brianna as she lifted her shirt. "She just needs her mama." Tara tucked Megan to her bare breast and let her eat.

Megan squeezed her eyes tightly shut and grunted.

"Patience, little one." Tara giggled and ran her hand over Megan’s back. "Give it time."

"What’s wrong?" Brianna asked.

"My milk has to come down," Tara said as Megan kicked and stiffened her back. "The milk is in my breast, but it doesn’t come down until Megan needs it," she explained. "Once Megan nurses for a bit, the milk will come down." She cringed. "Here it comes now."

"Does it hurt?" Brianna asked in a concerned tone.

"Nope. It just feels a little weird," Tara assured her curious child.

Megan made a content grunt and suckled hungrily. She stopped fidgeting and snuggled against the warmth of Tara’s body.

"There, see?" Tara smiled. "My milk is down and she’s happy." She hummed quietly as she gently rocked Megan.

Brianna stared wide-eyed as Megan latched on and suckled enthusiastically. She carefully touched Megan’s head, smiling when she felt the infant’s silky hair. She petted her baby sister’s head, drawing comfort from the familial contact as Megan continued eating.

Ira looked away, though not before giving Tara a disapproving look.

"It’s a natural process," Tara said without looking up. She’d caught his judgmental glare out of the corner of her eye. "A beautiful thing that I will not hide from my daughter." She smiled at Brianna. "See how she grabs my blouse while she eats?" she whispered.

Brianna nodded, captivated by watching her baby sister eat. She continued stroking Megan’s hair as the baby clutched a fistful of fabric and twisted it as she suckled.

"You used to do the same thing," Tara told Brianna. "When you got bigger, you stretched out all my best blouses. You’d pull on them while you ate. I had to buy new shirts every week." She winked playfully.

Brianna blushed. She moved her hand closer to Tara’s breast, but hesitated with her hand over Tara’s skin. "How does she know there’s food in there? And how did it get in there?"

"It’s nature," Tara explained. She balanced Megan with one arm and used her free hand to guide Brianna’s small hand closer. "My breasts make milk for her. My body provides everything she needs."

Brianna furrowed her brow as her inquisitive mind went into overdrive. "It’s hard," she noted as she gently pressed Tara’s breast. Her fingers were a few inches from Megan’s face. "How come it’s not like a water balloon?"

Tara smiled warmly. She wished Willow were sitting beside her. Their daughter certainly had Willow’s scientific mind. "There’s a lot of muscle in there," Tara explained. "They’re not just bags of milk."

Ira was appalled that Tara was letting Brianna touch her chest. He went into the hall so he wouldn’t have to watch.

"Will mommy have milk too?" Brianna moved her hand back to Megan’s soft hair.

"Yep." Tara leaned down and kissed the top of Brianna’s head.

"But you have more," Brianna pointed out. "Mommy will just have snack milk," she said sagely. "You have to feed Megan cuz you have lots more." Her eyes widened as she stared at Tara’s abundant cleavage. "Can she eat that much?"

"She’ll eat what she needs." Tara giggled and glanced over at Brent and Diana. The two older women were doing their best not to snicker. "Your mommy will have plenty of milk."

Brent burst out laughing.

Tara rolled her eyes at the elder before explaining to Brianna. "Breasts come in all sizes, honey. Even women with … smaller breasts have no problem feeding their hungry daughters."

"Is mommy okay?" Brianna’s voice cracked.

Tara looked at Diana. She needed to see her soul mate.

Diana smiled and nodded.

Tara felt her heart lighten. "Let’s go see your mommy," she whispered as she stood.

"You can’t let her see Willow in a hospital bed," Ira said primly. He was standing in the doorway and didn’t approve of Brianna seeing Willow while she was ill.

Tara dipped her head and leveled a dangerous glare at Ira. "Let me make this perfectly clear…" She tugged her blouse down so it covered her breast without suffocating Megan. It was difficult to look menacing when her breast was hanging loose. "I will do whatever I see fit with my daughters." Tara took a step closer as Ira retreated into the hall. "And anyone who gets in my way will not like the consequences."

"That sounds like a threat," Ira said with a smile. "I don’t think Willow would approve."

Tara laughed and turned her head. She cleared her throat and looked back at him. "Mister Rosenberg, if you think my attitude is threatening, just wait ‘til Willow finds out what you were planning." She balanced Megan with one arm and took Brianna’s hand and led her past Ira, leaving him standing in stunned silence.

