Rating: PG - NC-17
Disclaimer: All of the materials borrowed from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel belong to Joss Whedon and to the entities and companies associated with their creation. I have borrowed them for creative and entertainment purposes only. No compensation has been or ever shall be received for the writing below. No copyright infringement is intended. Please don't sue
Distribution: The Kennedy Fanfic Archive: http://www.kennedyfanfic.com/fanfic/
From Willow's Window: http://www.elfie.org/~wolfkin/willowfan/index.html
If you are interested in posting my story on your site, please contact me first for permission.
Feedback: Yes, please. Any type you wanna send. Can't fix what I don't know is broken, right?
Spoilers: Show's been off the air since May of 2003. Can they still be considered spoilers?
Author's Notes: Canon through Chosen. From there, the story is a little different.
F/F romance: This story assumes a loving and sexual relationship between people of the same gender. If this offends or is illegal for you, then please leave. Come back when you are older, have an open mind, moved, or changed your laws.
Pairing: Willow/Kennedy, Buffy/Xander, Faith/Robin Wood, Others
Summary: Willow and Kennedy start the slide to insanity as Annie and Aly start to date. But, can Aly's new girlfriend be trusted?
Prologue
Willow is standing in the middle of a pile of boxes, putting books on a book shelf, she hears Kennedy's voice from upstairs, "Red, where are the diapers?"
"Should be in the box marked nursery," she yells back.
"I don't see a box marked nursery," comes a frustrated answer.
The redhead smiles and climbs over the boxes as she goes toward the stairs. In the upstairs hallway she looks in a door and sees Aly and Annie unpacking toys and games she smiles and keeps walking in the direction of the nursery. Kennedy is in the hall looking at the tags on the boxes. "It should be in the room sweetie."
"I know but it isn't-" she tries to massage the tension from her neck with one hand and move boxes with the other. She stops when she feels her redhead's hands on her shoulders. As she rubs them Kennedy's eyes close, "Feels so good-"
"Why don't you take a break-check on Alex and I'll find them?"
"Loving the plan but we have two wet babies who are going to be unhappy babies any minute and that means they'll wake up the two babies who are actually sleeping."
Willow turns the young Slayer to face her and she sees tears trying to form. "Awe-sweetie," she pulls her into a tight hug. "I knew this was too soon-we should have waited a couple of months."
"If we had waited we wouldn't have gotten it and it's a great place Annie and Aly love it."
"I know I love it too-help the girls or take a nap. I'll get the diapers."
"How?" Willow smiles as she moves her hands from Kennedy's shoulders. She closes her eyes concentrating and in the extended hands two diapers appear. She opens her eyes and smiles, Kennedy shakes her head, "That's so cheating-"
"Just a little-"
Kennedy takes her hand and they go into the nursery. The room has four cribs in it. Two babies are sleeping and two are starting to fuss. "Hey-shhh" says Willow as she picks up a dark headed baby. As she cuddles her she calms and her mommy lays her on the changing table. Kennedy picks up the other baby and puts her on the changing table parallel to the first.
Kennedy's eyes meet Willow's as they finish at the same time, "Willow you ever wonder how we both got pregnant?"
"Sometimes-I just figure the spell was a little stronger then we thought-lasted longer y'know?"
"Yeah-what are the odds-two sets of twins?"
"three-with Annie and Aly-"
"Poor Alex-living in a house with six sisters," says Kennedy as she thinks of their only son.
"I wouldn't worry too much-he can take care of himself," assure the witch. They put the babies back in bed and turn to leave. They stop in the doorway and look at each other, "Seven kids-" she says with a half smile.
"That's a house full-"
"What you wanted?"
"Definitely what I wanted."
"How are we going to get through the terrible twos?" questions Willow.
"Like we always do," she says as she leans in and kisses her love.
Willow is pulled back to the present as she stands in the living room listening to Kennedy and Annie. "No Annie," says the Slayer.
"But Mama-"
"We've talked about this-"
"I'm thirteen, all my friends-"
"No-" her word sounds so final.
The teenager fights both the anger and the tears that threaten to spill out of her. She feels a hand on her shoulder and she turns to see her mom. "Why don't you tell your brother and sisters that dinner is ready and we'll talk more before bed?" The girl composes herself and nods. She walks up the stairs. Willow thinks to herself- 'And I thought the terrible twos would be bad? It can't even compare-' She looks in to the eyes of her lover and her best friend. "Baby we need to talk-"
"Will- we did talk and we agree they are too young to date."
"It isn't a date?"
"Will there be boys?"
"Probably," says the redhead with a smile. "But it's just hanging out at the mall arcade."
"With boys-" adds the younger woman. "That's a date."
"Xander and I spent lots of time at the burger place and the mall-they were never dates." Kennedy thinks about her wife's words. Willow senses a little give in her Slayer's position. "Aly could go too-they stay a couple of hours. What could it hurt?"
"One hour-and I pick them up." Willow nods and smiles, she leans in and kisses the woman.
At the top of the stairs the teenager stands smiling. She turns to get the others for dinner.
Growing Up
After dinner Annie is washing dishes and Kristen, her youngest sister, is drying them. This is their regular nighttime routine and has been for over a year. The teenager smiles as she watches the little redhead dry a plate. She appears in such deep thought. "So kid, how was school?"
"It was great, we had show and tell. Johnny brought his puppy-do you think Mama would let me get a puppy?"
"I don't know maybe when you're older."
"But I am older-" protests the child.
"Older than who?" asks Annie with a smile.
"Older then David and Joy," she answers-Buffy's youngest two kids.
"That's true enough." She helps her sister put the last of the dishes away and lifts her down from the stool. "Want to make a snack for later?"
