"Mommy, how much longer will we be on the airplane?" Jasmine asked sleepily, haven just awoken from a nap."I dont know Jas. Feels like we've been up here forever" Willow replied as she put her arm around her eldest. "Why dont you go back to sleep for a little bit? I'll wake you when we get close to Chicago" she added as Ruby stirred in the seat next to her. Willow picked her up and realised she needed changing. "Hey Jas, Rubes needs changing. Do you need to go potty too?" Willow asked as Jasmine nodded. Taking her hand and carrying Ruby, she led them to the tiny cubicle. "Mommy, are you ok? You look sad" Jasmine asked as she sat on the toilet. "Im ok Jas, just tired. But you know we get to see auntie Elly soon" Willow replied as Jasmine finished on the toilet and she finished changing Ruby. "Wash your hands Jas and wait by Ruby for me. I'll be two minutes" she said as there was a knock on the door. "We'll be landing shortly, please make your way back to your seats" "Come on then Jas, Rubes. Lets go get ready for our next big adventure"
"I cant believe you guys are finally here!" Elly exclaimed as she hugged her sister and neices at O'Hare International. "How does it feel to be back?" "Weird, good, strange but its home" Willow replied, hiding a yawn. "Its just been a long day El" she added seeing the look on her sisters face. "Who's up for pizza and a movie?" Elly asked as Jasmine nodded excitedly, as Elly picked up Ruby, grabbing one of Willows cases, with Willow taking Jasmines hand as they left the airport. "Ok Wills, girls are fed, bathed and in bed. Want to tell me what happened in Paris?" Elly said a few hours later as she served dinner for her and Willow. "It was...it was really really good" Willow replied. "Matt i talked alot, we now have a plan in place for the girls to spend time with him when hes at home" "And what about you and him? Are you any closer to getting back together?" Elly asked as Willow shook her head. "Im not ready for a relationship and he knows it" she replied, lying to her sister. "I need to focus on the girls and my health. Seeing Harry at Disney with her new girlfriend really didnt help matters" "Is that the day you called me? Having that attack?" Elly asked as Willow once again nodded. "I dont want to talk about how quick she moved on. The week before we were literally fucking in my bed" she said as Elly hugged her, sensing all was not right with Willow, but she knew not to push it. "I'm so happy you guys are here. Its been a long few weeks without Phil here" Elly said as Willow picked up a hint of sadness in her voice. "Whats going on El?" Willow asked as Elly replied "Its early days but im pregnant"
The two sisters chatted for hours, until Willow was unable to keep her eyes open any longer. "Sorry El, it's been a really long day" Willow said as she yawned. "Go to bed Wills, you look exhausted. I'll be going soon too" Elly replied as Willow headed to her room. As Willow left the room, Elly took her cell out and sent a text to three people, who instantly responded, before heading off to bed herself worried about Willows state of mind.
Willow awoke a few hours later after tossing and turning. She looked at her cell for the time and sighed at it being just after 1am. Then she noticed she had a message from Matt and smiled as she read it. She got out of bed and headed to the kitchen where she put the kettle on, staring out at the Chicago skyline, the distant lights reflecting on the water of Lake Michigan. She made herself a cup of tea, before taking the seat next to the window. She stared for what felt like hours, replaying the last few weeks with Matt over and over in her head. It wasnt until Elly joined her did she snap out of her day dream. "How long have you been up for?" Elly asked as she sat next to her sister. "What time is it El?" Willow replied as Elly told her it was a little after 3am. "Couple of hours. Guess im still on UK time, it has been a year since ive been here. And i havent been one hundred percent honest with you" Willow replied, Elly suspicious that she was still hiding something from her. "Wills, has something happened with you and Matt?" "We kissed. Not long after my birthday. We stopped it before anything else happened, but..." Willow began to say, before being interrupted by Elly. "Did you want more? DO you want more?" she asked as Willow bit her lip. "I dont know if it was the high from my birthday or the relief that Victor had been arrested, but i did" Willow replied as she continued "But it wouldnt have been right. I would have been using Matt to feel better about myself and i know that Matt would have felt like he was taking advantage of me after the break up with Harry" "But do you still want to?" Elly asked as Willow sighed. "Honestly El, i dont know. Part of me does, part of me doesnt" she lied, not wanting to tell her about her and Matt. "Why dont we have a sisters night out tomorrow? Get a sitter, go for food, non alcoholic drinks..." Elly suggested as Willow nodded, hiding a yawn. "Sounds good El" "Why dont we go back to bed Wills? Its still early, if you want i can watch the girls in the morning for a few hours if you want to sleep in" Elly said as Willow nodded. "That would be really good El. But will you promise me that you wont say a thing to anyone about Matt and I kissing. Im just not ready to have to explain myself over and over to everyone" she said as Elly promised, as the two sisters headed back to bed.