*****

"She looks like sleeping beauty," Brianna whispered as they went into the recovery room.

"She sure does," Tara agreed. She felt tears welling in her eyes and she moved closer to the bed.

Wires and tubes surrounded Willow, but she was as beautiful as ever. Her face was paler than normal, but it only made her red hair more pronounced.

"Hey there, daring." Tara leaned down and kissed Willow’s forehead. She pulled a chair next to the bed and motioned for Brianna to sit as she balanced Megan with the other arm.

"Can she hear us?" Brianna whispered. She didn’t want to wake up her mommy. She remembered once when her mama had been sick and her mommy had explained that sick people needed to sleep.

"It’s good for her to hear us," Tara assured Brianna. "It gives her a reason to wake up." She stood next to Brianna’s chair and ran the pads of her fingers down Willow’s pale hand. "You need to open your eyes, Will." Tara leaned down again and whispered in her lover’s ear. "Someone here wants to meet you."

"Can I hold her hand?" Brianna asked.

"That would be wonderful." Tara smiled warmly at her oldest daughter. She scooted the chair closer so Brianna could reach Willow’s hand.

"Hi, mommy," Brianna whispered. "I got to see Megan. She has hair just like me and it’s really soft. Mama says she doesn’t eat as much as me." She held Willow’s hand as she had seen her mama do on many occasion, running her tiny thumb over the back of Willow’s hand. She mimicked the motion she saw almost everyday. Any time Tara and Willow were next to each other, Tara would take Willow’s hand and lovingly stroke the back of her hand with a thumb.

Tara pulled a second chair next to Brianna’s and sat near Willow’s head. She wanted to be as close to her lover as possible.

Megan finished eating and finally dozed off after 30 minutes. Brianna looked over and crinkled her forehead.

"What is it, baby girl?" Tara asked. She ran her hand down Megan’s back and as she smiled at Brianna.

"Can I hold her?" Brianna asked. "I won’t drop her, I promise," she added quickly.

"She’s your sister. Of course you can hold her." Tara had Brianna scoot all the way back into her chair and then carefully placed Megan on her sister’s lap. The baby covered most of Brianna’s legs, but the older child didn’t seem to notice. She focused intently, making sure to support Megan’s neck just the way Tara had shown her.

Tara kept one eye on her two daughters as she held Willow’s hand and she sent all her love to her sleeping soul mate. She ran her thumb over the back of Willow’s hand and then smiled. Her thumb moved of its own accord, and until she had seen Brianna doing the same thing earlier, she hadn’t realized she even did it. After a few minutes, Willow squeezed Tara’s hand and let out a weak sigh.

"Willow?" Tara caressed Willow’s face. "I’m right here, darling." She glanced over at Brianna and winked. "Shh, we’ll surprise mommy." She turned back to Willow and kissed her cheek. "Will?"

"Tara?" Willow coughed. Her throat ached from being intibated during surgery. "Wh—"

"Shh, you’re all right," Tara soothed.

"Megan?" Willow fought to open her eyes, but she was exhausted.

"She’s fine," Tara said lovingly. "Hungry as a little tiny horse, but fine."

Willow smiled and her eyes flickered open. She looked at Tara and her green eyes lit from within. "Hey," she whispered and gave Tara’s hand a weak squeeze.

"We’re even now," Tara said with a crooked grin. "You scared me half to death."

"Had to make Megan’s birth dramatic so Brianna will always remember it." Willow closed her eyes and yawned. Her eyes popped open. "I haven’t even seen Megan. Where is she? What does she look like?"

"Take a look for yourself." Tara grinned and leaned back so Willow could see her two daughters.

"Oh!" Willow would have squirmed excitedly if she hadn’t been exhausted and sore. "That’s just the cutest thing ever!" She beamed proudly as she took in the sight of Brianna cradling Megan. "She looks just like Brianna. Look at that hair! My goddess, it looks like someone tied a red mop on her head."

Brianna giggled and smiled at her mommy. "She squeezes mama’s blouse when she eats just like I did," she said proudly. "But I eat more."

Willow’s smiled even though her body ached. "Well, you had to grow up big and strong so you could hold Megan," she said logically. She tilted her head to one side and wished she had a camera. "Look at you two," Willow said with a squeak. "You’re just adorable."

"Let mommy hold her," Tara said as she turned and took Megan. She spun and carefully placed Megan in Willow’s arms, making certain not to bump her belly.

