The weeks running up to the wedding flew by, Matt and Willow hadnt spoken about their night together and had generally avoided anyone asking how they were feeling about each other. It was a few days before the wedding and Willow was packing her bag as she was meeting Haytham the following day for a weekend stay before the big day. "How are feeling Wills?" Amy asked as she entered her daughters bedroom. "Honestly, i dont know. These last few week have just been like one big blur. Ever since New Years really mom" Willow replied, close to tears. "Its just even going back there, i never imagined in a million years would i ever go back, let alone get married in that place" she said as Amy put her arms around her. "You know he wants to move in here mom?" Willow said as Amy shook her head. "I didnt know this. How do you feel about it Wills?" she replied as Willow said "He just sprung it on me. Its another huge decision hes made about us without me" "Wills, do you trust him?" Amy asked as Willow just stared at her, giving her the answer. "Wills, if you dont trust him its never going to work" "I love him mom, shouldnt that be enough?" Willow asked as Amy replied "If i recall, we had a very similar conversation a few years back about another man. Whats going on with you two now?" "We're just friends mom. You know how hard we've worked to get to this point" Willow replied, not wanting to replay the last year in her head or have the reminder of their night together just a few weeks ago. It must have shown on her face as Amy asked "Has something happened with you two?" "We kissed just before christmas. You cant say anything mom. Please..." Willow admitted as Amy hugged her tighter. "Is that why youve been distant?" Amy asked as Willow nodded. "I do love Hayth, i do. But with Matt its just ... it just feels unresolved i guess" she said before adding "It is Haytham i want to be with, i just didnt expect things to have moved this quickly" she lied, hoping Amy was buying it.
"Hello old friend" Willow said the following day as Haytham drove up the long drive to Ravenhearst. "How are you feeling about being back here Wills?" Haytham asked as the manors conservatory came into view, as Willow shivered. "I know hes not here to hurt me but i still feel scared, nervous" she said shakily. "You have no need to be scared Willow, im here with you" Haytham said as he placed his hand on hers as they stared at the old manor. Willow took a few deep breaths before stepping out of the car, "Theres no going back now" she whispered as Haytham took her hand and led her into manor.
"Its never changed. Its still the same" Willow whispered as Haytham checked them in. "Wills, you ok" he asked as Willow nodded, taking another deep breath. "Its just... i never thought id be back here" she replied quietly as he led her down the majestic hallway to their room for the night. As they reached their room, Willow began to have a panic attack. "This...this cant be real" she said as Haytham opened the door to their room, revealing it was Willows old room from her time as Victors prisoner. "Willow whats wrong?" Haytham asked as Willow stood frozen in the doorway. "This was...this was my room when i was with Victor" she said quietly as Haytham put his arms around her. "Jesus Wills, youre shaking" "I just want this weekend over with now. I just want to be Mrs Conway" she said as Haytham held her. "I want it too Wills, but four days and we will be" he said as he guided her into the room. "You will be ok in here" he said as Willow nodded. "I will be. I just need to get over the shock of this place still being the exact same way nearly four years later" she replied, her stomach rumbling. "Tell you what, why dont we freshen up and head to dinner? It is getting late" he said as they headed into the shower together.
"Ames i dont know what it is but theres something bothering me about Haytham" Adam said that night as he sat on the sofa with Amy. "Matt said he'd been round to see her last week about the girls and she had a black eye" "She had a black eye? Has he hit her?" Amy asked, suddenly feeling uneasy about her daughters fiance. "I mean, he said that she said it was accidental but i dont think he believed her" Adam said as she leaned into him. "If she had it yesterday then she hid it well. But she did say she was having doubts" Amy said as she asked "Is it bad that i dont want her to go through with this?" "I dont think she should either Ames. It feels like hes forcing her to go through with it" Adam replied as he kissed Amys head. "You never know, theres still plenty of time for it to be called off"
Willow spent the night tossing and turning. She was having vivid dreams of her previous life in the manor, thinking she was hearing the ghostly voices calling her. She awoke in the early hours, sweating, feeling like she couldnt breathe. She glanced at Haytham who was still fast asleep. She picked up her cell and looked at the time. Still unable to breathe, she crept out of bed, grabbing her cell, a room key and headed out to the old garden. Im having a panic attack over a dream she thought to herself as she left the entrance hall, now the grand lobby. She found a seat in her favourite part of the old garden. I cant belive Hayth slept through my nightmares. Matt would have awoken and held me. He would have calmed me. I need him" she thought as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Before she knew it, she was dialling a very familiar number.
"Hey Wills, whats wrong?" Matt asked as they face timed in the dark. "Are you having a panic attack?" he asked as Willow nodded as Matt began to talk calmly to her, he noticed she'd been crying. "Willow? Whats really going on? I know you didnt call me just because of the attack" Matt asked as Willow sighed. "I cant...i cant be here Matt. Its making me relive memories i just want to forget" she said through the tears. "Hayth, he...he doesnt understand the hell i, that we, went through with this place. I mean, we're staying in my old room and he didnt even ask if i was ok. Who is this person im supposed to be marrying Matt? Can i marry him?" "Wills, only you can make that choice. You know how i feel about you" Matt replied as Willow nodded "And you know how i feel about you Matt. Oh fuck what am i doing? I cant do this. I cant marry him" She said as she finally realised that she didnt love Haytham, she was in love with Matt.