Willow awoke several hours later, the sunlight beaming through the window. She reached across the bed, hoping to feel Matt there before remembering he was on the other side of the world. Sighing she got out of bed and headed for the shower. Feeling the water on her skin, it felt like all her problems were being washed away. She quickly dried and dressed, before heading into the kitchen area. "Morning Wills. How do you feel after that sleep?" Elly asked, as Willow replied "I really needed it. It put some things in perspective for me" as she made herself a coffee, suddenly realising the house was too quiet. "El, where are the girls?" Willow asked as they heard the front door opening. "That will be them now. Along with another surprise" Elly replied as the two sisters made their way into the living area, as Jasmine came running in, followed by Brooke, who was carrying Ruby "Brooke! What are you doing here?" Willow asked surprised "I just missed you and wanted to surprise you and the girls" Brooke said as they sat on the sofas."I dont want to talk about Matt or Paris before you ask" Willow said "I'll talk when im ready. Right now i want to know what you have been up to since my birthday" "Christian and i have finally re set the date for the wedding. October 31, we're having a halloween wedding" Brooke announced as she continued "Wills, El, will you be my bridesmaids?" "Of course we will. You dont even have to ask" Elly replied, as Brooke turned to Willow. "Wills, you know you've already done so much for me with this wedding. In fact if it wasnt for you, i never would have met Christian. You designed my dress and now i have another favour to ask. I know you have alot of stuff going on at the moment, but will you design my bridesmaids dresses?" "Brooke, youve been one of my closest, best friends since day one of the X Factor. We've been through so much together that it would be my honor to design your dresses" Willow replied, hugging her friend, as they spent the day catching up.
"Hey Elly, does she know about..." Brooke asked quietly as Elly shook her head. "Total surprise. Pretty sure shes missing Matt though, couldnt stop talking about him yesterday" she replied as Brooke said "couldnt or wouldnt? Has something happened?" "Im not sure" Elly lied as Willow entered the room. "You two almost ready to go out? Im starving" Willow said as Elly replied "Just waiting on Natalie to come over to watch the girls" "Oh wow, havent seen her in forever!" Willow exclaimed as her cell began ringing. "Its Matt. Probably calling to see how the girls are" she said as she hurried out of the room to answer the face time. "OK something is clearly going on with those two! I mean did you see her face light up when she saw Matt calling" Brooke said to Elly, who nodded. "If it has, Wills will talk to us when shes ready. Shes been dealing with some pretty bad mental health issues" "I just hope shes happy. Shes been through so much this last year " Brooke said as there was a knock on the door, indecating Natalie had arrived to babysit. "WILLS! Nats here. We're going to be late if you dont come now" Elly called as Willow made her way down stairs. "Sorry girls, Jas wouldnt give me my cell back. Shes obsessed with Matt lately" she said as she greeted Natalie. "So do you want to tell us where we're going El?" Willow asked as the three women entered a taxi. "Its a surprise Will but you'll love it" Elly replied as she passed the driver a bit of paper with the name of the restaurant as they headed off.