"Hold her head," Brianna instructed with the utmost seriousness. "Under her neck. Her neck is like a soggy noodle and she can’t hold it up yet," she said, sharing the wealth of her entire ten minutes of experience. She remembered every instruction Tara had given her and she was more than willing to share the knowledge.

"Thank you," Willow told Brianna. She looked up at Tara and rolled her eyes. "Already an expert," she whispered. She settled Megan into place and studied her sleeping features. "Goddess, she’s beautiful."

"Just like her mommy," Tara whispered.

"She has your lips," Willow observed as Megan stuck out the lip in question in a sleepy pout.

"Did you notice that widow’s peak?" Tara traced Megan’s hairline and smiled. "Oddly familiar, hmm?" She glanced over at Brianna.

"Just like me and mommy," Brianna said with a smug smirk.

Willow smiled and closed her eyes. "Mmm, she’s perfect." She opened and her eyes and then winked at Brianna. "Just like you."

"You’re tired. Let me take her," Tara offered.

"No," Willow whined. She yawned and stuck her lip out in a pout.

"She may have my lips, but she has your pout." Tara kissed Willow gently, letting her lips linger.

"I don’t pout," Willow said without letting their lips lose contact.

"Yes … you … do," Tara said, leaving a kiss between each word.

Brianna snickered. "Mommy pouts?"

"Sometimes," Tara said as she moved back. "Cuz she knows she always gets her way when she does." She ran her fingers through Willow’s hair. "Don’t even think it," Tara said as she turned to face Brianna.

The young girl smiled cryptically.

"It only works for mommies," Willow quickly explained.

Brianna’s smile widened.

"Oh, lord." Tara chuckled. "We’ve created a monster."

"Speaking of which…" Willow scanned the room. "Where’s my mom?"

Tara bit her lip. "Um, she’s around. Take a nap and when you’re feeling rested, I’ll send her in."

"Okay," Willow said sleepily. She looked down at Megan and yawned, completely missing the look of terror that crossed Brianna’s face.

"Time for sleep, and no pouting." Tara took Megan and left a kiss on Willow’s forehead to soften the loss. "I’ll be here when you wake up."

"You’re always here." Willow smiled as she began to doze off.

"And I will be forever," Tara swore.

*****

Sometime after midnight, Tara drifted off for a nap in a chair next to Willow’s bed. Next to the blonde was a portable bassinet for Megan. So far Megan had been seeing how many times she could wake Tara. She’d begin with a squeak, which was usually enough to wake Tara. The blonde wasn’t about to interrupt Willow’s rest. If Tara hesitated, Megan would let out a few coos before actually crying. Brianna had been much different. Brianna used to wake up screaming at the top of her tiny lungs. Tara preferred Megan’s more subtle approach, especially if it meant Willow could sleep.

The sound of Tara’s sleepy whimper was familiar, and it pulled Willow out of her groggy state. The smell of antiseptic filled Willow’s nostrils and she remembered her delivery going wrong. She opened her eyes and saw Tara sleeping in a chair. A smile blossomed on Willow’s lips when she tilted her face and saw Megan’s bassinet. She needed to see one more person to make her heart relax completely. She looked toward the other side of the bassinet and saw Brianna.

Brianna’s eyes were wide and alert and she was staring into the bassinet.

"Hey, sweetie," Willow whispered. "What are you doing up?"

"Hi, mommy." Brianna smiled and sat up. "I’m watching Megan think," she explained.

"Oh?" Willow asked. She wished Tara were awake to hear Brianna’s explanation firsthand.

Brianna nodded. She leaned over the side of the bassinet and checked she sister. "She’s looking up at the roof, thinking."

"Uh huh." Willow nodded.

"That’s what I do when I think." Brianna took another look at her sister. "She’s just like me."

"Yes, I think she is," Willow said with a smile. "Just like you." She turned and looked at Tara. "You’re both like your mama. She stays awake at night thinking, too."

"Really?" Brianna scooted closer to the bed and took Willow’s hand.

"Yep," Willow whispered. "Sometimes I wake up and she’s just looking up at the ceiling." Willow stared at her sleeping lover. Tara was exhausted. "Sometimes she rolls onto her side and looks out the window," Willow told Brianna.

"At the moon?" Brianna asked excitedly. "Mommy, I look at the moon when I can’t sleep!"

