No no no, Rubes you cant be coming yet. Daddys not back Willow thought as she eased herself into the bath. I didnt even feel my waters break, i must have been totally out of it last night. I need mom, I need Elly. I need Matt here. She thought as she felt the hot water easing her pain. She must have dozed off in the water as she heard Elly through the door "Willow? Willis, are you ok?" Elly asked as Willow replied "Doors unlocked Elly. You can come in" "Wills, what the hell is going on? Theres blood on your bed..." Elly asked as Willow gave her the look. "Are you..." "My waters broke sometime this morning. Its too early, Matts not back yet" Willow said as Elly said "Im messaging Amy and Trish. How far apart are contractions?" "Hours. Dont let Jas see the bed. Shes already freaking out about Matt being on the other side of the world" "I'll take the sheets to the laundry room. Jas is engrossed in the little mermaid right now" Elly replied as they heard Amy and Trish arriving with Max and Maddie. "Im going to go get Amy. Wills, i think Rubes is coming today or tomorrow, whether or not Matt is here" Elly said before heading out of the room and downstairs.

Willow lay on her bed a two hours later. Her contractions getting closer and the pain becoming almost unbareable. She had silent tears rolling down her face as she knew Matt wouldnt be able to answer her calls. "Wills? You ok?" Amy asked quietly as she opened the door. "I think its time mom. I need to get to the hospital. Rubes is coming. Contractions are about a few hours apart now. It hurts so bad mom. Will you and Elly come with me?" Willow sobbed as Amy held her. "Of course we'll be there. Do you have a bag ready?" Amy replied as Willow nodded and pointed to the wardrobe. Amy got off the bed and grabbed the bag as Willow wiped away the tears. "It'll be ok Wills" Amy said as she grabbed Willows arm and led her downstairs and out of the house.

"Hey Matt, hows Willow doing?" Phil asked as he and Matt made their way to the hotel. "Shes exhausted. She shouldnt have come to mania. It took all her energy to be there. Im worried about her" Matt replied as he felt his cell vibrating in his pocket. "Facetime from Ames? Something is going on" Matt said as he answered it "Hey Amy, whats going on? Is Willow ok? Is Ruby ok?" he asked as Amy replied "Willows waters broke this morning. We're enroute to the hospital right now" "Matty, please come home i need you" Willow said in the background through the pain. "Wills, be strong ok. Ill be there as soon as i can. I love you" Matt said as he hung up and immediatley dialled Vinces number. "Hello, Vince? Its Matt, im sorry for disturbing you but i need to cut this australia tour short. Willow went into labor this morning. Amy and Elly are with her. Thank you Vince. I know, its exciting times, i will tell her when i see her Vince and you'll be the first to know when shes arrived" "Wills is in labor? Thought she still had a few weeks to go?" Phil questioned as Matt replied "So did we. First flight out is at 9am. Wont get to Raleigh until late. Its a 20 hour flight with stops" "Matt if it gets you there quickest, take it" Phil said as Matt booked the flight and dialled Amys number. "Come on Ames pick up" he said quietly as Amy answered "Ames, good news im coming home. Bad news is that the first flight isnt until the morning Australia time. Just tell Wills im coming" he said as Amy replied "I will Matt. Im not leaving her. Neither is Elly, Brooke is flying up from Houston. The doctors and midwives are getting her settled in. You know shes going to hold off pushing for as long as she can until you get here" "Ames you have to get her to do it. Even if im not there. Its killing me knowing that im going to potentially miss Rubys arrival" Matt said as he headed up to his hotel room to pack. "I know Matt. Shes asking for us. Call us before your flight" Amy said before hanging up. In a matter of hours i'll be a dad of two, and ive not been there for either birth he thought as he quickly packed, ignoring the knocking on his door.