"You brought me to Gibsons?" Willow exclaimed, before continuing "You know Matt brought me here the first time we came to Chicago together?" "I didnt. But they do have the best fries" Elly replied as the three women headed inside. "Hi, we have a reservation under Brooks" Elly said as Brooke said "Using Phils surname now? Something going on El?" "Nothing is going on. It was just easier to use his name than to spell mine out" Elly replied as they made their way to their table. "The rest of your party has already arrived" The host said as he led the way. "The rest of the party? Who else is here El?" Willow asked, but before she could reply, they saw the unmistakable red hair of Amy and the giggle of Trish. "WILLS!" Trish exclaimed when she saw her former sister in law, standing up to hug her. "What are you doing here?" Willow asked, happily surprised by her mom and best friend. "We heard that you were struggling a little bit yesterday, so we hopped on a flight this afternoon and here we are" Amy replied as she hugged Willow. "I love you guys. I wasnt expecting this at all" Willow said as the group sat down and ordered drinks. "So, want to tell us all about Paris?" Amy asked, as Willow sighed. "Matt and i just decided to surprise the girls for a few days before he went back on the road and we returned here. Thats it. Nothing happened, nothing is going to happen. We're just trying to co-parent as two single parents" she replied. "So you didnt go to dinner with said ex?" Trish asked as Willow sighed. "Yeah we did. It was just as friends, and thats the way its staying" she said, as the waiter brought their food out. "Im not ready for a relationship, with anyone. I need to focus on my health and the girls. I need time to heal both from the cancer, the break up with Harry and this last year" "How was it seeing her in Paris?" Elly asked, before continuing "You never did say" "Wait, you saw Harriet in Paris?" Brooke said shocked. "It was just a glimpse at Disney and it hurt. She was with her new girlfriend, when we'd literally been in my bed a week before fucking. It messed my head up for a while" Willow replied, as she felt Amy put her arms around her. "Im doing ok now. Im going to go see Beth and a therapist once im back up in Vass. Anyways, enough about Paris. Who wants to hear some amazing news?" "Wills, spill now" Trish said excited. "When i was in Paris, i went to see Vince who told me that the producers of the X Factor had been in contact with him again..." "You're not doing another season are you?" Elly asked as Willow shook her head. "I wouldnt have done another, I dont think i could. They want me to record an album..." "WHAT! Please say you said yes" Brooke and Elly said in unison. "I did under the premise i could choose the songs. But now i dont know if i want to do it" she replied. "Wills, you know what we think. Youre super talented, and ultimatley it is your decision but i think you should do it" Amy said, as the others agreed, as they ate and chatted away the rest of the night.
"Hey El, thanks for not saying anything about the kiss" Willow said as she and Elly sat in the living area of the home Elly and Punk shared. "Its no ones business but yours and Matts" Elly replied as they watched the Navy Pier fireworks in the distance. "But from these last two days with you, and seeing your photos from Paris, its pretty obvious you still have some feelings towards Matt" she continued as Willow sighed. "I never stopped El. Being with him and the girls this weekend just cemented that he's the one, always has been" "Does he know?" Elly asked as Willow shook her head. "He cant. Not until ive figured myself out and what i need" she lied as she continued "and neither can anyone else" "They wont hear anything from me Wills. But I do think you two will be closer to being together by Christmas" Elly said as she hugged her sister. "Now, tell me about your potential song choices for this album you sprung on us" she said as the two sisters spent the next few hours chatting away and giggling.
The next few days flew by. Willow and the girls had a great time exploring Chicago and spending time with Elly, Willow missed Matt but she wouldnt admit it. The day before she was due to fly to Raleigh, she was on a face time with Matt and the girls. "Wills? You ok? Youre quiet tonight" Matt asked over the call. "Im ok Matt. Can i call you later? Have this call with the girls, they miss you" she replied as she passed Jasmine the cell before heading out of the room, finding it hard to breath. "Wills, you ok?" Elly called as she saw her sister sitting on the floor. Willow shook her head "I cant breath El" she said quietly, knowing she was having a panic attack. "Wills, its ok. Im here. Youre going back home tomorrow. Your house will be ready in two weeks, you'll be with your girls and i'll be on the first flight up to see it" Elly said as Willow calmed down. "Thanks El, i dont know what happened" She said as Jasmine came out of the room with her cell. "Hey beautiful, did you have a good talk with dada?" Willow asked as Jasmine nodded, trying hide a yawn. "Want me to come tuck you into bed Jas?" Willow asked as Jasmine shook her head and tapped Elly. "Will you read me a story Ewwy" Jasmine asked as Elly nodded. "I'll go grab Rubes and put her down. I'll call Matt back in a few hours. He noticed i was quiet and distant earlier" Willow said as the two women stood up. "I might just go to bed myself El, im just feeling exhausted tonight" she added as Elly nodded, as Jasmine took her hand and led her to her room, leaving Willow alone in the hallway.