"Well, that’s because you’re just like mama." Willow reached down and caressed Brianna’s cheek.

Tara’s eyes fluttered open. Before she could even comment, Willow noticed.

The redhead smiled at her lover and then looked back at Brianna. "I hope you grow up just like your mama."

Brianna smiled shyly.

"Hey, sweetie." Tara’s eyes lit up as she stared at Brianna. She yawned and slowly sat up and looked over at Megan. "Well, looks like none of my redheads are sleeping." She raised an eyebrow as she gave Willow a playfully stern glare. "Shouldn’t you be resting?"

"I’m tired of resting," Willow complained. She yawned and stared down at Megan.

"Here." Tara chuckled and lifted Megan out of the bassinet and gave the wide-eyed infant to Willow.

"Okay, this better not become some late-night-staying-up-and-looking-around-the-room-like-your-big-sister deal you plan on repeating every night," Willow whispered to her newest daughter. She kissed Megan’s forehead. "You need sleep." She didn’t add that she was hoping the infant would only wake up to eat, an activity that would steal quite a bit of sleep from her mothers.

Tara sighed, pulling Willow’s attention away from Megan.

"What?" Willow asked with a grin. She stared at Tara, who was staring back at her.

"I can’t believe how lucky we are," Tara said honestly. She put a hand on Brianna’s shoulder and continued gazing at Willow and Megan. "How can two mothers be so blessed by the goddess?"

"Magic," Willow said as she dipped her head and gave her lover a demure smile.

"Willow magic," Tara added in a husky whisper.

Willow blushed and cleared her throat. She looked around the room. "So, where’s my mom?" she asked. "And dad? I thought they’d be in here getting in the way."

Brianna’s eyes widened in horror. She whipped her head around and looked to Tara for rescue.

"Brianna, why don’t you go down to the nurse’s station and get some juice from Cathy, okay?" Tara asked as tucked her daughter’s red bangs behind her ears. She leaned over and kissed the frightened girl on the cheek and gave her a reassuring smile. "Mommy and I are gonna’ have a little chat."

Brianna nodded quickly and bolted from the room.

"Tara?" Willow asked as soon as Brianna left the room.

"Honey, I want you to relax," Tara ordered. She stood and moved to the side of the bed and took Megan from Willow’s arms and put her in the bassinet.

"What did they do?" Willow asked. Her eyes narrowed and her protective streak flared.

"Will, I don’t want you getting upset," Tara cautioned.

"Did my mother say something to you?" Willow asked. Her throat was tight and she could feel her pulse beginning to race.

"No." Tara looked down at the bed and ran her fingers over the back of Willow’s hand.

"Did she say something to Bri?" Willow asked. She took Tara’s hand and gently squeezed it. "Tara?"

The blonde witch slowly lifted her face and met Willow’s gaze. "Your parents went to a lawyer to get papers," she said slowly.

"Papers?" Willow was completely confused.

"Custody papers," Tara said quietly.

Willow inhaled deeply. Her nostrils flared and her cheeks darkened. "To take our children in case something happened to me?" Willow’s voice was slightly higher because her throat was tight.

Tara nodded.

"Did you throw them off the sanctuary?" Willow asked as her voice began to shake.

Tara sighed forlornly, not meeting Willow’s eyes. She did not want to hurt Willow, and she knew her news would cause Willow’s gentle soul a great deal of pain. She also knew she had to tell Willow everything.

"There’s more, isn’t there?" Willow whispered. "It’s okay, Tara." She pulled Tara closer to the bed. "I’m calm," she assured her lover. "I promise."

"Your mom decided she would be the best one to take care of Brianna," Tara said quietly. She looked into Willow’s eyes. "I’m sure she thought she was doing the best thing."

"I don’t give a rat’s ass what she was thinking," Willow said coldly. "She has no claim on our child."

"Will, honey…" Tara scooted her chair closer to Willow and pulled the redhead’s hand into her lap. "Your mom tried to take Brianna," she explained.

"Take?" Willow furrowed her brow.

"She tried to take her … off the sanctuary," Tara elaborated.

Willow’s eyes widened. "You said tried, so she didn’t get Bri off the grounds, right?" She was imagining what Brent’s reaction would be to that situation.

"No," Tara said quietly. "The guardians stopped her."

Willow gasped.

"No, honey, she’s safe," Tara insisted. "They didn’t hurt your mom."