"Matt open up. I know youre in there" he heard Jeff saying from the other side. Sighing Matt walked over and opened it. "Jeff, its not the best time right now" he said as Jeff entered the room and spotted the open case on the bed. "Going somewhere Matt?" he asked curiously, not knowing about Willow. "Willows in labor. This morning. Im going back on the first flight tomorrow" Matt said. "Congrats Matt. I had no idea she was that close. Is anyone with her?" Jeff asked as Matt replied "Ames and Elly are with her and to be honest Jeff, we both thought she had at least ten days left. I need to get a few hours sleep before i head out. Do you mind Jeff?" he said as Jeff shook his head. "I'll leave you too it. I wont say anything to anyone, you two need to announce Ruby G together" he said before leaving the room, as Matt finished packing and laying on top of the bed, attempting to get some sleep, knowing that almost 10,000 miles away Willow was having a very different day.

"Is he coming? Please say hes coming" Willow asked through silent tears and pain. "Hes got a flight Wills. He'll be here" Amy replied, not telling her the full story. "Mom, whats going on? Matts not coming is he?" Willow asked, knowing Amy wasnt telling her the whole story. "Matt is coming. The only thing is his flight doesnt leave until the morning. around 9am Australia time. Elly and I arent going anywhere. Youve got us until Matt gets here" Amy said as Willow winced in pain at the latest contraction, just as the midwife came in to check on her, along with doctor Britt. "Everything looks good with the baby, dilation seems to be slow. How long have you been having contractions for?" Beth asked as Willow replied "Since this morning. I woke up around 7 with one" "Seven hours, only 2.5cm dilated. Youre going to be in for a long labor Willow. Although a C section may be preferable given the cysts" Beth said as Willow shook her head. "Ruby is coming naturally, I cant go through another c section. The only way im having one is if its absolutley necessary" she replied as she grabbed Amys hand, squeezing it. "Wills, why dont you try and rest? Get some sleep before Matt gets here?" Elly suggested as Willow nodded and closed her eyes. As they watched Willow drift off, Amy and Elly went outside the room and Amy filled Elly in. "Theres no way Matts making it, Ive already looked it up. His flight isnt for hours, multiple stops. Its at least 20 hours" Elly said as Amy added "and thats not taking into account any delays. Its going to be a long couple of days"

Hours later, Amys cell rang. "Hey Matt, are you at the airport?" she asked as she answered his facetime call. "Yeah i am, just waiting for the boarding announcment. Hows Wills doing? Can i speak to her?" he asked as Amy replied "Shes got Beth in with her at the moment. She shouldnt be too much longer" as Elly came out of the room. "Contractions are getting closer. Willow is exhausted already and she hasnt even started pushing yet" Elly said as she came into view. "What is it now? Over thirteen hours? I need to see her" Matt said down the phone as Amy and Elly entered the room. "Hey Wills, how you doing?" Amy asked, not revealing that Matt was on the phone. "Im tired mom. I want Matt here, i want Ruby here" Willow replied as Amy said "I can give you one of those" as she turned her phone around. "Hey Wills" Matt said as Willow smiled and said "Matty"

"Hey Wills, im sorry im not there" Matt said over facetime as Amy passed Willow her cell, before leaving the room with Elly to give them some privacy. "Matty, im sorry. I didnt know she was going to come this early" Willow said quietly, as another contraction hit her. "Wills, its ok. Remember what we said the before i left for this tour? We always knew we had between seven and ten days" He said as Willow began to have silent tears again. "You should be here Matt. You shouldnt be missing the birth of your child" she said quietly as another contraction came over her. "Wills, i get that your pissed and angry and upset with me, but please dont wait for me to get there if you need to push, then you push. Dont make yourself ill for me." He said as Willow shook her head "Yeah im mad Matt. Im also exhausted, almost fourteen hours and im still not fully dilated. Im scared to push, im terrified that im going to potentially burst a cyst. Im sorry Matt im such a mess" Willow said as Matt replied "No youre not. Youre beautiful. You are the strongest most amazing person i know Wills. I love you" he said as the tannoy went off behind him announcing his flight was boarding. "Wills, i have to go baby. My flight is boarding, i'll be there as quick as this plane will take me" Matt said as Willow pleaded "Please stay with me Matt. I need you, i dont want you missing out on this either" "I'll try and call you midflight. I love you" he said as he hung up, as Willow had the strongest contraction yet. Letting out a scream, Amy and Elly ran back in and held her as Beth and the midwife came in. As they checked her over, Willow began to wretch and threw up, blood showing up in her vomit. As they finished her check over, the midwife said "Its nearly time Willow, are you ready?"

Matt had been in the air for what felt like forever. He had his cell on flight mode ready for any updates on Willow and Ruby. He had tried to watch multiple movies and even sleep but he couldnt. Around the eigth hour his cell began to vibrate, it was a facetime from Amy. "Whats going on Ames? Is everything ok?" he asked as he heard Willow in the background. "Shes getting worse Matt. She needs to start pushing but she wont" Amy said as Matt replied quietly, not wanting to disturb the other passengers "Put her on. Let me talk to her" Amy turned the cell around. "Wills. Wills baby im here" he said as Willow looked at the cell, "Matty, i cant do this. Im so tired" she said weakly as Amy sat next to her and took her hand. "Wills, take some deep breaths and listen to my voice. You need to push." he said as he watched Willow take some deep breaths and begin to push. "MATT GET YOUR ASS HERE" Willow screamed at him over facetime as she pushed. "Keep going Wills. You can do this" Matt said as Willow pushed again "IM SO FUCKING PISSED AT YOU MATT. YOU SHOULD BE HERE" she screamed before trying to catch her breath. "shes crowning. Come on Willow, just a few more pushes" the midwife said as Willow replied breathless "I cant. I cant do it" "Yes you can Wills. Two more pushes, thats all" Matt said, starting to feel excited at the arrival of his daughter. It also killed him inside not being there and being the support Willow needed. He could also tell by Willows demeanour that something wasnt right with her. "Wills listen to me, i love you. I love you more than anything. I know your angry, pissed at me. I want you to take all that anger, all that pain and focus it onto me" Matt said as Willow pushed. "I CANT DO THIS ANYMORE. JUST GET THIS BABY OUT OF ME!" she yelled as the midwife grabbed Rubys head. "Wills, come on. One more push" Elly said as Willow took a final deep breath and pushed. A few seconds later, they heard a tiny cry as Willow lay back on the bed, panting for breath as the midwife passed Ruby to her. Willow had tears of happiness rolling down her face, as did Matt. "Hey baby girl, say hi to your daddy. Hes still on his way here but he was here when i needed him, in the most unique, special way" Willow said as she showed off Ruby to Matt. "Shes perfect Wills. I'll be there as soon as i can, i love you both. Try and get some rest" Matt said as Willow nodded as he hung up. However, what he didnt see a few hours later, after the call ended had everyone scared.

"Shes so perfect Wills. Im so happy for you and Matt" Elly said a few hours later, as Amy snapped some pictures to send to Matt and the others. "Nearly twenty six hours for this tiny princess. Im just glad Matt got to see her being born, but he still should have been here" Willow said, still in pain and discomfort. "Wills, why dont you get some sleep? Its been a long day" Amy said as Willow yawned and her cell vibrated. "Matt saying thanks for the pictures and hes just landed in New York. Just a few hours and he'll be here" she said as Willow groaned. "Mom can you take Ruby please? I dont feel so good" she said as grabbed her abdomen. "Willow, whats wrong?" Elly asked as Amy picked up Ruby. "I dont know. I... just..." Willow said breathless before collapsing on the bed, eyes rolling into the back of her head. "WILLOW" both women yelled in unison as Elly ran out of the room to find Dr Britt. "Wills, what the hell is going on with you?" Amy asked herself quietly. Willow began to shake violently as Elly and Beth returned. "How long has she been like this Amy?" Beth asked as Amy replied "Just a few seconds. Beth what is going on with her?" "Im concerned one of her cysts has ruptured. Im just going to check if shes bleeding" Beth replied as she lifted the bed covering. "Shes bleeding, pretty heavily. She needs surgery now" she added as she pressed the emergeny button and called for a team to prep the theatre. "Are you going to tell Matt?" Elly asked Amy as the doctors wheeled Willow off to surgery. "I cant. WE cant. Hes already worried sick about her. I dont want to leave Ruby either" Amy replied, "I just hope Matt gets here quick"

