"Lucas, what are you doing here?" Willow asked angrily as she confronted her ex in the hallway of the venue, not wanting to disrupt the day. "Im in town for a conference and i happen to be staying here" Lucas replied, lying to her. "Dont lie to me Lucas. This whole place is fully booked for the wedding. So why are you here? How did you even get in" she asked again. "Fine, i came to see you. I just said i was with you and the they let me in. Can we go some place to talk?" he replied as Willow shook her head. "Just go Lucas. I said everything i had to last week" she said as she turned to walk away, he grabbed her wrist and held her tightly. "Let go of me Lucas" Willow begged as she heard a voice behind her say "Is this guy harrassing you Wills?" as she turned her head, she saw Adam standing behind her. She didnt have to say anything to him but he just knew. "Is he hurting you?" Adam asked as Willow gave a slight nod. "Willow, please. Can we go somewhere alone" Lucas asked again as Willow once again declined. "Im not leaving without you Willow. Lets go" he said as Adam replied "Willow said no. Now let her go and leave" "And ive said, im not leaving without talking to my girlfriemd" Lucas said as Willow yelled "IM NOT YOUR GIRLFRIEND! We went out a few times, i ended it last week after you..." "You heard her. Now let her go and get out of here" Adam said threateningly as Lucas let go of Willow as Adam continued "and stay away from Willow" as Lucas turned and walked out of the building, Willow felt a panic attack coming on as she felt Adam put his arms around her. "You ok Wills? Who was that guy?" he asked as Willow shook her head, "I cant breathe, i need air. I need a strong drink" she said breathless. "Come on, lets go get some air" he said as they walked outside onto the terrace, taking a seat at the table, as Adam headed to the bar and headed back.
As they sat, Willow caught a glance of her now red and marked wrist. "Want to tell me what that was all about?" Adam asked as Willow explained who he was and what had happened the previous week. "Am i stupid for even considerimg giving him another chance? Am i destined to attract the crazy, abusive ones?" she asked as Adam put his arms around her and replied "Not at all Wills. Only you can make the decision if you want to give Lucas another chance, and as for the other part? You'll find your right person, maybe you already have but you just dont know it yet" "Maybe your right" Willow replied as she caught a glimpse of Matt and Jasmine still dancing and smiled. "Can we keep this between ourselves for now? I just dont want to ruin the evening for everyone" "Wills, you would never ruin it. If it wasnt for you, those two would never have met and look at how happy they are" Adam replied as Willow sighed. "I guess its just me being stupid again. I guess today has brought back some memories for me" "Its bound too. How are and Matt getting along these days?" he asked. "We're better. I actually stayed at his place last weekend after what happened last week with Lucas" "You stayed at Matts?" Adam asked as Willow nodded. "It was the only place i felt safe. Nothing happened before you ask" "I wasnt going to say anything. What goes on with you two is none of my business" he said as Willow sighed, closing her eyes as she exhaled. There must have been a pained look on her face as Adam asked "Wills, when was the last time you had a break? The last time you had a day or a few days just to focus on you?" "I dont know Adam. Im going to say probably my birthday. Since then its just been a whirlwind of good chaos" she replied, sighing again. "I do not recommend moving nearly 4000 miles with an almost seven year old and a one year old. I guess the last few months are finally catching up with me. Im exhausted, both physically and mentally, but i barely sleep. Im worried about Rubes development, Jas will be going off to school soon. Im..." she said on the verge of tears as Adam cut her off "in need of a break. Why dont you talk to Matt into having the girls for a day or two? Just so you can have some time to yourself" "I might just do that. Thanks Ads, you always did know how to make me feel better" Willow replied, smiling as the first few drops of rain began to fall.
"Do you think she looks happy?" Amy asked as she watched Willow dancing and deep in conversation with Matt. "I think shes on the right road to being happy" Adam replied before continuing "she told me about Lucas. For what its worth, i think shes well rid of him" "I agree Ads, but you know what shes like. She wants to give him another chance" Amy said as Adam nodded. "I dont think she should. I think she she needs to focus on herself and the girls" as Ruby and Jasmine yawned. "I think its time for bed for these two" he said as Willow and Matt walked over to them. "You two ready for bedtime?" Willow asked as Amy passed Ruby to Matt. "But momma, you said i could stay up late" Jasmine replied sleepily, as Matt showed Willow his watch. "Jas its almost midnight. Its well past your bedtime" she replied as she picked up her eldest daughter. "I want to stay with gamma" Jasmine said as Willow sighed. "Its fine Wills, Jas can stay with me" Amy said as she took Jasmine from Willow, noticing the bruising on her arm. "Thanks mom. Do you want to come say goodnight to Rubes Matt?" Willow asked as Matt nodded. "Night guys. Jas, be good for granma ok and i'll see you in the morning" Willow said as she, Matt and Ruby headed back to the hotel room.