"Can we have ice cream?"
"Something a little healthier," says Annie.
"Like carrots?" the little girl makes a face.
"Not that healthy," she says as she begins to look in the cabinets for a treat. The little girl follows her and opens the one next to it.
"How about this?" asks Kristen as she holds up a box.
Annie smiles, "That's cool-"
In the living room Aly is checking over Kara's homework. "Wow-you got this subtracting thing down. Anything else we need to check?"
"No-" says the little girl, her big dark eyes meeting Aly's green ones.
"Have you studied for your spelling test?" the child nods her head. "Where are they? I'll quiz you-"
Kara smiles, "Can I write them down like in class?"
"If you want-" Aly smiles as her sister gets a notebook from her book bag and hands it to her. "What's this?"
"The words are on page 12-" she says as she begins to write her name on a piece of notebook paper.
Aly looks for the page and is amazed by her little sister's organization. All the work is neat and the pages are numbered. She looks at the list of words and smiles because they are in different colors. "What's with all the different colors," she asks, already knowing the answer. They were too much like their mom.
"The nouns are blue and the verbs are red," says Kara confidently.
"And the purple ones?" asks her older sister.
"They can be both so since blue and red make purple-"
"Got it-" she just smiles. "Ready?"
"Ready-" her eyes sparkle with excitement.
Kennedy is in the training room with the other set of twins, Erin and Ellie. They are working on blocking techniques, the Slayer is talking as she walks around the girls. their eyes follow her as they listen. Kennedy throws a punch trying to catch them off guard but Erin deflects it. As she does she throws one of her own and it lands hitting her mama in the side. "Hey that's not blocking," says the surprised Slayer with a proud smile.
"But it was open," says the child brushing her dark hair out of her face. "And you said always take what's open." Her dark eyes meet Kennedy's.
Ellie adds, "She's right-that's what you told us."
The Slayer looks from one girl to the other and nods, "True-but you know what this means-" they shake their heads- "This means war." The girls look at each other and start to back away. Kennedy quickly corners them and they stop moving to take a fighting stance. Kennedy smiles thinking she has them when they bolt in two different directions. She chases after them and finally catches Erin. She tickles her as they roll on the mat. The child giggles loudly.
"Please Mama-" she says around the laughter-
Kennedy stops momentarily distracted and finds herself being tickled by Ellie who jumped on her out of nowhere. They wrestle playfully until Kennedy has them both pinned and the ticklefest begins.
Upstairs in a training room of their own Willow is talking with Alex. The seven-year-old is moving a ball around the room with the power of his mind. Willow smiles as she watches the concentration on his face. Over the last year his control has improved so much-the thoughts of binding his power till he was older has long since been forgotten. "Let's see what happens if I do this?" She throws a ball at her son and he catches it in one hand then floats it to the first ball and holds them side by side. She watches him and nods with a smile, "Nice-you can let them down now." He does what he is told and he catches one in each hand. "How do you feel?"
"A little tired-but not too much."
"That's enough for tonight."
"Can't we do a spell?-The one with the rose?"
She smiles at the memories the words bring and her eyes meet the little boys, "This weekend I promise-why don't you that a bath and get ready for bed?"
"After my bath can we read like last night?"
"Sure," she says as she walks to her son and kisses him on the head. She starts to leave but stops as she looks back at him, "Alex-"
"Yes Mommy-"
"Please use soap."
"Mommm-" he rolls his eyes and she leaves with a laugh.
Later when Willow walks into the living room she sees Kennedy lying on the floor with four six-year-olds lying on or around her watching cartoons. She smiles at the sight- "Hey"
The brunette smiles and turns so she can see the redhead- the children adjust to stay in contact with her. "How'd the magic lesson go?"
"Good-" she looks around at the girls, "Don't you think it's time to start getting ready for baths?"
Kennedy sits up and the kids move to the floor beside her. "We have some time-besides we need a little snack."
Willow smiles at the realization-the training session must have brought on a case of the H&Hs. "I don't see snacks-" about that time Annie and Aly walk in with trays of jell-o. "Ummm jell-o" smiles the redhead as she sits beside her Slayer.
The girls pass out one bowl to each of the people in the room, Annie holds an extra one, "Where's Alex?" she asks.
"He's taking a bath," she says as she takes a bite of jell-o.
"With soap?" asks the teenager without missing a beat.
Willow fights back giggles, "Can't be sure-"
Annie smiles, "I'll put it in his room." She looks at Kennedy who has turned back to the cartoons and then to her mom. She takes a breath and focuses, 'Think she remembers that we were gonna talk?' her voice in soft and unsure in her mom's head.
'I think so-but I'll remind her.'
'Thanks Mom.' The girl goes up the stairs.
Aly sits in the chair with her legs hanging over the side and watches cartoons as well. Willow looks around the room and basks in the quiet-quiet so rare in a house with seven kids. She touches her Slayer's shoulder and she turns to face her. "I think Annie is a little worried you forgot about your talk."
"I didn't forget-just waiting until after we get everyone to bed."
"Okay-" says the redhead as she leans in and kisses the Slayer.
After baths and bedtime stories Willow and Kennedy stand at the door to their room as the redhead watches her Slayer put on a jacket. "You sure about this?" asks her witch nervously.
"Yeah-look she'll be fine nice safe patrol I promise."
"Okay-just not too late and-are you sure you're sure about this cause-" Kennedy kisses her lips stopping the babble.
"I'd never put her in danger-"
"I know-it's just patrolling- but she's only thirteen."
"My point exactly-I hope she gets it too." Willow nods and starts down the stairs as Kennedy goes toward Annie's room.
Inside the room Annie is sitting on her bed in her sweats and tank top trying to study while Aly dressed in boxers and a t-shirt is lying in her bed typing on her laptop. Frustrated Annie slams her book closed and Aly looks up at her- "Hey-relax."
"I can't-the waiting is killing me-" she runs her fingers through her soft light red hair. "What if she changed her mind?"
"Mom won't let her-look you'll get to go," smiles her twin.
"What if she-" the girl's words stop as she hears a knock on the door, she looks at her sister worried.
"Come in-" answers Aly as she turns back to her typing.
The door opens and Kennedy stands in the doorway. She looks at Annie and smiles, "Get your jacket."
Annie moves toward her closet, "Where are we going?"
"Patrol-come on," she turns to leave.
Annie looks at her sister unsure and Aly's look matches hers. "This is a good thing right?- It means she thinks I'm old enough-"
"Either that or she figures if the vamps get you she doesn't have to worry about any of us ever dating." Aly says cheekily.
"Aly-!"
"Kidding-it's a good thing now go before she changes her mind." Annie nods and leaves. Aly turns back to her laptop and types but she stops as she realizes she wasn't asked to go.
A little later in the kitchen Aly walks in to find her mother sitting at the counter drinking tea, "Hey-" says the teenager.
"Hey-I thought you were working on your paper?"
"Was-I needed a break." She sits beside her mother. "So- Mama took Annie on patrol?" Their eyes meet and Willow looks at her daughter's confusion. "Why didn't she take me?" The sadness finally shows on her face. "Doesn't she think I'm ready?"
"No-baby that's not it-" she touches the teenagers hand.
"Right-"she says as she tries to stay in control.
"Alyson, you know why they went."
"To talk about the whole dating thing-" she admits.
"She just thought she could make her understand better if they patrolled."
The teenager nods. They sit quietly for a few seconds and then Aly looks up and her green eyes meet her mother's. "I need to tell you something-promise you won't get mad?"
"You know I can't-but I promise I'll listen and we'll talk. What's up?"
"The dating thing-" the sentence kind of fades. She looks down at the table.
Willow looks unsure-
Across town at a cemetery Annie and Kennedy are walking watching for vampires. "So-can I go?" asks Annie nervously.
Kennedy stops and turns to her daughter, "If you tell me about the guy."
"Really Mama there is no guy-"
"Girl?"
"No-" she leans against a headstone and faces Kennedy. "Just friends hanging out."
"Okay-just remember sometimes things aren't what they seem-" with those words a hand comes out of the ground and grabs Annie's leg. The girl fights to break away as the Slayer watches.
"Mama help-"
"I won't always be there, you have to help yourself." She turns walks out of sight.
The teenager fights and gets herself free. The vampire rises entirely and she stands with stake in hand to face it. "Dinner-" smiles the vamp.
"You wouldn't like me-" stammers Annie. "Too tough."
"I'll be the judge-"
"Oh then I get to be the jury-or is it the executioner?" She swings the stake but he blocks her try. The stake flies from her hand as he pulls her toward him-
Pain
Annie struggles to free herself from the vampire. She hip tosses him across the ground and he lands against a headstone. He looks up at her- "Ah man, you're one of those Slayers aren't you?"
Annie nods and reaches for her stake on the ground. As she picks it up he is on her again this time he pins her to the ground. As he leans closer to sink his fangs into her neck he turns to dust. As we see him vanish to ashes we see the stake pointed in the air against her body. Kennedy stands above her with a smile. She offers a hand to help her daughter to her feet and the teenager takes it. "You were watching the whole time?" she asks a bit angry. Kennedy nods, "Were you gonna let him bite me?"
"Of course not, I wanted to see how you handled yourself."
"You set me up." She accuses as she dusts herself off.
"Yes-look I want you to understand that growing up is tough. There's always something unexpected coming at you-you need to be ready."
"Why does this sound like a discussion of sex all of a sudden?"
"Cause I guess it is-sometimes stuff just happens-."
"There is no boyfriend-"
"Maybe not now but someday-"
"Will you relax Mama when there's guy I'll tell you and we can talk. Right now, I'm starving can we get ice cream or a burger or something?"
Kennedy nods, "So you're hungry-feeling anything else?
"No-"
"You sure?"
"Well now that you mentioned it-maybe-I'm kinda tingly." Kennedy playfully pushes the girl toward the cemetery gate.
At the house Willow and Aly are still in the kitchen. "Excuse me?" asks the redhead trying to stay calm.
Aly meets her mom's eyes with hers and sees the hurt just behind them. "I'm sorry-I didn't-we didn't plan to like each other it just happened. And at first we were studying at the library."
"What's her name?"
"Sarah-she's in my trig class-"
"So she's older?" The teenager nods. "How old?"
"She's sixteen-"
"Does Annie know?"
"No-just you." There is a silent tension in the room and it makes them both uncomfortable. Aly starts again, "Mom-I'm sorry I lied to you," her tears start to fall.
Willow is battling tears of her own as she wipes her daughter's away. "So am I-"
"What do you want me to do? Tell me how I make this right."
"I'm not sure-give me some time." The teenager nods and stands, her mother stands too and hugs her. "We'll talk tomorrow after school."
"Okay-" she turns and goes toward the stairs.
As she does the back door opens. Kennedy and Annie come inside laughing. Willow quickly wipes her eyes but the Slayer senses something is wrong.
"I staked a vampire all by myself," says Annie still excited.
The redhead looks at her Slayer, Kennedy adds, "I was there she wasn't in danger."
Willow turns and goes up the stairs. Annie looks at her mama unsure, "I thought she'd be a little happy."
"I'm sure she is-" Kennedy follows her witch up the stairs. As she walks into the bedroom and closes the door she sees Willow sitting on the bed. "What's wrong Red?" She sits beside her.
"What were you thinking-how could you?" She stops and starts again, "She could have-" tears fall as she wipes her arms around her Slayer. "She lied to us-"
"No-you were right she just wants to hang out with her friends. There's no boyfriend."
"Aly-she's been, all the nights at the library-she has a girlfriend. She didn't trust us enough to tell us she just-" her tears fall and she no longer tries to speak. Kennedy tries to calm her but she too feels the pain and uncertainty.
In Annie and Aly's room the twins are both in their beds but neither is asleep. Annie is still to buzzed from staking the vamp and Aly's conscience won't allow her the peace needed to rest. Aly turns to face her sister, "What was it like?"
"Scary but way cool!-When he dusted it was like smoke and ashes everywhere." The room is quiet again until Annie turns to face her sister too. "What happened while I was gone? Mom seemed kinda-"
"Hurt-" finishes Aly, "I told her about Sarah."
Annie sits up unsure, "Who's Sarah?"
Aly sits up and faces her, "My girlfriend-"
"Girlfriend?-" Aly nods. "You have a girlfriend and you didn't tell me? That's so not right-you should have-" she stops as the words soak in. "Goddess-you to told Mom?" Again Aly nods. "And she freaked and yelled."
She shakes her head, "She cried-she was so hurt-I-" Aly starts to cry and Annie moves to her bed and hugs her. "I didn't mean to hurt her."
"Shhh-she knows that."
Willow is standing on the balcony and Kennedy is standing behind her with her wrapped in her arms, "What did we do wrong?" asks the redhead.
"We didn't-I don't think, I just think she made a mistake."
"Why are you so calm?" Asks Willow as she turns in her wife's arms and their eyes meet.
"I'm not sure-I think we should talk to her, let her explain and deal with it from there."
"I don't want to talk-" says Willow moving away from Kennedy. "I want to yell and ground her till she's thirty."
Kennedy walks to her and hugs tightly, then kisses her forehead. "Telling you took courage-"
"I know-and I know she's sorry, but she lied to us. She knows that's wrong. Didn't we teach her that not telling the truth is wrong?"
"We did-she screwed up Red, she's trying to fix it. We taught her that too-how to take responsibility. Why don't we sleep on it and tomorrow we'll deal with it?"
"I guess," whispers the redhead trying to keep tears at bay.
Kennedy kisses her forehead, "Come on baby." She leads her to their bed.
Later that night Kennedy wakes up and finds her bed empty. She gets up and slips a robe on. She looks on the balcony but her redhead isn't there. She opens the door and goes into the hallway. She sees Willow standing in the doorway to Annie and Aly's room just watching them sleep. She walks up to her and puts her arms around her waist. She presses a kiss to her shoulder. "Come back to bed," whispers the Slayer.
"Can't sleep," she says softly.
Kennedy smiles and turns her to face her, she raises her eyebrows suggestively, "Who said anything about sleep-I know how to keep you from thinking." They both smile and Willow kisses her lips chastely.
She turns back to look at the sleeping teenagers, "You remember when they were born?"
"I remember-it was amazing." They are quiet for what seems like an eternity before the Slayer speaks again, "We'll fix this Will-I promise." The mother steps forward and Kennedy lets her go, taking her hand she follows her into the room.
Willow stands over the girl and smiles when she sees the stuffed animal in her arms. She whispers, "Haven't seen that in a while."
"Not since Dawn first moved away. She must feel worse than I thought."
"Yeah-" Willow fixes her covers and presses a kiss to her forehead. "It's okay-baby girl, it'll be okay." The girl slowly opens her eyes and can barely make out the form of her parents in the dark.
"Mom?"
"Shhh-go back to sleep." She kisses her forehead again and the girl closes her eyes.
The next morning is a madhouse as they try to dress, feed, and get lunches packed for seven kids before school buses arrive. Aly is the last down the stairs as she tries to time the arrival of her bus. "Breakfast," says Kennedy but the girl shakes her head.
Willow looks at her oldest and the worry returns, "Aly-meet me at the Cafe after school?"
"What about the kids?-I mean someone needs to be here when they get home."
"I'll be here," says Kennedy. "Just meet your mom."
"Okay-" she says as she picks up her lunch and goes out the door.
Forty-five minutes later the kitchen is empty, all the kids are gone. Kennedy looks at the redhead. "So what's your plan?"
"Don't really have one I just figure if it gets bad at least there'll be mochas."
Kennedy smiles, "Makes sense, just try to remember she came clean. It's not like we caught her-"
Willow nods, "It's a start."
At the high school that afternoon Aly is on her way to lunch. She turns when she feels a hand on her shoulder. She forces a smile when she sees the blue eyed blonde. "Hey Sarah-"
"Want to eat outside?"
"Yeah-some place away, we need to talk."
"What's wrong?"
"My mom knows."
"How?"
"I told her-" they walk toward the clearing by the football field. They finally sit down and Sarah leans against a tree.
"Why'd you tell her?"
"I couldn't lie any more-I sorry, I like you I do it's just-"
She puts her hand on Aly's, "I get it-it's okay. You think they'll let you call and stuff?"
"Maybe-I don't know, I do know we won't get to go out."
"I can live with that as long as we can talk. I mean we see each other at school everyday."
"I thought-you'd actually settle for-"
"I like you you goof-whatever it takes, okay?" Aly nods as she fights tears. Sarah pulls her into a hug.
After school at the cafe Aly waits for her mom. Willow walks in and smiles as she sits down by her daughter. "Hey-" says the teenager.
