�Delivery for a Miss Tara Maclay, is that one of you two?� The blonde in question nodded her head. �I need a signature, just next to the cross.� As Tara signed in the space indicated, Dawn relieved the man of the boxes, then Tara took the clothes bag and gushed a quick 'thank you' before closing the door.
The Summers sisters were sat on the couch eagerly waiting for Tara to join them so they could find out what was hidden in the packages. Although Tara did walk into the living room, instead of opening her presents, she picked up the boxes and took them all up to her and Willow's room. Her two curious friends followed closely behind her, but as they got to the top of the stairs Tara pushed the bedroom door closed, preventing them both from entering.
�What's with the shutting us out? We wanna see what you've got.�
�Yeah Tara, you shouldn't open birthday presents alone, it's, um, it's bad luck. Yeah that's right, you don't want bad luck do you?�
Dawn was proud of her little tale, Buffy obviously wasn't though because she just frowned and questioningly mouthed the words 'bad luck' to her sister, before shaking her head and rolling her eyes. At this point Tara's head appeared around the bedroom door, she smiled cheekily and poked her tongue out.
�I think these are the kind of presents that Willow would want to see before I let anyone else see them.� Tara explained. Both of the Summers girls knew that this was true and couldn't think of any decent reasons why they should be allowed to share the surprises with the blonde witch.
�Well if you're not gonna let me in there I'm gonna have to spoil your next surprise.� The youngest girl started to explain, but Tara's head reappeared before Dawn could say anything else.
�No, no spoiling the surprise. I have a feeling I know what your part of the plan is. Give me a few minutes to open my pressies, then you can come in and help me do my hair and make-up. Okay?�
The blonde knew her girlfriend so well. Her little wicca wouldn't buy her new clothes if she didn't have somewhere special to wear them to, Willow wanted Tara dressed up in her presents ready for a 'surprise' night out. The wiccan was so busy thinking about what Willow could have planned, she almost completely forgot about the still unopened parcels. Only almost though.
She started with the boxes, deciding to leave the dress-length one hung on the wardrobe door until last. Firstly, there was a pair of pale blue, open-toed, ankle strap sandals. A small matching purse with a diamante? heart at the press-stud fastening was the next thing opened. The final box contained a silk shawl that was a slightly lighter shade of blue than the shoes and purse, with silver edging.
�Now, lets see what we have in here.� Tara stated excitedly as she unzipped the clothes bag and feasted her eyes on what was hidden within.
�Oh, wow.� She almost hardly managed to whisper; she was breath-taken by the garment that Willow had chosen for her and a happy little tear formed in the corner of her eye.
An ankle-length dress made of the finest, baby-blue silk was revealed to the over-the-moon blonde. It had thin double straps and a v-shaped neckline, with a diamante? heart, matching the one on the purse, just below the strap on the left breast. A slit from the ankle to just above the knee ran down the right-hand side and there was a shimmering over-skirt sewn in from just above the waist which was only slightly longer than the main skirt of the dress. The bottom of the skirt had the same silver edging as the shawl.
�Tara? Are you done yet, it's time to get you ready?�
Dawn had tapped on Tara's door a few times but after receiving no response from its occupant she had decided to push the door open slightly and snap the blonde out of her awe-struck stupor.
Tara reacted quickly; zipping the bag back up before the curious youngster could glimpse a peek at the dress.
�Sure Dawnie, umh, make-up first?�
�Can't I see the dress first? So I know what I'm working with.�
�Nice try, but no. It's pale blue, that's all you need to know.�
