"Daddy, whens momma home?" Jasmine asked as Matt cleared up the baking equipment they had used after making cupcakes. "Hopefully soon Jas. Tell you what, why dont we go do these dishes, then have some lunch and a splash in the pool?" he said as Jasmine finished licking the chocolate cake mix from the spoon in the kitchen. "Sounds good daddy. I go put bather on" she said as she placed her bowl on the counter and toddled off to her room. Matt loaded the dishwasher and began making sandwiches, before taking out his cell and messaging Willow. "Hey Jas, you ready up there? Lunch is ready" he called as Jasmine came running down the stairs. "Ready daddy. Lets eat and go splash"
A few hours later, Willow reentered the house. She heard Matt and Jas in the living area and smiled as she saw them sitting on the floor having a tea party. "Is this a private party or can anyone join?" she asked as Jasmine yelled out "MOOMMMMMY" before getting up and running over to her and hugging her tight. "You ok Wills? Youve been gone pretty much all day" Matt asked as Willow nodded. He could tell she wasnt right, he could tell she'd been crying but knew not to press for more details in front of Jasmine. "I could really go for a cup of tea and a snack about now though" she said as Matt said to Jas, "Why dont you go get mom one of those cupcakes we made earlier?" as Jasmine nodded and headed to the kitchen. "Want to talk later? Once shes in bed?" he asked Willow who nodded and replied "we need to" before being cut off by a returning Jasmine. "Here you go mommy, a yummy choccy cupcake for you" she said, passing Willow the cupcake, as Matt headed into the kitchen to make her cup of tea. "What have you and daddy done today Jas? Apart from these yummy cupcakes" she asked as she sat on the sofa, Jasmine cuddling into her, telling her about her day.
"So want to tell me what happened at the hospital?" Matt asked as he returned from putting Jasmine to bed. "They think the reason for the original tests being inconclusive is because of the pregnancy hormones. They couldnt differenciate between amniotic fluid and the biopsy from the cyst, so they redid all the tests" Willow began to say, before starting to tear up as she continued "The doctors think that theres potential for the cysts to turn cancerous and they want me to have fortnightly treatments, Beth and the other doctors said that the best chance is to abort Ruby and focus on my health. I told them a cold hard no. Not a chance in hell. Not after what we went through to concieve her" "How can they even suggest that? How can Beth say it? Knowing everything you went through" Matt said angrily as silent tears ran down Willows cheeks. "I dont know Matt, so im going to be starting a more homeopathic treatment until Ruby is here, then i need to go for more tests. Amping up the treatment plan and possibly surgery, but Rubes is fine, shes healthy a little fighter." "Whens the first treatment Wills? I want to be there with you, because we're in this together" Matt said as he wiped away her tears. "Next week. Beth is going to call and confirm withing a few days. Im scared Matt. Really really scared." she said as Matt pulled her close, kissing her forehead and said "Im not going anywhere Wills. We're in this together, i love you" "I love you too Matt and i know you cant be here all the time during this treatment with being back on the road, but ill have mom and Elly and Trish here" Willow said as Matt kissed her again "and ill be right back here for when you need me. Even if you want me to take Jas out for a few hours so you can chill or catch up on sleep if youre not feeling 100 percent" he said as Willow smiled weakly for the first time that day. "Matt, i want and will be there at Mania in two months to see you lift that title. You know, i am still a little worried that Victor hasnt raised his head since New York. But right now, all i want to do is relax with you"
"Hey Wills, you almost packed?" Matt asked two months later. "Almost Matt. I cant believe its Mania weekend already" Willow replied as Matt slipped his arms around her. Matt had been in a three way feud with CM Punk, who was the current champion and Seth who won the rumble. He was considered the underdog out of the three, having used his previous title shot from Extreme Rules. "What time are we leaving tomorrow?" she asked as she turned to face Matt. "Flight is at 9, so leave about 630?" he replied as Willow nodded. "I dont know how long im going to be able to last at the Hall of fame, but you know its Trishs year. I have to be there for her" she said as Matt kissed her forehead "And next year will be you or Ames" "More likely to be mom than me. Im a no one compared to her, shes a legend in the ring" Willow said as Matt added "and so are you. Your talent and popularity, no one has come close to in almost 9 years" "At this point, Im not bothered about going in. Im just so happy being with you and the girls" Willow said kissing him, "Not long left until we three become four" she said as she moved their hands down onto her bump. "and we cant wait to meet you Ruby. Hopefully momma will be ok too" Matt said as Willow smiled. "How are you feeling Wills?I know youve struggled a bit these last few months with balancing the pregnancy and your treatments" "Im doing good Matt. Beth has given me the Ok to travel for the weekend. But then as soon as we're back its all rest for me" Willow said as she yawned. "Why dont you have a nap Wills? Jas will be back soon and shes going to be hyper. I'll feed, bathe and put her to bed. Give you time to relax" Matt said as Willow nodded, climbing onto the bed as Matt moved the suitcase. As soon as Willows head hit the pillows she was out, leaving Matt concerned she wasnt telling him everything.