"Thats Ruby down for the night Wills" Matt said as he joined Willow on the sofa next to the open door, looking out over Houston. "Want to tell me what happened to your wrist?" He asked calmly as he could tell she was on the edge of tears. "Lucas turned up. Wanted to take me somewhere to go and talk. I told him no, he grabbed my wrist and tried to drag me away. Matt, if Adam hadnt turned up when he did..." Willow said quietly as Matt interrupted "Then someone else would have" "Matt, did i make a mistake in coming back? Everything i seem to do just feels wrong" she asked quietly as Matt placed his hand on hers. "Do you regret being back here Wills?" he asked as she sighed. "I dont know. Some days are good, some days are bad. I guess this week has written me off" she replied, feeling a tear roll down her face. "Wills, youve been through so much these last few years, more than what any one person should. I need you to know that im not going anywhere. I am here for you if you need me" Matt said as Willow forced a smile. "I love you Willow, i always have. And i love it when you smile" he said as he kissed her forehead, before wiping away her tears. "I love you too Matt. I guess today brought up memories of us and our weddings" she replied as she kissed him. "Stay with me tonight Matt" Willow whispered in his ear, as she led him to the bed where they slept together as they had done so many times before, but this time it just felt right for both of them.
Matt awoke first the following morning and smiled as he watched Willow sleeping next to him. He glanced at his cell for the time which was almost 830. He heard Ruby stirring in the other bed and crept out to go check on his youngest. As he picked her up and cradled her, he heard a voice say "She absolutley adores you. Jas does too" "And i adore and love them both. Their momma too" he replied as he walked over to the bed to kiss the now awake Willow. "How are you feeling this morning? Fancy a coffee?" he asked as she nodded as she replied "I actually feel pretty good today. And coffee would be amazing" as Willow took Ruby from him. "I'll be back in twenty minutes Wills" Matt said as he kissed her and Ruby, grabbing the spare room key before heading out. As he closed the door, he heard a voice behind him. "Matt? What are you doing here? Isnt that Willows room?" Adam asked as Matt nodded. "Yeah it is. She was really down last night after seeing Lucas. What are you doing down here?" he replied before continuing "Thanks for chasing him off by the way. The way she was talking last night...Ads ive never seenh her like this. She asked me if her returning was a mistake" "I just came to check on her after last night. Of course her return isnt a mistake. From talking to her last night, shes exhausted Matt. Mentally and physically drained. She hasnt had a day to herself since her birthday" Adam replied as the two men entered the elevator. "Matt, she cant know ive told you this" "Im not going to say anything to her Adam. She needs to come to us, and im not going to force her into opening up" Matt replied as they reached the ground floor. "Are you coming to breakfast or..." Adam asked as Matt shook his head. "Im just headed over the road to grab some coffees. Going to try and plan a fun day for the girls with Wills" he said as the two men parted, unaware that the next month was about to be harder than anyone anticipated.
Matt was back on the road a few days after they returned from the wedding, leaving Willow alone as her thoughts were beginning to darken. "Wills, you ok?" he asked one night via facetime, as she sighed and shook her head. "Not really Matt. I miss you, the girls miss you. Jas has been ill, I've been missing Mike and Grace alot too and my thoughts are getting dark again" she said as she continued "It's also not helping that im not feeling great either. I think im coming down with the same bug Jas has had. Im barely sleeping again..." "I'll be back in a few days, im coming straight to you" Matt said as Willow forced a weak smile. "Why not see if Amy can watch the girls for a few hours so you can try and sleep?" he suggested as Willow nodded before yawning. "Go to bed Wills. I'll call you and the girls tomorrow. I love you and the girls" "And we love you too. Talk tomorrow?" Willow replied as they hung up. I hate this. I hate myself for feeling like this. I hate that my thoughts have gotten so dark that its making me want to hurt my girls, even though I could never hurt them. Willow thought as she headed upstairs, checking on her sleeping daughters before entering her ensuite and running a bath. As she stepped into the hot water, she felt her body relax. As she felt the worries wash away she had a realisation. I know what I need to do. I dont want to, but for the sake of my mental health and the girls, I need to. Even though its going to hurt everyone. I need to do this she thought as she slipped under the water and exhaled. She stepped out of the bath an hour later, wrapped her towel around her and opened her laptop on her bed. She found exactly what she was looking for within thirty minutes and had a consultation via zoom. "So we will see you in three days. Are you one hundred percent sure you want to do this Miss Smithson? A month can be a long, lonely time in a place like this" "Im sure. I need to get my depression and PTSD under control, before i seriously hurt myself or my girls" Willow replied as the details were finalised. Closing her laptop, she wiped away silent tears as she hunted out her smaller case, that she used for hand luggage. Willow packed a few items that she knew she'd be needing, the rest she'd pack the following day. As she climbed into bed, she heard her door creak open and a little voice calling out for her. "Mommy... Mommy i was sick on my bed again" Jasmine said weakly as Willow climbed out of bed and hugged her. "Come on Jas, get into my bed. I'll go change yours" Willow replied as Jasmine climbed into Willows bed. "Can i sleepy here momma?" Jasmine asked as Willow tucked her in and replied "Of course you can Jas. Give me ten minutes to go strip your bed and i'll be back for cuddles" before leaving the room, returning ten minutes later for what was one final night of cuddles with her eldest daughter.
