Author: Shai
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Unfortunately neither Tara nor Willow are mine. Neither's anyone else in this fic for that matter!

"Hi sweetie!" the voice answered at the other end.

"Hi Mom" Tara smiled into the phone as she entered her apartment building. "How are you?"

"I'm good baby... on my way to John's birthday bash in a few minutes. How are you?" Susanna asked.

"I'm fine too Mom... just a little over worked with the concert and stuff, but it's all good. How's Donny?" Tara asked, making her way to her door and rummaging in her bag as she looked for the keys, holding onto her phone by balancing it between her shoulder and ear.

"He's the same... out partying!" Susanna smiled. "Don't over work yourself Tara. Have you been eating properly?" she asked, her voice taking on it's motherly tone.

"Yes Mom, don't worry!" Tara said with an exasperated sigh, even as her tummy rumbled with the lack of food in it. Locating her keys she let herself into her apartment, and dropped her bag onto the couch, before making her way to her bedroom, now holding onto her small cell phone with her right hand. "Anyway Ma, I just called to tell you that I will be bringing a friend with me to LA-"

Before she could continue Susanna let out a happy squeal. "You're bringing someone? Lovely! What's he like? Have I met him? Does-"

Now it was Tara's turn to cut her mother off. "Mom! Don't let your imagination run helter-skelter again! It's not what you think!"

Tara heard her mother huff at the other end "You can't blame a mother for hoping! I think it's about time you introduced someone to me!" Susanna took an audible deep breath, before asking "So who are you bringing?"

"I'm bringing Willow Mom. She's a friend, and she's a huge Michelle Branch fan, and well, since we were covering the concert I asked her to come along. I just wanted to make sure it's ok with you?" Tara asked.

"Sure honey... you know any friend of yours is welcome here. I can't wait to see you Tare... and I'm warning you, if I see that you've lost any weight..." Susanna said.

"Yes yes, you'll make me eat all my weight back on!" Tara giggled.

"Damn straight I will!" Susanna said in a mock threatening voice. "Anyway, I'll tell Steve to expect another passenger on the plane then? And she'll be staying with us right? That's not even open to argument!" Susanna stated.

"Yeah Mom... thanks so much... I'll see you Saturday then?" Tara asked.

"Yeah baby... I'll talk to you Friday night as usual anyway ok? I love you" Susanna said, her affection for her daughter obvious in her voice.

"I love you too Mom. Bye!" Tara said, getting ready to hang up.

"Bye" Susanna said, and Tara heard a click on the other end.

'Ok, that's settled then' Tara thought, making her way to the shower.