"Hey-you doing okay?"
"I told Sarah I couldn't see her any more."
"She upset?"
"She wanted to know if we could talk on the phone-IM and stuff like that."
"What did you tell her?"
"That I didn't know-" her eyes meet Willow's. "I really screwed up."
"You did-" says the redhead agreeing with her teenager, "But you came to me and you told me what you did. That, that was a good thing."
"I was hoping-I know I shouldn't have lied."
"Then why did you?"
Aly shrugs, "I didn't at first-I was really helping her with Trig. The longer I tutored her the more we liked each other and I was scared you wouldn't believe me."
"I'll always believe you-just be honest from the beginning."
"Even when I mess up?"
"Especially when you mess up-"
"Okay. So now what?"
"Now-" Willow takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, "Now we order mochas and come up with a punishment."
"Can we just order mochas?" Her mother shakes her head, "I didn't think so."
A little later they are sipping mochas and talking. Willow looks at her daughter, "Grounded for two weeks no place but school and training, no phone or computer."
"So I can't talk to her either?"
"After the two weeks, I want to meet her-then we'll see about maybe letting her come over for tutoring."
"Serious?"
"Yeah-wouldn't want her to fail math cause her tutor is too young to date." Willow smiles and so does Aly.
"Thanks Mom-"
"You're welcome-" says Willow.
"You know I love you right?"
"I know, but it's nice to hear sometimes. Let's head home pint-size."
"Hey-I'm taller than you."
"Yeah guess you are-growing up so fast."
She sees the sadness in her mom's eyes, "Not too fast thanks to you." As they stand she puts her arms around her mom and they leave.
After dinner Annie is getting ready to go to the mall. Kennedy knocks on the door, "You about ready?"
"Sure-just give me a sec, I'll meet you down stairs."
Kennedy starts down the hallway and runs into Aly- "So Mom says you talked?" Aly nods, "Want to come on patrol with me tonight?"
"Can't-grounded."
"It's part of your training-"
"Are you going to feed me to some demony thing for lying?"
"Never know-" she smiles playfully.
Kennedy goes on down the stairs as her mom comes out of Alex's room. "Mama wants me to go patrolling with her tonight."
"Really? Sounds fun in a Slayery kind of way."
"So it's okay-"
"It's training-I think I'm never quite sure with her. She might be gonna feed you to something." She leaves with a smile.
Aly stands unsure as Annie comes out of their room, "If you don't come back can I have your laptop?"
"No-"
The teenager laughs at her sister and jogs down the stairs.
"They are so not funny."
On Monday at school Sarah is waiting at Aly's locker- "So what happened?"
"Grounded for two weeks no computer, no phone."
"Did you ask her about after the two weeks?"
"Yeah," she smiles, "She wants to meet you. She said that maybe we could do the tutoring at our house."
Sarah smiles, "Yeah?"
"Yeah-so you're okay with meeting her?"
"Little nervous but sure-I can do the meet the parents thing."
"My parents aren't like other parents."
"That's a good thing," smiles Sarah as she touches Aly's hand. "She you at lunch."
"Bye-" Sarah walks away and Annie stops beside her sister.
"So that's Sarah?"
"That's Sarah-"
"Worth being grounded for two weeks?"
"Definitely-we better get to class." They walk toward chemistry together.
Two Weeks
Who knew two weeks could seem like two months? Aly flipped through a magazine for at least the fifth time that night. Finally frustrated she tosses it across the room almost hitting Annie as she walks in the room.
"Watch it-" says the teenager.
"Sorry," says Aly dejectedly.
"Being grounded sucks huh?"
"Beyond the telling of it- I'll never make it three more days. I'm bored out of my mind."
"But I bet you think twice about telling lies again."
"Or twice about confessing-"
Annie sits down beside her, "Are you saying you wish you hadn't told Mom?"
"No-it was the right thing. I'm just feeling sorry for myself."
"Wanna go workout? We can practice the escape moves Mama taught us yesterday."
"I thought you were suppose to call Jill- big plans to make for the weekend?"
"They can wait-"
Aly smiles at her sister, "Thanks, but I'm okay- I'll help get the kids ready for bed."
Annie nods and picks up the phone, "I could call Sarah for you-" Willow stops outside the door her hand in mid air. "Then you wouldn't be breaking any rules."
"As much as I want you to, we can't, it's wrong you know that and so do I-"
"I just hate you being so down."
"It's okay-three days isn't that long," Aly stands and starts to the door. She stops as it opens- "Mom-hi-"
"Hey-wanna help with the kids?"
"Yeah-" she leaves the room with her mother. As they walk down the hall Willow stops. Aly faces her, "How much did you hear?"
"You telling your sister that her calling Sarah for you was wrong." The redhead smiles. "I'm proud of you." Aly walks toward the stairs. Willow watches concerned.
Friday finally arrives, her last day of punishment, but it will be the hardest. She comes in from school and goes into the kitchen in time to hear Willow on the phone, "We'll see you at 7:00-bye." She hangs up the phone and turns to her daughter. "Hey-how are you holding up?"
"I'll make it-just twelve more hours." She looks at her watch. "What happens at seven?" She asks as she gets a glass and pours herself some juice.
"Movie night at Buffy's."
"I thought it was next week?"
"Change of plans-"
"Great-just great." She turns and leaves the room.
Kennedy walks in and looks at her redhead, "What happened?"
"Buffy changed movie night."
"That's tough-I know she loves it, but she chose to lie to us."
"I know-and she's still grounded, but it doesn't mean I have to like it." Kennedy hugs her. "Remember when our biggest worry was how we would get them all in the car?"
Kennedy nods and smiles, "That first time-all the car seats, it was a mess."
She begins to think back to the day six almost seven years ago. The witch and her Slayer are standing outside the van with four new babies, a little boy not quite two, and their twin girls who are almost seven. The babies are in the strollers, along with Alex. Annie and Aly are standing beside their parents who each hold a car seat. They look in at the three already inside and the little girl says, "Mama-I think we need a bigger van."
Kennedy smiles down at her daughter, "Nah-they'll fit."
"I'm not so sure-" says Willow. Kennedy climbs in starts to rearrange things. She takes the comment as a dare and is now set on proving she can do this. Two hours and several bouts of swearing later the seats are in place.
The young Slayer smiles triumphantly, "See, no problem." She starts loading babies into seats as her redhead just smiles.
Now-the memories fading Kennedy feels Willow's arms surround her, "Sometimes I wish they were that little again."
"Why?"
"Things were easier-"
"It was never easy-we just worked at it. We'll get through this. It's just new, but we'll learn how to do it too-like everything all the others first times." Kennedy turns in her arms and kisses her.
"I hope you're right this feels so different."
Upstairs Aly stares at the phone she fights the temptation to pick it up and call Sarah. She falters and picks it up but taking a deep breath she puts it back. She blows the breath out slowly as she hears a knock on her door and turns to she her mama. "Can I come in?"
"I guess-"
Kennedy walks in and sits on the bed beside her daughter, "I know not getting to go to Buffy's-"
"It bites-" says the girl plainly.
"That's one way of putting it-and I'm sorry she changed plans but it's part of the lesson."
"I get that-I don't like it but I get it."
"Good-your mom, she's upset because you're upset."
"Yeah-but she shouldn't be it's my fault not hers," says Aly.
"Maybe you could let her know you're not mad at her-" says Kennedy.
"I'm not-I'll make sure she knows."
"That's my girl-hang in there." She touches the teenagers cheek and the girl nods.
Willow is getting the snacks ready to take to Buffy's when Aly walks in the kitchen. "Need help?"
"Thanks-" the teenager begins to pack the bags and bowls into the basket as her mom pulls two more things from the cabinet. "I wish you could go-" says her mother softly, "But grounded is grounded-"
"It's not your fault-so I miss one movie night I'll live. Maybe the next time I won't be so stupid." The girl forces a smile.
Willow hugs her and kisses her forehead. "I left you jell-o and pudding in the refrigerator and there's popcorn by the microwave." She releases the girl.
"Yeah?" she smiles a genuine smile.
"And since you'll have the house to yourself you could take a long bubble bath." The redhead smiles.
"Maybe this grounding thing isn't so bad-" Willow's smile fades, "It's bad-I mean you know what I mean."
"The telling lies is bad, the alone time-not so much."
"Exactly-" says the teenager, "I don't think I've ever been by myself, it's kinda cool."
"Any problems you know Buffy's number," says Willow. The teenager nods.
An hour later the family was at the door getting ready to leave. Kennedy was counting heads to make sure all were present. She looks unsure as she starts to count again, "I think we're missing someone-" says the brunette.
Willow searches the faces as her love counts again, the redhead rolls her eyes and looks toward the stairs. "Ellie Mac-" she calls loudly.
"Should have known-" she smiles. "I'll find her-" the Slayer bounds up the steps two at a time. As she walks down the hallway she sees the child with a book walking toward her.
"Sorry Mama-" she looks up into Kennedy's eyes.
She kneels eye level with her daughter; the one who looked most like her- the child had the same dark complexion, same dark hair, and her features identical. The only difference in them was the eyes-Ellie had steel blue eyes. "Come on-" she picks up the child and they start down the stairs. The girl continues to read.
At Buffy's, the room was full of adults and children. Faith and Robin had arrived with their three kids after Willow and Kennedy. Giles, who was still with his 'friend' was the last to show. Movie night was never his favorite get together.
Later all the kids, eleven total, are watching a cartoon in the playroom. Buffy smiles in at them on the way to the kitchen. She looks beside her as she sees Faith. "They doing okay?"
"Having a blast-" they stand in silence. "Did you ever think we'd be here-"
"Here?" asks Faith unsure.
"Married with kids?"
"Never B-but wouldn't trade it."
They hear a commotion in the living room and start that way. Willow is hugging someone and as they get closer Buffy realizes who- "Dawn!"
"Buffy," says her little sister as she looks up from Willow's embrace. Buffy goes to her and hugs her too. "Surprise." She says.
"Dawn-" Buffy repeats.
"Hey-I had a few days in town so here I am."
"Just in time for movie night," smiles Willow.
"Yea goody!-" says Dawn in a childlike voice.
This causes even Faith to smile, "Have a seat little D and I'll find you a drink."
"Water please-" they all look at her unsure.
After the second movie they take a break- Dawn stands with Willow and they are talking quietly. "Where are Annie and Aly?"
"Annie is at the mall with some friends and Aly's home."
"She sick?-I mean I can't believe she'd miss movie night."
"She's grounded," says the redhead a little sad.
"Grounded?" she is amazed. "Why-?"
"She lied to us-she's been seeing someone."
"Nah-you're kidding me-getting back at me for not calling first."
"I wish-"
"You okay?"
"Yeah-it hurt y'know at first, but we talked." The young woman nods, "How's Derrick?"
"Good-we're good."
"Still planning on traveling with the council?"
"For awhile-" she smiles.
Kennedy walks in and puts her arms around her redhead, "There you are-"
"Just catching up-" she says as she turns to kiss her Slayer.
"The movie's starting-"
An hour later Aly is eating popcorn on the couch and watching a movie when she hears a knock at the door. She sits up unsure before she starts to the door. She looks out the peephole and she smiles, "Aunt Dawn!-" she opens the door and pulls the woman into a hug.
They are both sitting on the couch and talking as they snack on jell-o. "So-you learned your lesson?"
"Definitely-"
"Good"-she puts an arm around the teenager. "We need to talk."
"Is this gonna be a lecture?"
"Kinda-but afterwards maybe I'll tell you a secret."
"A secret?"
That night after they get the kids in bed Willow and Kennedy stand on the balcony in each other's arms. Kennedy kisses her softly, "Whatcha thinkin'?"
"Just-nothing really it's just busy in there."
Kennedy kisses her again and it quickly escalates. The Slayer runs her tongue along the redhead's lips and they open to her. As she begins to explore her mouth with her searching tongue, her hands travel the witch's body. As Willow follows suit and runs her hands across Kennedy's heaving chest, they hear someone clear their throat and they pull apart. Surprised, they look at their teenage daughter. "Sorry-" she blushes slightly as do her parents.
Kennedy is the first to compose herself- " Aly-is something wrong?"
"Wrong no-I-we can talk tomorrow." The girl disappears through the door.
Kennedy pulls the redhead back to her and presses her too her body as her hands explore again. Willow kisses her but pulls back- "I should see what she needs-"
"What about what I need?" pouts the Slayer.
"I'll be back-to take care of that for you," she says softly as she kisses the Slayer's lips and then her neck. "Remember where we were." She trails a hand down Kennedy's chest. All the younger woman can do is nod. Willow leaves the balcony.
Willow finds the teenager in the kitchen and she sits beside her. "I didn't mean to interrupt-" says Aly still a little embarrassed.
"What did you want to talk about?"
"Sarah-"
"Okay-"
"Can I call her tomorrow?"
Willow looks at the clock, "Officially ungrounded in three hours, so I guess yeah." The teenager smiles, "Remember I want to meet her."
"I told her-"
"And?"
"She was cool with it. Just don't do anything embarrassing."
"Embarrassing-me?" She smiles a sneaky grin and asks, "Would I do that?"
"Yes-on purpose."
"You're right but not the first time I meet her." Willow pulls the girl into a hug and begins to tickle her. Soon Aly is tickling back and her mom surrenders.
Upstairs Willow crawls into bed and kisses Kennedy's shoulder. The woman faces her and kisses her gently on the lips, "Everything okay?"
"Looks like we're going to get to meet Sarah-" Kennedy stiffens slightly. "Kennedy-"
"I know-I promise best behavior."
Willow kisses her softly, "Thank you-"
"You want to thank me?" She raises an eyebrow playfully. "I know a way.
Willow smiles, "I bet you do-" her Slayer pulls her into a passionate kiss.
On Sunday Aly is pacing nervously in the entrance way waiting for Sarah. She stops when she feels a hand on her shoulder. She looks back to see her mom there, "Relax sweetie."
"I want you to like her-"
"I sure I will- I mean you do and you have good judgment, most of the time." The redhead smiles. Aly takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly as she tries to calm down. As the doorbell rings all the kids come running down the stairs to get a look. Kennedy who walks in from the kitchen tries to run them back up the stairs when she sees Aly's panic. The bell rings again. This time Kennedy grabs a little girl under each arm and Willow grabs two more leaving only Alex still by Aly's side as the rest of the family disappears up the stairs. She looks nervously at her little brother.
"Want me to open it?" He asks and Aly doesn't answer. He rolls his eyes and pulls the door open. As he sees her he smiles, "Wow-she's cute." He then runs out of the room.
"Aly-" says Sarah unsure, "Are you okay?"
The teenager finally gathers herself enough to nod. A voice from the stairs breaks the tension. Willow smiles, "Sarah, come in." The girl turns to the voice and sees the redhead holding the hand of a brunette. The girl comes inside and closes the door behind her.
Aly finally is able to speak, "Sorry-"
Sarah smiles, "It's okay." She tries to reassure her but isn't quite sure how without touching her.
Willow and Kennedy walk to them and the teenagers get nervous again, "We don't bite," says Kennedy with a smile.
"Anyone want a soda?" the girls nod and follow her to the kitchen.
Aly stops, "It's not to late to change your mind-" she looks at Sarah.
Sarah takes her hand, "Not going anywhere." Their eyes meet and Aly smiles.
They here Kennedy's voice as her eyes see their hands, "Hands!" They drop them immediately. Turning the Slayer smiles proud of herself until she meets Willow's angry stare. "What?" Asks the Slayer.
Trust
An hour later Kennedy stands unnoticed in the stairway watching the young couple in the kitchen. Aly is sitting beside Sarah as she explains the problem for the second time. The older girl nods her understanding and Aly smiles. Kennedy jumps a little as she feels a hand on her shoulder and turns to see the questioning look of her redhead. Willow leads her up the stairs and into the hallway. "Spying?" questions the witch.
"No-just watching?"
"That's different how?"
"I-well," unable to explain. "It just is."
"Kennedy she seems like a nice kid."
"She has a car-"
"Yeah-" Willow concedes. Kennedy pulls away then looks at her love, "I don't like it-she's not ready for." She stops and starts again. "What were you doing at sixteen?"
Willow smiles, "Hating Cordy-and helping fight vampires. You?"
Kennedy's worried eyes meet Willow's, "Giving girls rides in my car."
"I so didn't need to know that-" Willow touches Kennedy's face, "Look not all sixteen year olds-" she stops to rethink her words but before she can continue Kennedy speaks.
"I don't trust her."
"Aly?" Willow looks unsure.
