Love Comes to Long Lick Revisited - Complete 10/12/2009

[JustSkipIt]

shiraz – Hi and welcome. I’m so glad you’re commenting. I’m kind of glad it’s nearly over simply because it’s never yet gotten hard to write. It’s still fun and still moving and that’s very exciting.

Yes, Mac is that fully sexual being with no real connection to real feeling. She’s just brash and outspoken and entitled. Rose is doing a wonderful job of slowing down Mac’s passion, particularly given her attraction for the other woman. I mean it would be so easy for her to just tumble into bed with Mac but she’s in control here and she’s timing things.

I’m glad you enjoy Rose’s gran. She has kind of dropped off here but she’s a fun illustration of who/what Willow is.

Though I think it’s high time for her to spread her wings and have airplane sex with Tara.

Omg. You’re reading my story drafts aren’t you? They actually were going to go on a date on the airplane and Tara was going to want to have airplane sex but Rose was going to turn her down. Well, not to give away too many spoilers but they aren’t going on that particular date but how funny that you mentioned it.

Thanks for reading and here’s the next chapter.

[center][/center]

Story Title – Love comes to LongLick Revisited

Chapter – 9 – Broken Part I

Chapter Rating – G

Author, Pairing, Feedback, Spoilers, Distribution, Disclaimer – see chapter 1.

Note 1 – I tried to employ a consistency re: Tara’s letters being italicized and Willow’s letters and journals not. I hope I was consistent.

Note 2 – I apologize not at all for the cliffhanger. I’m tempted to either hold the next update hostage for the next update to Impulse or 10 feedbacks but I’m too impatient for that. Expect the breaking of the cliffhanger in 5 days or a week.

Mac stared at her clock willing it to move forward. It wasn’t 7:00 yet but she had been awake for hours. After leaving the library she brought home Rose’s computer and read and then reread available documents until she had forced herself to go to sleep at 3:30 so she could be semi-coherent for the morning. Maddeningly, Rose had allocated her a certain amount to read. While there would be no reason for Rose to assume that Mac would be so caught up in the narrative that she would read all night, Mac felt irritated that the redhead had given her only a certain number of documents. The end point had left her confused and angry but she couldn’t tell if she was angry at Rose or the characters in the story. She looked at he clock again before picking it up and angrily throwing it against the opposite wall, pleased with the sharp explosive sound as it shattered into 100s of parts. “Fuck it. I’m going to work out.” She quickly dressed for her workout, grabbed her IPod, and went down the hall to the private exercise room on the far corner of the floor.

Yanking the door open, she wasn’t paying enough attention to note her father on a recumbent bike until she’d stepped inside the room and let the door slam. “Maclay Willingham? Do you know what time it is?” He laughed. “I don’t know that I’ve seen you awake this early in the morning in years.” Mac took a breath to control her emotions. She smiled at the man and crossed the room to look at the computerized readout on the bike, pulling on the corner of the Wall Street Journal he was currently reading to see the figures. “Pretty good for an old man, huh?” He patted his stomach.

“You’re 43, dad. Hardly pushing the grave, you know.” She stepped onto the stair-climber and programmed her routine as she spoke.

James laughed as he sipped at his sports drink. “You’re probably right.” He glanced at his watch and Mac knew what was coming. “So have you considered my suggestion?”

Mac nodded. “I actually have been doing a lot of thinking lately. I’d like to take another week or two but yes, I think it’s a good idea.”

James looked shocked. “Really? I’m surprised. Pleasantly but surprised nonetheless. May I ask what has brought on this change of heart?”

Mac hit the button to speed up her machine as she considered how to answer the question. “I don’t know. I just… I’ve been doing some reading on the origins of Sunnydale and Sunnyland Farms.”

Again her father looked surprised. “Over at the library? We have all those documents if you want to read here or by the pool you know. I can’t see that the archivist would have anything we wouldn’t have in our private library.”

Mac shrugged. “That may be, Daddy. But there’s a researcher over there who seems very thorough. She’s still uncovering documents from the last 150 years.”

James laughed. “And now we come to the basis of your interest. Let me guess, she’s cute, young, single?”

Mac laughed as well as she watched her father hit the buttons that would download the statistics from his exercise into the computer for analysis later. “I can’t deny that she’s all those things.” She almost surprised herself as she told him honestly. “She has something… some charisma and passion that I’ve never… and mystery.”

James swung his leg over the crossbar and stood up, gathering his papers and throwing the towel into the bin. “I’m sure she’s all that, darling. If the time comes, you know I want to meet her.” He was almost to the door when he added. “Any woman that has you out of bed before 6:30 in the morning must be noted and congratulated.” He paused before adding, “… perhaps sent a fruit basket.” He ducked out the door before she could playfully throw her towel at him.

She finished her workout and went back to her suite to shower and dress, ordering room service for breakfast. While she was unlikely to meet up with Tip and face the third degree this early, she didn’t even feel up to the chance of starting the interrogation. Although her father had been loving and encouraging, her anger and confusion over the documents she’d read the night before had still not left her and she could think of only one person who could possibly provide her with a satisfactory explanation. In spite of her attempts to exercise her emotion away she was still quite distraught as she knocked and then entered the small research room just after 9:00.

“Ok, what did she do? Or what did Ethan Rayne do? Someone did something and it wasn’t something good.” Tara set down the computer and grabbed a chair to pull it out with a bang.

Her anger was not abated as she witnessed the amused look on Rose’s face. “Who did what? Or who did what to whom? When? With whom?”

Mac’s expression hardened. “Don’t give me that crap, Rose Jennings. You know just what I’m talking about.”

Rose smiled again and settled into the seat next to the blonde. “Why don’t you show me.”

Mac shook her head but opened the laptop and began clicking on links then reading passages and sections of the documents out loud:

Willow’s diary February 14, 1881:

[blockquote]I got to get started on the surprise right away and no foolin’. I don’t know whether my love goin’ to be gone a month or six and I want to be able to surprise her when she gets back. The title I got settled and had long time ago. It’s gonna be the grandest house this town ever seen. Them boys ought to show up this week for layin’ out the wood and piecin’ it all together. A bunch ‘em gonna stay at the saloon which I guess Anya be happy for the extra business. Faith says the money comes rollin’ in. [/blockquote]

The entry was short but Mac recognized with no problem the rough and then exacting sketches in the book of the ground and second floors of her family home. Over the years, the kitchen had been expanded and various walls replaced with windows and the bathrooms had of course been updated but there was no mistaking it. Willow Rosenberg had designed the Rayne family mansion.

“Willow built our house for Tara?”

Rose nodded. “A lot of it with her own hands. She hired workers because she was in such a hurry but she did the design herself. And Xander loved carpentry so he put detail on banisters and floorboards and such. It was a labor of love.”

Mac thought back to Willow’s obituary. “She never lived in it though. I mean whatever happened was before she and Tara could move in.”

Rose nodded. “Quite true. Willow never entered the completed house until the day she was shot and killed by her uncle.”

Mac shook her head and opened another diary entry. This one dated February 23, 1881:

[blockquote]Progess on the house is goin’ fast. I haven’t heard nothin’ from Tara yet but I’m expectin’ a letter in her beautiful hand and words any day. I can’t even say how much I miss her. I bet 93 times a day, I find myself talkin’ to her and she’s not even there. This mornin’ I poured her a cup of coffee and added her sugar and turned to hand it to her and no Tara.

Gods. I’d do ‘bout anythin’ to have her in my arms.

I can remember that first time. That first afternoon we was together and our pledgin’ bein’ together the rest of our lives. I can’t grudge her family none wantin’ to see her a time like this but this country girl needs her city girl right back here where she belongs.[/blockquote]

Mac opened a letter from Tara to Willow dated February 18, 1881:

[blockquote]Dearest Willow,

I miss you more than I could find ink to put to paper. Our journey so far has been quite like journeys of this sort tend to be. In other words, long and hot despite the season. Mr. Rayne has been a perfect gentleman and has handled all matters quite as I would imagine you would if you had the chance. I have not touched a bag since we left Sunnydale. Our coach ride to San Francisco was quite the most bumpy part of the trip. I mentioned to Mr. Rayne that I could not believe he makes this journey 3 or more times a month and he said that it was worth it to sell our wonderful preserves. He flatters me too much and too insistently for my desires at times but his respect is such that I can hardly fault him for it.

In St. Louis we had to spend the night in a hotel as the train took on coal and had a thorough cleaning of our cars. You can not imagine the filth that can gather on the seats and floors. Even the ceiling of the cars holds a black dusting of coal and soot. The heat in the cars is preferable to the air if some poor fool should endeavor to open a car window. When I arrive at home my immediate activity (after greeting my loved ones of course) shall be to take a hot bath that last hours. Even then, I doubt I will feel clean for weeks.

Oh love. You would so love Philadelphia.

And love. You would love hot baths.

With me.

I miss you. I miss your arms and hands and eyes and your beautiful face.

Ahhh.

Curse this world that presents me with the task of leaving one I love so dearly to be with my family for a short time then leaving my family to be with one I love once again.

But you know I can not truly curse this world when it has you in it.

I fear my teardrops are smudging this paper and will set it aside to continue later. [/blockquote]

“I take it she didn’t finish it but posted it along the train ride?”

Rose nodded and tapped Mac’s nose with her fingertip. “On the button.”

[blockquote]February 28, 1881,

I got your letter and it come at just the right moment cause I was teary myself with missin’ you all day every day. I read your words over and over and tried to imagine it all. Your hands and your arms and a hot bath. I guess maybe I could run down to Mrs. Mayor Wilkins’ place and see if I could sneak in through the servants door to take one some day when she’s out doin’ her visitin’ and all. Could you imagine?

Is the train scary and loud? It sounds frightful to be on something so fast and big and you can’t even pull on the reins and make it turn or anythin’.
[/blockquote]

The middle section of the letter was filled with details about Willow’s planting plans for the spring and the seed orders she had placed at her uncle’s store (paying the bill directly).

[blockquote]I got a surprise like you ain’t gonna ever believe for you. There I said it. I been plannin’ this for you for a long time but never had no idea on how to do it. But it’s started and you’re goin to love it.

I’m losin’ light already so I better fold this in and take it down to town in the mornin’

I love and miss you more’n I can even think of words.

Your devoted,

Willow

Oh yeah. I forgot to tell you Dawn turned back up a few days ago. She stepped off that stagecoach like everyone would have forgot all about her since she been gone. First thing is she went over to the saloon and visited with Faith I guess cause next thing is the two of them headed out to Buffy’s place. Not like Buffy can handle her wayward sister with that mess of little ones always tripin’ anyone walks in that house but maybe she don’t even want to chance things with Mrs. Summers. [/blockquote]

Mac folded her arms across her chest. “The whole thing’s a setup isn’t it?”

Rose shrugged and clicked on another letter from Tara to Willow dated March 12.

[blockquote] …
Although I miss you more than words can flow from the pen, it is wonderful to spend this time with my father. In the morning, I enter his room and sit and read to him for hours. At times he seems quite aware of me and holds my hand. At others, I do not think he knows me and asks if I know his daughter. A few days ago he told me that his daughter, Tara, moved far away and married a fine man and has three young children. He began to pat at the pockets of his gown as if he would find a letter confirming this fantasy until I could calm his excitement.

…

I suspect Dawn has had a hard time of it in her venturing out onto her own. While I lack respect for her work ethic, I must say that as a Christian, I want to take her in the fold and shelter her from the world she has unwisely exposed herself to. Whatever she has done in San Francisco, she is one of ours and must be protected from that world. If she has fallen in whatever way she may have fallen, it is our duty to lift her up and hold her if she can not do so herself.

…

Until I can have you in my arms again, please keep the words I love you.

Tara [/blockquote]

From Willow’s journal dated March 20.

[blockquote]I don’t know about this hirin’ Dawn back for work but she and Buffy seem liable to kill each other with no tellin’ which first. Plus which, with Tara gone, I can use the help down here.

I’d say from each 4 hours of Dawn workin’ I get bout 2 ½ or so. I guess that’s 2 ½ better than I woulda otherwise. She even done some work down on the house if I give her really clear instructions.

I caint say what happened in San Francisco but she ain’t our little Dawnie no more. She done asked me bout 400 questions about Tara and me, starting on do we sleep on the same bed and progressin’ to usin some words I ain’t never heard. I tried to tell her that I don’t appreciate no language like that but she just laughed. And I ain’t bout to tell her nothin’ bout me and Tara anyways. That’s our private business and Dawn acts like it’s all just fun and games. Buffy sent her to stay down here but half-times she winds up down at the saloon. Faith come up and asked can I fetch her back here every night so they don’t have to deal with her.

Sometimes I ain’t sure about this Christian feelins cause she can try my patience. I can’t tell none of this to Tara though cause she still thinks Dawn’s that innocent girl she used to teach at the schoolhouse and she deserves her chance for change. I can tell you from … well, she ain’t no innocent little girl no more. [/blockquote]

From Willow’s letter to Tara dated March 21

[blockquote]…

I fear that you are correct that Dawn has fallen indeed but am doing what I can for her. She is working for us agin as she did years ago. I think you will see changes in her when you get back and hope they will be for the better as I hope to help her out. …

[/blockquote]

Tara’s letter of March 24:

[blockquote]Oh Dearest,

It will not be much longer I fear. I fear but at the same time my father suffers and I would wish that on no one. I still read to him in the mornings but it is not possible to tell if he can understand my words. Sometimes he is grasped by pain and squeezes my hand so tightly I have red marks on it for hours afterwards.

My heart breaks and the only thing that keeps me from falling apart is the thought of your arms. When I feel my lowest, I imagine you holding me tightly through anything. You are my everything, you know? You know this do you not?

I am excited to know you have a surprise for me but wondering at the same time how you could have kept a secret from me. I’m used to your annual land gifts but what can this be? And how can my love deceive me? I jest with you.

I am proud of you to hear of your efforts with Dawn. Surely she will see that hard work and dedication will bring her the rewards she seeks in this world and the next.

…[/blockquote]

The rest of the letter was a return to the condition of her father and her expectations for her stay.

Rose looked up. “Did you get past this part?”

Mac nodded and clicked another link – Willow’s journal dated April 4th.

[blockquote]I still don’t hold none with that saloon crowd but maybe it ain’t quite so bad as I always thought. I been goin’ down there few nights every week to drag Dawn back to the house. Course, she’s in no shape to climb up that ladder so I’m up there now too which keeps her from fallin’ across the bed coming down anyway. It’s like a party ever’ night up there with Faith pourin’ out drinks for these cowboys and the guys building my house and Xander leanin’ up against the piano and Dawn lookin’ about to dance on tables. I set in the corner and waited on her to get ready to leave 45 minutes of “just about ready, Willow” that first day before I took up a seat at the bar where at least I can visit with Faith.

She pours me a glass of whiskey “on the house” on account of the guys building Tara n’ my house spending half their pay over there and Anya says make me happy no matter what. That’s a change cause usually she looks at me like my breathin’ her air costs her a dollar a day or somethin’. Anyway, I just set and sip at that thing and visit with Faith cause there ain’t no use for hurrying Dawn. That girl gonna get down off tables when she feels the wish to get down off tables. I asked Faith don’t Anya get bothered but she kinda winked and said Dawn’s just creatin’ business for the other girls. I been just sippin’ at the drink to not be offendin’ toward Anya or nothin’ but I’d rather just get Dawn out of there and get me some sleep. Some nights I brung my paper and write a letter to Tara, not that I tell her where I am. [/blockquote]

Mac shook her head. “I didn’t like where this was going the first time through.”

Rose almost laughed. “I don’t think you should.”

From Tara’s letter dated April 2:

[blockquote]Love,

The end has come for my father. I can do no more and can comfort him no further. I feel a blackneses descending on this house and over me. I wish you had come with me for I feel a dark feeling about things in Sunnydale. I can not explain it but confusion fills me when I try to imagine you and the town I so love. I am sure this is just my sadness at losing Father.

Donnie is making arrangements and Jenny and the children are here with me. I will write at length later but I must post this now so you know of my sadness.

Missing you more than I can express,

Tara[/blockquote]

“I’m going to skip some here…” Mac explained as she scrolled down the document until she reached a letter from Willow to Tara dated April 24:

[blockquote]Dearest Tara,

I can not wait for your return. I have missed you so dearly I can not even express it. Your surprise is not complete but I believe you will be shocked anyway. Let me know when your coach will be arrivin’ so I can wait with my arms open for you. I’ll be standin’ there hours before and don’t care if it’s late or early or you’re covered head to toe in coal dust and dirt.

…[/blockquote]

“Then there’s a whole bit here about the farm and Dawn working well which we know is a big fat lie,” Mac practically snarled as she scrolled looking for another document. The blonde looked up to see that the angry look on her own face was matched by an equally sad one on Rose’s face. She gently took the other girl’s hand in her own and lifted it to her mouth to kiss it gently. Getting no resistance she slid her other hand behind Rose’s head and pulled gently until their lips met.

What started as a kiss motivated by a compendium of emotions including sadness, confusion, and anger, quickly grew to one of passion as Mac ran her tongue along the other girl’s lower lip. Rose sucked and Mac found her tongue inside the researcher’s mouth. She barely noticed Rose’s hands wrapping themselves around her shoulders and back and pulling her closer as she felt the same way. Closer. Closer was all she wanted. She had just moved her hand to attempt to pull Rose down with her to the floor when she felt the redhead stiffen and pull away.

Mac smiled at the other girl. “Was it something I said?”

Rose blushed and looked at the floor. “I think we should keep reading before we do something we regret.” Seeing the smirk on Mac’s face she added. “Ok, you never regret anything but I don’t want to regret it.”

Mac laughed. “Do people ever tell you you’re a little on the nose?” She turned back to the computer. “I think we’re getting to the crux of it all here with this letter to Jenny:”

[blockquote]May 3, 1881

Dear Miss Calendar,

I believe it was much harder leaving home this time than last. The last time I left, I was embarking on a grand adventure with no true understanding of the challenges of crossing this great land of ours. Now I suspect I shall never see Philadelphia nor you, Donnie, or the children again. As much as I race home to my Willow, I grieve the loss of my family as I grieve for Father.

Mr. Rayne has been, of course, a wonderful gentleman and companion. Of course you met him on his return to Philadelphia in the days before our departure and did you not think him surprisingly educated and fine for one reared in such a place as I’ve described? He reports that his business in New York was successfully completed and that he longs to return home and put new business ventures into motion. He notes, of course for how could he avoid it, my sadness which no one could miss and offers handkerchiefs and an ear if I should need but otherwise leaves me to my reading, letter writing, and needlework.

I must tell you of his greatest kindness and consideration however. He sees how much I miss my home and my Willow. While he clearly does not know nor could he comprehend the depth of our relationship, he sees that perhaps she can comfort me in my grief. I complained to him that she would stand on the streets of Sunnydale waiting for the infamously unpredictable coach. Rather than arriving on the sixth on the scheduled coach, he has arranged a private coach to take us from San Francisco to Sunnydale directly. We will share the coach with no other passengers but will arrive late on the 5th. All this he has arranged paying for the coach from his own funds and flatly refusing to take any share of the additional cost from my allowances. It has required his sending various telegrams at every stop so that you would think royalty would return to Sunnydale but he assures me we are guaranteed the transport.

While I know the final day of travel will be long and tiring, I comfort myself that I will only sleep away from my love two more nights. The night of the 5th I will fall into blessed slumber with the one I hope never to part from again.

Please forgive my maudlin sentiment but it has been a long season and the pleasure of family is now defeated by the missing of same. Knowing our only contact may be these letters, you will hear from my soon.

Missing you terribly,

Tara[/blockquote]

Mac read and reread the letter while shaking her head. She saw Rose leaning back in her chair with her arms crossed over her chest. “I hate to read the next entry or the next or the next.” She pointed at the screen at the link for the next document. “Where did you get Willow’s letters to Tara?”

Rose swallowed hard. “A big stack of them marked return to sender” were found in the dresser in Willow’s cabin and stored in a box.

Mac nodded sagely. “You opened them?”

Rather than answer Rose leaned across and clicked the link for a letter from Willow to Tara dated May 7, 1881.

[blockquote]Tara. My Love. My everything. Please speak to me. I can explain everythin’. I swear. It’s all a mistake and I swear on that. You know I would never… She’s like a kid and I wouldn’t ever… even if she wasn’t. If you would just let me come talk to you.

I come over but Cordelia met me on the porch and tole’ me I ain’t welcome in her house and never welcome in it again. Not that I come round there too much but how’m I gonna talk to you if you’re up in there and she’s all but puttin’ the dogs on me? I been down there 4 times until she finally made Xander come take me off.

Xander. My best friend of my whole life havin’ to drag me off from just wantin to talk to you.

Please, Tara.

Please.

I love you and can’t stand that this whole thing is where you won’t talk to me none and how we gonna’ move on without? How will you see the surprise I got for you all cause I love you so much.

Please.

I love you.

Always, your Willow[/blockquote]

[Alcy]

DIBS

Heya Deb, I thought I had better around to my feedback unless I become one of those annoying people that Dib-ses something and never leaves actual feedback!

Willow never entered the completed house until the day she was shot and killed by her uncle.”

Firstly, let me pause for a moment while I ball my eyes out!
I didn’t quite realise from previous chapters that Dawn was such a little shit. I can’t say I have too much trouble accepting that however. She was horrible on the show and she’s only either been dead or quite horrible in my fics too. ‘Working it Out’ is the only fic where I have actually enjoyed her character.

And we have another kiss, also cut short but you can’t tell me Rose didn’t enjoy that!

Then we come to this and everything seems to go downhill pretty fast…

You know I would never… She’s like a kid and I wouldn’t ever… even if she wasn’t. If you would just let me come talk to you.

The plot is thickening about what went wrong between Willow and Tara. Obviously someone has falsely accused Willow of something…supposedly with Dawn, or Dawn has become pissed off at Willow and told tales about something that never happened. How awful. But I am seriously interested to find out why or how Tara would believe anyone else’s word over Willow’s. Intrigued.

[Zampsa1975]

Yay for great update-y goodness... I guess Tara found Willow in bed with Dawn when she returned and got very very pissed off...

[taranwillow4ever]

Ah..angst. Well written angst. Thanks for the update

[ophelia11]

Okay I’m doing my feedback in shifts because I’m afraid if I don’t, I will most definitely forget half of what I want to say. I’m fairly certain I forget more than I actually say already and in this instance it would be disservice to you...or maybe not. I also think it’s fun to post while I still have all these questions and thoughts and more updates to go.

Sweetheart. Entertainment Tonight says she’s single and you haven’t had a date in months. I’m just saying…

I love Grand-me. She’s just awesome. You can tell she’s someone that has seen a lot of love and some heartbreak in her life and has managed to come away without bitterness. Truly exceptional person. I sense some reasonable concerns in her regarding dear Rose. One can certainly appreciate fighting for what her family is owed, but it would be a shame to see her waste her life on monetary compensation while missing out on life’s true riches. (At least she knows the value of a good dinner and game of Jeopardy. My kinda gal!)

On to Maclay. She intrigues me. I’m sure if I was reading actual tabloid articles about her, I’d want to slap some sense in to her. However, in this story she’s a diamond in the rough. There’s definitely more beneath the surface and perhaps money or notoriety have kept her from digging deeper. I like Tip the character and her interactions with Maclay, but I wonder if their friendship has prevented them both from growing up a bit.

I’ve just finished the first real encounter between Maclay and Rose in the library. Definitely some chemistry there, but me senses angst ahead. Maclay is still committed to her wild child rep and Rose is committed solely to her cause. In my Adam West ‘Batman’ TV narrator voice, so many questions come up.

Will Maclay go against her family to win the trust and heart of Rose?

Will Rose look beyond past injustices and the Willingham name to see the real Maclay?

Will things get good only for Rose to learn of the bet?

So. Many. Questions.

Would love to ramble more, but there’s readin’ to be done!

[ophelia11]

Okay I still have one update to go and I'm getting very antsy about all of this angst. Still, I'm holding my next round of feedback hostage.

Only poking in because I saw your note about holding hostage for an update. Since I updated the same day, are we square or do I owe you one? I've got 20+ chapters in my back pocket and am awaiting negotiations.

[JustSkipIt]

Ophelia -

Only poking in because I saw your note about holding hostage for an update. Since I updated the same day, are we square or do I owe you one? I've got 20+ chapters in my back pocket and am awaiting negotiations.

Well, I posted after you so I was intending you to post next. But if you've got 20+ chapters you're well well well ahead of me. I have 1.5 chapters but the story will be done in 2 more. I'll probably post next Tuesday because I'll be out of town Saturday - Monday on a few trips. Wow 20+ chapters? Now I really really can't wait.

[ophelia11]

Darn. I was really hoping to weasel an extra update out of you.

I suppose I'll wait very impatiently until Tuesday. LOL.

Yep. 20ish. I've been on a roll the last few weeks. I have about 3 more to write before I'm finished.

BTW...I still haven't read the last update, partly because I'm trying to savor it and partly because I'll be really anxious if I have to go a whole week till I know what happens next. The Ethan plot continues to thicken and I just know he did something horrible and manipulative in Philadelphia and I'm not quite ready to deal with that yet.

Ugh! Such a heartbreaking story. I love it. I keep reminding myself that perhaps Willow and Tara had to suffer in order for Rose and Maclay to come together. So far, the mantra is working.

Have a good night!

[spells42]

Deb
Two lovely, crunchy, fruit filled updates! Seriously, these updates were intense. I am totally drawn into the story every time I read.

You're breaking my heart, Deb. I loved the W&T of your original story, and the tragic events you're leading up to in this story will, I can tell, totally pop that rosy bubble.

So, now we know how Dawn got her 10%. Bitch. How Machiavellian (sp?) of Ethan.

Looking forward to more. I think you said you had one more update - it seems like there's a lot to resolve in just one, but if anyone can do it, you can.

Anne

[Willowtree252]

Forgive me for being tardy to the story the letters are heart breaking watching someones pain from all those years ago even with that its warming like old friends. I cant wait to see where this will go you are a master,

[JustSkipIt]

Alcy – Ok. I’ll be waiting on the feedback beyond DIBS. Well done though.

Now responding…

I’ve done that before where I dibs and then never get to the feedback. You’re not annoying though. Not at all.

Firstly, let me pause for a moment while I ball my eyes out!

Excellent. Enjoy.