"I can’t believe she put our child through this." Willow’s eyes narrowed with fury. She imagined the guardians stopping her mother at the main gate. "I just wish Brianna had called for help." She frowned. "She knows to call her guardians if anything happens."

"Will, she did," Tara explained. "Your mom was carrying Bri across the Lacrosse field and Bri called Ceri. She called for defense." She allowed a tiny hint of a smile. "Just like we trained her."

"And Ceri didn’t hurt my mom?" Willow clarified. She was furious, but she knew how protective Ceri was.

"No." Tara shook her head. "But Ceri did knock your mom on her butt. I think your parents suspect something odd is going on with Bri."

"Where’s my mom, my parents?" Willow’s voice was oddly calm.

"She, they’re … we moved them to the guest bungalow near the main hall." Tara bit her lip nervously.

"Why?" Willow asked as she raised her voice dangerously.

"Honey, I know they’re your parents, but I just didn’t feel right having them stay in our home." Tara felt her stomach tie in knots. She hated being at odds with Willow.

"No," Willow said with a growl. "Why aren’t they in the holding cell where they belong?"

Tara blinked several times as she stared at her lover. "Willow, they are your parents," she said slowly.

"They tried to steal our child," Willow said loudly. She tried to sit up but the incision on her belly made her change her mind. "Ahh…" She fell back into the pillows and closed her eyes.

"Will!" Tara grabbed the call button and signaled for the nurse. "Easy," she said as she brushed the hair out of Willow’s eyes. "Honey, please, I don’t want to upset you."

Willow’s eyes popped open. The green was dark, almost black, and showed the depth of her anger. "You didn’t upset me," she said as she took a few deep breaths. "I want to know exactly what happened. Now," she insisted.

The door swung open and Cathy came into the room. "Lady Willow, did you need something?" The nurse hurried to the side of the bed.

"She’s in pain," Tara said before Willow could. "Do something, please."

"Tara?" Willow asked. She wanted to know what her mother had done.

"Let me check the medication," Cathy said as she rushed to the IV pump. "Do you need more? Diana has the prescription written so you can get a larger dose if you’re still in pain." She wanted to calm Willow, and as long as she was talking, she knew Willow wouldn’t begin yelling again. "How much pain are you in?" She turned and picked up Willow’s arm by the wrist and took her pulse.

Willow looked at Tara, then sighed and relaxed into the pillows. She could tell that Tara was frantic at the thought of her pain, so she submitted and let the nurse take care of her. "It’s intense," Willow admitted. "Shooting from my belly down both legs."

"Shooting?" Tara demanded. "You have shooting pain and didn’t tell me?"

"It just started," Willow said as she waited for the nurse to release her hand. "When I tried to sit up."

"Lady Willow, you mustn’t use your stomach muscles yet. The incision is only a few hours old." Cathy checked Willow’s IV and made sure the fluids were flowing freely. "You could make it worse."

"I figured that out," Willow grumbled. She rested a hand over her belly.

"No getting upset," Tara ordered. She put her hand over Willow’s on the redhead’s belly.

Willow rolled her eyes.

"That’s actually good advice," Cathy said with a smirk. She took a thermometer from her hip pocket and tucked the device in Willow’s ear. It beeped and she looked at the reading. "Good," she said with a smile. "Perfectly normal."

Tara nodded, relived that Willow didn’t seem to be getting an infection.

"Normal? Does that mean can I get upset now?" Willow asked grouchily.

"No." Tara leaned down and kissed her lover’s cheek. "This is a stress-free room."

"I want to see my mom," Willow said determinedly.

"I thought you wanted a stress-free room?" Cathy whispered.

Tara and Willow both glared at the other woman.

"Sorry." Cathy smirked and then cleared her throat. "Well, you said stress-free, and that won’t happen if … you know."

"Are you saying my mother is stressful?" Willow asked politely.

"Well, um…" Cathy blushed. "Yeah."

"Smart woman," Tara said with a giggle.

"Tara, I’m serious. I want to see her." Willow had a plaintive tone that broke Tara’s heart.

"Okay, I’ll have Brent bring her over in the morning," Tara said dejectedly. "But if you get upset, I’m throwing her out."

Willow smiled as she pictured that.

"Willow…" Tara said in a warning tone.

"What?" Willow asked as she yawned. "Would my mother cause any trouble?"

Tara glared at her lover as Cathy snickered and snuck out of the room.

End chapter eight

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!