Willow awoke the following morning to find her phone blowing up with messages of support from fans, friends and family who had seen her video. The majority of hate being directed towards Matt, mainly for being unsupportive and for cheating on her when she was going through hell. Willow also got slut shamed for sleeping with Seth when separated from Matt, although they didnt know it was him. She was lucky enough to have friends and family stand by her and defend her actions by calling them out, stating that Willow and Matt werent together when she slept with him. Should i really have divulged that much about me and Matt? What if people put two and two together and realise we're back on? she thought as she lay in bed, responding to some of the more personal messages when one came through from the one person she longed for, Matt.
Hey Wills, i saw your video. Im so proud of you for getting everything out there, even if people do view me as bad guy for a while i deserve it for putting you through hell. But everything we've talked about these last few weeks, ive meant every word. Ignore the shamers, they know nothing. I love you and i'll never stop making things up to you and the girls. I'll see you in a few days.
People were also speculating on the unnamed people who both she and Matt had relationships with. They worked out Reby pretty quickly as she had constantly posted photos and videos of her and Matt on social media, causing her to be even more hated and deactivate her accounts. Luckily no one worked out Punk and Seth, as Willow was miles away when Amy and Trish arrived with Jas, Ruby, Nevaeh, Max and Maddie. "Momma Momma!" Jasmine yelled as she ran to Willow and gave her the lonest hug. "Hi Jasdoll, i missed you and Rubes last night. Were you both good girls for Grandma" Willow replied as Jasmine nodded. "Want to go check out your new room Jas?" she asked but before Jas could reply, Trish said "we want the whole tour Wills" hugging her friend. "Well come on then. Tour, then lunch and good long catch up" Willow said, leading the way round her new home.
"Wills, this place is amazing. The amount of work you've had done... Its a total transformation" Amy said as Trish agreed, Willow not taking much in as she was still deliberating if she should have said so much in her video. "Hello...earth to Willow..." Trish said as Willow sighed. "Sorry mom, Trish. Its just been a very long road to get here" she said as Amy replied "Wills, we've been on this road with you. We've also seen the video. Im so proud of you for putting it all out there, but we have to know..." "Has something happened between you and Matt?" Trish asked, cutting Amy off. "Nothings happened. We just had some really good talks in Paris and decided that we are going to be friends. Jas and Rubes are our priority" Willow lied, not wanting to tell anyone about her and Matt. "Look, if anything had happened with us, you would be the first people we would tell. After all, youve been with us during the entirety of our relationship. Now can we please talk about something else" Willow added as the three women spent the afternoon catching up as the five children played in the living room.
"So how do you like the new house Jas?" Matt asked over facetime a few nights later. "Its amaaaaaaaaaaaazing dada. Its not the same as your house, but the garden is big and super pwetty" she replied as she continued "You has to come visit dada. When does you get back?" "I plan to come visit princess" Matt replied as he added "I get back soon and i want the full tour from the best tour guide, Miss Jasmine" as Jasmine giggled. "I misses you dada, so does Wuby and momma. Momma has been really sad without you dada" "I miss you guys too. But dont worry, i'll be home before you know it. Now its late Jas, do you want a story before bed?" he asked as Jasmine nodded. Jasmine was out within minutes as Willow returned to her daughters room to grab her cell. "Hey you, do they know?" Matt asked Willow as she shook her head. "Not a clue Matt. I have to say, i cant wait to have you here. What time do you arrive?" she asked as she headed downstairs, sitting on the sofa. "I'll be there in a few hours. Dont wait up if youre tired Wills, i can let myself in if you have a spare key" "Theres a key under the pot with the tree in it. I just want you here right now..." she said as she bit her lip. "I'll get there as fast as i can Wills. I love you" Matt said before hanging up. Willow turned on the tv and began watching a rerun of Raw, as she picked up her sketchbook and began working on the bridesmaids dresses for Brooke. She didnt feel herself fall asleep, it was only when she felt somone putting a blanket over her did she awaken, and smiled when she saw who it was.
