"Wow, that was..." Haytham began to say as Willow cut him off "Not what i usually do on a first date" she said as Haytham wrapped his arms around her. "I was going to say it was intense, wild but in a good way" he said as he kissed her forehead, the same way Matt used to do. "I know that you have told me about past abuse, is that how you got the scars?" he asked as she nodded. "I wont make you talk about it if it makes you uncomfortable" he said as she smiled. "I'll tell you one day, right now i have a much better idea" Willow said flirtlily before kissing him as they once again slept together.
Back in Cameron, Matt spent the days awaiting a call from Willow telling him she was home. He was watching their wedding video again when he heard a voice say "watching it again?" "hey Adam, i didnt hear you come in" Matt said as his best friend sat on the sofa opposite him. "Still no word from her?" Adam asked as Matt shook his head. "Matt this longing and pining for Wills, its not healthy." Adam said as Matt replied "I know Ads, but i love her. I dont know whats going on with us, but i do love her" "Has something happened since the wedding?" Adam asked as Matt shook his head again, really wanting to tell him that he and Willow had been sleeping together. "Nothings happened. It feels like im in limbo with her. Ive got all these questions spinning in my head. Are we on are we off? Who is Haytham and what is he to her? Is she even coming back?" he said, his voice cracking. "Ok, number one. Of course she'll be back. Thats not a chance in hell Wills is ever leaving Jas and Rubes. Two. Willow will tell us who Haytham is when shes ready. If he is a new relationship for her, then that should give you the answer as to where you stand" Adam replied as Matt sighed. "Im sorry Ads, i know i need to snap out of this slump. Not just for me, but for Jas and Rubes too" he said as Adam asked "Is Jas still asking about Christmas?" as Matt nodded. "I dont know how to respond anymore. Im running out of excuses" he said as the two men spent the remainder of the night catching up.
"Do you have to go to work today? Can we not just stay in bed and order room service all day?" Willow asked, as she watched Haytham get dressed. "Unfortunatley i do. Tori relapsed last night. She went crazy and attacked Marcus and Nell" he said as he walked over and kissed her. "Are they ok? Marcus was always so good to me" she asked as Haytham nodded. "They'll be ok. I just need to go check on them and on Tori. Find out what caused the relapse. I'll be back later. Shall i pick up some dinner or do you want to go out?" "I'll have a think while youre at work. I might head out for a while today. Do some exploring, get fresh air" Willow said as Haytham headed for the door. "That sounds like a plan Willow. I'll text you this afternoon about plans for dinner" he said as she smiled and nodded at him, watching him head out.
What the fuck am i doing? Im supposed to be in love with Matt but Haytham...Willow thought to herself as she replayed the nights events in her head. Haytham is new. Hes exciting, fresh. Hes just what i need. He gets me, he understands me. Theres also that element of danger. I was a patient, he was my therapist. I know my feelings started early, not sure on his, if it gets out he could lose his job. Willow thought as she turned on the tv. But Matt also gets me and understands me. We've been through so much together...No! Haytham. Haytham is who i need to be with right now. But i do need to talk to Matt. Tell him face to face, he deserves that much...she thought as she headed to the bathroom and ran the hot shower, before stepping into it readying herself to face the day.
"Willow? Are you ok? Youve barely touched your food" Haytham asked as they ate at a restaurant. "Sorry Haytham, my mind is miles away tonight" Willow replied as he put his hand on hers. "Is everything ok?" he asked as she nodded. "I was thnking that i need to go home. Back to North Carolina" she replied as he asked "are you sure?" "Im sure. Christmas is in twelve days, i really miss Jas and Ruby and i need to be there for Christmas" she said as Haytham squeezed her hand. "Why dont i come to you a few days after Christmas? It'll give you a chance to spend time with the girls, your friends, family, Matt..." "Sounds perfect. Im probably going to need you once i tell everyone about us" she said as Haytham questioned "Us? Do you want to make it official?"he asked as Willow nodded and replied "i do" before kissing him.
"I dont know what youre doing to me Willow, but i love it" Haytham said later that night as they lay in the hotel bed, after sleeping together. "Wills. You can call me Wills. Everyone else does" she said as she placed her head on his shoulder. "Wills? I like it. When are you thinking of going home?" he asked as she sighed "day after tomorrow" she sighed, continuing "and as much as im ready and wanting to go see my girls, im not quite ready to leave you behind. Even it is only for a week" "Want me to come on the 27th or 28th?" he asked as Willow bit her lip. "Come on the 27th. More time for us to...you know..." she said flirting as she kissed him as they slept together again.
The two days flew by for Willow and Haytham. "Wills, remember you are can face them and im only ever a phone call away" Haytham said as Willow packed the case into the trunk of her car. "I cant wait for it to be the 27th already" she replied as she closed the door. "Im worried about how some people will take the news of us though" she said as he put his arms around her. "Matt?" he asked as Willow nodded. "I know i need to tell him face to face, hes in love with me and i still have unresolved feelings for him. But i cant be with him the way he wants me to be. Not when im in love with someone else" she said as she kissed him. "Im in love with you too Wills. I have been since our first session together" he said as Willow looked at him shocked. "I thought i was the only one here who had been fighting my feelings" she said, biting her lip. "You know, i still have the room for a few more hours..." she said as she kissed him again as he whispered "So what are we waiting for?" leading her back into the hotel and back to her room for one final time.
"Call me when you get home" Haytham said a few hours later as Willow entered her car. "I will. Im going to be counting down the days till i see you again" she said as Haytham bent down to kiss her. "Me too Wills, be safe ok. I love you" he said as she replied "Love you too, its probably going to be after midnight when i get home. Shall i text instead of call?" "Im on the night shift tonight so i'll be awake, probably doing paperwork" he said as Willow nodded and said "Ok, i'll call. See you on the 27th" "See you on the 27th" Haytham replied as Willow began the long drive home.
