Author: Taras Shadow
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, ME, UPN…except for Tori, Hadley, Jessica Paris, and Orlando and other non-Buffy characters-they belong to me
Feedback: Yes please, everything is welcome
Pairings: W/T, X/A, B/F D/Tori
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Willow is one of the hottest models in the world. When she comes home for her holiday, she meets a nice family that is new to Sunnydale. Can she find love, and continue her much loved career? This is an AU fic. There will be a little angst between some characters, but nothing big for I want to keep the angst issue light. Thoughts are in < >
~Part 38b~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Willow bit her lip as she sat up in her bed. So many things going through her mind at once. She gets to go home, she’s get to see her family, spend the holiday with her family. It all of a sudden occurred to her that she never spent a proper holiday with anyone in her family for a good three years. This only added to her excitement.
But another part of her mind was still confused. Why was Jessica going through with this? Was she looking for something?
Knowing that the only way to clear her mind would be to ask the brunette these exact same questions. Making her way down the long dark hall, she seen that Jessica’s bedroom door was opened slightly. Knocking softly, she seen Jessica’s shadow in the soft glow of candle lights. “Jesse?”
Jessica tilted her head and smiled at the red head. “Willow, come in.” She softly invited her in.
“You’re not asleep yet?” Willow asked, sitting in a comfortable chair beside the bed.
“Neither are you.” Jessica observed and sat up on her bed, staring at the red head. “What’s going on in that brain of yours Rosenberg?” She asked, a smile curling upon the corner of her lips.
Willow lightly smiled and sighed. “Just things. I guess I was so happy when you said you’d take over that I never got to ask why? I mean, I know why, but…why?”
Jessica closed her journal and looked down at the linoleum tiles on the floor. “I dropped out of the movie I was in.” She quietly said.
Willow looked at the brunette intently. “You…why?”
“You know the girl I was seeing, from that band?” Jessica’s eyes filled with pain and hurt. She watched Willow nod slowly. “Some things went down, she got caught in some drug scandal and things blew up from there. My parents asked my politely to just stay away for awhile, while the band gets through court hearings and such. They also said they missed you…” Jessica finished, letting the sentence linger.
“Jess…” Willow warned gently. “You know how much I love my Tara…”
“Willow, I know. I just meant that they are giving me grief about who I date and what I do and they just…want me to live my life in their terms. I came here because I wanted to get away. And I wanted you too get away.”
The red head slid out of the chair and onto the bed. “Is that all?” She asked in a caring tone. “You seem more disturbed or something. And you never explained why you dropped out of the movie.”
“Okay, I was fired.” Jessica turned her head away, ashamed. “They thought I would be part of the whole drug thing and I was dropped. Just like that.”
“Oh sweetie.” Willow pulled Jessica close. She knew how much her ex girlfriend loved to act. She loved to be in front of the camera, doing her fans proud. And this movie sounded really exciting.
“I’m okay, really.” Jessica dried her eyes and smiled at the concerned red head. “Remember that one time, we both signed up for the modelling marathon?”
Willow smiled warmly and nodded her head. “We came in last because we stopped to watch the sunset.”
“It was beautiful. I remember when I told you I wanted to give up modelling and just focus on my acting. You supported me through me decision.”
“You’re beautiful either way. You always thought you didn’t fit the part for being a model. I still say differently.” Willow honestly said. “Is this why you’re back?”
“I want to put something back into my life, Will. I know it can’t be you and I don’t want it to be. I just mean, you showed me so many good times during the beginning of everything.” Jessica’s smile lit up the faint room.
“We helped each other a lot in the beginning Jess, it was always you and me.” Willow whispered, tracing the pattern on the covers softly.
“I do miss that Will. But I also miss the travelling, the tours and fans. The somewhat tame life.” Jessica began and started to laugh. “I remember the look on our faces when they told us what to eat and what not to eat. How to work out and what to wear.”
“I was so not going to take that crap!” Willow snorted. “We pigged out a lot of the times.”
The two women were laughing at their past. What they used to do, just to piss of their earlier managers and assistants. “We were so bad.” Jessica breathed between giggles.
Settling down a moment after, Willow changed the mood a little more serious again. “So, you left because you just had to get away from everyone.” She confirmed hesitantly.