After almost 24 hours travelling, including 20 hours in the air, Matt was finally at the hospital. He walked up to the front desk but before he could even ask for Willow, he saw Elly coming towards him. "Hey youre here. About time" she said as she hugged him. "Wheres Wills and Ruby? Take me too them" he said as Elly led the way. "Matt theres something you should know. Willow had to go in for emergency surgery a while ago. She collapsed in the bed and started shaking. It was scary, her eyes just rolled into the back of her head" Elly said as they reached the room where Amy was with Ruby. "Hey Matt. Come on in, theres someone you need to meet. Say hi to Ruby" she said as she passed Matt his youngest daughter, who he immediatley fell in love with. "Shes so like Wills" he said as he held her, taking the final spare chair in the room, not wanting to ask about Willow. Before anyone could say anything, Beth walked through the door. "Oh Matt youre here. Congrats on Ruby" she said as he asked "how is she?" "Willow is out of surgery and in ICU. It was pretty touch and go for a while, she lost a lot of blood and had three transfusions..." "THREE? Jesus Beth, what the hell is going on with her?" Amy asked as Beth continued "There was a cyst that Ruby had been compressing againt and the long labor must have made it reinflate and burst. We managed to remove it and stop the internal bleeding. We're going to do a biopsy on the cyst, see if we can finally get some answers for her. In the meantime, she needs to carry on with her treatment until we know for definite" "Can we go see her?" Elly asked as Beth replied "Willow will be back down in around half an hour. Im going to recommend that she not breastfeed, i know she really wanted to but its just not feasible. Not whilst undergoing treatment" "Thanks Beth, for everything today" Amy said as Matt cradled a sleeping Ruby. "Why dont you two go back to the house? Get some sleep, youve been here for hours" Matt said to Amy and Elly, as Elly replied "Im not leaving Matt. Not until i see her" "Matts, right though Elly. We have been here for hours. We're no good to Willow or to Matt or the girls if we're tired" Amy said as Elly yawned. "Call us if you need anything ok Matt. We'll be back later" Amy said as the two women headed off home, leaving Matt alone with his newborn for the first time.

Just as Beth said, Willow was brought back into her room. Still unconcious, Matt felt his heart break at how fragile she she looked. He sat next to her and took her hand in his. "Hey Wills, im here. Ruby is perfect. Im so proud of you for doing it without me, even though we both know that we're both upset i wasnt here" he said quietly before continuing "Please wake up Wills. The girls need you. I need you. I love you" his eyes feeling heavy, drooping as he finally closed them, sleeping after the longest days of their lives. A few hours later, Matt felt someone squeezing his hand, he opened his eyes and smiled. "Hey sleepy, youre awake" He said as Willow smiled weakly. "Youre here. Thats all i wanted" she said just as Ruby woke too. "Shes going to need feeding. Bring her over Matt, please" she asked as Matt took Ruby to Willow. "Wills, i know you want to breast feed but Beth thinks its a bad idea with your treatment" he said as Willow sighed "i never even thought about that Matt. I did it automatically with Jas" "Let me go grab a bottle and then we can announce her to the world if your feeling up to it" Matt said as Willow nodded. A few minutes after he left the room, there was a knock at the door. "Hey Wills, can we come in?" Elly said peaking behind the door as Willow nodded as Elly opened the door to reveal herself, Jasmine and Brooke stood there. "Surprise!" Brooke said as she walked over to Willow and hugged her best friend. "When did you get here? I didnt even know you were coming" Willow asked, totally shocked by her besties appearance. "I got a flight as soon as Trish called and said you were in labor" she replied, before adding " and of course I had to come meet this one" as Matt returned with a bottle for Ruby. Passing Willow the bottle, Jasmine came forward, curious to meet her little sister. "Hey Jasdoll, want to come meet your sister?" Willow asked as Matt helped Jasmine on to the bed. "Hey can one of you get a family shot of us? It'll be our way of announcing Rubys birth" Matt asked as both Elly and Brooke started snapping away, sending them to Matt and Willows cells. "Ready to announce it Matt?" Willow asked as Matt nodded. Each taking their cells, selecting the same picture. "Matt, dont tell them about me. Just say Ruby was healthy" Willow said as Matt agreed, before they uploaded the photo to their Twitter, with the caption:

Ruby G Hardy. April 30

Willow was discharged two days later and her and Ruby were on their way home. Matt stayed with them for ten days before heading back on the road. Elly remained in the house with Willow until the current tour was over. May turned into June, Matt had a few days off, which Willow was feeling grateful for. She was starting to feel rundown, exhausted. Her new treatment was making her constantly tired. "Wills, you ok? Youve been really quiet these last few days" Matt asked as he and Willow lay in bed together. "Im just so tired Matt. This treatment is really wearing me down. Im just glad that im finally going to finally get a proper diagnosis tomorrow" Willow replied as Matt kissed her on the top of her head. "Want me to come with you?" he asked as Willow shook her head. "Moms coming with me. I need you here with the girls" she replied as she yawned. "I'll get up tonight Wills. You get some sleep for tomorrow" Matt said as Willow put her head on his chest. "Promise me you'll stay with me no matter what happens tomorrow" she said sleepily as Matt replied "Im not going anywhere Wills. I love you and the girls too much"

"Hey Wills, you ready to go?" Amy asked the next morning from behind the door. "Almost mom. Actually, can i talk to you before we go?" Willow said as Amy entered the bedroom. "Whats wrong Wills?" she asked as Willow replied "Im not bonding as well with Ruby as i did Jas. I think its because with Jas i could breastfeed and we had that contact. With Ruby its so different, we've been trying not to focus on this illness but its always been there in the back of our mind" "I dont want to compare our relationship to it but i didnt bond with you. I barely even got to hold you. All i did was name you and then you were gone" Amy said as she sat on the bed next to Willow, before adding "But look at us now. Closer than ever and i wouldnt change our bond for anything. You'll bond with her, give it time" "I hope so. Lets go, dont want to be late do we" Willow said as the two women headed out ofthe bedroom.

"Wills? You ok?" Amy asked a few hours later as they left the hospital. "How do i tell him?" Willow said quietly, having not fully absorbed the details herself. "How do i tell Matt its cancer?" "Tell him tonight, one on one. Once the girls have gone to bed. Want to go for a drive before heading back? I dont think youve processed it yet have you?" Amy replied as Willow shook her head, as Amy put her arms around her and led her to the car. "Im taking you for a drive, youre not ready to face Matt yet" Amy said as they got into the car, Willow glancing around as if she'd seen someone she shouldnt. "Wills? Whats wrong?" Amy asked as Willow finally entered the vehicle, replying "I thought i saw Victor. I must be imagining it. lets just go mom"

It was after 7pm when Willow got home. She wiped away the silent tears that she'd cried that afternoon, as she walked into the living area she saw Matt sitting on the sofa. He barely acknowledged her entrance, he had his cell in his hand playing the same recording over and over.

You know that was battling feelings for Matt when i found out that you were in love with me. When i ended it, i ended it because i didnt want it to get any messier and more complicated than what it already was. What people didnt know is that i was also starting to develop feelings for you" "You had feelings for me? Why didnt you say anything Wills? I couldnt. Everyone was already judging me for sleeping with you. Im not sure if i'll ever fully trust him. , i missed you. I missed being around you, i missed having you to talk to. I missed having fun with you. I missed our connection, the sex was amazing. But the one thing i missed the most, was our friendship. Just being able to hang out with you. Ive not been able to get you out of my head for a while. Ive been replaying our time over and over again. If we had met under different circumstances, then who knows what could have happened with us.

