Chapter Text
“I do solemnly, sincerely, and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.”
Tara lowered her hand as she finished taking the oath of office that officially made her a member of the House of Lords. Baroness Tara Rosenberg, of Glastonbury in the County of Somerset, signed the required paperwork and took her seat on the Government Frontbench, the other peers moving hurriedly to make space for the eminent new member.
Tara had chosen to use Willow’s last name as part of her official title even though they were not yet married. They would be soon. And it was important to both of them to make sure everyone knew about it.
As she watched some other new members take the oath, Tara caught sight of Wesley waiting his turn. So Giles had given the former watcher his reward for playing ball at the election. Good for him. She wondered if he might be more than a benchwarmer, with his knowledge of the supernatural he could become a useful ally.
Bored with people watching, Tara discreetly checked her email on her Apple Watch. Buffy had given her and Willow one each as an engagement present, and both the witches had been very moved by the gift, even as Buffy reassured them that the cost was nothing on her generous government salary. Tara suspected Buffy was enjoying spoiling her friends and loved ones a little. She’d noticed Dawn was wearing a new necklace the last time she saw her.
Coming back to the present, Tara saw a message from Willow suggesting lunch on one of the Palace of Westminster’s many balconies.
Tara texted back quickly, her fingers nimble and her smile expansive. She locked the screen, her eyes softening as she imagined the expression on Willow’s face.
Downstairs, the halls seemed endless, draped in history and the whisperings of long dead politicians. She walked to their meeting place, the excitement offering a gentle rhythm to her step. Willow greeted her with open arms and an eager smile.
“How does it feel to be Lady Rosenberg?” Willow teased, pecking her on the lips.
“I’m still processing,” Tara said, happiness and disbelief tangled sweetly in her voice. “But we’ve waited so long. I’m ready.” Her hands found their place on Willow’s back, and she held her close.
They moved out to a small balcony, where the view was breathtaking and the day almost bright. A light fog began to burn off the river, revealing the slow, curling lines of boats as they drifted.
“This is more peaceful than I expected,” Willow said, looking over the city.
Tara handed her a sandwich. “What’d you think, sweetie?”
“Maybe more banners and pickets?” Willow suggested. “ ‘Witches out!’ and all that fun stuff.”
“I think we scared them into hiding,” Tara replied with a knowing look. “At least for now”.
“Stop scaring them. They’ll listen eventually.” Willow smiled playfully, though the distance in her voice suggested that she wasn’t entirely sure. “And we’ve kind of got the upper hand now.”
They took their time, savoring the unusual stillness that wrapped around the ancient, towering buildings. The sun broke through the fog, a surprise considering the clouds and uncertainty they’d both felt over the past few days.
“We should do this more often,” Tara said, brushing crumbs from Willow’s lap.
“Eat lunch on balconies?” Willow asked.
“Take time for us. Take time to breathe.”
Willow’s expression softened. “Great idea. Also terrifying.”
“What’s so scary?” Tara asked, leaning close enough to hear Willow’s answer as more than a whisper.
“That this feels almost normal,” Willow said, eyes bright with a mix of longing and disbelief. She remembered how chaotic everything had become over the last months, how far away they’d drifted from this kind of moment. How much they had to fight to make it real.
“It’s our kind of normal,” Tara replied, rested and sure. “Everything else is catching up.”
Willow gave a small, joyous laugh. “One of these days, we’ll stop running.”
“Of course we will”, said Tara with a smile. “We have a wedding to plan.”
“Lot’s to decide”, Willow said thoughtfully.
Suddenly, the redhead reached into a bag and pulled out her iPad. “Oh I found this cool app for inviting all the guests. We just need to decide who is on the list.”
“Okay”, Tara answered contemplatively, who have you added so far?”
Willow glanced at the screen. “Buffy and Faith. Giles, I don’t know if he’ll have time to come but we’ll ask him. Dawn. Anya and Xander.”
“Can we invite Wesley?”, Tara asked, “I want to have a friendly working relationship with him in the House of Lords, and we have known him a long time”.
Willow shrugged. “Yes I guess we can”, she responded without much enthusiasm, adding Wesley’s name to the invite list.
“Will your parents make the trip?”, Tara asked her fiancé.
“I doubt it”, Willow told her. “And I’m guessing your family won’t be coming either.”
“You know we don’t get along”, Tara said sadly looking away for a moment.
Tara turned back to her fellow witch, “But really you and Buffy and Faith and Dawn and Giles are pretty much my family now.”
“That’s really sweet honey”, willow placed her hand over Tara’s. “Who do you want to have a role in the wedding?”
Tara considered for a moment. “We should try to involve all our close friends I think. How do you feel about two bridesmaids each and the men can stand in for our fathers and give us away to each other”, Tara said with a warm smile.
“Okay”, Willow said thoughtfully, “can I have Buffy on my side, I have known her for longer?”
“Sure sweetie”, Tara nodded with a smile, “And I’d like to have Dawn as one of mine.”
As the two witches planned their nuptial arrangements, a couple of miles away Buffy and Faith were eating pizza for lunch and discussing their own arrangements.
“Y’know we should plan a party for the witches”, Faith told Buffy with a grin.
“What a sort of bachelorette party?”, Buffy asked, a curious look on her face.
“Yeah”, Faith replied still wearing a huge grin, “a real wild night. Let those sweet things let their hair down a bit.”
“Sweet things?”, Buffy asked with a smirk.
“Oh they are sweeties”, Faith said as if it were obvious, “but they need to feel the fun sometimes.”
“You want to be on the hook for organizing it, then?” Buffy asked, eyebrow raised.
“Why not?” Faith leaned over, snagging a slice of Margherita. “London’s got plenty of ways to get in trouble for a night.”
Buffy’s laugh was one of fond exasperation. She paused, a tiny pull of concern around her mouth. “Remember—Willow doesn’t do so great with peer pressure.”
“C’mon, B. She’s not the shy bookworm anymore. You said it yourself, she’s running her own show!”
“Still.” Buffy picked a stray olive from her slice. “We should keep it light. Nothing illegal.”
Faith rolled her eyes. “You’re on fun patrol now?”
Buffy met her glare evenly. “I like the way things are. I just don’t want anything to mess it up.”
For a minute, the only sound was the slow crunch of pizza crust. Faith leaned back, serious now. “You think you’re gonna mess it up?”
“Not me.” Buffy gave her a sidelong look. “I’m more worried about messing us up.”
Faith looked uncharacteristically soft and affectionate and gently traced her fingers over Buffy’s face.
“You won’t mess it up B. I love you. And together we’ll give our sweet witchy friends a night to remember.”
Buffy smiled, reassured by Faith’s gentleness. “Alright Faith, those two deserve all the happiness in the world and we’ll make sure we do our bit for them.”