A tiny part of Tara was still a little bit self-depreciative, several glasses of champagne tended to bring this part of her out into the open. Thankfully, Willow was well aware of this and interrupted her girlfriend before she could put herself down.
�Tara. Shush baby.�
Gently placing a finger against Tara's full lips she silenced the blonde before launching into her speech.
�I have something to say, okay?� The redhead waited for a nod in response, purely so she had a few more seconds to build up her courage.
�Okay. Exactly twenty-five years ago today you entered the world, and you grew up to be the most beautiful, caring, loving, adorable, amazing, perfect, incredible woman in the whole world. And as if that wasn't enough, 'cos it was, more than enough, but then, then you let me love you and you found it in your pure delicate heart to love me in return. You deserve so much more than I can ever offer you. You deserve the sun and the moon and the stars. You deserve happiness beyond comprehension. I'm the one who's not worthy of the love you so willingly shower me with, but no matter how much I feel like I don't deserve you, you're still here. You're still with me, making me feel like I am worthy, making me happier than I ever thought possible. Now I want to ask you if you're willing to make me even happier, by letting me offer you all that I have to offer. It's not the sun, moon and stars, but I'm hoping it'll cover the happiness beyond comprehension. I promise you an eternity of love, devotion, adoration and perfect bliss. I promise you everything that I am, everything that I ever will be, everything that I have, and everything that I ever will have. All I ask in return, is for you to find it inside of yourself to answer yes to my next question. Tara Maclay, will you do me the great honour of becoming my wife?�
Both girls had tears rolling down their cheeks as Willow finished her long winded proposal and produced a velvet, heart shaped box from her purse.
�Oh Willow, darling, yes, always yes. I always want to be with you, with only you. Yes, I'll marry you, a million times over.�
Somehow they ended up wrapped in each other's arms, sharing tears of overwhelming joy, whispering unnecessary words of love to one another. The velvet ring box, temporarily discarded, was now recovered by the proposer and opened in offering to the proposee. The most exquisite, but subtle, heart shaped diamond was set in a border of small sapphire crystals. Devotedly, tenderly, the white gold band was slipped onto the long slender ring finger. It sparkled in the candlelight, as did one pair of blue eyes and one pair of green eyes.
After what seemed like forever, Tara went - �to splash cold water on my face to calm myself down�- while Willow paid the bill and thanked the restaurant owner for helping to make everything perfect.
The carriage was waiting for them when they exited the restaurant, theirs arms wrapped around each other's waists. Once again Willow offered her hand to help her girlfriend, and now fianc�e, into the carriage. The sunset was by now long over, so the lovers gazed up at the stars as they journeyed towards the one remaining Birthday surprise.
Half an hour later they pulled up in front of Sunnydale's finest hotel, or rather, the finest hotel just outside of Sunnydale. A young bellboy approached the coach and helped the two women out; he then escorted them up the steps and held open the large door as they entered. Willow retrieved a key from the middle-aged woman behind the front desk then led Tara to the elevator which would take them to the pent-house suite at the top of the hotel.
A large heart shaped red box, filled with chocolates, sat in a sea of red, white and pink rose petals atop the large four-poster bed. Candles were placed around the room and had all been lit in anticipation of the two witches' arrival. A small hamper was resting on an antique-looking chest near the French-windows, and a vase of roses decorated a glass-topped corner table. At the touch of a button Sarah McLaughlan's soft voice filled the room.
�Go look in the hamper baby.� Willow prompted her overwhelmed partner, who, as yet, had failed to take more than two steps into the room.
�Huh? Oh, okay.�
The wicker hamper contained a chocolate fondue set, several types of fruit, some whipped cream, and a bag of mini marshmallows.
�You look so amazing in that dress it almost seems a shame to take it off.� Willow whispered suggestively as she pressed her petite frame against Tara's back.
�Only almost?�
�Yep. You've been unwrapping gifts all day, I think it's my turn now. Besides, no matter how good you look in the dress, there are no words to describe how gorgeous you are out of it.�
With that the redhead slowly, gently undressed the love of her life and led her to the bed. Willow showered the blonde's body with kisses as she leisurely lay on her back. Hesitantly, Willow pulled away from Tara, who watched with lust filled eyes as the pale skinned hacker sensuously removed her clothing, then brought the hamper to within reach of the bed.
While they waited for the little tea-light to melt the chocolate the two wiccans planted soft butterfly kisses on each other's naked bodies. They fed each other chocolate covered fruit and marshmallows. The left over chocolate and whipped cream was used to draw patterns and write messages of love on each other's skin. Then hungry, eager tongues licked silky smooth skin clean. Just in case their tongues had missed any spots, they shared a long, warm, Jacuzzi-style bath. Then they returned to bed and made love beneath the satin and silk sheets into the wee small hours of the morning.
And just before they fell asleep curled up in each other's arms, a satiated, exhaustedly happy redhead whispered to her fianc�e.
�Happy birthday Tara. I love you.�
