"Hey hows it going?" Harriet asked over facetime a few days later from her balcony in Greece. "I know i said id be five days max, but the shoot is overruning" "Im doing ok. Matt is now staying here, just while youre away" Willow replied, not giving Harriet the full details as to why he was staying. "The girls are loving having him here and its giving me a chance to breath and actually recover from all the cancer treatments. I do miss having you here but you have to work, I wish i was with you, that place looks incredible" "I wish you were here too. I should be back in a few days. Wills, you would tell me if something was wrong wouldnt you?" Harriet asked, sensing Willow was holding back. "I almost collapsed. Matt caught me and stayed over. I had no idea he stayed" Willow blurted out as Harriet shook her head. "Wills why didnt you tell me? When did this happen?" she asked as Willow answered "The day you went away. I didnt tell you because i didnt want to ruin your trip" "Wills i... i gotta go. I'll see you when i get back" Harriet said ending the call, upset and angry that her girlfriend had kept that from her. How could she not tell me that she collapsed? I dont even care that Matts with her, does she not know that im worried about her health? Harriet thought as she ran herself a bath after a long day. I knew as soon as he turned up everything would go to hell. We've been together almost seven months, through ups and downs not only with her physical health but her mental health too. Have i fallen for her too hard too fast? Is she still in love with him? As she put her head under the water, she heard her cell ringing. Harriet sighed as she stepped out of the bath and headed to the other room. She stared at the unknown number before answering "Hello, Harriet Jones speaking"
Willow sat alone in the dark, her heart feeling like it was breaking after the phonecall. Have i really just fucked up the best thing going in my life? She thought as she heard her cell ringing. She wasnt in the mood to talk to anyone as she declined the call and turned off her cell. I need to think. I need to work out what the hell im doing. My head has been spinning ever since Matt turned up almost a week ago. My head and heart are telling me to stay with Harry, shes been with me through this last hell, but then they both say what about the history with Matt? We've been through so much together. I cant just ignore that. That and the fact i still dont know if i want to punch him or kiss him everytime i see him. I wish i could just stop feeling, just for a day. I wish i could go back to nine years ago, before all of this happened. She thought as she slowly drifted off to an uncomfortable night of tossing and turning.
Willow woke after a few hours. She turned on her cell and moaned at the time, 3:50 and around 20 missed calls from Elly. Willow sighed as she climbed out of bed and headed down stairs to facetime her sister. Willow dialled her number and waited for Elly to answer. "WILLOW! Where the hell have you been? Been trying to call you all night" Elly answered as Willow said "Hi to you too El. Im sorry, ive just not been myself tonight" "Okay i have questions. What the hell is going on with you and Matt? Is he really staying with you? Are you still in love with him? How does Harriet feel about it?" Elly asked all at once as Willow sighed. "Yes hes staying with me. Hes staying whilest Harry is away working because i havent been feeling great lately. Hes been great with the girls, rebuilding their relationships. Im actually having time to breathe and focus on me. Harriet wasnt happy when i told her he was staying earlier" Willow replied as Elly asked "What made you ask him to stay? And you didnt answer my other question" "I pretty much collapsed after my treatment the other day. Matt was here and caught me. We had a talk and i told him pretty much everything. I think there will always be a part of me that will always love him, especially after everything weve been through together. But im not right now. I cant be. I love Harriet. I love being with her, shes made me feel something i forgot. Shes made me feel like me again. You saw what i was like at christmas." Willow said as Elly looked at her sister on the other side of the world. "But you still love Matt. Wills i can see it in your face everytime is name is mentioned" she said as Willow replied "enough about me and my messed up life, whats going on with you?" as the two sisters spent the next hour catching up.
Matt awoke an hour after Willow, although he didnt know it. His mouth dry, so he headed downstairs to grab a glass of water. As he headed downstairs, he saw Willow sitting in the dark, her call with Elly having just ended. "Wills? You ok?" he asked quietly as she looked at him and nodded, even though he could tell she'd been crying. "Im ok, ive just been on the phone with Elly. I dont know how long i can keep doing these time difference facetimes" she said, not wanting to tell him about her earlier conversation with Harriet. "You miss everyone dont you?" Matt asked as he sat next to his ex wife. "I do. So do the girls. But at the same time i love it here and im not sure if im ready to go back" Willow said, silent tears forming in her eyes as she continued "plus id need to find somewhere to live. I cant go back to the old house and Adam sold his place once Elly moved out with Phil" "If you do come back, you can stay in our place until you find somewhere of your own" Matt said as Willow said "You called it our place" "Of course I did, thats what it is. Our place, its our home and your always welcome" he said as he wiped away her tear, both of them feeling the spark between them. Their faces almost touching, they could feel each others breath their skin. "Matt, i cant do this" Willow said quietly pulling herself away from him, knowing that they were mere moments away from having their first kiss in almost a year. "Im so sorry Will. I shouldnt have done it" Matt replied, feeling slightly down at how close they almost came. "Can we just forget this happened. Put it down to tiredness" Willow said, yawning. "Go to bed Wills. Have a lie in in the morning, i'll take the girls to the park for a few hours" Matt said as Willow nodded, before heading upstairs replaying the last ten minutes in her head.