I didn’t quite realise from previous chapters that Dawn was such a little shit. I can’t say I have too much trouble accepting that however. She was horrible on the show and she’s only either been dead or quite horrible in my fics too. ‘Working it Out’ is the only fic where I have actually enjoyed her character.

I’m glad you’ve enjoyed her in WiO. I have mixed feeilngs about her in canon. Like she was kind of created and just left there to be in the way and not developed very well. There were parts in that later season where she was kind of cool but mostly she was just a plot device. Here she’s … not very nice and not very good and you haven’t really seen the full extent of her shittiness yet. But in most of my fics… Turned – non entity, Two Days – non entity, Y’all – non entity, Paths – pretty alright both as Dawn and as Michelle, SAI – non entity, School Days – pretty ok until she’s a little shit for a few hours, Waiting – well. She’s a kleptomaniac turned marked servant but she’s pretty alright at that. Menorah – non entity. Any I’m forgetting? I guess I don’t use her well or often. Wow, like you cared that much.

And we have another kiss, also cut short but you can’t tell me Rose didn’t enjoy that!

Rose definitely enjoyed it. We’re moving closer to a point that Rose and Mac will both be more open with their feelings and attractions.

The plot is thickening about what went wrong between Willow and Tara. Obviously someone has falsely accused Willow of something…supposedly with Dawn, or Dawn has become pissed off at Willow and told tales about something that never happened. How awful. But I am seriously interested to find out why or how Tara would believe anyone else’s word over Willow’s. Intrigued.

Yes and yes and your final question is, to me, the point I’ve been most worried about people calling bullshit over. Honestly, I hope that as the next chapter unfolds, Tara’s level of hurt and susceptibility to lies and machinations will be credible. I also think that the affect her father’s death and the time spent traveling, realizing she may never see her family again, and exhaustion from being away from Willow – you have to consider all that in assessing whether her reactions are reasonable.

Zampsa1975 – Thanks so much. We’ll see but you’ve made a pretty good guess of it.

taranwillow4ever - Yes to angst. I think the next chapter is the most angsty in the entire thing so hold on for that. Thanks for reading and writing.

ophelia11 – I totally get the feedback in shifts thing when you’re behind on a story. I’m glad you’re enjoying grand-me. Someone else felt like Rose’s relationship with grand-me was a bit on the pathetic side but I just think Rose is pretty driven and obsessed and grand-me lets her be just that while still throwing in some suggestions to get laid once in a while (not in those words).

On to Maclay. She intrigues me. I’m sure if I was reading actual tabloid articles about her, I’d want to slap some sense in to her. However, in this story she’s a diamond in the rough.

Agreed. I think that my personal feelings about her have certainly softened as I’ve been working on this. And she’s definitely a person who’s been damaged by the loss of her mother and sister and the way she’s been raised. I could see her as a person who’s going to be a “screw-up” because it will show how little she cares when the truth is she’s totally vulnerable. And her sexual escapades are a good way to avoid taking a chance on getting hurt. You know? She doesn’t put her self out there.

I like Tip the character and her interactions with Maclay, but I wonder if their friendship has prevented them both from growing up a bit.

Interesting question. Honestly, the Tip character started out as Faith but I couldn’t really do the past/present thing with Faith and bring her into the now. Does that make sense?

I think the first encounter between Rose and Mac is a big challenge for both of them Rose is pretty much obsessed with her quest and with justice for more reasons than one. And Mac really cares only about bedding the least likely candidate. I can promise that will all change and hope it’s believable when it happens.

Will Maclay go against her family to win the trust and heart of Rose?


Will Rose look beyond past injustices and the Willingham name to see the real Maclay?


Will things get good only for Rose to learn of the bet?

Lol.

Yep. 20ish. I've been on a roll the last few weeks. I have about 3 more to write before I'm finished.

Wow I cant’ wait.

BTW...I still haven't read the last update, partly because I'm trying to savor it and partly because I'll be really anxious if I have to go a whole week till I know what happens next. The Ethan plot continues to thicken and I just know he did something horrible and manipulative in Philadelphia and I'm not quite ready to deal with that yet.

New York but yes. Read it!

I like your take on W/T tragedy being necessary for Mac & Rose.

Anne – Thanks for that. I’m glad you’re absorbed by it. And yes, the events of this W/T story are not nearly so rosy as those in the original story. Sorry for that but also glad that it’s drawing your reaction.

Yes to how Dawn got her 10% and Ethan… It’s hard to describe how I feel about him (his being a fictional construct). He decided on a set of things he wanted to possess years ago: Money, the post office, land, success, and Tara and he’s designed quite an extensive plan to gain just those possessions.

Looking forward to more. I think you said you had one more update - it seems like there's a lot to resolve in just one, but if anyone can do it, you can.

Two actually. I hope it seems believable when you read it. Thanks for your confidence.

Willowtree252 – Hey there and welcome. I’m glad you’re heartbroken over the story even if it is a rotten way to feel. It means this story is striking you and I like that. Thanks so much.


[center][/center]

Story Title – Love comes to Long Lick Revisited

Chapter – 10 – The Break – Part II

Chapter Rating – PG

Author, Pairing, Feedback, Spoilers, Distribution, Disclaimer – see chapter 1.

Mac wiped a tear from her eye. “So Tara never read that?”

Rose shook her head. “Not that one. Not the fifty more Willow wrote and delivered every day. Every one of them was sent right back with Tara’s handwriting ‘return to sender’ across the envelopes.”

Mac scrolled the mouse looking at the document link numbering scheme. “I can’t see reading more of those. How about this?”

[blockquote]May 10, 1881

Dear Miss Calendar,

My heart is broken in a hundred tiny pieces and I must tell you the whole. Please write me care of Mrs. Richard Wilkins, Sunnydale, CA as I will be staying with my dear friend Cordelia until I can secure other respectable lodging or return home to stay.

I do not even know how to tell you this tale or how to live through the pain of it again.

We returned on the 5th as I explained in my last missive, Mr. Rayne having taken great care to return me quickly to the arms of my love. Oh how I can’t believe I cared so much and so foolishly for that comfort. False comfort it would have been. In Sunnydale we transferred to Mr. Rayne’s team and wagon directly, his having sent word ahead to his staff to ready them at the exact hour, and he drove me out to my home with Willow. My former home with Willow. How he could deal with a woman in my state of sadness and exhaustion I do not know but he seemed buyoyed by our arrival in Sunnydale.

The cabin was dark when we arrived and I thanked my escort profusely for delivering me at the late hour. I refused to allow him to accompany me to the porch as I feared the state of the house with my absence of months but he insisted that he would wait in the coach until a signal from me that I had arrived safely or some time had passed. Oh, how grateful I am now for his patience and thoughtfulness.

I slipped open the door as quietly as I could, wanting to avoid waking Willow but desiring to slip between the covers and wrap myself into her. She was sleeping half-sprawled on the bed, in… a private condition shall I say, as I’ve, quite honestly seen her many times. And I took two more steps into the cabin before my eyes registered what they were seeing. For in the bed with her, arm slung along Willow’s back was Dawn Summers in quite the same indelicate state. I gasped and covered my mouth for shock but could not control my body which quite slid to the floor, so unable was I to comprehend my vision. It could not have been a worse thing to do for Dawn moved in her sleep, resting her hand… I can’t even say where she moved it but it shocked me even worse. I screamed and both women woke, Willow sitting up in bed to rub her eyes and mumble phrases like, “Tara? Wat’re you doin’ here?” and “What’s goin’ on?”

Fortunately for me, before I could collapse entirely, I heard Mr. Rayne’s step on the porch and he knocked at the door. I practically crawled through the door to him and felt his hands on my elbows lifting me to my feet and then nothing.

When I awoke, I was in this bed in Mrs. Wilkins’ lovely home for apparently I had swooned from the shock and exhaustion.

My Willow. How can she have done this? I would not believe it but I am hearing stories from all around the town. Mr. Rayne has been terribly concerned for my well-being and health and sadly reports rumors that while I was gone Willow has taken to spending time in the Saloon. Anya supplied her with alcohol, which she has always claimed to eschew, and there are rumors of what else she has been supplied.

Most terribly, Dawn Summers came to visit me yesterday. She was dressed for travel and told me she was about to leave on the coach for San Fransicso. She was quite tearful in telling me that she thought she could come home but her experience proves it is not to be so. She says that… that Willow was always at her. That at first she did not understand what Willow wanted but that as time went on and Willow became more demanding, she came to understand in the most base way. She prayed for my return as a way of freeing herself but pitied me all the same.

I know not who shed more tears in that meeting, Dawn or myself. The poor child.

She has gone now, returned to San Francisco for who knows what terrible life and scared from this wonderful and wholesome town by Willow’s desires.

Oh, Jenny. How can I have been so wrong? I always felt Willow was my true heart. That I could love and trust her until our judgment day? But now I can see how this was never so. When I arrived in Sunnydale I thought her the most innocent child I had ever known but she fooled me terribly.

My gratitude can not even be expressed to my hostess who sends up a tray of food three times a day – food which I push around on my plate without eating as I stare out the window to view the telegraph office where my fate was decided that day ten years ago now.

I do not know how to go on.

Yours,

Tara[/blockquote]

Mac stood up and paced the room. “When will that time-travel machine be invented because I’ve been working out and I’d like to go back in time and beat the ever living crap out of Ethan Rayne.” She paced a few more times. “And do we have the journal entry explaining Willow’s side of this? Did Dawn drug her or just crawl into bed with her as she was? What else do we know about it?”

Rose watched the blonde for a few minutes before standing and stepping in front of her and taking her hands. “It’s terrible.” She wiped a tear from the hieress’s eye. “I take it you’re sure Willow didn’t sleep with Dawn?”

Mac shook her head. “Hell no. Ethan Rayne arranged the whole thing. I mean he didn’t pay Dawn 10% of Sunnyland Farms for nothing and he set up the early coach. He probably set up her return to Sunnydale and everything. And now he’s just whispering in Tara’s ear lies about Willow.”

Rose nodded. “You’re probably right but it’s hard to prove any of it. Even I don’t have proof of everything he did.” She cupped her hands on the blonde’s jaw and then kissed her softly. “Have you read further?”

Mac shook her head. “I was up most of the night just reading and trying to assimilate it all to this point.”

Rose took her hand and pulled her toward the table. “Why don’t we read together or I can summarize the rest for you?”

Mac nodded. “Ok. But on one condition.”

Rose raised an eyebrow. “Let’s hear it.”

“Go with me to lunch. I have somewhere special I’d like to take you.”

Rose took a few seconds but then nodded. “Ok.”

They sat down and Rose pulled the mouse nearer herself. “Why don’t I summarize for you so we make some progress in the next…” she glanced at the clock… “2 or so hours? Unless we could take a late lunch?”

Mac nodded as if still somewhat in shock.

Rose skimmed the cursor over the many links of letters from Willow to Tara. “Now there’s no journal entry that even tells the story from Willow’s point of view. I don’t know if that’s because of the amount of time that goes by or because she’s busy standing on Cordeila’s porch or because she’s just too pissed to relive it. These all say pretty much the same thing but in decreasing levels of readability. It’s pretty apparent that as days go by she’s as heartbroken as Tara and she starts drinking in that age-old attempt to chase away her pain.”

Mac nodded. “Sure.”

Then she held her cursor over a series of links showing letters from Tara to Jenny Calendar. “That first letter is really the only time that Tara lets down her guard and tells Jenny anything detailed about either her relationship with Willow or why she’s left her. A few times she mentions hearing rumors about Willow but she says that she has given orders that she is not willing to see Willow and everyone around her allows her to maintain that.” She clicked on a letter from early July.

[blockquote]…

Our independence day has come and gone but I can’t say that I felt fireworks or great happiness. I must prepare for teaching this fall and soon must return to my jelly hobby. Mr. Rayne has arranged the harvesting of my crops although I almost hate to think of that fruit which was planted by Willow making its way into any healthy person. I danced with no one at the celebration and everyone accepts my mourning for my father as the reason for the blackness of my mood.

Mr. Rayne, arrived early to escort me to the celebration and escort me back. While he danced a respectable number of turns with the women of the town he spent most of this time near me but silent, a quality I never knew how much I could appreciate until these past months.

Willow was…

She was at the celebration but I saw no signs of her drinking – a rumor I’ve heard repeatedly this summer.

Nor did she attempt to talk to me. Perhaps she was warned against making an unsightly commotion at such a happy occasion. I can say that numerous times I felt a prickle on my neck and when I looked up, she was glancing at me over a cup or between the bodies of two other dancers. Each time I fixed her with a stare that could not possibly encompass even 10% of my pain and hurt at her still and her gaze quickly moved elsewhere.

…

[/blockquote]

Rose clicked another link. “Here’s Willow’s journal entry of that event:”

[blockquote]…

Tara

Oh God. To see her and not be able to touch her, hold her, talk to her was torture. She has lost weight and looks plum tired. But she’s beautiful. As beautiful as any day ever. Even if I couldn’t touch her. Even if I could never hold her again. To talk to her. To hear her say my name. The way she says it is different from other folks. Like it’s hanging onto her tongue for extra long. I can hear it echoin’ in my ears as I work and sleep.

I wanted to dance with her at the dance but I got a message sent right down to leave her alone and not make no scene.