"Hey when did you get here?" Willow asked sleepily as she saw Matt sitting next to her. "Ten minutes ago. I saw you sleeping, you felt cold so i covered you" he replied as she sat up. "Ive missed us this week. Ive missed you. Its been a long three weeks without you" she said before kissing him. "Ive missed you too Wills. A few people were talking about your video backstage" he replied, his somach rumbling. "Theres some chicken parmesan left in the kitchen. Come with me and i'll give you the downstairs tour" Willow said as Matt took her hand and followed her to the kitchen. "This is so good Wills. Ive missed your cooking. Still on the medication?" he said as he ate, Willow smiling as she took her medication. "I will be for the forseeable future. So what were people saying backstage?" she asked as Matt replied "That i was an idiot. That you deserve better than me for what i put you through. Which is true. You deserve the world Wills" "We both did stupid shit Matt. Would it have made any difference if i had just told you it was Seth?" Willow asked, not really wanting to go down that path again. "I dont know Wills, maybe. I wish id given you a chance to explain. I hate that we've wasted this year" he replied as he placed his hand on hers. "I hate it too. But you know, we're working through it. Im working on me, im back where i belong. Well, kind of and i'll be starting on this album soon..." she said as Matt smiled and kissed her forehead. "I knew you'd agree to it. So have you decided on the songs?" he asked as Willow shook her head."Not a clue. Elly tried to help me with the list but we ended up with over fifty options. Have a look, see if theres any there you think i should do" she said as she passed him her book. As he took the book he noticed the sketchings of the dresses she had done for Brooke. "I love that youre drawing and designing again. You always did create the best gear. You kept everyone individual, yet together as a team." He said as she cleared up. "Do you want the tour downstairs or do you want the more intimate, private tour of my room?" Willow asked flirting with him, as he walked over to her and kissed her. "I did kinda promise Jas she could give me a tour of the house" Matt whispered as Willow kissed him before taking his hand and leading him upstairs.
"Did you buy Wills story the other day? That nothing has happened between her and Matt?" Trish asked Amy as they had a catch up a few nights later. "I have no idea Trish. The way she was talking about him in the video... Theres clearly something still there" Amy replied. "I dont think she ever stopped loving him or holding out hope for them, did she?" Trish said adding "I know Matt admitted to Jeff he still loves her. Even when he was with her, all he wanted was Wills and the girls" "Wills was the same, for a long time. Me and Adam, we heard her crying every night. I know she cried at Gils day she was away from Matt, she died a little. She was breaking down and we couldnt do anything. I dont want to see her go through it all again" Amy replied, as Trish added "Me too. She was a wreck when Jeff and I saw her in New York. Wills is smart, she'll have her guard up with him" completely unaware that just six miles away, Willow was once again giving into temptation.
"How and why do we always end up like this?" Willow asked, trying not to giggle as she lay in Matts arms. "I dont know Wills, but i always slept better with you next to me" he replied as he kissed her forehead. "Ive been thinking, if im feeling better and i mean a lot better, i want to tell people at Christmas" Willow said quietly, as she sat up."Are you sure? Its a huge decision Wills" Matt asked as Willow nodded. "But only if im in a good place. I dont want or need the extra pressure of telling everyone. Not when they all still think im fragile and broken" she replied as he sat up next to her. "Youre not fragile or broken Wills. You are strong, youre a fighter and right now youre in control of what happens with us." Matt said as she kissed him again. "Even if i am fucked up in the head?" she asked as he smiled "even if youre messed up in your head. Youre still the most amazing woman ive ever met" he replied as Willow once again kissed him, only this time they didnt stop.
The months flew by, Matt and Willow were still sneaking around, getting stronger everyday, both also seeing other people as a ruse. It was almost October and Brooke and Christians wedding was nearing. "So as you know, the wedding is at the end of the month and i dont want a huge bachelorette. Just a few days away, up in some mountains with my favourite girls" Brooke said over a facetime with Willow, Elly, Trish and Amy one night. "I actually might know somewhere. I'll message you the link later" Trish said as Willow zoned out for a few minutes. "Hello...earth to Willow..." Elly said as Willow replied "sorry El, i was miles away" as she blushed at the message she just recieved. "Willow Jayne Smithson you are blushing! Spill now!" Brooke said as Willow sighed. "Ive kinda been talking to someone online for a few weeks and..." "Oh my God are you dating again?" Trish asked as Willow shook her head. "We havent even met yet. We're taking it slow because im still so unsure as to if im even ready for a relationship" she said as Amy said "So tell us about this mystery person" "His name is Lucas. He lives just outside of Sanford, hes a doctor, divorced, no kids..." Willow said as Elly asked "and how old is he? "Hes older. Like alot older." Willow said, not wanting to reveal his age. "Wills,tell us. We wont judge" Elly said as Willow sighed, before getting another message, this time from Matt, which also made her blush. "Lucas is 55 okay..." Willow admitted as everyone gasped. "WILLOW! I knew you liked older men but 55?" Amy said, as Willow groaned. "I know i know. But he seems really nice when we've talked and facetimed" she said as everyone looked at her with concern on their faces. "Dont worry, ive got my guard up. I dont want another Victor scenario" she added as Elly asked "so whens the first date?" "We're going for a coffee next week. That is ALL" Willow replied, knowing that she had another date before then with Matt.