Willow awoke at 10:30 to a quiet house. Matt had kept to his word and taken the girls out to the park so she could sleep in. As she lay in bed, all she could think about were the events that happened in the early hours. What the hell was i thinking this morning?Allowing Matt to get that close to me, and more importantly, me to him. It was stupid, reckless! So why did it feel so right and why did i want more? Why did i make him stop when i wanted him to kiss me? she thought as she sighed. I love Harriet so why am i even debating this? I need to talk to her, explain the whole situation. I also need to talk to Matt. Tell him that it cant happen ever again. Willow was pulled out of her thoughts by a noise downstairs. She quietly got out of bed and headed downstairs where she got the surprise of her life. There in front of her was Harriet.
"Harry? What are you doing here? You scared the hell out of me!" Willow said as the two lovers embraced. "I hated last night. I hated that phone call. I got a 3am flight back and Matt let me in this morning but he told me that you were sleeping in. I didnt want to disturb you, i know youve not been sleeping properly for a while" Harriet said as Willow nodded. "I havent slept properly since he turned up" she said as Harriet put her arms around her. "Why didnt you tell me you collapsed? I would have come straight over" Harriet said as Willow shook her head "I didnt want you missing out on this opportunity, i couldnt. I just got lucky that i collapsed when Matt was here. It got us talking the next day, its actually been good having him around. The girls have started to rebuild their relationships with him..." Willow said as Harriet cut her off "But now your scared that they'll want to go back to Cameron. How do you feel about it?" she asked as Willow sighed. "Honestly, it has played on my mind the last few days, but im still unsure. Would it be nice to be near everyone again? Of course it would but at the same time im still loving being here" Willow said, before asking "What would you do?" but before Harriet could answer, the front door burst open and Jasmine came running into the living area. "HIYA MOMMA!" Jas said loudly, climbing on the sofa next to Willow, as Harriet stood up to leave. "Hey you dont have to go. Stay" Willow said as she took Harriets hand. "Spend time with the girls and Matt as a family Wills. Im going to go crash for a few hours" Harriet said as she kissed Willow. "Can i come over later? Get Matt to watch the girls. I'll even cook" Willow asked as Harriet nodded and replied "I'll text you" before leaving the house, leaving Willow confused as to where they stood.
"Wills, you ok? Youve been quiet all afternoon" Matt asked as he passed Willow a coffee a few hours later. "Im ok, ive just got some stuff to figure out in my head" she said, sipping her drink. "Can you watch the girls tonight? Im going over to Harriets later and im probably going to stay there tonight" "Of course Wills, everything alright between you two? Looked like Harriet couldnt get out of here quick enough when we returned" Matt replied as Willow nodded. "We're good, just got some stuff to work out" she said before adding "Which reminds me, Rubys birthday is next week. Are you here for it?" "I will be. And i'll be here for yours too" Matt replied before asking, "Do you have plans for any of them?" "Maybe a small gathering for Rubys. I mean it would be amazing to get the whole family here but its impossible at this much short notice" Willow said, sighing. "As for mine? All i want is a quiet one with everything thats happened this year" "You sure everything is ok? If you need to talk or vent, im here" Matt said as Willow smiled as she sipped on her coffee, watching Jasmine and Ruby playing on the floor. "Do you ever think what would have happened if i'd ignored that message last year instead of letting my stupid jealousy getting in the way?" Matt asked as Willow sighed. "I used too. Every day for six months, while you were with her. Every one of those days, i still loved you held out hope that you still loved me and every day that hope faded until one day it was gone. That was the day i realised i had to get away" she said as her cell vibrated with a text from Harriet. "Ive got to go get ready. I'll be leaving for Harriets shortly" She said as she put her empty cup on the table and headed upstairs, leaving Matt with the girls and an idea formulating in his head.