"Seth? Out of ALL the people it was Seth?" Matt said quietly but angry "and youre in love with him? I cant even look at you, you disgust me" "Matt please, its not like that" Willow said her heart breaking. "Let me explain" "I dont want to hear any excuses. Its clear as day, you love him. Just get out" he said as Willow had silent tears flowing down her face "So thats it? Youre not even going to let me explain that whole conversation that has been completely taken out of context? Youre taking the word of whoever sent that over me? I cant believe you" she sobbed, as Matt shook his head. "You lied to me Wills. Told me it was a nobody you fucked and it turns out it was Seth. A guy you knew had feelings for you and you had feelings for him. Do you still have feelings for him? Are you still in love with him?" Matt asked, standing above her as Willow shook her head. "Matt it was never ever like that. Being with him was a release from everything you put me through" she said as Matt cut her off "Youre blaming me for this? I cant even look at you anymore. Just get out. Leave. Im done" he said as he grabbed her arm and threw her out. "Matt, please dont do this" Willow pleaded as tears rolled down her face. Matt just stared at her in utter disgust and disappointment as he closed the door in her face, as she broke down, her whole world collapsed in a day.

***6 months later***

"Mommy, are you still upset with dada?" Jasmine asked as Willow tucked her into bed. "I am Jas. But ive got you and Ruby to make me happy and you two are all i need" she replied before asking "And what about you Jas? Do you miss him? Would you like to spend time with him?" "Not when nasty Reby is there. I dont like her momma. She hurt me" Jasmine replied, yawning "and dada didnt believe me when i told him. So i dont want to see him even though i misses him" Willow closed her eyes, feeling her anger at Matt coming back for that day. "Im still so mad at him for that too. How would you feel about going away for a little while Jas? Back to where mom grew up?" Willow asked as Jasmine nodded as she fell asleep. Willow crept into her bedroom and took out her laptop, searching for flights back to the UK within the next few days. She found an ideal one, leaving North Carolina the following afternoon, stopping in New York. Willow booked three one way tickets and immediatley began to pack their belongings, tears stinging her eyes. I never wanted any of this to happen but its just so hard being near him. She thought as she zipped up her suitcase, most of her clothing packed. She hid the case and grabbed her note book and pen, climbing into bed and began to write the hardest goodbye letters to Amy and the others, however she couldnt bring herself to say goodbye to Matt.

"Hey Jas, you almost ready?" Willow called from downstairs as Jasmine came down. "Almost momma, just need to find Dotty Doll" she replied as Willow remembered that it was at Amys. "Jas i know where she is. Shes at Grandma Amys. Want to go get her before we leave? Or do you want her to have a special adventure?" Willow asked as Jasmine thought about it. "Adventure. Then Dotty tells me all about it" she said as she came down the stairs. "Im sad to leave momma, but i like adventures with you and wuby" "Im sad too Jas, but we need to go. Wait here for a few minutes, can you watch Ruby like the best big sister you are whilest i go grab the cases. Ive also got to grab a few things from my room okay, and this is super important Jas, we cant tell anyone that we're going" Willow said as Jasmine nodded, watching her go up the stairs reappearing two minutes later with their cases and the letters in her hand. She placed them on the coffee table, along with her wedding and engagement rings, which broke her. Sighing as she placed her rings on the table she felt Jasmine take her hand and say "lets go momma. Lets go"

"I still cant believe he let Reby get away with hurting Jas" Adam said to Amy that next night, as they lay in bed. "If that was my child i'd have ditched her immediatley and be grovelling at Willow and Jasmines feet for forgiveness" "Dont Ads. Im really worried about her. Shes struggling to be on her own, dealing with her cancer, raising the girls. I feel like theres something else going on with her. Matt really didnt help matters by moving on with Reby so quickly. You know he still doesnt know about her cancer? Never even once asked about her" Amy replied as Adam shook his head and said " and he doesnt deserve to know. Not after all the shit hes put her and the girls through these last few months. I might go around tomorrow. Check up on her, make sure shes doing ok. Shes been quiet these last few days, barely spoken to anyone" completely unaware that a few blocks away, in his old house Willow had packed up and was currently midway across the Atlantic with the girls.