Willow crept back into bed almost an hour later. Haytham hadnt moved in the bed. Willow feeling guilty as she lay next to him, knowing that she couldnt stay in Ravenhearst or in their relationship. What am i going to do? I cant stay here, i cant stay with Haytham but its too late to call things off she thought as she stared at the ceiling, silent tears running down her face. I need to talk to mom. I need to speak to Adam, hes the only one who knows the truth about me and Matt. She thought as she closed her eyes and tried to sleep. She felt like she had barely drifted off when Haytham was gently shaking her awake, kissing her neck. "Hey Wills, its almost 10am" he said as she opened her eyes. "Hayth...what..." she said as she stirred. As she woke, she sensed something was off. She felt weird, uneasy. Almost uncomfortable. "Willow? Are you ok? You look a little pale" Haytham asked as Willow closed her eyes again. "Its just being back here. Last time i have so many bad, triggering memories here" she replied, feeling nauseous. "Just one more day Wills, then we'll be husband and wife. We'll never have to come back again" He replied as he kissed her, Willow being unresponsive to it. "Sorry Hayth, im just not feeling it this morning" she said as Haytham stroked her face. "Tell you what. Why dont we get up, have some breakfast and then i'll show you the room in which we're getting married in tomorrow?" He said as Willow nodded.
"I think Mom and Adam are coming tonight too" she said as they made their way to the room. "Shes bringing my dress. This still doesnt feel real" she added as Haytham opened the door to the conservatory. "And right over there is where my heart stopped for the second time" Willow whispered as Haytham squeezed her hand. "You ok Wills?" he asked as Willow broke free of his grip and ran out of the room. She ran until she felt the cold air on her face, until she felt a pair of familiar arms holding her. "Hey Wills, whats going on?" Adam asked, his soft Canadian tone soothing Willows fears. "Ads? What are you doing here this early?" Willow asked, relieved to see a face who knew her past with the house. "Ames, Matt and I are worried about you, so i came early to surprise you" Adam replied as Willow asked"Can we go for a walk? I'll try and explain" as Adam nodded, as they began their walk around the large grounds, watched from a distance by an increasingly jealous Haytham.
"Ads you know what this house does to me. Its just so triggering to be back here" Willow sighed as the step family walked around the grounds. "Hayth keeps saying 'just a few more days' but im drained Adam. He doesnt listen to me, respect me or my wants. I dont trust him anymore" she added as Adam hugged her. "Do you love him?" he asked as she sighed. "I thought i did, but after these last few days im not sure anymore. Its too late to call things off" "What about... Have you spoken to him lately?" Adam asked as Willow nodded. "Last time i saw him was when i had my black eye" she replied, as Adam sensed something else had happened. "Wills, did something happen with you and Matt that night?" he asked as she nodded "We slept together. I didnt mean for it to happen, it just did" she said, as Adam put his arm around her. "Do you love him?" he asked as Willow replied "Matt? I dont know, its just a complicated mess. Is he even coming?" "Wills, i cant answer that but you need to tell Haytham how your feeling" Adam said as Willow said "He wont listen. I woke up last night having a really bad panic attack and he never moved. I had to get up and call Matt outside" "You called Matt?" he asked as Willow once again nodded. "He was the only one i knew would be awake. Who am i kidding Ads? This past year almost with him has been so good, almost like when we first started dating. I love him. Its always been him" She finally admitted to someone. "What are you going to do Wills?" Adam asked as Willow shook her head. "No idea. Annulment in a few weeks?" she joked as Adam hugged her. "I'll call Matt tonight, see if he is going to come. But dont be disappointed if he says no" he said as they headed inside, just before the rain began to fall.
"Wills is in a bad way Matt. Shes done with his bull" Adam said a few hours later to his closest friend over facetime. "What do you mean Ads? Whats going on?" Matt asked as Adam explained what Willow had told him that afternoon. "She doesnt trust him? Since when?" Matt asked as Adam replied "apparently shes been feeling this way for a while. He doesnt listen to her or respect her at all" "I got the same vibe when i saw her with the black eye. But she chose to say yes to him" Matt said, not knowing that Adam knew about him and Willow from that night. "Does this mean youre not coming tomorrow?" Adam asked as Matt replied "I dont know Ads. Its going to be hard watching her marry someone else when i still love her" "You know she loves you. She pretty much admitted it to me this afternoon" Adam said before being interrupted by a knock on the door. "Matt, i gotta go. But at least think about coming" he said as Matt nodded on the call before ending it. The knocking continuing, getting louder and more desperate. "Okay okay im coming" Adam sighed as he opened the door. When he opened it he got a surprise, standing in front of him was Willow.