"Hey Jas, want to come help dada with something?" Matt asked a few hours later. Willow was at Harriets and he thought now would be the perfect time to put his plan into action. "What is it dada?" Jasmine asked as she sat next to him. "I want to do something really nice for mommas birthday. Its a special one and i think she deserves to have the best day ever" Matt said as Jasmine nodded. "I agree dada. What is we doing?" she asked as Matt said "You cant tell anyone about this ok, not even momma" as he told her his idea. "Momma will loooooooooooove it dada!" Jasmine said after Matt told her what he was planning. "Can we watch a movie before bed dada?" she asked as Matt nodded. "You go choose one, im going to go put Rubes to bed" he said, noticing that Ruby was almost asleep on the chair. He picked up his youngest daughter and sighed. "Ive missed out on so much with you two, i just hope that i can make it up to you both" he said quietly as he took Ruby upstairs and lay her in her crib. As he tucked her in, he smiled as Ruby gave a little yawn. "You look so much like Wills, its scary" he said to himself as he watched Ruby sleep before heading back downstairs, where he saw Jasmine riffling through the dvds. "Found something to watch princess?" Matt asked as he sat next to Jasmine on the floor. "I wanna watch this one dada" Jasmine said as she passed him the movie of choice. Matt put the dvd in as Jasmine sat on the sofa, ready for cuddles with her dad.
"Im glad we got to spend tonight together. Ive missed you this last week" Willow said to Harriet as she cooked in the small kitchen of Harriets flat. "Ive missed you to Wills. I hated last night though. I wish you'd told me how bad you were, i would have stayed with you" Harriet replied as Willow shook her head. "I wasnt having you missing out on this opportunity because of me. I knew how much of a big deal it was for you" Willow replied as she served up the food. "I know that you hate Matt being at the house, im uncomfortable with him being there with me but hes rebuilding his relationships with Jas and Rubes, thats the most important thing" "Thats true, you would tell me if something else was going on right?" Harriet asked as the two lovers ate, "Of course i would Harry. Its been a long week for both of us. I guess the treatment on Monday hit me harder than i realised. Im just grateful he was there to watchover me and the girls because i was in no shape to do it" Willow replied, not telling her how close she and Matt came to kissing that morning. "Im sorry for sounding jealous, i just care about you and im worried about you" Harriet said as she placed her hand on top of Willows. "I just have this feeling that hes planning something to try and win you back" she added as Willow smiled at her and replied "Well, its a good job im not going anywhere with him"
"Hey remember this morning when you asked what would i do about you deciding whether to stay or go home?" Harriet asked as she and Willow lay in bed a few hours later, Willow turning onto her side to face her. "I do. What would you do? Since you never answered" Willow said. "I think you know what needs to be done. If i were you, i'd go home. As much as it kills me to say it. You and the girls, you need to be in the USA. Close to your family, close to Matt for them" Harriet said as Willow put her arm across her and asked "Would you come with me? I dont want to lose you by moving back there" "Wills, its a huge ask. I would need time to think it over" Harriet replied, not telling Willow her own secret as the two lovers kissed. "I hate fighting with you and im sorry my heads been all over the place this week. I do love you Harry" "I love you too Wills and i hate fighting with you too. So, got any plans for the two upcoming birthdays?" Harriet replied as Willow said "Matt asked me the same thing this afternoon. I said a small, quiet gathering for both. Sure it would be nice if everyone could make it for at least one but its too much short notice. But right now, i just want to keep kissing you" as she kissed Harriet, before moving her lips down her body as they slept together for the second time that night.
Matt sat alone in Willows house. Jasmine and Ruby were asleep upstairs, and although trying to watch a movie, he kept replaying the events of the morning in his head. How close did i get with Wills this morning? That connection, that spark its still there for me and it was stronger than ever. Did she feel it too? She must have, she pulled away breathless. He thought to himself. I wanted to kiss her so badly, tell her how beautiful she still is to me. How much i love her. But shes in a relationship and i hate that. Even though she said everything was fine between her and Harriet, she'd been crying. Not to mention Harriet couldnt get out of here quick enough this morning when i returned. I get the feeling that Willow wanted more this morning. Is she ever coming home? Is she looking at properties back in the USA? In Cameron? I just hope she loves my surprise for her birthday, i hope it proves a little to her how much she and the girls mean to me. How much i still love her and how much i want to make up for this last year. Matt thought as he heard Ruby waking upstairs. As he headed up to check on his youngest he thought Id love to have you girls close by again. I miss having you around. Gramps misses having you around too. Im happy that we made up and that he made me see sense about Reby. Why did i waste a year with her? She was never into me, just my bank account. Matt thought as he cradled Ruby, after changing her diaper. Your mom, was never like that. She was always so independant. Never into money or material things, she just wanted us to be happy. It was the little things she did, like making my favourite meal after a long tour. Writing little notes, humming and singing to herself when training. Just chilling with her in front of the tv, laying in bed when she put her little feet on top of mine. Fuck im an asshole for wasting all those moments. Im an asshole for missing out on you and Jas he thought as he placed Ruby back in her crib, before checking on Jasmine who was still asleep as he headed back downstairs, not knowing that a few miles away someone else was also feeling the same way.