"Sarah."
"Let's say you're right and she's just trying-" she can't bring herself to say the words. "Aly would talk to us before-"
"Did you talk to your mom? Cause I know I didn't."
Kennedy walks to the end of the hallway and down the front stairs. Willow starts to follow her but changes her mind deciding a little air might do her Slayer some good. She walks down the back stairs and into the kitchen to see Aly pouring juice and Sarah working quietly. "Could I have one of those?" she asks her daughter.
"Sure-" the teenager pours another and hands it to her mom. She picks up the other two and sets one in front of Sarah and the girl smiles up at her. "Trig takes a lot of energy," she says as she sits beside her.
"Thanks-" says Sarah.
Aly looks at her mom and can tell something isn't right. 'Mom-what's wrong?'
'Nothing just drink your juice and-'
'Mama doesn't like her?'
'No-that's not it she's just-to her you're still six.'
Aly can't stop the smile that crosses her face, 'But you don't think I'm six?'
'Nah-you're at least eight.' The redhead smiles.
Sarah looks up at them unsure, "Did I miss something?"
"Nice try-back to work."
"Aly-I hate this-it's no fun."
"But graduating would be fun right?"
"Definitely-"
"So passing Trig is necessary right?"
"Yes-" she says begrudgingly as she realizes where the discussion is going, "Fine I'm working."
"That's my girl," smiles Aly.
Willow forces a smile as the teenager looks her way. The redhead is floored by the words-her mind begins to careen with thoughts and images, babble mode engaged. 'Her girl-no-she's too young to be-she can't have a girl.' She looks up at her oldest and before she realizes the teenager reads the emotions playing on her face.
"Mom?"
Willow stands trying hard to stay composed, "I-ah-I need to check on the kids." She disappears out the back door without waiting on a reply.
Sarah looks up at Aly- "She okay?"
"I-I'm not sure-I need to-" she looks toward the door.
"Yeah-" she goes out the door and across the yard through the maze of jungle gyms and swings to see her mom on the bench staring into the distance.
Kristen calls from the swing, "Aly can you push me?"
"Later-I need to talk to Mom." She walks past the little girl and over to her mom. "Mom?"
Willow continues to stare straight ahead, "You really like her."
"I-yeah-" she sits on the ground in front of the redhead. "In a girlfriend kinda way."
"She likes you?"
"Says she does-she's willing to hang around even with the no dating thing."
"She's older-"
"Yeah-but only on paper-" she smiles and so does Willow, understanding her daughters meaning. "What freaked you out?"
"You said my girl-"
"I didn't realize-" she doesn't have the words to finish.
"I know-sweetie we need to talk."
"Can we wait till after she leaves?" Willow nods. "Are you coming back inside?"
"If you want," the teenager nods. "Just give me a minute," says the redhead as she walks to the little kids leaving her daughter at the bench.
Inside Sarah is packing her backpack and talking to Aly. "Thanks for the help-"
"Glad to-see you at school tomorrow."
"Lunch by the tree?"
"Lunch-we'll study for the quiz."
Sarah looks a little unsure, "Think they'll let me come back?"
"Pretty sure," she reaches across and takes Sarah's hand. The girl looks around nervously. "Mama's not here, relax."
"Walk me out?"
Aly nods and they walk toward the entranceway hand-in-hand. Alex comes down the front stairs followed by Ellie and Erin.- "I thought you guys were outside?"
"We were, it got boring," says Ellie as she stands in front of them with her book. The others go into the kitchen. "Are you Sarah?"
"That's me-what's your name?"
"Ellen Maclay Langdon." She says with a smile.
"Well Ellen Maclay it's nice to meet you."
"You can call me Ellie-that's what everyone calls me unless I'm in trouble."
Sarah smiles, "Okay Ellie-"
"Where are you going?"
"Home-"
"You two aren't gonna kiss are you?"
"Ellen Maclay!"
"See what I mean?" says the girl with a smile as she runs out of the room.
"I'm sorry-" says Aly worried by her sisters words.
"Why?- She's cute. Sometimes I wish I had a sister."
"Just let me know-I'll loan you one of mine anytime."
"About the kiss-don't worry about it. It'll happen when it's suppose to."
"Right"-
"See you tomorrow," Sarah says softly as she lets her hand go.
"Bye-" she opens the door and Sarah leaves. Willow walks in from the kitchen, "Where's Ellie?"
"Hiding-"
"She is smart-"
"She's six she doesn't realize-"
"I guess-I mean she's grown up with you and Mama kissing all the time, so she thinks everybody should."
"We don't kiss all the time-" Willow blushes slightly.
"Right-" she smiles.
The door opens and Kennedy walks in she looks at her redhead and then her daughter, "We need to talk-"
"The two of us first," says her witch.
"The training room." Willow nods and they walk that direction.
Annie walks down the stairs, "What was that about?"
"I'm guessing Sarah-and it doesn't look good." She fights the sudden urge to cry.
Annie walks to her and puts an arm around her shoulder. "Never known you to give up that easily."
"But if they say no-what choice do I have?"
"Be ready to plead your case-"
"Even when the jury's stacked against you?"
"Especially then." Annie picks up the phone and begins to dial.
"Who are you calling?"
"Buffy-" says Annie both girls smile.
In the training room Willow is sitting on the mat across from a pacing Kennedy. "I've been thinking-just walking and thinking and maybe you're right. I mean she's smart and she knows right from wrong and-"
"We can't let them see each other," says the redhead as tears fill her eyes.
"What happened?" Willow doesn't answer. "Were they kissing? Red-?"
"She called her my girl-"
"What?" Kennedy looks at her confused as the tears fall harder.
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