The next few days were hard for Willow. Amy, Elly and Nevaeh had headed back to the US as Phil and Adam were back on the road. She still had a few days left with Matt as a family and was treasuring the alone time and privacy they finally had. "Wills, you ok? Youve been really quiet tonight" Matt asked as he and Willow sat in the living area. "Im ok Matt, i guess its just having everyone here and now theyve gone again. Youre going in a few days and it'll just be me and the girls again" she replied as he put his arms around her. "Wont be for long though Wills. You and the girls will meet me in Paris and we'll have an amazing time. You'll be back home before you know it and we can continue our relationship, however you want to do it" he replied, kissing the top of her head. "Plus Thom and Luke will be around for the next week so you wont be alone for long" "I know Matt, i guess im just in my own head again" "You know im only a phone call away if you need me" "Thanks Matt. I need to pull myself out of this slump im in" Willow said as Matt held her tighter, as she closed her eyes. "Why do I feel like my depression is trying to sneak back into my head? Will i ever feel like me again?" "Wills, youve been through more than most in life. Including an incredibly abusive relationship, its understandable that your head is messed. But you know what else i know? Youre strong. Stronger than you realise. Resiliant, brave, smart, funny... beautiful" Matt replied as Willow sighed. "Wills, what i said to you the night after your birthday. I meant every single word. I love you, i love every inch of you and i always will" "Matt, promise me something. If i have to go testify at Victors trial, you'll be there with me? And if my cancer comes back..." She asked as he cut her off. "Im not going anywhere Wills. We'll face him together and we'll win again" he replied before continuing "and if your cancer returns, you'll just have to kick its ass again. I'll be with you every step of the way" Willow turned around, straddling Matts lap, and kissed him. "Im sorry for being negative but ive just got so much spinning in my head. But the one positive thing i do know is that i love you Matt" she said kissing him again, as he kissed her back their hands once again running over each others bodies, as Willow took his hand and led him upstairs where they ended up in bed together.
"Daddy do you have to go?" Jasmine asked a few days later as Matt was bringing his luggage down the stairs. "I do Jas and im sorry i have to go. But you'll see me soon" he replied as his eldest daughter sulked in front of him. "Jas come here" Matt said as Jas walked over to him, where he picked her up. "Jas i have a super special job for you okay? I want you to look after mom for me, just until you guys get back home" he said as Jasmine nodded. "I will dada, but i dont like you going. I misses you lots" she said. "I know Jasdoll, i miss you lots too. You and Rubes. But i'll be seeing you soon" he replied as he put her down as Willow came into the hallway. "Hey Jas, why dont you go play with Rubes and i'll be through in a few minutes" Willow said as Jasmine headed off to play with her little sister. "Everything set for next week?" She asked quietly, not wanting her two daughters to overhear their surprise as Matt nodded. "Meeting you guys next Thursday Gare du Nord around 11am. Afternoon in Paris. Spend the full day on Friday in Paris before heading to Disney later one after dinner for the weekend" he said as Willow sighed. "Its just going to be a long week without you here" she said as Matt held her. "Im only a phone call away if you need me, like i said the other night Thom and Luke are across the road" he said, kissing her forehead. "Might see if i can talk to Thom in a professional sense, see if he can help me with this depression" She said as she kissed him. "I'll call you when i land in Newcastle Wills. I love you" Matt said as he went to say goodbye to Jasmine and Ruby. Willow overheard the goodbyes as Matt reentered the hallway, followed by Jasmine and Ruby, who were both sad to see their dad go. Willow picked Ruby up and Jasmine clung to her leg as Matt left the house and made his way to the taxi that was waiting at the end of the drive, the three females stood in the doorway waving goodbye.
"Mommy i miss dada" Jasmine said a few nights later as Willow finished putting Ruby to bed. "I know baby, i am too" Willow replied as they headed downstairs. "Want to watch a movie before bed Jas?" Willow asked as Jasmine picked up her favourite dvd and handed it to Willow who happily put it on for her. "Momma, when are we going home?" Jasmine asked as she cuddled into Willow, who replied "soon baby, soon. We just have one more tiny adventure before we go" "Adventure? Where to momma?" Jasmine asked as Willow said "Its a surprise. But i think you'll love it Jas, you and Rubes" as they watched the movie playing on the TV, Willow replaying the events that had happened since her birthday in her head. "Momma? Are you ok?" Jas asked as the movie drew to an end. "Im Ok Jas, im just tired" Willow replied, as she hugged her daughter. "Why dont we head on up to bed and see if we can facetime dad before sleepy time?" "That sounds good momma" Jasmine replied as she yawned, putting her arms around Willow indicating that she wanted carrying up to bed, which Willow happily did. Jasmine dressed for bed as Willow grabbed her cell. "Momma im ready" Jasmine called out as Willow entered her room, "Ready to see if we can call daddy?" she asked as Jasmine climbed into bed and nodded. Willow dialled Matts number, where it rang for a few minutes before Matt picked up. "Hiya Dada! Where are you tonight?" Jasmine asked as Matt smiled at seeing two of his three favourite girls. "Hi beautiful, what are you still doing up? Tonight im up in Scotland, near Glasgow" he replied as Jasmine said "I miss you dada and i wanted to see you before i go sleepy. Momma misses you too" "I miss you guys too. But you know i'll be seeing you soon. Want me to read you a story before bed?" Matt replied as Jas nodded. "Why dont you go pick a book Jas and i'll have a quick chat with dad" Willow said as Jasmine went off to find her favourite story. "You ok Wills?" Matt asked whilst Jasmine was out of earshot. "Im ok Matt. House is really quiet without you here" she replied. "Just a few more days Wills. Will you be ok until then?" he asked as Willow nodded as Jasmine returned to the bed. Willow held the book up so Matt could read it as Jasmine snuggled into Willow. Jasmine was asleep within a few pages, "Hey Matt shes out" Willow said as she closed the book and put it down, Jas in full view of Matt. "She looks like you when she sleeps" Matt said as Willow smiled. "Shes more like you Matt" Willow replied as she got up and left Jasmines room. "I miss you being here. Im good when the girls are awake but when they're asleep, my head just gets so messed up again" Willow said as she headed downstairs. "I keep replaying this last year over in my head, these last few weeks especially. I keep thinking about Victors arrest, all the pain and misery he put me through and it brings me down. Matt, im really struggling with this bout of depression" she said as she sat on the sofa. "Have you spoken to Thom? Gotten his advice? He'll want to help Wills" Matt replied as Willow shook her head. "Talk to Thom. Im here too if you need to talk and just remember, i'll be with you in a few days" he said, as Willow closed her eyes. "Wills i love you. I'll call you tomorrow ok? We're about to head off to the next location on the tour and its a hell of a journey" "I love you to Matt. I hate that we're still wasting time apart. I'll catch up with Thom tomorrow, try to finally do the video that ive been talking about for a while. Maybe that'll help clear my head" Willow said as the two secret lovers said their goodbyes. Willow sighed as she headed to the kitchen and made herself a cup of tea, before heading back to the living area where she opened her laptop, sending a quick text to Thom asking if she could see him the next day. She heard her cell vibrate with a response from Thom and prepared herself for recording her story of the past year when she heard a knock at the door. Who the fuck is calling around here this time of night? Willow thought to herself as she walked to the front door, opening it she got the surprise of her life.
There in front of her was Harriet.