Goodbyes were hard but they were necessary at times. For the three of us, we needed to leave so we could figure out the rest of our lives on our own terms. We stood in front of the house with Jack and Hannah as they wished us well. Everything we needed was packed and loaded in the RV while all our other stuff was packed carefully and in boxes in the garage. They would be shipped to us as soon as we settled down in a year or we'd ask Jack to donate them if we didn't need them anymore.

"You kids be careful, look out for each other and this will always be your home so if it gets too tough out there, please come back."Jack instructed.

"We will Jack and thank you for all that you've done for us. We seriously would not have survived living in Crescent without your help."Henry responded hugging him.

"Hannah please update us on everything about the baby, we wanna be here for the birth."I requested.

"I will, take care of yourselves please."She replied with a sniff.

We all shared individual hugs before we had one last group hug and a prayer from Hannah. Just as we were about to board the RV, someone called out to Henry stopping us. We all turned out attention to Matthew who was hobbling towards us looking like he had been ran over by a truck. Henry really had done a number on him.

"Charlie why don't you get in and start setting up your game."I suggested wanting to get him out of the way.

Charlie nodded before getting into the RV quickly. I had no idea what Matthew wanted and I was not ready to tell my brother that he was responsible for the accident. I would tell him later but only when he was older and mature enough to understand why I hadn't reported Matthew. Jack and Hannah already knew so they took protective stances next to us as we all faced Matthew. Henry put his arm around me and pulled me against him protectively shielding me from his brother. I was feeling sour about what Matthew had told us so I had no idea why he thought it was a good idea to be talking to us.

"I don't want any trouble I just wanted to say a proper goodbye."Matthew explained as soon as he got to us.

"I should cut you up and scatter you in the lake for what you did but Willow is a better human than me so she forced us to let it go. But if I ever hear anything negative about you in this town, I will make you pay young man for all your past sins and the present ones."Jack gritted out looking ready to pounce.

"Calm down love but he's right Matthew, you should be ashamed of yourself for what you did. Only God can forgive you now."Hannah said giving Matthew a disappointed look.

"Look guys I'm sorry for what I did, I will probably never forgive myself but I will live the rest of my life trying to make up for my sins and all the damage I've caused. Before you leave I just wanted to apologize. Willow I'm sorry for all those times I made inappropriate jokes at you or when I tried to force myself into your life. You chose the better twin and I should have respected that I'm sorry."Matthew expressed looking at me with sorrowful.

"Henry an apology won't undo all my bullying, harsh words, insults or physical abuse but an apology is all I have right now. I am so sorry for being such a dick to you all these years. You deserved a better older brother but you got me who made your life a living hell and for that I am sorry. Believe it or not I've been jealous of you all our lives because of the fact that you were able to detangle yourself from our family's web of lies and deceit to live your own life. You're braver and stronger than me for that and I'm sorry that instead of trying to be like you and live my own life, I made yours miserable because in my own twisted way if I couldn't be happy neither could you. I hope you two find the happiness you're looking for out there."Matthew said and I looked at Henry waiting for his reaction.

The part about Matthew being jealous of Henry took me by surprise but it kind of explained things. Matthew was just broken and had been for a long time, I could only hope that he found healing so he could move on. I didn't have time for grudges since we were beginning a new phase in our lives so there were no hard feelings from me. We needed to move on with a clear conscience free of hatred.

"I hope you find happiness too."Henry replied making me smile.

He was being so mature about the situation and I was very proud of him.

"Thank you, goodbye guys."Matthew waved before he turned around and hobbled away.

"Wow I did not expect that but you better get on before you loose too much daytime."Jack instructed.

We hugged them goodbye again before getting into the RV. Henry was driving so I took the passenger seat next to him.

"Ready for this?"Henry asked.

I leaned over and kissed his lips softly.

"Yes as long as your by my side."I replied confidently.

Henry winked at me before starting the car and we were soon on the road to the rest of our lives. We waved at Jack and Hannah until we lost sight of them. Driving out of Crescent was such a momentous occasion and I enjoyed the feeling of leaving all that negative energy behind to focus on the future we were starting.

"First stop?"Henry asked sparing me a glance.

"New York."I replied.

"Why New York?"

"I have one last bone left to settle so can finally start afresh."I replied.

Henry knew what I was talking about so he didn't argue with me or ask me any more questions.

Colton was still nagging me and it was time I faced him once and for all so the madness could stop. We didn't need him in our lives and he needed to understand that.

✨✨✨✨✨

Two days later we pulled up in front of Reeves Industries headquarters. It took a lot longer to get there than anticipated but we were on a road trip after all so we stopped a lot and enjoyed the drive.

"Bud are you ready for this. You don't have to come with me if you don't want to."I addressed Charlie as I fixed the collar of his shirt.

"I'm a big boy Willow, I'll be okay."Charlie assured me.

I kissed his cheek smiling at his bravely. I'd definitely done a good job with raising Charlie. We all got out of the RV and looked up at the magnificent building right in the middle of Manhattan. Colton really had done well for himself but it was time for me to bring him down from his high horse. It was time that he realized that just because he had money didn't mean he was entitled to always getting his way.

Compared to all the suits walking around us we looked completely out of place. We were all in shorts and loose shirts but honestly we didn't care. We were on vacation and would not dress up just to fit in.

"Are you sure he's here?"I asked Henry as we walked into the intimidating building.

Everything was so expensive and pristine but it was all built by a vile man man so that took the beauty out of it for me.

"Yeah he's here. You know I love you but it's hard to love each other behind bars so don't let me get into trouble for all this hacking."Henry requested.

"The first one was all your doing but don't worry, you won't ever have to do any more hacking for me. And besides Reeves would never put you behind bars if you were discovered. I have leverage against him."I responded grinning up at him.

"Only you Willow Cooper, only you."Henry commented with a laugh as he shook his head.

I didn't have time to ask him what he meant as we were already at the reception. I expected to find an entitled receptionist who would give us a hard time but Tina as advertised by her name tag looked kind and polite. She didn't even bat an eye at our state of dress.

"Good afternoon, welcome to Reeves Industries, how may I help you?"Tina asked politely.

I liked her already.

"Hi, my name is Willow and we would like to see Colton Reeves."I replied.

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No but we have driven two days to be here and believe me he will want to see us."I replied.

"I'm sorry but Mr Reeves is an incredibly busy man. You can't see him without an appointment."She apologized.

"It's okay Tina, I know you're just doing your job and believe me we would not be here if it were upto me but circumstances forced our hand. Do me a favor and call him. Tell him that Willow Cooper is here, if he doesn't want to see us, we'll leave."I requested.

She looked at me for a moment before turning her gaze towards my two handsome companions.

"Okay please give me a minute."She replied picking up the phone.

I had no idea what she saw when she looked at us but it was enough to help us out. Three minutes later she hang up and turned to us with a smile.

"Mr Reeves will see you, Malcolm will take you."Tina said looking behind us.

We didn't even have to ask who Malcolm was as we were approached by a very buff looking bodyguard who led us directly to the elevators. We took a private one at the end of the hall that needed an access key to use.

"Why didn't you just say you were his daughter?"Henry whispered as we went up the elevator.

"Because no one other than Colton needs to know. There's no need to complicate our lives if information like that is leaked to the press."I whispered back.

Henry nodded in understanding looking at me with a proud look in his eyes. I edged closer to him and tightened my hold on Charlie's hand. It had been a last minute decision to have Charlie meet Colton. I just wanted the man to see what he had given up and to say goodbye once and for all. His texts, calls and emails were getting annoying and they needed to stop.

As soon as we stopped on the top floor the buff bodyguard let us out and we were met by an enthusiastic looking lady dressed in an official black and white pant suit.

"Hello my name is Ophelia, Mr Reeves personal assistant, you must be Willow. Mr Reeves is waiting for you in his office, it's right this way."She greeted cheerfully.

Looks like Colton really had invested in polite staff. Nothing irked people more than snobbish entitled secretaries. The office was decorated in white and grey so everything was polished and shining making me feel like we were out of place. I didn't let that deter my mission though as we were led through the silent hallways towards an office at the end of the hall, labeled CEO, Colton Reeves in big bold gold letters.

Ophelia knocked on the door and without waiting for us to be invited in she opened it and stood aside to let us all in. The office was huge with black, white and grey themes. His desk was black and huge with a bookshelf behind it against the wall. One side of the office was pure glass showing off the beautiful view of Manhattan. There was a seating area next to the glass wall where Colton himself was perched on one of the seats looking like the all powerful CEO that he was.

"That will be all Ophelia, thank you."Colton said dismissing her with a wave of his hand.

As soon as she left his demeanor changed as he got up and approached us. Charlie held onto my hand tighter and I felt his agitation. I had given him the option to stay but he had assured me he was okay meeting our father. I also would not have brought him along if I didn't think he could handle it.

"Willow welcome but I have to say this is an unexpected surprise. Can I get you anything?"Colton asked politely.

"No thank you, we're not here to stay."I replied.

I noticed his eyes wander to Charlie who was halfway hiding behind me.

"You must remember my boyfriend Henry from the last time we met and this is Charlie my brother and your son."I introduced pulling Charlie in front of me.

Colton's eyes widened as he looked at the spitting image of himself. He definitely had not expected Charlie to look so similar to him.

"Hi Charlie it's nice to meet you."Colton greeted holding his hand out.

"No it's not."Charlie replied ignoring his hand.