I know I could make her see how much I love her if only she’d talk to me…

[/blockquote]

“I feel like my heart is breaking along with Willow’s,” Mac admitted. She looked at Rose in a puzzled way. “Does that seem strange?”

Rose held the blonde’s hand. “Which part?”

Mac motioned to herself. “I’m just not… I mean I’m not really much of a romantic. You might not be aware but I’m kind of a love ‘em and leave ‘em type.” She laughed as she spoke.

“I might have noticed that.” Rose laughed as well.

Mac nodded. “But even me. I mean if I found love like that. Hell, 25% of that, I’d never let it go no matter what crazy schemes evil old Ethan Rayne cooked up.”

Rose laughed and turned back to the computer. “Ok… so you’ve got the idea. Willow’s standing on the Mayor’s porch begging to see Tara and writing her a letter every day. Tara hides in her room and takes few visitors – one of whom is Ethan Rayne.” She clicked a link. “Let’s see. How about the beginning of August. Here’s an entry from Willow’s journal.”

[blockquote]August 10 no… August 12. Heck I wonder the day. I’m not sure it matters ‘cept for needin’ to pull in harvest. Harvest. What am I goin’ do with harvest? Ain’t Tara gonna can up my thousands of pounds of fruit this year. And who’s gonna pull harvest off her crops? I guess I’ll pull them and deliver them down the store? I guess I gotta go meet up with Uncle and arrange.

I never would have thought this. I’m going to meet with my Uncle to see what to do with my harvest while Tara sits up in Mrs. Mayor Wilkins house and doesn’t talk to me.

Gotta give credit to Faith goin’ over there yesterday to visit Tara. Course she got kicked out the second she mentioned me and now got tole don’t go back in there no more. Cordelia says it’s too hard for Tara in her “sensitive state.” Faith said she looks tired and sad and I don’t doubt it but I could fix it ifn’ she just let me come see her and explain it all down. [/blockquote]

Rose pointed at the document “then there’s a few pages here that I can’t decipher.”

[blockquote]… is done finally. All I can think is how does it matter? Cept I built it for Tara and she ain’t never even seen it. Ain’t never set a foot inside. It’s a beauty with everythin’ she could hope. I thought…

I thought…

I hate to say it but I know how she loves kids. And I heard theres lots that folks died and left or couldn’t afford. I thought we was goin’ have a big house full even though we didn’t talk on it ever. But I had my plan just like all of em.

Maybe if she’d see me, I can show her the house and how I set it up just for her and tell her about the kids and … [/blockquote]

Mac shook her head but said nothing as Rose clicked another link.

[blockquote]August 22, 1881

Miss Calendar,

I must give you news and ask you a grand favor. As you know by addressing your letters, I am still at Mrs. Wilkins’ residence. I expected to return home in the next few months but Mr. Rayne has suggested another solution.

On our walk this Sunday past, for we’ve started to stroll among the trees for my health, he professed a grand love for me. He wished not to insult me but suggested that perhaps the idea of marrying him would not be too terrible for me. He said that while he did not expect me to love him in return, perhaps over time I would grow to this feeling.

I do not know what to do. I do not love him. That much is certain. Nor have I ever expected nor wanted to marry a man and grow into love. But perhaps he would be a man to grow to love. He is gentle and considerate and has been patient throughout this summer.

And I would stay in Sunnydale, a town I love so. And perhaps I would have children as you know I deeply desperately desire.

Please write me immediately.

Better yet, please take care to send mother’s wedding dress if you think this is an appropriate course of action. I shall try to come to a suitable decision before your next letter.

Confused,

Tara

[/blockquote]

Rose looked up to see Mac crying and brushed the tears with her hand. “Just remember that you wouldn’t exist if she hadn’t married him.”

“Maybe that would be better?”

The redhead ran her fingertips along the other woman’s jaw. “No. It wouldn’t, Mac.”

[blockquote]September 17, 1881

Arrested. Arrested. How can I been arrested? I wasn’t even on Cordelia’s porch but across the whole street and she sent for Xander. I mean, yeah. Maybe I got kinda loud and punched Faith when she tried to drag me off but Xander din’t have to lock me in a cell for the day. And he didn’t let me out till the coach was gone the next day and Tara gone on it.

Tara gone on it.

And how I’m goin’ tell her how I love her and get her come back to me if she’s gone and married my uncle? She tole me so many times how she don’t care none for a man but maybe she changed her mind. Does she love him? How could he when he’s that … I can’t even think none for hurtin’ myself thinkin’ “what is she doin’ now?” and “now?” and “now?” Cause on a wedding trip with her I know what I’d be doin’ and it makes me sick on sick.

…

[/blockquote]

“Then there’s about 5 pages written and crossed out,” Rose pointed to the pages with her hand and Mac nodded silently.

As Rose scrolled again, Mac watched the document numbers. “Where are Tara’s letters?”

Rose smiled. “See, you’re becoming a scholar. There are no more letters from Tara. I don’t know if they got separated from the others or if she simply stopped writing after her wedding.”

Mac shook her head.

[blockquote]December 10, 1881

Uncle Ethan come on over today. Said he heard I wasn’t doin’ that great and I spit at him like he deserves. Wouldn’t even tell me one single word about how is Tara. I ain’t seen her since she been back from their trip.

He hemmed and hawed around nothing for a while till I tole him I ain’t got no use for him sitting in house stinkin’ the place up and maybe he wants to get gone before I mistake him for a rabbit and grab my rifle.

Well he got right to it.

He wants the house. Says he’ll pay me fair for it.

Fair for it. I told him I didn’t build it to sell but for Tara.

That’s when he hits me with it. Well if I built it for Tara, don’t I want her and her children, my cousins, to get to live in it?

I know he seen me sit there with my mouth hangin’ open like a fool idiot. Tara goin’ have a baby and Ethan Rayne makin’ a point they’ll be my cousins. When he knows it shoulda been Tara’n me raisin kids together how we could.

It ain’t enough he got the love a my entire life married to him and won’t see me. And it ain’t enough he owns more land ‘round here ‘n anyone. And it ain’t enough him hirin’ my same builder boys for a big buildin’ of kitchens and shelves and I don’t know what else cause of goin’ out there in the dark a few nights and not gettin’ as good a look ‘round as I’d like. And big sign over the door says “Sunnyland Farms – purveyors of Jellies and Juices” or somethin’ like that.

Now he gotta have the best house this town ever seen or gonna see. And it not a mile from my place.

Well, I admit he caught me off with that Tara goin’ have a baby so I tole him go away and I’d think on it.

…

[/blockquote]

Mac shook her head. “It’s a wonder Willow didn’t shoot him on sight. He’s taken pretty much everything she ever cared about and now he wants her to have to stay in her house and see Tara wandering around all pregnant for months.”

Rose shrugged again and patted Mac’s hand. “And again I say that if she had neither of us would be here.” She thought for a minute. “Actually, maybe you would be here since Ethan Jr. was first born but I doubt I would.”

Mac caught the redhead’s gaze for a long moment before nodding. “Then I am very very glad that Willow didn’t kill him.” Uncharacteristically she blushed and looked away as soon as the words were out of her mouth.

[blockquote]December 21, 1881

Ok. Deal done. I don’t think Uncle’s that happy on the bargain I struck but I still say he got the good part.

We met down at the Saloon cause I didn’t want to be tempted shootin’ him. He says his lawyers will give me the papers which they gotta make all legal and such. And I signed over the title to him. He gets Tara’s house plus 60 of the 140 acres I bought around it.

I get… 15% of his company. He asked me why I want it and I tole him I ain’t so stupid as everyone thinks all the time. He’s a snake but he’s a snake with a plan. And now our families is tied together again. He gets richer. I get richer.

Plus now I gotta reason for sellin’ my fruit to him again.

…

I din’t tell him part of it. Which is Tara’s bedroom gonna overlook my cabin. She looks out her window she’ll see me or the cabin where I loved her and still do. And maybe I can catch a look of her somedays. Maybe walkin near them borderin’ trees and see’in her walkin’. …

[/blockquote]

“Can you read that again?”

Rose did and then waited for Mac to speak. “She sold him the house and land for 15% of Sunnyland Farms?” Rose nodded. “That’s a pretty big share. I think I’d know if you were a major stockholder in my company.”

Rose laughed and clapped her hands together. “And the prize goes to Maclay Willingham. You certainly would. But I’m not.”

Mac narrowed her eyes. “Why not? I mean what happened to the stake in the company?”

“No one knows.” Rose explained. “No paper work was ever found. Willow told Xander and Faith about the deal and she said she had the documents. But years later when Faith tried to get payment for Willow’s son’s share, Ethan Rayne denied the whole thing. He said he had never given any such share to Willow Rosenberg and why would he?” She wiped her eyes. “I bet you never knew that when my great-grandfather first tried to get his due, Willow’s journal was brought into court.”

“Willow’s journal? Why?”

Rose picked up the first journal from the table and read:

[blockquote] “It’s light.” I nodded. She unwrapped the ribbon and opened the lid and I think maybe it took her a second to realize what I done give her. Then she was smilin’ when she pulled that little stick that I whittled out of the box and slowly read the flag on it. “Rosenberg-Maclay.” I meant it too. That flag ain’t got no reason to just say Rosenberg no more cause she belongs here as long as she’ll stay. [/blockquote]

“That entry was signed and dated at the bottom by Willow Rosenberg. The courts agreed with Ethan Rayne Jr. that it was a valid deed and awarded half of the Rosenberg acerage to Sunnyland Farms as the legal beneficiaries to Tara Maclay Rayne’s estate. They did stop short of granting ½ ownership in the cabin to your family, however.”

Mac reached out and took Rose’s hand again. “Rose, I’m … I’m so sorry for all this. I … I don’t even know how to justify what’s been done.”

Rose sniffed and then shrugged. “I’m still going to find that paperwork and then …”

Mac nodded and looked at the redhead with a smile. “Your holy grail.”

Rose reached out and took the mouse again. “Ok. Then we have a year or two of journal entries from Willow ranging from details about crop rotation and yield and bank account details to borderline stalking. Here’s one from May 1882:”

[blockquote]…

I’m pretty sure she had the baby though cause I seen her a few times last month. I know she supposed to be in confinement and all but I know that Tara Maclay pretty good and her ain’t gonna just set around knitting booties ever day. Plus my tree climbin’ always been darned good.

Buffy been pregnant a whole buncha times now and she always just looks tired and wore down. But not Tara. Tara looks …

She glows. She’s gorgeous. When she walks in that garden, she rubs her stomach the whole time and her mouth always movin’, probably singin’ to the baby in that voice she got that always turned my heart to more butter. Once, I moved and heard a branch snap and she looked my way. I don’t know she saw me though cause that tree’s full of leaves and I was pretty well hidden up.

But I been up there and ain’t seen her in two weeks or more. So maybe Tara’s a mama and I’m a cousin. I don’t even know if it’s a boy or girl baby. I know she wanted a girl baby so maybe she got that.

Damn. I sure hope that baby looks like her more’n Uncle cause she’s still the most beautiful woman ever been and he’s still a nasty snake.

I wonder if I sent over a present for my new cousin, she send it right back like all them letters. Maybe a bonnet or dress and when she puts her in it, she thinks of me.

She gonna love those raspberry and black berry bushes come a few years on now. She just step out the back door and pick a few thousand for breakfast. Berries for breakfast, berries for lunch, and berries for dinner.

I…

Shoot. I didn’t get caught but I snuck over there and checked on them. The soil just right and leaves perfect.

I wonder when she’ll start her walkin’ again…[/blockquote]

“By June, Willow knows that the baby was a boy and that he’s named for his father. Finally she sends an outfit she ordered and is ecstatic when Tara doesn’t return it.” Mac nodded as Rose continued her narration. “Willow continues drinking but she doesn’t seem to be a drunk, contrary to Riley Finn’s implication in the article about her death. She seems quite settled into it, sitting at the saloon with Faith and quietly writing in her journal.”

Rose clicked anther link to show Mac some sketches Willow had apparently begun to make depicting town life and evenings in the Saloon. Pointing her finger at a column of numbers and letters she smiled. “If my guesses are correct, these are actually complete recollections of poker hands and money won or lost on each.”

Mac whistled through her teeth. “Holy shit. She memorized the cards each player played in each hand of the game, then wrote it all down with bets won and lost? She’s … I mean she’s not quite a dumb hick country girl.”

Rose laughed again. “Not quite.”

“Where did the money go then? Was it in the bank and used for raising her son?”

“I just don’t know, Mac.” Rose wiped at her eyes. “I’m pretty sure a few nights of her winnings in today’s dollars would pay off my school loans.”

Mac for a wild moment Mac wanted to say that she would pay off Rose’s school loans. How much could it possibly be? $20,000? $30,000? It would be nothing to the heiress. But… how would that come across? It wasn’t like you could just hand thousands of dollars to a woman you wanted to… wanted to… Oh shit. What do I want to do with her? Sleep with her? Well, yes. Of course. But … Ok, I’m not going to think about that.She quickly focused her thoughts back on the story.

Rose recovered from her moments of financial emotionality and continued describing the journals. “Ok, we’ve got a few years of very very well documented card games, crop rotation, and financial growth.” Mac nodded. “Also, she’s watching Tara again. She regularly climbs the trees and watches her former lover strolling in the gardens, holding the Ethan Jr., eating berries. Whenever she thinks she sees the drapes in Tara’s bedroom move it’s worth at least a few pages in her journal of wondering if Tara is watching her and if she remember their time in the cabin.” Rose looked up and smiled. “She really is kind of a stalker.”