“Yes.” Came the small short reply.
“Are you sure Jess? I mean…”
“If it’s the money you’re worried about Will, I’ll give it to you. Half even. I just want to be here because I want to explore this side of my passion and I love teaching and leading younger ones. You know me…” Jessica started to explain.
“You can have the money. It’s fine.” Willow smiled softly. “So you’re sure?”
“I’m positive. I have no intentions, and I don’t expect nothing from you Will, please, please, please, let me do this for you. You should be back home with your family.”
The red head leaned forward and kissed Jessica’s forehead. “Can you come to Sunnydale for Christmas?” She asked.
“But you don’t…” Jessica frowned.
“I do, now…Tara and her family follow Catholic religion, so it’s all good. Besides, it would be really nice to have you with us. Even if it’s just for a bit. I know you have your own family and everything, and you probably already have plans…”
Jessica silenced her ex girlfriend. “I’ll be there, just give me a time.” She smiled. “Are you sure Tara won’t mind…or Hadley?”
Willow laughed at Jessica’s concerned face when she mentioned the little girls name. “They are both sweethearts, and Tara knows how close we are still.”
“Good.” Jess breathed. “So Rosenberg, what’s the plan then? You leaving tomrrow or…”
Willow sighed and threw herself back on the bed. “I can’t leave tomorrow. I promised the girls I’d take them shopping after their long day of ‘training’ and such. You know, teach them how to shop…you should join.” She looked over at the brunette. “The ladies will love you.”
“Yeah, right, they’re going to hate me for taking over.” Jessica smiled weakly.
“No they won’t. I tell you, we sit up all night talking about you….okay, us. But you know, they love your movies and they love and admire what you do…how you handle everything so professionally.” Willow said sincerely.
“Really?”
Willow sat up and patted Jessica’s knee. “Really really.” She grinned and stretched. “So, it’s late, I guess we’ll see you in the morning?”
“Good night.” Jessica smiled and watched the red head walk towards the door. “Hey Willow?”
“Yea?”
“I really missed this. The talking.”
The smile on Willow’s lips grew wider. “Me too.” She waved good night and got ready for bed.
~*~*~*~*~*~
“Mama!” Hadley burst through the door, falling to her knees to pet Brady, who followed in behind her.
Tara came running down the stairs with her apron half on and half off. “What is it sweetie?”
“Are you ready to make supper?” Hadley’s large blue eyes looked back at Tara’s.
“Yes, how about you get Brady’s dish filled with water, wash up and join me in the kitchen.” Tara kissed Hadley’s forehead and watched her run into the kitchen.
As the older blonde passed by the phone it began to ring, startling her a bit. “H-hello?” She asked, still feeling her heart pounding slightly against her chest.
“Miss Maclay? It’s Miss Emerson, Hadley’s substitute teacher.” The warm voice greeted her.
“Yes, hi Miss Emerson, how are you?” Tara smiled and leaned against the wall.
“Not bad thank you. Look, I am calling due to some changes regarding the school play.”
“Oh?” Tara frowned a bit.
“It’s nothing too bad Miss Maclay, not to worry, I know how much Hadley loves to sing. However, Mrs. Wilcox is wanting to set the play up for this Friday night. One of the lead teachers and the head leader of this play is going in for surgery next week, and her only holiday wish is that she attends this play.” Miss Emerson sounded sincere.
“I’m sorry to hear about the surgery.” Tara noted sadly. “Friday night sounds good to me.” She replied afterwards.
“Great, so far, everyone has been good about this. We don’t want to cause any problems or inconvenience anyone with holiday plans.”
“No problem Miss Emerson. Hadley and the family will be there.”
“I heard from Hadley that Willow was across the world.”
Tara smiled a bit. “That’s true, but I have a camera do record everything.”
Miss Emerson laughed softly. “That’s good, I know how close the family is. Well, I should go, I have a lot more people on my list.”
“Thank you.” Tara kindly voiced. “You have good evening.”
“You too dear.”
Tara hung up the phone and let out a long sigh, blowing air out, causing her wisps of hair to blow slightly. “Hadley, I’ve got some good news.”
Hadley bounced down the hallway from the bathroom, where she finished cleaning up. “What is it mama?” She asked.