"Wills, what are you doing here? Whats going on?" Adam asked as Willow entered the room, pulling her case behind her. Tears on her face as she asked "can i stay with you tonight Ads? I dont want to be in the same room as him" "Wills, of course you can stay here but whats going on?" Adam asked as he hugged his step daughter. "Just had a massive fight with Hayth. I dont... i dont even know what it was about but he had his hands around my throat at one point..." she said as Adam yelled "HE HAD WHAT? Sorry Wills, but hes showing his true colors now" as she showed him her red neck "I cant do it Ads, i cant marry him tomorrow. Im saying no" Willow sobbed, feeling a sense of hurt yet relief. "I dont even know where hes gone. I pushed him off me, slapped him and he stormed out. I packed my shit and came straight here" "You did the right thing Wills. Stay here tonight. Im not going anywhere. Want to order room service and watch bad movies?" Adam asked as Willow nodded. "Can i go take a bath while you order?" she asked as Adam nodded. Upon hearing the bathroom door lock, Adam messaged the one person he knew would want to hear about this development.
"Thanks for last night Ads. If you werent here..." Willow said the following morning as Adam returned with a coffee for her. "Dont mention it Wills. You were out of it last night. You barely ate and just slept" "Im just ready to be done with all of this. This wedding has been nothing but a nightmare. From the second we got engaged its gone downhill" she said as she drank her coffee. "I never should have gone for dinner with him after i left Haven. Just a few more hours and it should all be over. Is he... is he coming?" she sighed as there was a knock at the door. "That will be Ames. As for Matt, he wasnt sure last night. I'll give him a call" Adam said as Willow grabbed his arm. "Dont mention last night, please" she begged as Adam replied "I wont, but you know she'll find out" as he opened the door to reveal Amy, Elly, Brooke and Trish. Amy hung back a few seconds, letting Elly, Brooke and Trish make their way over to Willow. "Is she ok Ads? She looks so..." Amy asked as Adam shook his head. "She stayed with me last night. They had a fight, it got rough. Ill let her tell you though" he replied as Willow called Amy over in order to start getting ready.
"Matt, its me. Call me when you get this. We need to talk about Wills" Adam said as he left yet another voicemail for his friend as Christian, Jeff and Phil turned up. "You looked stressed as hell" Christian said as the four men made their way to the bar. "You dont know half of it Chris" Adam replied as they found a table as he caught them up with the events of the previous night. "Jesus, and shes still marrying the guy?" Phil asked as Jeff said "No one puts their hands on her like that and gets away with it" Adam barely had a chance to say anything when his cell began ringing. "Sorry guys, i need to get this" he said, leaving the table. When he was out of earshot he answered "Hey Matt."
"Ads, whats going on?" Matt asked on the phone. "Are you coming today Matt? Wills really needs you there" Adam asked, not wanting to say much about the previous night until absolutely necessary. "I dont think so. Its too painful watching her marry someone else" Matt replied. "She doesnt want to do it Matt. She doesnt want to marry him" Adam said as Matt remained silent. "They had a huge fight last night, apparently he put his hands round her throat..." "HE DID WHAT NOW?" Matt said angrily. "She turned up at my room last night, crying her eyes out, shaking. She barely ate any food and just slept. This place is triggering so many memories for her. Shes a mess" Adam said as Matt sighed. "What time is the wedding?" "2pm. You have time to get here. You know how she feels, i think shes going to need you" Adam said as Matt hung up.
"Am i doing the right thing mom?" Willow asked as Amy fastened her dress. "Wills, if your having doubts..." she replied as Willow sighed. "This last month has been such a blur, its just gone so fast. My head has been spinning ever since i arrived here" "Wills, if you dont want to do it, no one will judge you" Amy replied as there was a knock on the door. "That'll be Adam. Let him in mom" Willow said quietly, as she looked out of the window at the rainy day outside. "Hey Ames, is she..." Adam said as Amy invited him in. "Hey mom, can you give us ten minutes?" Willow asked as Amy nodded, before heading out. "Is he...is he coming?" Willow asked as Adam nodded. "Hes coming, hes dropping the girls off at Gils but he'll be here. He wasnt going to" he replied. "I didnt tell her about last night. I couldnt" Willow said as she saw the guests starting to make their way into the conservatory for the wedding. "Wills, do you want me to be by your side until he arrives?" Adam asked as Willow nodded as Adams cell rang. "Matts going to be late. Theres been a huge crash near Jamesville. He'll be here Wills, Matt knows these roads better than anyone" he said as Willow closed her eyes. "He wont be here in time. Less than thirty minutes to go" she said quietly, as Adam put his arms around her sensing a panic attack was incoming. "Wills, breathe. He will be here. He loves you" "I know Ads, i know. I love him too" Willow sighed as she glanced at the small clock. "1:45. No going back Ads. I just wish i could go back, tell Matt im sorry" she said, almost whispering as she and Adam headed out of the room.
Willow and Adam made their way to the conservatory in silence. Willow, terrified at the thought of what her future now held. "Wills, are you ready?" Adam asked as Willow grabbed his hand. "No... but what choice do i have now?" she replied as they heard the music start. Willow took one last glance at the driveway, hoping to see a familiar car, but it was nowhere to be seen.