“But a sweet one.”

“Yes, a sweet one.” Rose continued. “When she realizes from her stalking that Tara is pregnant again, she takes it hard for a few days. In fact, she gets drunk and Xander has to lock her up again when she starts a fight with a few cowboys much bigger than her.”

“At least she’s showing some backbone.”

Rose shrugged. “Then in late 1882, there’s a telling journal entry:”
[blockquote]…

Who shoulda come in through that saloon door but Danny? He come in lookin’ for Anya. Maybe she needs a piano player which actually she does and seen me sittin’ at the bar, looked shocked. He come over and looked all hangdog like he can’t believe he ain’t seen me in so long which you courtin’ a girl and go off to conquer your demons and gone more’n twelve years, you might want to reconsider some things. Him ‘n Faith shake and she pour him a drink and he set right down there, wants to hear about Sunnydale.

Well, I was a bit into that particular cup but I let him buy me another. Tole him some about the town and now Sunnyland Farms but I didn’t tell him none about Tara cause that’s not his to know. I seen Faith watchin’ kinda funny but she has her hands full on account a’ this one girl of Anya’s seen her comin’ outa another girl’s room and I guess she ain’t none too happy and … well, you can imagine. Or maybe can’t. Ever once in a while Faith suggests I support Anya’s business myself cause she says maybe I’d lighten up but I ain’t no way interested in such and I tole her which brings up a chuckle.

Danny and I set there all that night and he tole bout a whole bunch a travelin’ and playin’ and people he met and things he saw and I tole him ‘bout I planted and planted and ‘bout goin’ up to San Francisco when I done that and it was real nice. I can’t tell if this is just a stop on his journey or he thinkin’ he’s home and I don’t guess it matter to me.

…

[/blockquote]
“Then there’s some details on her night in poker.” She looked up at Mac with a smile. “It was not a good night. Perhaps because of the being into that first cup and Danny buying more.”

Mac pursed her lips. “Why am I thinking that Willow’s son is named for his father?”

Rose tapped the blonde on the nose again, then leaned in to kiss the spot.
[blockquote]November 10, 1882

...

Danny come out to the house for some dinner. He ended up stayin’ a bit longer over and all. I … well, it done now. I can see what Tara meant all them years ago ‘bout how she never wanted to marry no man. Course see where that got her cause she’s married and now goin’ have my second damn cousin.

Maybe it gets better after a bit. I mean… with Tara it wasn’t… Oh Heck. Yes it was. I didn’t know nothin’ and was a bumblin’ idiot but it was just… amazing ever time includin’ that first one. But maybe this gonna be gettin’ better.

…

[/blockquote]

Mac laughed. “Yeah, it doesn’t get better.”

Rose looked at her with a smile. “I wouldn’t honestly know.”

“Really? How wonderful for you.”

Mac shook her head and pointed a finger at her chest. “Mix one part tequila, one part party girl, and one part poor judgment and you have an experience I’d rather forget.”

Rose smiled again. “Ok, so entries like this go on for a few months or so. Willow and Danny drink together and I can’t tell if she’s told him about Tara. In the meantime, she’s watching Tara with the Ethan Jr. and totally in love with Tara being pregnant again. Her interactions with her uncle are about harvest and income and supplies.” Mac nodded. “Then …

[blockquote]January 1, 1883

Danny wasn’t no where I seen when I got up this mornin. I figured he’d be down at the salloon but he wasn’t. I come back up here and find a note on my door but no Danny.

…

[/blockquote]

Rose clicked the appropriate link:

[blockquote]December 31, 1882

Willow.

I wish it was different but it ain’t. You and me… I don’t think we mix. I can tell you need somethin’ that I don’t have. Somethin’ maybe you don’t know.

I love you. Always did and always will. I think I come back for you but it never occurred to me how hard it would be if I had you but didn’t have you too and I can’t live like that. Don’t look for me or try to find me. I’m going to move on and find … that something with someone someday. I hope you do too.

I paid Faith for you a drink so here’s to 1883 bein’ the best year you ever had.

Yours,

Daniel Osborne[/blockquote]

“That’s kind of sad,” Mac said as she read the note.

Rose shrugged again. “Sure, but it’s kind of how love seems to go. I mean Willow’s pining after Tara still and Danny still loves Willow and we don’t know how Tara feels but no one’s happy.”

Mac practically spit her reply. “Perhaps Ethan Rayne.”

“Perhaps.”

[blockquote]February 24, 1883

…

Thing is. Danny gone but I don’t think he’s quite so gone. I ain’t sure what to do now. Do I go in and see Doc Giles? And is he gonna tell me I can’t plant in my fields this Spring cause I need to do my plantin? I ain’t gonna go into no confinement hidin’ like some lady that lives in a big house.

Maybe I go on down to see bout what Buffy says cause she sure knows with that whole messa’ kids down on there. I ain’t sure on that cause between me and Dawn stuff and Dawn done run off agin’ and then Riley didn’t never like Danny … maybe I won’t go see Buffy bout it. Ain’t gonna go talk to Faith cause she laugh and laugh her fool head right off.

…

[/blockquote]

“Now we know where Danny came from and why his last name stayed Rosenberg.” Mac pointed at the latest entry. “So no one in Sunnydale thought anything about an unmarried woman having a baby?”

Rose shrugged and Mac smiled thinking how much she liked that motion. It was something the redhead did a few hundred times a day and it seemed cuter every time. “I don’t think it was something that nice girls did but the fact was that Willow owned her own home and land and worked for herself. She really didn’t have to answer to anyone.” She shrugged again. “Plus, she’d been on the outside of society for quite a while.”

“I can see that.” Mac looked at the links. “So Tara’s pregnant for the second time and Willow’s pregnant as well. Does Tara know?”

“Excellent question.” Rose glanced at the clock. “We’re already late for our lunch date.” Mac realized she liked very much the way the redhead said the word date. “Willow cleans up her act quite a bit after she visits with Doc Giles. He doesn’t admonish her but seems genuinely excited and after Faith gives her a lot of shit, she gets pretty excited too. She’s especially excited when Willow tells her she’ll be the baby’s godmother. Anyway, Willow stops going to the saloon as often and cuts down on her poker playing. She DOES NOT sit at home and make booties or anything like that.”

Mac laughed. “Well, she didn’t change who she was, right?”

[blockquote]June 10, 1883

I think I see why Tara always walkin’ in the garden rubbin’ her stomach. There’s a durn person in there. A real person and he just depends on me for anythin’. Or hers depends on her too. She’s so beautiful all like that. I can put my palm on the side and feel it just moving around in there.

Only thing is I can’t climb no trees no more. And I thought I could hide a little better but the other day I was out walkin’ the fence line lookin’ for Tara. I figure pretty soon she won’t be out no more but she was and I was leanin’ by this tree and her boy turned and run this way and that, laughin’ and she turned and seen me standing there. I didn’t know if she was gonna call up that man that works down there or maybe yell someone to get Uncle but she just straightened up and looked at me for about the longest time. Then she looked down and she can’t help but see my stomach, right? I mean it don’t stick out none like hers but it sticks out and she just stared at it and stared and stared. I felt like without about 80 feet and a fence between us, I coulda just reached out my hand to hers and put in on there to feel the baby. Her boy, Jr. and what picked just that moment to run into her knees and she ‘bout fell over but she straightened up and then they went back to playin’.

What I don’t understand is she knows I come see her. She don’t send me off but she don’t come no closer neither. What if I came closer?

…

[/blockquote]

“Did she ever try?”

Shrug. “Not that she says.” Rose clicked again.

[blockquote]August 13, 1883

I tried to apologize to Buffy about some of those words but she laughed. She said it happens. I didn’t imagine it felt none like that. Like I was splitin right in two. Tara done that twice and Buffy five times? Why would anyone do that more’n once?

Of course. I know why. Cause this little boy is just… as perfect as he can be. He got all this redhair so if we ever get separated I can find him right off and him me too. I counted his fingers and toes about 200 times now and 10 of each just like it’s supposed to be. And I made Faith check him too and she says he’s perfect.

Him eatin’ ain’t the most easiest thing I ever tried but Buffy tole Riley watch that mess of theirs and brought just one with her and over here helpin’ me for how to feed him and clean his mess and general being good friend.

I’m so darned tired. Maybe I’ll just finish this up lat…

[/blockquote]

Mac smiled as Rose read. “That’s so adorable.” She looked at the other girl who had a dreamy look on her face. “What about you? Is that something you think about?”

Rose laughed. “What getting knocked up by an ex who leaves town before he knows that he’s going to be a daddy?”

Mac smiled again. “I think there are some other methods these days that don’t necessarily involve the exes. Especially since you said you don’t have any exes around.”

Rose smiled as well. “I didn’t say I didn’t have any exes. I don’t have any ex-boyfriends.”

Mac grinned. “Even better.”

Rose glanced again at the clock. “Honestly, there’s not a lot more that’s crucial to the story here. Years go by. Willow loves being a mother and she spends every moment she can with Danny. Faith is a really good god-mother and Xander spends a lot of time around. Tara has another child, her third, in 1885. By that time, Willow and she have fallen into a pattern of watching each other over their land boundary a few times a week but they never speak.”

“That’s fucking tragic.”

Rose shook her head. “Sweetheart, the entire thing is fucking tragic as you’ve so eloquently summed it up.” When Mac didn’t ask a question Rose continued. “Ethan is gone to San Francisco or LA more and more often. He’s obviously also making a great deal of money as Willow reports her profits from the business.” Rose scanned over the remaining links. “A lot of these are tax and land records.”

She clicked on a link Mac recognized as being from April, 1887.

[blockquote]April 7, 1887

I think I thought of everythin’. But I just don’t know. Faith said she can come over and be with Danny. I can’t take no chance on him. It just… I just don’t know.

I hope a week from now it’s very different.

[/blockquote]

“That’s her last journal entry.” Rose closed the laptop as she said it.

“That’s it? What? That doesn’t tell us anything. Why did she go break into Ethan Rayne’s house? Did she and Tara ever talk? What happened?” Mac stood and started to pace as she asked questions. “That tells us nothing!”

Rose shrugged. “It tells us that she was planning something big.”

“That’s nothing.” Mac continued pacing, nudging a chair out of her path with her toe until Rose got up and crossed the floor to stand in front of her.

The redhead slowly wrapped her hands around Mac’s back and wound one in her hair, whispering, “Ok, Maclay Willingham. You’ve played my research game. Why don’t we go play yours?”

From the ensuing kiss, Mac thought maybe they were going to play her game right there on the floor of the library. She felt shocked herself when she pulled away as the other woman began pulling at the hem of her shirt.

“Uh… am I reading something wrong here?”

Mac looked at the incredibly adorable but confused look on the redhead’s face. “You’re really not. But I … I really do have somewhere I want to take you for lunch.”

“Seriously?”

Mac laughed. “Oh God. My reputation as a complete slut precedes me.”

Rose laughed as well. “Well, yes. It kind of does you know.”

Mac leaned in for another kiss. “I can assure you that my reputation is well deserved and … I’d like to continue to deserve it. But …”

“Plans?”

“Right.”

Rose picked up her backpack and slung it over her shoulder. “Well, then.”

A few minutes later, Rose watched Mac from the passenger seat of her expensive car. “Can I ask where we’re going?”

Mac shook her head. “I think you’ll recognize it when we get there.” Rose smiled and Mac lifted her hand to kiss the fingertips. “So is that all there is to the story?”

Rose took a breath. “I have another 100+ years of documents. How the town grew. How Ethan Rayne’s fortune expands and becomes this car and your clothes and a few million other dollars. How The Rosenberg family loses their fortune and slowly but surely sells their land to Sunnyland Farms finally retaining only Willow’s cabin.”

Mac glanced across, surprised to see the impassive look on Rose’s face. “I’m really sorry.”

Rose shrugged. “Oh, one other interesting note. About four months after Tara Maclay’s death, Dawn Summers showed up in Sunnydale again.”

“How dare she show her face?” The blonde’s knuckles turned white as she gripped the steering wheel.

Rose laughed. “Well, she didn’t stay long. Just long enough to drop her daughter, Emily and son, Evan off with Ethan Rayne.”

Mac turned and looked at Rose. “You’re fucking kidding me. How old were they?”

Rose laughed again. “Thirteen and twelve.”

Mac thought about it for a minute. “Ok, so let’s say Dawn was 6 years younger than Willow. Is that reasonable?”

Rose nodded.

“Then she would have been about 14 when the first was born. Do you think they were Ethan Rayne’s children?”

Rose shrugged again. “Well, Ethan Jr. denied it when his alleged half-brother and sister attempted to get their share of Sunnyland Farms and the courts took his side. I guess a DNA check now would pretty much show whether they were in fact Ethan’s children. But it certainly explains why Dawn left town in shame and why she and Ethan stayed in such good touch.”

Mac shook her head. “And what became of her?”

“She was knifed and killed in a bar in St. Louis a few years later. Her body was buried there and the kids each inherited 5% of Sunnyland Farms. I can show you their family tree later if you care to see it.”

Mac shook her head. “It’s hard to really express how much hatred I feel for my great-great-grandfather.”