The weeks to Brooke and Christians wedding flew by. Matt and Willow were still sneaking around with each other whilst also dating other people. "Willow, i know youre going to youre friends wedding next Thursday, but i'd love to take you out to dinner tonight" Lucas asked her over the phone. "That sounds really good Lucas. Text me the details and i'll meet you there" Willow replied as she hung up, before sending a message to Amy, telling her about the date. Why do i feel like Lucas is going to want me to sleep with him tonight? Willow thought to herself as she packed her clothing for the wedding. Hes a good guy and im stringing him along, the same as Matt is doing with Lara. I need to talk to Matt, i dont know how much longer i can keep doing this she thought as she stepped into the shower, just as her cell buzzed with the details from Lucas. I need an outside perspective. I'll call Becky in a bit, she'll know what to do. As Willow felt the hot water running over her body, she began to relax, remembering all the times she and Matt had spent in various showers over the course of their relationship. As she left the shower, her cell started ringing with the number witheld. She declined the call before calling Matt, who almost immediatley answered. "Hey Wills, you ok?" "Not really Matt. Im going out with Lucas tonight and i just have a feeling that he's going to want me to sleep with him and..." Willow explained as Matt cut her off "and youre not sure you want to or ready to. Wills, only you can decide that" "I know Matt, it just... it just feels like im cheating on you. Was it this hard for you with Lara?" she replied, not really wanting to know the answer. "Honestly, we never actually got that far. She gave me all the signals but all i saw was you" he replied, as Willow realised he was talking in the past tense. "Why are you talking in the past tense Matt? Did you two break up?" she asked as Matts silence told her everything. "Im sorry Matt" she said as Matt finally spoke. "Im ok, we would never have worked anyways. She hated me being on the road. But like i said Wills, only you can make your decision about Lucas. No matter what you decide i love you and i want you to be happy" he said as Willow replied "I love you too. I'll call you later, let you know what happens" as they hung up on each other, Willow knowing what she had to do in her head.
Willow arrived at the Flame steakhouse thirty minutes before Lucas. She sat in her car, still thinking things over from her conversation with Matt. It wasnt until someone knocked on her window was she even aware that her date had arrived. "Hi Willow, everything ok?" Lucas asked as he held her door open as she exited her car. "Hi Lucas. Im just miles away today" Willow replied as he kissed her cheek. "Want to eat and talk about it?" he asked as Willow nodded before leading the way into the restaurant. Lucas spent most of the night making the conversation as Willows mind was elsewhere. "Willow, whats going on with you? Youre very quiet tonight" he asked as Willow sighed. "Im so sorry Lucas, i dont know whats wrong with me today. I think my anxiety is creeping up on me with Brookes wedding coming up, its just brought everything up that i went through" she lied hoping he wouldnt notice. "I know you and Matt have a complicated history, you dont have to explain it" Lucas replied as he placed his hand on hers. "Theres so much i havent told you. Periods of time im ashamed of. Times id rather not recall and just forget about" she said quietly. "Why dont you come back to my place? You can tell me as much or as little as you want" he said as Willow nodded. Lucas went off to pay the bill as Willow thought to herself What the fuck am i doing? I need to go be with Matt and the girls, yet im going back to Lucas' place. "Ready to go Willow?" Lucas asked as he returned to the table. "I'll follow you in my car,i just have to go to the ladies room before we leave" she said, as she headed off to the bathroom.
"Im sorry Lucas, i shouldnt be piling all this on to you right now" Willow said as they sat in his home, with her telling him the watered down version of her past. "Its why im currently in therapy" "Willow, i know we've only talking and dating for a few weeks but i dont care about your past. I care about you, a lot and i really really like you" Lucas said as Willow tried to look away. "After Michelle and I divorced, i didnt think i'd ever be happy again. I didnt think i could fall for anyone again, but i have. Ive fallen for you Willow and i..." he added as Willow cut him off, "Im sorry. I cant..." she said, running out of the house taking in deep breaths of air. "Willow...Willow are you ok?" Lucas asked as he came out after her, stroking her arm as he tried to comfort her. "Dont! Dont touch me like that please" she sobbed pulling away from him. "Im sorry, its just... thats how my abusive ex used to touch me after he..." she said as Lucas held his hand up. "Im sorry Willow, i didnt know" he said as the rain began to fall. "Come back inside Willow, please" he said as he kissed her. Willow wanted to resist, but she couldnt. She pictured Matt in her head as Lucas took her hand and led her back indoors, and for the first time up to bed together.
Willow lay awake, feeling guilty about what she had just done. Lucas lay next to her, snoring quietly with his arm around her waist. I need to get out of here she thought as she suddenly felt herself become naseous. She crept out of bed,gathering up her clothing before heading to the bathroom to throw up. "Willow? Are you ok in there?" she heard Lucas ask as she opened the door. "Im sorry, im going to head home. Im not feeling so good" she replied as she fastened her shoes, brushing past him as he grabbed her arm. "Willow, please stay. Talk to me, have i done something wrong?" Lucas asked as Willow sobbed. "Just let go of me. Let me go" she pleaded, as he released her. Willow ran out of the house, into the pouring rain.