The next three weeks flew by. Willow had started moving into her new place in Vass, unpacking one room at a time, starting with her new kitchen ending with her master bedroom. "Thanks for taking the girls tonight mom. Just a few more boxes to unpack in the morning and then..." Willow said as she called Amy, "sorry mom, it still feels weird being back here but not quite in Cameron" "I get it Wills, i was the same all those years ago. I cant wait to come see the finished house tomorrow" "I cant wait to have people here! Its been too long since ive hosted anyone" Willow replied, a smile breaking on her face for the first time in weeks. "Obviously Matt, Adam and Jeff will still be in Europe and Elly will be missing, as shes having her scan, but there will be plenty of time for them to visit" she added, as Amy asked "Is there anything you want or need us to bring tomorrow?" "Maybe a dessert but apart from that, absolutley nothing" she replied before hanging up. I need to relax. Im going to go take a long hot bath before the chaos of having the girls here ensues again she thought to herself, as she entered her room, heading towards her master bathroom. This place is amazing. Allison did an incredible job she thought as she began to run the hot water. As the bathtub filled, she heard her cell ringing in the bedroom. "Hey you" Willow said as she answered her facetime call from Matt. "Hey yourself, hows everything going at the new place?" he asked as Willow smiled. "Its going good. Just a few more boxes to unpack in the morning then its all done" she replied as she headed back into the bathroom to turn off the taps. "We do miss you though Matt, when do you get back?" she asked stepping into the bath. "Couple of days yet Wills. Is everything ok?" he replied as Willow nodded. "Kind of. I just had a bit of a rough day. I hit a mental block but i pushed through" she said, feeling the hot water on her skin. "Im just glad that mom and Trish are coming over tomorrow with Nevaeh, the twins and the girls" she said as Matt finally realised she was in the bath. "Wills, im coming straight to you when i get back. I miss you and the girls. I hate it when youre feeling down" he said as Willow sighed. "I hate it too Matt, but i do have my first therapy session next week. Im actually really nervous" she said, as Matt asked "want me to come with you?" "I dont know Matt. We can talk about it when you get here" she replied before adding flirtily "IF we even get to talking. You know i keep replaying this last month in my head" "Me too Wills. There was a time where i feared i had lost you and the girls forever..." Matt began to reply as Willow cut him off. "But you found us Matt. You found me. You'll always find me, waiting for you. I love you" "I love you too Wills. I gotta go, call you and the girls tomorrow?" Matt said as Willow nodded before hanging up. As she lay in the bath, she scrolled through the photos they had taken in Paris, stopping at one of them as a family. We look so happy, like a real family she thought to herself. I think ive hidden myself away for too long, ive got so much i need to get out there. Tonight is the night im going to finally sit down for this video.
"Was that Wills? She doing ok?" Jeff asked as he entered the room he was sharing with his brother. "Yeah it was. Shes doing ok, had a little bit of a rough day today but shes pulling through" Matt asked, trying not to look too frustrated at not being able to be with her. "Has something happened with you two since Paris?" Jeff asked as Matt shook his head and lied. "You cant say anything Jeff, but we kissed. We had a few really, really good talks, cleared the air between us, made a plan for spending time with the girls.." "YOU KISSED! You kept that quiet. Does this mean you two are back..." Jeff asked as Matt shook his head. "No. Wills has made it very clear that she doesnt want a relationship, with anyone, right now. Shes still terrified that shes going to have to go testify against Victor" He said as Jeff replied "If she does, we'll all be there with her" before adding "You still love her dont you?" "Of couse i do Jeff, i never stopped. Even when i was with you know who, Wills and the girls were all i ever wanted. So im not forcing anything with her" Matt replied, as he sighed. "You know shes starting therapy next week?" "For her PTSD and depression? You want to go with her dont you?" Jeff replied as Matt shrugged his shoulders. "Part of me does, so i can support her but then part of me knows its something Willow has to do on her own. If she needs us, she'll ask for help" he replied, as he took one last look at the images on his cell of them as a family, unaware that Willow had done the same thing and was about to open up for the first time in years.