She pulled up to a gate and waited as a guard came up to her window which she lowered. “Ms. Willingham. We’ve shut the property for the day and everything is as you requested.”

“Thanks,” she glanced at his name tag, “George.”

He stepped back and she drove up the dirt path to the Rosenberg/Jennings family home.

[Willowtree252]

I am on a roller coaster of emotion I am grieving and angry at the same time. I am upset with Tara she never once tried to hear Willow's side she just let other people make up her mind for her. My heart goes out to Willow this is a tragedy of epic proportion . What is happening between Mac and Rose is nice and slow an awaking Tara is having very foreign feelings and she does not try to make excuses for her life up to this moment. I also love that Rose is not being just another easy lay and keeps her dignity at all times while having a strong attraction to Mac.

[taranwillow4ever]

Great story, sad to know it will end soon.

[whirlwindcharmer]

Ethan Rayne really is a scheming and devious bastard. It makes me wonder how long he had this idea planned out, messing with people's lives so he could get what he wanted I don't supppose he gets what he deserves in the end? This may sound strange but I never disliked Mac, I felt sorry for her. I guess it was because we knew early on, that she lost her mother and sister, her father whilst loving is never around, she goes away to boarding school from a young age and to me her behaviour is her acting out to get attention and in a sense human contact without the possibility of getting hurt or people leaving her. We are increasingly seeing her vulnerable side, she is changing and its cute to see that she doesn't just want to sleep with Rose, she actually wants to have a relationship with her I'm going to assume before the happy ending that the bet is going to be revealed, which will create some difficulties, but hopefully everything will be resolved and Mac and Rose will have the happy ending that W/T never got.

[MochaVamp]

I'm de-lurking for a bit. I've always enjoyed your writing, and have followed all of your stories on pens.

I think you've outdone yourself on this one. I really like how you have set up the different personalities for the main characters: Willow/Rose and Tara/Mac. Even though they are different, they still fit into the mold of the characters we love. Plus, I've enjoyed not only the mysteries you set out in the story, but also the way you managed to weave both stories together. It's very creative.

MochaVamp

[Zampsa1975]

Yay for great update-y goodness... I truly hope that Dawn & Ethan burn in hell for a very very long time and that Ethan's status as a great man will be changed to a evil bastard...

[jay/wt4evr]

I think it's best if I keep my indignation over freakin' Rayne at the minimum. So grrrr Ethan. That grrr is the embodiment of a firework being shoved up his....uhm..nose yeah that's it.
Then, stupid town! I don't believe for a second that Willow seriously wanted Dawn. Mmmmh, this explains why so many people have a share of Sunnyland Farms, the damn man bought their compliance. Grrrr Ethan.
I wonder though...when the blasted incident happened they had been together for a long time. Years even. What made Tara believe only her eyes and not even ask Willow's version?
So sad there's only an update left.
Well, sad and excited {no pun intended ^^} because the bet's consummation will be all there ^^ Will it? Pwetty pwease!
Can't wait.

[shiraz]

Ugh! Ethan's a pill! And if you knew how I feel about pharmaceuticals you'd know what a huge insult that is. It's unfortunate Tara fell for his lies and deceit but I can't figure out why she wouldn't at least speak to Willow. Even if she went to yell and scream at her for 'betraying' her at least she'd get to look her in the eye...then maybe she'd have seen the truth, heard her out.

I hope Mac figures out a way to give Rose her 15%. I think it's time for the Rosenberg/Maclay's to reunite and have wild monkey sex for the next 100 years!!

Ah don't much wanna see this'un end. Sure do hope ya got anuther 'un a cookin'!

Shiraz

[love_2003]

Looking forward to Rose's reaction when she realizes where Mac is taking her. Interesting to see how being around each other every day is starting to affect Mac's behavior. Also looking forward to Rose's reaction when she finds out about the bet that Mac has.
Keep updating. Love the story.

[ophelia11]

Long Lick FB - pt 2

Okay, after my last lengthy feedback was posted for round one, I remembered all the other things floating in my head that I forgot to mention. So as part of my Olympic feedbacking, I’ll touch on that stuff first.

I loved how you inserted the news clippings. Gave the story a little...I don’t know. I just really liked it. Without knowing all the details yet, I find the entire situation such a tragedy. Certainly their untimely deaths, but also the life stolen from them while Tara was Ethan’s wife. Serious angst. I find it heartbreaking and yet, I crave more.

Total side comment in the middle of my ramblings. I laughed out loud at one of your last feedback responses regarding your wife being over W/T. Mine too. I still bore her with the details of my stories though. She humors me by smiling and nodding. LOL.

I thought you liked them.

Totally caused a chuckle-like outburst. Although on a scale of one to uber-angst, this one is definitely surpassing the uber. I’ve enjoyed so many of your stories over the years, but I’m especially fond of this one. (In case you couldn’t tell from the gushing.) There’s something so real and heart-wrenching about every single character. Not only did Ethan come between true love in his own time, but his actions are continuing to cause heartbreak for his offspring.

I don’t like Dawn. Evil wench of a girl, really. I shake my head with dismay. If only she and Ethan could have married. Two equally deplorable people would be a match made in hell. Even though it seems apparent that she was just another victim of Ethan’s treachery, I have a hard time feeling sympathetic.

The slow relationship development between Mac and Rose is wonderful. I love watching each new event unfold. Though Mac’s reputation walks in to the room long before she does, she’s been honest, caring, and even passionate, both in her interaction with Rose and her quest for knowledge over Willow and Tara. Rose is still a bit of an enigma. In one moment she seems almost amused watching Mac’s discoveries, yet the next she acknowledges her very real attraction for the woman. I love the way Mac and Rose “push” each other. It’s flirty and fun and I don’t think either of them have experienced such a thing before. Such a joy to read.

Anxiously awaiting the next update! (If I remember earlier comments, there are only a few left?)

[Willowtree252]

Please Debra the suspense is killing me.

[sacinema]

Hi Debra,

I'm really sorry for not leaving feedback for a long time. But only now I was able to catch up with your story. First - to much involved at work and second - this years holidays took me to Berlin and New York. Third - finished the last update a two days ago and first had to think about it and deal with my feelings.

Your story really is great – like always I like to add – but it puts me through a lot of different feelings I have to cope with while reading. There is joy about the cute love stories between Willow and Tara versus Rose and Maclay. The end of the first one makes me sad. And the chapter with the newspaper articles shocked me in the beginning and made me confused. Till now I'm pissed at Tara that she never gave Willow a chance to tell her story. She just believed everything Ethan Rayne told her. How could she? And for saying she never wanted to marry a man she sure was quick about wedding and bedding said Mr. Rayne. Maybe her wish of having kids got to her. In fact she was pretty old for the first one in that time of history, I think. Still I'm totally with Mac in her feelings for Tara. She even chose to believe what Dawn told her over once letting Willow explain herself.

But Rose said something important to appease Maclay and probably all your readers
quote if your 3GM, as you're calling her hadn't married your 3GF, neither you nor I would be sitting here. /quote
Yes, that's a good answer. Without T/W failing there most certainly wouldn't have been Rose and Maclay. But for all that it is sad that they never had a happy ending. Sometimes while reading this I have a heart time not stopping to read and to just pretend the revisted part of the story never existed. Because it makes me so sad. But in the end your writing skills, my curiosity and my trust in you keeps me to follow your lead.

In chapter 7 I especially loved the part in which Maclay discovered that her family home originally was named Rosenberg/Maclay and that the cabin in which W/T lived is near that home. Maclay kinda becomes a little researcher. And there is all the flirtation between R/M. Wonderful how Rose always seems to surprise Maclays against her expectations like bantering about women giving hints to her about needing new clothes or something like that. Rose would never do that. But Mac doesn't know Rose in the end wants more than every other woman before. She claims a part of the Willingham fortune. So this is kinda funny.

Rose is not only a mystery to Mac alone. She also is for me. What is she up to? The way she behaves she has the potential to get Mac crazy for her. Until now it seems she does everything right to get to Mac. I do wonder what Willingham sen. will think of Rose if the families background will be revealed. If those two ever get to the bottom of the mystery. Will they? I'm not sure. They could as easily just fall madly in love and be happily ever after. But I do doubt that's what'll happen. And I doubt Rose would leave the mystery unsolved at this point.

Reading about Tara's journey and the following break up nearly broke my heart. Poor Willow. Bad Ethan. Naïve Tara. And I don't want to even start on Dawn. Wonder what happened to her line of family in the end. But I do find it really interesting how Ethan seems to be like the bad guy to every woman except Tara. Maybe he worshiped her. He seemed to be really nice to her.

There is one thing Mac should discuss with Rose before they get more involved. What about the bet? I doubt Rose would be very thrilled to discover about the bet in another way than from Mac's mouth. And Rose have to be honest with Mac about her suspicions and intentions. Maybe the dinner at the Willingham estate brings them to discover more about the secret. They do not ask me but if they would, I would suggest two places to look for more information: Ethan's former study (if he planned all this there has to be some documents about the plot) and the cabin. In which other place would Willow hide the documents? Unless she took them to Tara hoping this would give her some proof about her husbands bad intentions. I still wonder how Tara came to trip down the steps. I think Ethan had a lot to with it.

Oh and yes there is the suspense. It's killing me too.

Thanks for the wonderful story and for sharing it. Can't wait for the next update and promise to give a quicker FB next time.

[Alcy]

So now the whole truth of what happened comes out in Tara’s letter to Jenny and it’s a rather scary tale. Dawn, the skanky little wench is in cahoots with Ethan Rayne, Anya and Cordelia and just about everyone else in that rotten town. They’ve concocted such a disgusting little scheme, but so perfect in it’s simplicity.

Mr. Rayne has been terribly concerned for my well-being and health and sadly reports rumors that while I was gone Willow has taken to spending time in the Saloon. Anya supplied her with alcohol, which she has always claimed to eschew, and there are rumors of what else she has been supplied.

This, combined with the actual sight of catching Willow in bed with Dawn is damning evidence indeed, but Tara knows Willow and knows that she wouldn’t engage in any of that sort of behaviour. She claims that she was wrong about Willow and that she was fooled. She is being fooled, but it’s not by Willow.

“When will that time-travel machine be invented because I’ve been working out and I’d like to go back in time and beat the ever living crap out of Ethan Rayne.”

Yes please. Although maybe we can also do a fic switcharoo and import the Tara from ‘Sin City’ or Vamp Tara from VR to do a real number on him.

But perhaps he would be a man to grow to love. He is gentle and considerate and has been patient throughout this summer.

Ewww, ewww, ewwww…

The redhead ran her fingertips along the other woman’s jaw. “No. It wouldn’t, Mac.”

Okay, this is nicer…

“She really is kind of a stalker.”

“But a sweet one.”

I’m not sure if any stalker is a ‘sweet one.’ How heartbreaking. I don’t think I’ve ever read a fic where Willow has been reduced to such a sad, sorry and pitiable state. It’s tragic. And Rose is very right when she says that no one is happy.

Mac sums it up quite nicely

“That’s fucking tragic.”

“She was knifed and killed in a bar in St. Louis a few years later.

Poetic justice!

Well, that was some hard but enjoyable reading. It’s believable for such a tragic tale to have affected someone as incorrigible as Mac. Who can’t help but be affected?

I take it we’re winding down to our conclusion. I can’t wait to find out what happens. I just hope Mac and Rose will have their happily ever after to make up for the tragedy of their ancestors.

Thanks very much, Deb.

[JustSkipIt]

Well, I’ll start responding to feedback and hopefully get these comments and the finale of the story posted this evening. It has been great fun writing this story and sharing it with everyone. Thank you for reading and for all your continued support. At the end of this feedback, I’ll post some general comments and responses.

Willowtree252 – Yes. I’m not surprised that you’re angry.

I am upset with Tara she never once tried to hear Willow's side she just let other people make up her mind for her.

I totally hear you on this one. Clearly, things would have been so different if she had just talked to Willow. In her defense she was grieving the death of her father, weak from travel, and sort of tied into that other world of hers. That world where appearances matter so much. I think all those things just sort of placed her into a very weak role and she took it on. I hear you about the Mac/Rose relationship and I’m glad it’s working for everyone.

Thanks for reading. The update in a just a minute.

taranwillow4ever – Thanks so much. I hope you’ve enjoyed it.

whirlwindcharmer – Yes. Ethan Rayne is pretty much without redeeming quality here. He’s schemed and yes, he had this entire plan for a very long time. The end? I doubt it.

This may sound strange but I never disliked Mac, I felt sorry for her. I guess it was because we knew early on, that she lost her mother and sister, her father whilst loving is never around, she goes away to boarding school from a young age and to me her behaviour is her acting out to get attention and in a sense human contact without the possibility of getting hurt or people leaving her.

Yes. You’ve hit it right on. She’s basically without the real loving human interactions that create most people’s personalities. Her closest friend in the world is another party-girl who just eggs her on. And yes, she’s becoming quite a bit more vulnerable.

Thanks for reading. Also. Is your screenname from the series? I can’t place it.

MochaVamp – Thanks for de-lurking and welcome to leaving feedback and comments. You’ll find it addictive.

I've always enjoyed your writing, and have followed all of your stories on pens.

Again, thanks.

I’m glad you feel that Willow/Rose and Tara/Mac both fit into the necessary personalities without seeming creepy. I didn’t want a reincarnation or reliving the sins of the past type situation but I wanted them recognizable. Thank you so much.