"Jas come on. We're going to be late for Dadas match" Willow said to her daughter as they prepared to head ringside after one of the longest days of the wrestling year. "Is daddy gonna win momma?" Jasmine asked as she reached up and grabbed Willows hand, clingong on tightly. "I hope so Jas, i hope so" Willow replied as security met them at the door, leading them to their seats for the match. Willow took a deep breath as she sat, feeling Ruby kick hoping that she wouldnt decide to make an appearance that same night. As they waited for the match to start, there was time for a highlights package to be shown of the feud on TV. Suddenly the stadium went dark and Seths music began to thunder. Seth made his way to the ring first, followed by Matt, who made his way to Willow and Jas, who gave him a good luck kiss as the cameras followed him. There was a huge applause for Willow, who hadnt been seen within WWE since January. "Love you Wills, you too Jas and Rubes." Matt said before heading into the ring, as Cult of Personality started blasting in the stadium. "UNCY PHIL! UNCY PHIL!" Jasmine yelled as Willow said "Jas, calm down. We need to cheer for dada okay" "Kay momma" Jasmine replied as she sat down, just as Punk reluctantly handed the title to the ref and the bell rang to start the match.
The match seemed to go on forever. Half an hour in and not one of the three men showed any sign of tiring. "COME ON DADA!" Jasmine yelled from the crowd, as Willow sighed. She longed to be out there, ringside. By Matts side. But she knew the risks of being out there and she wasnt ready to risk even the slightest knock to Ruby. She must have closed her eyes for a second when she heard the crowd groan. "Momma momma look" Jasmine said as she tugged on Willows tshirt. As she opened her eyes she saw that Seth was out of the ring and that it was down to Matt and Phil. Please let Matt win. He deserves this chance Willow thought to herself as Seth crawled over to where Willow and Jasmine were sat. "Wills, you want to go Ringside in ten/fifteen minutes?" He asked on the sly as Willow nodded and tapped twice for yes, as Seth made his way back to the ring. Matt was down, Punk was taunting them both as Seth attacked him from behind. As Seth said ten minutes earlier, he went for the stomp on Punk but as he went for the pin, Matt pushed him out of the ring and covered Punk as the ref started counting "1...2...3! Here is your winner and new WWE Heavyweight champion...MATT HARDY!" The crowd erupted with cheers, Jasmine was jumping up and down as Matt called for her and Willow to come join him. Seth helped Jasmine over the barrier whilest the cameras were focussed on Matt, security opened the barriers to let Willow through. Willow and Jas made their way into the ring as Matt finally stood up, holding the title high. "See, told you you could do it Matt" Willow said as the family hugged in the middle of the ring. "I love you so much Wills. This is for you" he said as they kissed in the middle of the ring, the Hardy family united.
"I really wish you werent so far away Matt. You know Rubes is almost due" Willow said over skype with her husband three weeks later. "I know Wills. I should be back soon. Australia has been amazing, but id rather be with you guys" he replied as he walked to his hotel window and showed the view. "That view is amazing. I wish i was there, Jas does too" Willow said as she yawned. "How long do you think we've got until Ruby decides she wants to make an appearance?" Matt asked as Willow replied "I dont know Matt. A week, maybe ten days. No longer than two weeks though. That would be dangerous" "Ive got just under ten days left and then the champ will be home ready for Ruby" he said as there was a knock on his door. "I gotta go Wills. Ive got promotional interviews this morning and you look like you need to sleep. When was the last time you slept? I mean properly slept" he said as Willow shrugged her shoulders, "I dont know Matt. The days and nights are all blurring into one at the moment. Im just glad that Elly is here with me, id be a mess without her" "Go and rest Wills, I'll call you after the show tomorrow. I love you guys" Matt said as Willow replied "And we love you too Matt. Now hurry up and come home" before logging off, just as Elly walked into the living area. "Was that Matt? How is he?" Elly asked, sitting next to Willow, who nodded. "Hes doing good. Hes great as champ but missing us" she replied as Elly asked "and you? How are you Wills? How are you coping?" "im exhausted Elly. Im ready for Rubes to be here, i just want to know what the hell is wrong with me and i miss Matt" Willow replied, starting to feel emotional at his name. "Im sorry Elly. My hormones are making me emotional at the smallest thing now" Willow said as she sighed. "Dont apologise Wills. I get it" Elly said as she hugged her sister "Youve got so much going on, dealing with so much. Preparing for a birth with a husband who is thousands of miles away" she added as Willow said "I think Ruby is going to arrive early. I just have this feeling that shes going to arrive while Matts still away" "And i'll be there with you, so will Amy if you need us" Elly said as Willow yawned again. "Why dont you head on up to bed Wills? I know you havent slept properly since Matt left" "Thanks Elly. I know Jas has been having nightmares lately do you mind seeing to her if she wakes? I could really use the sleep and rest" "Of course Wills. Go sleep" Elly replied as Willow struggled off the sofa, heading upstairs, leaving Elly worried about her sister.
Five days later, Willow awoke with the most excruciating pain. She stumbled out of bed and into the ensuite, where she began to run a hot bath. She returned to the bedroom for a few moments where she noticed the blood on her bedsheets, right before another pain. It was then she realised what was happening. Her waters had broken during the night. Ruby was on her way...