"Tweleve days till Christmas and still nothing from Wills" Amy said as she and Adam drove home from the movies. "She'll be back Ames. Matts worried about her too. You know he wont admit to anything but he loves her" Adam replied. "Ames its late, Willow will let us know when shes back. I just have a feeling it'll be soon" "I hope so Ads. I miss her" Amy replied as they passed Willows place, where the lights were on. "ADs! Look her lights are on. Is she home?" Amy questioned as she saw the outline of her daughters car. "Adam can we go?" she asked as Adam turned into the long drive. "Ames, you know this could set her back, if its even her" Adam said as Amy sighed "I know Ads, but its Wills. I need to know shes ok" she said as Adam pulled up. Amy jumped out of the car before Adam had turned the ignition off and was knocking on the door. "Wills, please open up" Amy whispered as she heard the door unlock. "Hey can i call you back? Just someones turned up unannounced" she heard a voice say on the otherside of the door. As she barely waited for the door to be opened before barging in and flinging her arms around her daughter.
"WILLS! Where have you been? We've all been so worried about you" Amy said as Willow pushed her away. "Not now mom. Ive been driving all day. All i want to do is take a bath and go to bed" Willow replied coldly, turning away from her. "Wills, please. You vanish for over a month. You dont call, dont text, dont write. We've been worried sick about you" Amy said as Willow blanked her. "Matt and I have had two girls asking if they'll be seeing their mom for Christmas" Amy carried on as Willow shook her head. "Mom please just go. I'll call in the morning where we can talk and i'll explain everything. I just need to speak to someone else first" Willow said, tears forming in her eyes. "I promise mom. I swear i will tell you everything tomorrow" "You better Willow because im not lying to the girls anymore" Amy said as she stormed out, leaving Willow with her guilt.
"Haytham, it was so bad. Ive never seen Amy that angry at me" Willow said as she facedtimed her new lover. "I just feel so guilty about leaving the way i did. I just wish you were here" "Wills, you dont have to feel guilty. You did what you had to do for you" Haytham replied as Willow forced a smile. "Have you told them yet?" he asked as she shook her head. "Im going to get everyone together and tell them. But i need to talk to Matt first. This is going to break him" she said as she flicked the water from her bath. "I'll text him before i go to bed, asking him to come over in the morning" she said, sighing. "Be strong Wills. Its only twelve, eleven now, days till we see each other. I love you" he said as Willow replied "I love you too" before hanging up. She looked at the time on her cell and got out of the bath. She quickly dressed and was about to get into bed when the doorbell rang. Who the hell is calling here at one am? she thought to herself as she headed downstairs as the bell rang again. "Im coming! Im coming!" she called out as she reached the door and unlocked it. As she opened it, she got the surprise of her life. There in front of her was Matt.
"Matt what are you doing here?" Willow asked coldly as she stood in front of her ex. "I heard you were back. I had to come see you" he said as he stepped into the house. "Where have you been Wills? We've all been worried" he asked as Willow sighed. "I guess mom told you i was back?" Willow asked as Matt nodded. "Its been a long day Matt, can we please talk in the morning" she asked as Matt sat on the sofa. "Im not leaving till youve explained everything Wills. What the hell is going on with you?" He said as she felt tears building up. "Hey come on, dont cry Wills. Im not judging you" Matt said as he put his arms around her. "I had to go. I was spiralling after the wedding. Seeing Lucas, being that close with you again. It messed with my head big time" Willow sobbed as she leaned into Matt. "I was feeling really really low, i was having terrible, dark twisted thoughts. I was almost suicidal, i couldnt keep living this double life Matt" she continued as Matt said "Why didnt you say anything Wills?" "I couldnt. Not after i stopped going to Dr Crowe. So i made the decision to go away. I did some research into psych hospitals and thats how i found Haven." she said as she pulled away from Matt. "Im sorry for leaving the way i did, but im not sorry for going. For the first time in a long time my head is clear. Im going to go back to Dr Crowe, im still dealing with certain things but i have been working through alot with Haytham..." she said, tailing off at the sound of her new lovers name. "You mentioned him in the letter. Who is he?" Matt asked as Willow took a deep breath. "He's the reason i cant keep doing this with you. Hes... Hes my..." she said, unable to finish the sentence, as Matt put two and two together. "Hes your boyfriend, isnt he?" he asked as Willow nodded. "I didnt mean to fall for him, I just ended up falling for him after our first therapy session together..." "He was your therapist? Wills you know how unethical that is? He is breaking so many codes and laws, dating a patient" Matt said as Willow shook her head, "Its not like that. We didnt actually do anything until I left. I didnt even tell him i had feelings for him until that final day" she said, suddenly feeling angry. "Matt, please dont look at me like that. This is already so hard just telling you this" Willow said as Matt said "Why is it so hard Wills?" "BECAUSE I STILL LOVE YOU" she yelled before realising what she'd just admitted. "But i cant be with you. Too much has happened for us to ever be the way we were, and although you do make me happy, Haytham makes me happier and ive got to put myself first for once" she said through the tears as the two sat in silence for a few minutes. "Does he, does he really make you happy Wills?" Matt asked as Willow nodded. "He does. Youd like him Matt, hes coming after Christmas to meet everyone" she said as Matt stood up to leave. "I'll think about it Wills. Can i call you in a few days about christmas?" he said as Willow nodded, tears streaming down her face. "Matt...im so sorry" she said as he headed out into the cold, dark night, leaving her broken hearted.