Zampsa1975 – Thanks so much. I’m not so much for Hell but I get that you’re pretty upset with them. Yes, they’re rotten people (probably Dawn less so than Ethan) but they’re pretty crummy.

Thanks especially for your commitment to leaving feedback and leaving it early. It’s always so comforting to know I’ll have a note from you and I even use recognizing your name as a way to know if someone else has udpated recently.

jay/wt4evr –

I think it's best if I keep my indignation over freakin' Rayne at the minimum. So grrrr Ethan. That grrr is the embodiment of a firework being shoved up his....uhm..nose yeah that's it.

Lol. I hear you, sister!

I don't believe for a second that Willow seriously wanted Dawn.

Well, hell no. Of course she didn’t. She was trying to help Dawn out, partially encouraged by Tara.

I wonder though...when the blasted incident happened they had been together for a long time. Years even. What made Tara believe only her eyes and not even ask Willow's version?

Excellent question. I’m going to comment on that at the end.

Yes, consumation…

Thanks, always.


shiraz – Yes. Ethan is rotten and Tara should have spoken to Willow. We’ll see about both the 15% and the hot monkey sex.

Ah don't much wanna see this'un end. Sure do hope ya got anuther 'un a cookin'!

Excellent! My birthday is on talk like a pirate day but maybe we can make a new holiday – talk like a Old West hick day. Tee hee.

Thanks so much.

love_2003 -

Looking forward to Rose's reaction when she realizes where Mac is taking her.

Well, I’d say she knows now that they’re at the gate to the cabin. Re: bet? We’ll see.

Thanks so much.

ophelia11 – Hey there. Woo hoo for long fb. I love it and I’ll try to do it some justice in responding.

I’m glad you liked the news clippings. I actually wondered if I should be inserting more news clippings and journal entries throughout. I worried whether I was fleshing out the ago-story enough. But I also felt like it was the kind of thing that could become 150,000 words without really trying and I wanted this more quick and dirty. Yes, the situation is definitely a tragedy.

Total side comment in the middle of my ramblings. I laughed out loud at one of your last feedback responses regarding your wife being over W/T. Mine too. I still bore her with the details of my stories though. She humors me by smiling and nodding. LOL.

Lol. It’s nice to hear that someone else has the same experience. The other funny thing about my wife is she has an incredible knack to listen to whatever proposed idea I have and go… “that sounds great. You know what would improve it? [let’s say it’s a story about baseball] What if there were also dragons and magic and warlocks and when someone touches a baseball, it takes them into a parallel universe and they become dragon-riders?” Or something similarly having nothing at all to do with my idea at all. I was working on a virtual reality story where the characters enter a virtual vacation and can do anything and when I proposed either flying planes a la Top Gun, driving race cars, or playing baseball, she was like, “but no one would want to do that! How about dragons?” I bet the last story of mine she read was either W/T Season 3 Y’all or Paths.

I’m facinated that you’re enjoying this story as much as you are and that you’re finding it as angsty as you do. Perhaps it’s because I know what did happen/is happening/will happen but to me, this isn’t nearly as angsty as some others. Maybe it’s because as crappy as the W/T/Ethan situation is, it happened a long time ago? I don’t know. Anyway, I love that it’s affecting you so strongly.

Yeah. Dawn’s pretty crappy but as you say – she’s a victim as well. She’s just a pretty bitchy one.

I’m super happy that the Rose/Mac relationship is unfolding in a believable way and that Mac seems sincere. I think she is and I think that’s a surprise to her as well as anyone else.

Rose is still a bit of an enigma. In one moment she seems almost amused watching Mac’s discoveries, yet the next she acknowledges her very real attraction for the woman.

I get that. I think she’s quite torn in finding that this person who she’s always hated for everything she has and everything Rose doesn’t is actually quite sweet and sincere not to mention totally hot. Kind of like if you totally hated Angelina Jolie but then she showed up at your office and was completely charming and dedicated to you and hitting on you at the same time. You know?

Anxiously awaiting the next update! (If I remember earlier comments, there are only a few left?)

One only and this is it.

Thanks so much.


Willowtree252 – Well, here you go.

sacinema – Hello, old friend. I hope you had good trips.

Yes, the end of the W/T story is quite sad and heartbreaking.

the chapter with the newspaper articles shocked me in the beginning and made me confused.

I can see that.

Till now I'm pissed at Tara that she never gave Willow a chance to tell her story. She just believed everything Ethan Rayne told her. How could she?

A common question and one I’ll address farther down.

Yes, for that time, Tara was pretty ancient to have three children. Willow refers to Buffy having 5-6 kids and she’s Willow’s age (a few years younger than Tara). You’re right about Rose’s statement of looking at history as it relates to today and that’s what brings us Rose & Maclay. I appreciate that you trust me.

In chapter 7 I especially loved the part in which Maclay discovered that her family home originally was named Rosenberg/Maclay and that the cabin in which W/T lived is near that home.

I’ll have to go back and reread that line. I intend for the label to refer only to the cabin while the Rayne family home is refered to as Rayne/Willingham.

Yes, Maclay is becoming a researcher.

Rose would never do that. But Mac doesn't know Rose in the end wants more than every other woman before. She claims a part of the Willingham fortune. So this is kinda funny.

Yes! That was kind of my original feeling about this story. Basically Mac thinks she’s harmlessly winning a bet and in the end it will hopefully cost her millions of dollars to let herself become so close to Rose. As far as what Rose is up to? She wants to prove that the Willinghams owe her and her grandmother a lot of money and she’s quite obsessed.

Reading about Tara's journey and the following break up nearly broke my heart. Poor Willow. Bad Ethan. Naive Tara. And I don't want to even start on Dawn. Wonder what happened to her line of family in the end. But I do find it really interesting how Ethan seems to be like the bad guy to every woman except Tara. Maybe he worshiped her. He seemed to be really nice to her.

I’ll comment on part of this in the general comments. As far as Dawn’s family line – it’s my imagined backstory that some part of that family line made it’s way down to Tip, not that she has any knowledge of that.

There is one thing Mac should discuss with Rose before they get more involved. What about the bet? I doubt Rose would be very thrilled to discover about the bet in another way than from Mac's mouth.

Lol. I’m not sure I’d tell someone about a bet like that.

They do not ask me but if they would, I would suggest two places to look for more information: Ethan's former study (if he planned all this there has to be some documents about the plot) and the cabin.

Good thinking.

Alcy – I was just about post and saw your comments. I’ll reply and then try to get the final update posted. Thanks for your comments.

Dawn, the skanky little wench is in cahoots with Ethan Rayne, Anya and Cordelia and just about everyone else in that rotten town.

Hmmm. I’d say Ethan and Dawn are in cahoots. Cordelia is simply carrying out her societial snobishness. And Anya’s just a business woman but she really has nothing to do with any of the plan.

She is being fooled, but it’s not by Willow.

Quite.

Oh believe me. I agree with the ewww on Ethan Rayne. Especially in this fic. Blech.

I’m glad you like that Willow is a sweet stalker.

I don’t think I’ve ever read a fic where Willow has been reduced to such a sad, sorry and pitiable state. It’s tragic.

I think thanks.

I thought that everyone would be happy to hear that Dawn was knifed in a bar. I thought of letting her get away scot-free but it seemed more fun this way. And yes, Mac has been quite affected. Yes, the conclusion is coming up right now. Thanks for reading and commenting.

General Comments
In my head I have quite a backstory built up around the actions and motivations of some characters:

Tara – why didn’t she even listen to Willow? Why was she so eager to believe the worst? – Tara had just gotten back from an exhausting trip across the country. She was treated like a queen by Ethan Rayne the entire time and has no reason to expect that he isn’t the wonderful man he pretends to be. She’s also spent 3 months in “society” which is very different from the life she lives in Sunnydale. There’s a part of her that is that lady in spite of her living in a cabin and making preserves for the last 10 years. And I think she had some sort of pride so that once she was mad at Willow, she would have trouble going back on that to listen to her.

Dawn – Yes. She’s a victim as well. She was always motivated by a hatred of small towns and small things. I expect that at a very young age she was seduced by Ethan Rayne. Even as he used her, I’m sure he filled her head with images of living the high life in San Francisco. I’ve always imagined he set her up there and maintained her as a mistress throughout. And she had no problem screwing over Willow and Tara when the chance came to make her own fortune.

Ethan – Well yes. He’s evil. That said, in my planning he was genuinely in love with Tara. I believe that he was in love with her from the first time he ever saw her. That’s why he never was seen as a cad by her. That said, he formed his plan very early on and manipulated various people and situations to both become incredibly rich, take Willow & Tara’s land, and win Tara as his wife.

[center][/center]
Story Title – Love comes to Long Lick Revisited

Chapter – 11 – Payoff

Chapter Rating – NC-17

Author, Pairing, Feedback, Spoilers, Distribution, Disclaimer – see chapter 1.

Note – Thank you for reading.

Note – Thanks again to Chris for the graphic in this chapter and the story graphic. I really appreciate all your work and assistance.

Note – Thanks also to Foo who sent me a lot of information on going on an awesome date in San Francisco. I didn’t end up using it but I really appreciate the help.


“You’re a true romantic, aren’t you?”

Mac smiled as she kept one hand on the wheel and the other entwined with Rose’s hand. “I never have been before. You seem to bring it out in me.”

Rose laughed as the blonde stopped the car and hopped out to open her door. “This way please.” They stepped up onto the porch looking at the house. “Have you been here before?”

“Many times.” Rose said as she looked at the porch, on which was spread a large blanket and plates of food under clear covers. What she didn’t explain was that she’d been to the cabin many times but always under the supervision of a guard or docent. She had never been to the cabin in such a loosely supervised situation.

Mac kissed the redhead again and then backed up a step with a smirk. “I’ve actually never been here. I never knew what it was and also, this is the first time I’ve been anywhere near here in 14 years.” She waved her hand at the blanket. “Let’s sit.”

Rose sat, then seeing the smirking look on Mac’s face crawled quickly over to kiss her again. “I notice you didn’t cook.”

“No. I didn’t but someone did.”

“Can you cook?” she asked as Mac began pulling covers off the dishes and handed Rose a plate.

Mac shrugged now. “A little. My mom and I used to… she liked to cook and I liked to be with her. And I had a girlfriend for a while who had a nice apartment with a well-stocked kitchen. What about you?” As she spoke she scooped food onto Rose’s plate according to Rose’s nods as she pointed at each choice.

“I like cooking. I’m not nearly as good at is as my grand-mother but I can hold my own.” Rose lifted her plate and looked at the bottom. “You know most people don’t have picnics on actual china, right?”

Mac laughed. “I’m not sure how to discourage people from doing things like that. I was very clear that I wanted a picnic but … well, I am a Willingham.”

Rose laughed loudly then looked at the food on her plate then quoted Willow’s journal from memory: “Well, she started servin’ up dinner and I was about to pass out from it all. Chicken and bread and potatoes and carrots and beans and for dessert she made a cherry pie.” If that’s,” she indicated a pie plate cover, “a cherry pie either you’re very good or you are trying to kill me with carbohydrates.”

Mac dutifully lifted the cover revealing the cherry pie. “It worked for Tara Maclay.”

Rose laughed and took a bite of the chicken. It was a late lunch and the food was delicious. “Wow. Whoever cooked this can really cook.”

Mac nodded around a bite of green beans. “I think that’s why they call her a personal chef.” She took a sip of the wine she had poured for each of them. “I think you’ll really like her food a lot.”

Rose raised one eyebrow. “You sound like you expect me to be sharing a lot of meals with you.”

Mac reached her hand out and took Rose’s fingertips in hers. “Maybe it’s just hopeful thinking.”

Rose squinted her eyes shut for a moment. “Arggghhh!”

“What?”

“You’re charming. Damn charming. And I don’t know… I mean I’ve seen you on television and you’re like this larger-than-life … I want to trust what you’re saying but you’re… you know? Kind of out of my league?”

Mac chewed carefully as she considered Rose’s outburst. “That’s deserved. I… I have no idea what to tell you, Rose Jennings. I… I think you’re playing in the wrong league.” She blushed, unable to say anything further.

Rose smiled. “Ok, then.” Then she took another bite of chicken.

When the women had finished a slice of pie each and groaned about the uncomfortable fullness of their respective stomachs, Mac stood and held out her hand. Rose took it and led the two women in through the front door. “Oh God.” Mac sounded like she had just entered the Sistine Chapel. “So this is it? That’s the loft and that’s their bed? And the kitchen. And… oh God. Here’s that drawing of Willow’s mother.” She dropped Rose’s hand and began slowly walking around inspecting every part of the small cabin.

Rose watched Mac with fascination. She had been to the cabin many times, each time searching for an elusive clue. But she’d never simply absorbed the cabin as it related to Willow and Tara’s love story. By watching Mac, she could do just that and it brought tears to her eyes.

Rose didn't know how long she stood and watched Mac as the blonde studied the cabin. When the other woman finally turned to look at her the look on her face was one of wonder and amazement. But that look quickly changed as the blonde crossed the room in two long strides to press her body against Rose's body and her lips against her lips.


