Willow awoke first the next morning and looked at the man asleep next to her and she smiled. She moved closer to Matt and put her head on his chest, as she placed her head Matt awoke and kissed her forehead. "Is this really happening? Are we...?" he asked as Willow sighed. "I dont know Matt, im still confused. I think i just need time to figure whatever this is" she replied as she looked at him. "I mean, we had fun right?" she continued as Matt kissed her. "We did have fun, we always did. Im not going to push it with you Wills. You need time and i get it. Youve recently split with someone you loved and you dont want to rush into anything" he said as Willow sat up. "But i do love you Wills and i'll wait for however long it takes." "Matt, its not just about me and Harry splitting. You know what i was like after Rubes was born, how bad i was. Hell, i almost died. Then getting the cancer diagnosis... it really scared me and i needed everything happened" Willow said as Matt placed his hand on hers. "You know i'm an idiot for even taking Victors message seriously. I know you'd never cheat or let yourself fall for someone else" he said as Willow shook her head. "But i did. I slept with Dean all those years ago and i allowed my emotions to make me lust after Seth. I was no better than after watching you with..." "She was a mistake that i never want to repeat. I wasted too much time on her, when all i wanted was you and the girls" Matt said, cutting her off, adding "You were going through hell and i was too dumb to see it" "I dont know if its you pulling off tonight, Victors arrest or me being in remission but my head has been spinning all day. I know Laura said i wouldnt have to testify against him, but what if i do? Im still so scared of him and i dont think i could face him again" Willow said, finally opening up to him. "What if my cancer returns? My head is so full of what ifs. Im not quite over Harriet and im still coming to terms with my sexuality.I never thought id fall in love with another woman, so I need to put my walls up, I need to protect myself and the girls" "Wills, you wont be alone in any of those situations. I'll be there every step of the way, if we have to do it as friends, or even in secret. As for your sexuality, you love who you love. Whether its me, another guy or a woman, you love that person and be happy." Matt replied as he kissed her forehead. "Once im back home in a few weeks im going to meet with Beth and go over whats next for the cancer and im going to go back to my therapist. I think it would be best if you snuck out of here before everyone wakes. I dont want anyone knowing about this. Not until we figure us out" Willow replied as she leaned in to kiss him, as they slept together again.
Matt looked at the clock on the table beside Willows bed, before looking at the redhead asleep in his arms. Its almost 5, i probably should head downstairs before people start waking. But at the same time, i dont want to leave you. We've missed out on a year of this he thought as he kissed her forhead before quietly getting out of her bed, trying not to disturb her. He took one last glance at Willow sleeping before quietly slipping out of the door and headed downstairs, hoping he hadnt been seen.
"Do you guys think something is going on with Matt and Willow?" Adam asked the following morning as everyone was sitting in the living area, Matt and Willow out of earshot. "I came downstairs this morning for a glass of water and Matt was not on the sofa" he added as Elly replied, "he couldnt have been in the bathroom or something?" "I doubt it El, the duvet was still folded up" Adam replied as they heard someone making their way downstairs. "Morning everyone, did you guys sleep ok?" Willow asked as she entered the living area, as everyone nodded and fell silent. "OK you guys are being weird, whats going on?" she asked as she sat next to Amy. "I came downstairs this morning and Matt wasnt on the sofa. It looked like he hadnt slept there, any idea where he was?" Adam replied as Willow shook her head, lying to everyone. "No idea. Maybe he was in the bathroom, or checking on the girls. Why not ask him?" she said as Elly said "you two were looking very cosy last night. Both at the restaurant and in the garden, almost like you guys were a couple" "Look, nothing is going with me and Matt. I just split with Harriet, i dont want or need a relationship. The only thing i want from Matt, is for him to be a dad to the girls. We both need to focus on them and be civil and friendly with each other" she lied, not wanting to tell them about the previous night. "Sorry guys, i just didnt sleep well. The Victor news played on my mind all night" Willow lied as she sat next to Amy, who put her arms around her daughter, "How do you feel about him being gone? she asked as Willow sighed. "Honestly, im still getting my head around it. I guess ive just been so scared of him for so long that it doesnt feel real yet. It may not even feel real until hes rotting in a cell" she said, sighing. "I think i need to go clear my head. Anyone up for some yoga in the garden?" she asked as she headed into the garden, followed by Trish, Amy and Elly.