Colton dropped his hand embarrassed while Henry and I looked at each other trying not to laugh.

"Like I said we're not here to stay, I just wanted Charlie to meet the man who abandoned us and to ask you to please leave us alone. Stop trying to get in touch with me, you had eighteen years to get to know me and eight to know Charlie but you never reached out so please stop."I requested getting straight to the point.

USA was huge and we needed to embark on our road trip without anything holding us back.

"Please sit down, I would like to get to know you, Charlie and your boyfriend."Colton pleaded.

"Like I said, we don't have the time."I insisted.

Colton looked ready to beg but my mission was not to make him feel better. I just wanted him to know once and for all that he had lost all rights to us when he denied us after we were conceived. I looked around his office and saw a framed photo of him and his family on his desk. His wife was a beautiful brunette and their three kids looked between the ages of sixteen and ten. There were two girls and one boy who looked more like the mom than the dad. Honestly if you looked at the photo, we looked more like Colton than his legitimate children.

"Have you told your family about us?"I asked looking back at the man.

He looked at me wide eyed which answered my question.

"Don't worry I won't tell them for you, I just want to hear what excuse you have this time for hiding us. I mean you claim you want us in your life but no one even knows about us."I explained.

"I was waiting for the right time."Colton replied.

"You've had three months to tell them and you haven't. That's proof enough that you don't need us in your life. Please leave us alone, Colton. We won't reveal our identity as your kids so you can rest easy. Your family seems happy so you can keep playing the loving husband and father. You don't really want to know us, you just want redemption and forgiveness for abandoning us."I said.

Colton looked at me with a defeated look on his face that let me know I was on the right track. He would never risk his reputation for two children born out of wedlock.

"What can I do for you? Ask for anything and it shall be yours?"Colton offered.

"A private island would be nice."Henry muttered next to me so I elbowed him.

"Unlimited games."Charlie suggested earning a glare from me.

"Done and done."Colton declared making the two boys grin victoriously.

"No. We're not taking anything from you."I declined making everyone pout at me.

It didn't feel right taking anything from Colton. He owed us for all those years of neglect but would a private island and games make up for what he'd done or better yet failed to do.

"You know what, there is something you can do for us."I said.

"Anything."Colton replied excited thinking he was buying our forgiveness.

"I want you to write us a cheque."I demanded.

Henry looked at me shocked wondering what I was going on about.

"Okay, how much?"Colton asked.

"You are the billionaire so you decided, anything from ten dollars to a billion dollars."I replied with a shrug.

My offer was random and unexpected but I had my reasons for it.

Colton walked towards his desk and pulled out and cheque book. After thinking about it for a few minutes he scribbled down a number before tearing it off and bringing it to me. I took it from him and my eyes widened at the amount he had jotted down. I had definitely not been expecting that.

I handed the cheque to Henry who had the same reaction like me.

"Wow, that's a lot of zeros."Henry exclaimed.

"Thank you so much for the cheque Colton. We'll now take our leave. Please don't try to contact us again. Feel free to go back to your life as if we never existed."I expressed already fed up with the meeting.

"Goodbye sir."Henry said with a mock salute.

I was about to pull Charlie away when he tugged his hand away from me and walked towards Colton.

"Growing up I always wanted to meet you so I asked Willow about you all the time and she never lied to me. You don't seem like a bad man but you are a bad father and I'm glad I was raised by Willow not you. She is the best sister ever and an even greater dad and mom to me. I don't forgive you for leaving us but I will forget you as you are insignificant to us. Goodbye Colton, live happily with your family and may your kids never regret having you as a dad."Charlie expressed taking us all by surprise.

Before Colton even had the chance to react, Charlie took my hand and led us out of his office. We found our way out and soon enough we were back in the RV.

"I'm so proud of you bud."I whispered hugging Charlie holding back the tears.

I really had done a good job raising the best kid in the world.

"I love you Willow."Charlie replied hugging me back tighter.

After we shared the perfect brother sister moment, we settled back down and Henry drove us out of Manhattan.

"What are you going to do with half a billion dollars?"Henry asked handing me the cheque Colton had given us.

"Donate it. We're going to cash it and donate it to the foundations we come across on our trip. There are a lot of orphans out there who have a hard time and we're going to help them out."I replied looking at the cheque.

We wouldn't use the money for us but to help out those less fortunate.

"You Willow Cooper are perfect."Henry declared kissing the back of my hand.

"Next stop Rhode Island."I declared leaning back on my seat.

All t's had been crossed and all I's had been dotted in our lives. We had no baggage holding us back. For the next one year it would just be the three of us and the road. We had been through a lot to get to where we were and even though a lot had been I unpleasant it had taught us to be strong and appreciate all the little things in life. We were now set for the next part of the rest of our lives.