The Taken Care Of Series

Willow and Tara's Letter

Taken Care Of Series – Part 11

Story: Taken Care Of Series

Author: Bek Allen

Chapter: 11/16

Title: Willow and Tara's Letter

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The blond haired Wicca made her way silently through the darkened streets, in one hand, she gripped a slim white envelope, while in the other, which was buried deep within her pocket, she clutched a sharpened wooden stake. Quickly and quietly, she ascended the stairs to 1630 Revello Drive and knocked lightly on the door.

“Who is it?” Came a timid reply from behind the wooden door.

“D-Dawnie, it's T-Tara.” She smiled as the door flew open and the younger Summers threw herself into the girl's arms.

“Hi. Did you come to see Buffy or Giles cos, they aren't here right now. Something to do with Friday night being date night.” She grinned as the older girl came inside.

“Actually, I came to see Willow, and of course, to see how you were doing. How's that American History assignment coming? Did you get Willow to help you?” She slipped the letter from her pocket and hung her jacket on the hanger.

“Willow's upstairs in her room, something about a drama assignment. And yes, the assignment is coming along great, I'm working on it now, and yes, Willow and Spike both helped me.” She grinned and walked back into the living room. “WILLOW!!! TARA'S HERE!” She screamed up the stairs as she walked past. “Go on up.” She waved Tara on as she sat down.

Tara grinned and shook her head as she ascended the stairs.

“Tara?” Willow stuck her head out of her bedroom door. “Hey. Did you want help with something?”

Tara held up the letter, “Actually, I th-think it's t-time we read this. It's b-been five weeks since we got it.”

Willow's smile dropped as she stepped back to let Tara into the room, her eyes gazing at the crisp envelope. “I… you haven't read it?” She asked as she sat on the bed.

Tara shook her head and sat tentatively on the edge of the bed. “I wanted to wait until Dawn had fully settled back in at school.” She ducked her head at the excuse she knew was completely lame.

“It's okay.” Willow smiled softly. “I wasn't ready either, I still don't think I'm ready.”

Tara held up the envelope, “Do you want to, or should I?”

“You. I don't think I could open it without tearing the letter inside.” Willow raised one of her trembling hands to show the young woman just how nervous she was.

Silently, Tara slipped her finger under the flap of the envelope and pried it open. Unfolding the sheets of paper, she slid closer to Willow on the bed and began to read aloud.

“Dear Willow and Tara,

I don't think words can express my gratitude for what you have both done for Buffy, Dawn or myself.

You have both helped create a loving and tender family for both of my girls and for that I thank you a million times over. You are both so blessed, in so many ways, whether together or apart. You are truly a special couple, in ways more magnificent and fulfilling than any magicks lead you to be.”

Willow's eyes began to fill with tears and she reached for the box of tissues on her nightstand.

“Willow, I have watched you grow from a once timid girl, into a bright and shining, vivacious young woman. Even if you took away all that magick, you would still be bright, shining and vivacious, you always have been. You have stood up to many things in your life. You were special the day you were born, destined to stand apart from the crowd, destined to stand alone and destined to stand side by side with the slayer. It wasn't and isn't , the magick that made you strong and powerful, is your loyalty and open and loving heart.”

Both girls were now openly crying, their hearts simultaneously breaking at the words Joyce had written. Tara's hand reached out to grip onto Willow's upturned palm.

“As for you Tara, it is the same. It is never the magicks that make you strong; it is your ability to remain loyal and tender. You have fought the hardest battles of your own; you have stepped up to accept your destiny as one of those who stands by my daughter's side in the fight against darkness. When I think about the both of you, I am filled with overwhelming pride. Never before have I seen two people so right for each other.”

Tara's hand had begun to tremble, making the sheets of paper shake. Gently, Willow reached out to steady her hand and took over reading the letter.

“Your hearts share the strongest of all bonds. Nothing in this world, or the next, can break it. Apart, you are strong, but together, you are so powerful. Together, you bring the mid clarity and peacefulness, those around you, are forever shrouded in love and tranquility.

Please, look into each other's eyes and realize that, you were born to be together. Do not turn a great love into a life filled with bitterness and regret. You two will be so much happier together then apart.

Thank you again for everything. You are both thought of as my daughters. Take care of each other and the others.

Love always,

Joyce.”

Willow sat the piece of paper down on the nightstand and turned to face her ex-girlfriend. “What she wrote…” Willow shook her head sadly. “How could she have known?”

Tara looked up and smiled through her tears. “Sh-she told B-Buffy, th-that, while she was under the anesthetic, she h-had, pr-prophetic dreams. She-she saw the future.”

Willow lifted her gaze from the bed to look at Tara in the eyes. “She was right.” She said, barely above a whisper.

Tara nodded silently before reaching up to brush away the last of Willow's tears with her thumb. “She was w-wise, and she loved us all a great d-deal.”

Willow nodded and stood up slowly before pacing around the room. “What she said, about the magicks… She's right, I, I've stopped using them. Four months now, I've been pretty, well, magick free and, I'm so scared Tara. What if… what if you can't like Non magicky, computer geeky, not really all that special Willow?”

“Willow, I-I don't think you got what Joyce was saying.” The timid blond spoke so softly that Willow had to stop pacing in order to hear her.

“I understood, but I'm just so scared.” She dropped to her knees in front of the young girl. “Can you honestly say right here, right now, that, magick and, and everything aside, that you would still want to be with me? That you would still love me after the terrible things I did?”

Tara smiled and lifted the red head's chin to look her squarely in the eyes. “Could you ever believe I wouldn't? Could you ever really believe that, I only loved you because you had such great power, that I stopped loving you?” She took the girl's hands in her own. “Willow, I love you so much it almost hurts. And when we're apart, I feel less then whole. I know, that, we've had our share of so many bad things, but I still and will always love you. You're my girl.”

Willow's cries were muffled as she buried her head in Tara's lap. “I'm so sorry.”

“It's okay Sweetie. Shhhhh.” Tara ran her hand over the soft red hair. “It's in the past now.” She tilted the other girl's head up and bent down to capture her lips in a soft kiss. “We'll be okay.”

Dawn had waited until she heard the sound of the door close behind the two witches before she made her way slowly up the stairs to listen at the door. Her own eyes were overflowing with tears of happiness and sadness. She could tell, by the sudden sounds of silence, that it was time to make her way back down stairs to start on her assignment before Buffy and Giles got home to make sure she'd done the last of her homework.