The women had a good session of yoga in the garden, led by Trish. After an hour, Elly and Trish headed back indoors, leaving Willow and Amy outside. "So did the yoga help?" Amy asked as Willow nodded. "A little bit, yeah. I still wont be happy until i hear hes rotting in a cell" Willow replied as Amy asked "and Matt? Is there something there?" "I dont know mom. I really dont. Its just to complicated and messy with us, i really just need to be a single mom right now" She lied, hating herself for it. "Theres a part of me that will always care for him but i need to focus on me and the girls like i said earlier" "And Seth? What was it like seeing him again?" Amy asked as Willow sighed "Me and Seth are good. We've been talking for a while. After everything happened,we realised that we were just using each other to get over bad breakups and if we did become a couple, it never would have worked. We're better off as friends and besides hes much happier with Becky" "Wait, Seth and Becky? Since when?" Amy asked as Willow nodded, "been together for a little while" she replied as the clouds opened and the rain began to fall as the two women headed indoors.
"You guys mind if i go hang with Becky tomorrow? Its been ages since i got to properly catch up with her?" Willow asked as she began chopping vegetables for that nights dinner. "Thats ok with me, could take the girls somewhere fun" Matt replied as everyone else nodded. " What about the zoo? The twins would love it" Trish added as Jeff replied "Family trip to the zoo?" "Sounds like you guys are going to have a fun day" Willow said, sighing. "You ok Wills?" Matt asked as she nodded. "Ive just missed this. Family dinners, just hanging with everyone" "It'll be the norm once youre back home and settled in" Amy said as she joined the others in the kitchen. "Have you had any more updates on the house Wills?" she asked as Willow shook her head, "Im due a call tonight actually. I had a message a few days ago saying there was an issue with the pipes. Nothing drastic, just an unusually large blockage with some erosion" she replied, placing the vegetables into a pan. "It'll be a while yet guys, lets go chill in the other room" Willow said, trying not to catch Matts eye, but failed. "You ok? Youve been distant all day Wills" he asked after the others had left the room. "Im fine Matt. Can we talk later? When everyone has gone to bed?" she said as Matt nodded before joining the others in the living room.
The remainder of the night seemed to last forever. Conversations lasting well into the night, Jeff and Trish leaving around 9pm with the twins, Amy, Willow and Elly headed up to bed around 11 with Adam and Phil about an hour and a half later, leaving Matt alone waiting for Willow to return. He waited for fifteen minutes, flicking through the tv channels until he heard footsteps coming down the stairs behind him. "Hey, you waited up" Willow said quietly creeping up behind him. "Of course i did. You wanted to talk earlier and i knew you going up to bed was a ruse to get us alone" he replied as he turned to face her. He noticed she was wearing a very small, satin robe with what seemed to be very little underneath. "Sit down and close your eyes Matt" she said, watching him as he did it. "Wills, whats going..." he began to ask as she replied "ssh! Open your eyes" and as he did he saw her stood in front of him, robe now open. Looking at her, it was like he was seeing her body for the first time all over again. "Will.." he whispered as she cut him off, "Matt, what do you see when you look at me?" she asked as he looked at her. "I see... i see a woman who has been through hell, but shes pulled through. You are resiliant, strong, smart, beautiful." he said as he stood up so they were face to face. "And im sorry for causing you some of that hell. I love you and i will never stop trying to make it up to you" he said as he kissed her. "Matt, i love you too" Willow whispered in a response, reaching down for his hand where she interlocked their fingers. Matts free hand running down her face, her chest tracing her scars on her abs. "You know i love each and every one of these scars" Matt said quietly, running his fingers over them, stopping at her C-section scar. "But this, this is my favourite one. Do you know why?" he asked as she shook her head. "Because this is the scar that gave us Jas. It made us a family" he replied as Willow felt her breathing intensifying as she whispered "dont... dont stop" as she kissed him again,guiding his fingers lower, before leading him back up to her bedroom for the second night running.
"Why do we always end up like this Matt?" Willow asked as they lay in each others arms. "I dont know Wills, but its my version of heaven. Although where and when did you learn how to..." He replied as he kissed her, "Being with Harriet taught me alot, not only about what i like but how to listen and respond to others bodies" she replied before asking "anyways, youre one to talk mister. Where did you learn that thing with your tongue?" "In the same way Harriet taught you, I learned from she who will not be named. I guess being apart has taught us a few things" Matt replied as Willow smiled at him. "I guess so Matt. These last few weeks ive been such a mess but you really stepped up in not only taking the girls out for the day, but giving me the time and space to heal. These last few days have made me realise that i do love you Matt. You just get me, you always did, but im not ready for a full on relationship or for everyone to find out about us. I want to keep us a secret" She said as he kissed her. "No one will hear anything from me Wills. I want you to make certain that this is what you want. What you really want" Matt said as Willow kissed him replying "It is Matt, but i still think we need to be careful like last night" as she kissed him again, pulling him on top of her as once again, they ended up sleeping together.