"Thanks mom for having the girls tomorrow. Im just so run down with this bug" Willow said as she called Amy a few nights later, keeping quiet about her other plans. "Its not a problem Wills. We love having them here" Amy replied as Willow sighed. "Matt should be back to pick them up in the afternoon. They're staying with him for the next few days so i've a good few days to try and recover. I'll drop them off around one? " Willow added as they hung up. Willow finished her packing, before quietly taking her bag to her car and hiding it in the trunk. Sighing as she felt a small pang of guilt come over her, more for leaving Jasmine and Ruby than anything. She re entered her home, grabbed her notebook and began to write a small note to tell everyone she'd gone. As she walked into her bedroom for the final sleep, she heard her cell ringing. She climbed into bed before answering the facetime call, "Hey Matt, whats going on?" She asked as she got comfortable in bed. "You ok Wills? You still feeling bad?" he asked as Willow nodded. "Want to cancel me coming over for the girls?" he asked as Willow shook her head. "Moms going to take them overnight tomorrow. Just pick them up from hers" she replied sighing. "Matt its pretty late and im wiped. Come by in a few days and we'll hang out" she lied as they hung up, Matt now worried about her.
"Jas, Rubes...are you ready to go see gramma and maybe even sleep over till daddy comes?" Willow asked the following morning as Jasmine ran around the house naked. "Yay Grammas house!" Jasmine said excitedly as she ran upstairs to dress, returning ten minutes later. "Oh Jas, you do make me laugh" Willow said as Jasmine walked over to her to fasten her coat. "I know you're always both good girls, but i need to you to be on your best behaviour for gramma and dada" Willow said sadly as Jasmine nodded and Ruby giggled, heading out for the car, towards Amys place. Arriving thirty minutes later, Willow dropped the girls off, handing Amy their overnight bags. "You sure you dont want to come in for a bit Wills? Let us take care of you for a few hours" Amy asked as Willow shook her head. "Ive got a ton of stuff i need to take care of at home, then im going to try to relax and get some sleep. Im putting myself on 'do not disturb' for a few days" she replied as she re entered her car as she said quietly to herself, "Im sorry. I hope you can all forgive me" as she began her long journey.
"Hey Ames, have you heard from Willow lately? I thought she would have called or messaged asking about the girls" Matt asked down his cell as he sat on the sofa, after putting Jasmine and Ruby to bed. "Im on my way there now Matt. I know she said she didnt want to be disturbed but its been four days. Im worried about her" she replied as Matt sighed. "I am too Ames, even though I have no right to be..." "Matt, shes the mother of your girls. You have a right to be worried" Amy replied, before continuing "I'm almost there, im going to keep you on the line until i see her" "She really wasnt herself last time i spoke to her" Matt said as he heard Amy punch the security code into Willows gate. "Okay, this is weird. All her lights are off and her car isnt here" she said as she turned the ignition off. "She wouldnt have just gone out for a drive Ames. Its not like her to do that. So where is she?" Matt asked as he heard her opening the front door, calling out for her daughter. "Will? Willow where are you?" Amy called out as Matt listened intensively. "I knew something was wrong with her the other day" Amy said quietly as Matt heard the rustling of paper, and knew something was off. "Ames, where is she?" he asked as Amy replied "Shes not here Matt. Shes gone"