Suddenly it was as if neither woman could get enough of the other, could get close enough to the other. Mac's hands grasped Rose's upper arms and the redhead knew she would have bruises tomorrow. Her own hands grasped and explored Mac's ass, pulling her closer and closer still. In seconds, she felt Mac's hands move and then she was pulling her shirt from her pants, panting with the effort it took to think clearly enough to manage not simply ripping the clothes to shreds. Rose knew the feeling as she struggled with the button on Mac's tight jeans, finally freeing it and using her entire hand to push down the zipper. Thankfully the blonde grasped the bottom of her own t-shirt and tugged it over her head, tossing it away.


Rose felt herself being divested of her clothes piece by piece and made no attempt to keep track of what was happening beyond the feel of Maclay Willingham, her lips, her body, her breasts against Rose's. The softness of her hair. Her hands slipped under the waist band of Mac's jeans and began pushing them down her legs and to the floor, finally balancing enough to use her foot to push them off entirely. Much as she didn't want to ruin the mood she simply had to tease the blonde one more time. She pulled back. "I take it you're not worried about our consanguinity?"


Mac shook her head. "Come again?"


Rose laughed, even as she unsnapped the clasp on Mac's bra and let it fall to the floor. She immediately ran her palms over Mac's nipples which hardened beautifully. "We're fifth cousins."


Mac looked at her with utter bewilderment for a few seconds before placing her hand on the redhead's chest. "Great. If we were 3 levels closer, we shouldn’t get pregnant." Then she pushed and laughed as Rose fell ungracefully onto the bed. Mac stood for a moment, completely unselfconscious of her own now naked body. "Rose Jennings, you are a beautiful as you could possibly be."


Rose didn't even know what to say to such a proclamation and had little time to consider as Mac fairly descended on her, pressing their bodies together, their lips again exploring and re-exploring each other. Now their hands had free reign and both women allowed their fingertips to roam over the other's breasts, back, hips, stomach, neck, face.


Rose reached behind Mac's head and released the band holding up her pony tail so the hair cascaded down around her head. The light tickle of the tips brushed her skin erotically as well as Mac's lips and hands. The blonde cupped Rose's breasts and seemed almost considering them before she bent her mouth to lightly kiss the tip of each nipple, causing Rose to arch her back and wind her hands into Mac's hair. Then began the incredibly slow and nearly tortuous pleasure of Mac making love to her breasts. For long seconds and minutes and perhaps hours, the blonde touched and fondled and licked and kissed and sucked at first one and then the other breast until Rose wondered if she could take it any longer. A few times she tried to gain some control, to touch Mac in kind but the blonde spoke almost tearfully. "Please let me. Just let me..."


And Rose did. She let Mac do as she wished as the blonde ravaged her breasts. As the blonde kissed and licked her way along Rose's jaw line, under her ears, over her eyelids and down the bridge of her nose. She let Mac take long moments kissing her deeply and feeling her chest heave with passion. She let Mac kiss her way back down over her breasts again and heard herself begin to whimper with need. And still Mac's only words were "let me..." Her lips on Rose's hip bones were only the faintest hint of the passion to come and when her tongue darted in and out of the redhead's belly button, Rose actually approved of Mac's well-publicized lifestyle if it had afforded her these skills. When the blonde's mouth whispered over her soft hair, Rose again arched up, only to feel Mac's hands holding down her thighs.


And for a moment she didn't know where Mac had gone but her mouth explored the soles of Rose's feet, her toes, her ankles, and up her calf to that ticklish spot behind her knee and Rose was grateful that she didn't kick the blonde. And her lips on the insides of her thighs were like heaven and hell at once as she held the delicious tension of need.


And she heard Mac whimper as her mouth finally contacted the redhead's mound. As she placed light and teasing kisses before using her lips to open Rose's lips. Before running her tongue so gently over that bundle of nerves that Rose could hardly believe the contact was real. Before doing it again and again until Rose thought she would scream.


And she barely heard Mac's plea to "let me" before the blonde began licking and sucking at her center in earnest. Before Rose wrapped her hand behind Mac's head and held her where she needed her the very most.


And when she felt she could take no more without exploding, Mac slowed her efforts.


And when she felt she could possibly continue for a few seconds, Mac redoubled them.


And when she felt that her entire body would disintegrate without more contact, she felt the blonde slide two fingers inside her.


And finally Mac spoke and it wasn't "let me." It was "Oh God, Rose."


And it was "Rose."


And it was "Rose."


And it was "Rose"


And Rose grasped for sheet and pulled loose a handful and finally wrapped one hand around Mac's shoulder and exploded in light and sound.


And when she stopped shaking and whimpering, her fingers were already somehow inside Mac's beautiful body and the blonde hovered above her. She used her free hand to pull the back of Mac's head down and kissed her as deeply as she could.


And she couldn't drag it out for Mac because the woman was already shaking and whimpering and Rose tasted saltwater and pulled away to see that tears glistened in blue eyes.


And she kissed the tears and Mac's eyelids one after the other as her hand made and unmade the blonde.


And she never stopped as Mac screamed and shook and collapsed across her chest.


And she moved her hand and wrapped her arms around the blonde as she cried.


And she held her against her as the blonde finally stopped and wiped her nose on her hand and then on the sheets. As Rose pulled them up the bed and laid their heads on the pillow.


"I ... I d-don't know w-why..."


Rose watched the blonde as she struggled with words. "I do, sweetheart. I do."


Mac closed her eyes. "But. I've never..." She yawned. "I mean I've never had that happen."


Rose brushed a strand of very sweaty hair from her lover's forehead. "Crying, you mean? It's ok. It's really ok." Mac looked at her with total vulnerability and Rose patted her gently. "Why don't you sleep, sweetheart?" She knew that the blonde had had only a few hours of sleep and she wanted to hold her for a while if Mac would let her.


--

It was dusk when Rose awoke and looked around the cabin. She hadn’t expected to sleep, intending to just hold Mac as the other woman rested. She looked at her face as she slept. So innocent. So peaceful. Then she lifted Mac’s arm from her chest and slid from the bed. Her shirt lay against the door and she pulled it over her head before cracking the door and glancing around. Her backpack was only a few steps away on the porch-which she noticed was now cleared of all signs of a picnic-and she picked it up and brought it inside, quietly closing the door.

She hoped she wouldn’t need her flashlight but she pulled it from the pocket regardless and set it on the desk along with her Swiss army knife. She pulled on a pair of gloves, went into the small kitchen, and began opening drawers slowly, feeling under them, between them. After fifteen minutes she had found nothing in the kitchen nor the main room of the cabin. Nothing was hidden in or under any cabinets or the dresser. It could be up in the loft but that had been closed for safety concerns and she didn’t want to chance it. The loft could collapse and hurt her or Mac and it would certainly wake the blonde to climb up. But where else to look?

Then she remembered a conversation with Mac from a few days ago:

[blockquote] “Right. Now you might ask yourself, if you’re a, as you’ve called her, ‘dumb, hick country girl’ what do you do with the money you’re shoving under the floorboards and hiding in pails out in the barn?”
[/blockquote]

She reached for her knife and sat down on the floor as quietly as she could.

--

Mac woke slowly attempting to remember where she was. It wasn’t the first time she’d woken up alone and it certainly wasn’t the first time she’d woken up wondering where she was. But it was the first time she’d ever woken up alone without wanting to do so. The light in the room showed that it was dusk so she guessed she had slept a few hours. Light flickered from the foot of the bed and she pulled the sheet around her before sliding from the bed to sit behind Rose on the floor and wrap her arms around the Rose’s waist, placing a gentle kiss on the back of her neck.

Next to the redhead, a plank, clearly removed from the floor with the Swiss army knife now lying across it lay exposing a dirt hole perhaps six inches wide by 20 inches long by 12 inches deep. After spending less than a week with Rose, Mac knew to touch nothing with her bare hands, instead choosing to read the letter the other woman now held in her gloved hands from over her shoulder:



Mac knew her voice cracked as she read the letter. “She was coming to get her so they could run away.”

She could hear Rose’s emotion as well. “He came home early and found them and shot Willow to keep Tara there.”

Mac could hardly stand it. “His niece. He killed his niece in cold blood to keep her from running away with his wife. And then he killed his wife three weeks later.”

Rose began reading the letter again but Mac looked down into the hole in the floor. “Rose, what’s in there?”

The redhead reached into the hole and pulled out a leather valise which she set to the side. Then she pulled out eight small leather pouches and opened them, shaking the contents partly into her gloved hand. “Oh… Jesus,” Mac breathed as she watched her lover’s hand fill with gold coins. Rose held one up to the light, showing that it was a $10 gold coin, dated 1881. Others bore dates from 1880 – 1886 and Mac estimated that the bag held 50 coins or more. “Do you think the others hold the same?”

Rose’s voice was barely audible. “We’ll have to check but I would think so. It was their traveling money. She must have been planning to retrieve it when she and Tara came back to get Danny from Faith.”

Mac nodded but didn’t answer as Rose picked up the flat valise she had set aside and unwrapped the tie from around it, pulling one sheet of paper from it. Mac didn’t need to be a historian to recognize the Sunnyland Farms logo emblazoned across the top of the document. Over the years, it had been updated and redesigned but she’d seen the entwined SL/F with various fruits on numerous checks and documents sent for her signature, not to mention on the iron gates to her family a few million times. “… this date of December 28, 1881… 150 of 1000 shares AAA Sunnyland Farms stock to Willow Rosenberg, Sunnydale, California…”

Mac kissed the redhead on the neck just behind her ear. “Wow. I thought I was just seducing a librarian on a bet. Instead I’ve fallen in love with a woman who turns out to be very very rich.”

Rose tilted her head and smiled before setting the document aside. As she twisted in Mac’s arms she saw the worried look on the blonde’s face. Gently she cupped the girl’s cheeks in her hands. “A bet huh?” She chuckled. “Then, you, darling are also a chump.” She sealed her insult with a gentle kiss, pushing the blonde to the floor and stripping off her gloves, then proceeding to show just how little she cared about any bet.

The End

---

Post Story Note #1 – This is the end of this story as I’ve envisioned it. I hope that you enjoy playing with any questions that might still exist in your mind.

Post Story Note #2 – I am neither a historian, an expert on coins, nor a lawyer. I do not know what legal documents might have looked like in 1882 nor whether a deed from 1882 would really hold up in court. But this is a fiction and in this fiction it would. I envision the coins (approximately 400 of them as being these $10 Liberty Gold Coins. If this price of $800 apiece is a true representation, the coins alone would be worth $320,000. I would not attempt to estimate the value of 15% of a fictional multi-national corporation but let’s say it would be worth a lot.

[Willowtree252]

Dibs Well , Well , Well, the heiress found love and never saw it coming. I am happy for them both. I am glad Rose was not just a fling for Mac . The letter made me cry as Tara redeemed herself the pain she must of endured watching the love of her life die in front of her eyes. Ethan is a @@@@ you made us hate him. I want to say so much more but this has been an emotion envoking story I will come back with more later with your permission

[shiraz]

Yaaaaay! Fifth cousins - too funny If I smoked I'd have a cigarette on their behalf. Tres chaud! And romantic what with the picnic in the place where the initial love story took place. Nicely done

The letter was warm and Tara and it was a relief to hear that their plan was to take off together. I love that she found gold coins with only a pocket knife! Very McGyvor. That would be so rewarding for an historian - to find part of her fortune in the currency of the time she spent so long researching.

Thanks for another amazing story and like ah've sed buhfore ah shore hope yer goin' ta keep on a writin'. You write'em and ah'll read'em, ah swear ah will.

Shiraz
p.s. Talk like a pirate day?!

[whirlwindcharmer]

Whilst I am sad that this story is finished, I'm glad that Mac and Rose ended up together, they are a very cute couple. Yeah, I've already expressed my dislike of Ethan nuff said, shame that it took Tara so long to get over her anger and pride and to see the truth and that ultimately their tale ended in tragedy, all those years lost. I must admit I'm surprised it took him three weeks to kill Tara. I would've thought in that situation he would kill them at the same time, maybe make it look like a ex-lovers tiff gone wrong. Lol I actually made it up, I think it was X-files inspired, tho I can't be certain it was awhile ago.

[spells42]

Deb
a lovely finish - Mac really in love with Rose, and it seems Rose wanted Mac from the start despite her reputation.

I'm so glad that Tara knew the truth and they were going to run away together. It's still a sad ending to their story, but I'm somewhat mollified. lol.

I wonder if Daddy was cranky when he found out that Mac had let Rose find such a treasure trove, and proof of her right to shares in the company. Or was he happy that Mac had found someone to love.

May the well of your inspiration for these stories never dry up.
Anne

[Zampsa1975]

Yay for great update-ty goodness... Big yay for Rose & Mac falling in love and consumating it in Willow's & Tara's cabin... Good that Tara finally saw through Ethan's evil schemes and planned to leave with Willow...

Thanks especially for your commitment to leaving feedback and leaving it early. It’s always so comforting to know I’ll have a note from you and I even use recognizing your name as a way to know if someone else has udpated recently.

thanks.

[sacinema]

Just finished it. There is only one word that comes to mind: Wow (is it even a word?). So touching, so romantic, so lovely. I nearly cried by reading Tara's letter. Nice how R/M ended where W/T began. Or is it another beginning? Maybe both. And wonderful how you managed to bring in the bet and made it no problem for Rose.

I still have a lot of questions and I promise I come back later with a more proper FB. But I just had to write some words as soon as I finished the story. Thanks for bringing this to us.