“Well…Miss Emerson just called, and said the school production is bumped up to Friday.” Tara flashed her daughter a smile and hugged her.
“Yea!” Hadley giggled. “It’s a good thing we were making my costume today, right mama?” She flashed her mama an identical smile.
“Yes. So let’s get supper going, eat, and start with your costume. And yes, you can put on the sparkles for your wings.” Tara kissed Hadley on the forehead as they got to work.
“Can we email mommy too?” Hadley questioned.
“Yes, of course.”
“Yea!” Hadley bounced again.
~*~*~*~*~*~
“Well, we’re not getting anywhere.” Buffy said, frustrated. “What?” She questioned her sister, who was looking impatiently at her.
“Buffy!” Dawn sat down in the dressing room. “This winter night thing is very important to Tori and I. It’s a big deal. I need the perfect dress.” She calmly said.
“I know Dawn. But we’ve been through over twenty-five dresses, and only 5 stores.” Buffy said. “You’re naturally beautiful and every dress you’ve put on, you looked amazing.”
Dawn smiled softly at her older sister. “Thank you, and I’m sorry.”
“I do understand you know.” Buffy soothed. “I’ve been there. Okay, not exactly there, but I know what it’s like.”
“I know you do.”
“Tori and you deserve this night, and you deserve for it to be perfect.” Buffy encouraged.
“Honestly, I don’t think this could really beat the last dance.” Dawn said wistfully. “Tori sang to me last time, in the parking lot. And we floated as we danced, I couldn’t ask for a better night.”
Buffy watched the love and blush etch across her younger sisters face, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “Ooh, you are in love.” She gushed.
“I am.” Dawn answered honestly. “And so are you.”
“I always have been.” Buffy smiled. “Faith is so amazing, and I love how we are when no one else is around. It’s always so…”
“Passionate?” Dawn bit her lip. Knowing the things her and Tori do when they’re alone. The stolen touches and soft loving kisses.
“That would be the word.” Buffy sighed.
“Hey sexy kittens.” Faith purred, leaning against the mirror door.
Buffy grinned and stood up, cupping Faith’s face and kissing her gently.
Faith smiled into the kiss, not knowing where exactly the kiss came from, but she wasn’t one to complain. “What’s that for?” She whispered.
Buffy nuzzled Faith’s neck and pressed her lips to the dark slayers ear. “I love you.”
Pushing Buffy back a bit to see if Buffy was serious or not, she seen the passion and love reflect behind sea green eyes. “I love you too, Buffy.” She whispered back, pulling the blonde in for another hug.
Dawn watched the tender scene unfold, and adverted her eyes, locking them on her girlfriend’s. “Hey you.” She smiled, walking towards the other girl.
“Hey, how’s the dress shopping?” Tori asked, kissing Dawn softly.
“Great, and you?” Dawn asked.
“I’ve already got my dress picked out. Faith and I just came back from the arcade.” Tori smirked, releasing her grasp on Dawn’s waist.
“So, we all ready to go for supper?” Faith said, pulling away slowly from her and Buffy’s warm embrace.
Dawn looked over at the nice light blue dress; splayed over the chair in the dressing room.
Tori kissed Dawn’s forehead and nodded. “Okay.”
The Summer sisters watched their girlfriends walk out of the store. “Ah yes, Dawn, I believe we are nothing but young girls, in love.” Buffy grinned.
~*~*~*~*~*~
~Holly~
“Sometimes I think about two women doing a spell, and then I do a spell myself.” – Xander - Restless
Holly,
has to make it back in time for Hadley's play, right? I can't wait til she gets back. 
will be so happy. Touching moment between Faith and Buffy. Young girls in love all 6 of them. I love your fic. 
Oh so I'm greedy, sue me. 
Maybe Hadley will mention it being bumped up in the email she wants to send... 
I'm sorry... 
... sorry 
I can't wait for more. Hurry please? 
at: 6/28/03 9:04 pm
and my mom has Tammy Wynette and The Judds turned up because we are required to sing. *laughs* I haven't sang in front of my family since...three summers ago... wish me luck. I'm so going to need it... just as long as they let me off the hook with playing the guitar to Pam Tillis 
*goes off singing 'Grandpa' from the Judds*