"All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust."
Knock Knock
"William?" EJ DiMera poked his head into Will Horton's bedroom.
Will, nose buried in a well-worn book, finished the rest of his sentence before looking up.
"Hmm?" Will blinked at his future step-father, lips pursed.
"I'm taking your mother to dinner," EJ walked into the room uninvited. "Are you busy or can you watch the children?"
Will glanced down at himself. He took in his gray sweatpants and white tank top. The bag of Doritos next to him on the bed. He looked back up at EJ and asked, "Does it look like I'm going anywhere?"
"You're seventeen," EJ dismissed. He looked at himself in a mirror over one of Will's dressers. He couldn't decide if he liked his tie or not. "You always dress like that. It's Friday. Excuse me for assuming you'd have a life."
Will glared at EJ and turned the page in his book almost ripping the page right out.
EJ grumbled something under his breath before saying, "Are you watching them or not?"
"Yes," Will answered in a dull tone. "What else have I got to do?"
"Don't you spend time with that annoying little thing, G? P? He?" EJ questioned, stepping away from the mirror and towards Will's bed.
"T," Will sighed, refusing to look up from his book. "Which you know so stop pretending that you don't."
EJ smiled, messing with his tie. "Why aren't you with him?"
"He went to see his grandma in Springfield if you must know," Will attempted to concentrate on his book.
"Don't you have anyone else to go out with?" EJ pressed, sitting on the end of Will's bed.
Will pulled his legs away from EJ. "Did I say this was gonna turn into a question and answer period? Get out of my room."
EJ lifted one eyebrow, narrowing his eyes. "Most boys your age go out on Friday nights. They have friends and girlfriends and lives. But here you are, day after day, week after week with your nose in that stupid bloody book."
"I like this book," Will spat out. "And I don't remember asking for your opinion on how I spend my time."
"Why don't you go to the cinema or something, get out of this stuffy mansion?" EJ shook his head. "I don't understand you at all, William. When I was your age, I-,"
"When you were my age you were rich and tall and handsome with normal parents and a normal life," Will interrupted. "So, you wanna know why I don't go out? Because whenever I do it all ends the same. Everyone puts on a fake smile when I walk up. They act all nice and cool until it matters and then they pretend they don't know me at all. I hang out with T because he's the only one that doesn't care who I am or where I live."
"Where you live?" EJ asked, face softening.
"Do you know how hard it is to get my study group over here?" Will fired back. "They all think I sleep in some sort of crypt in a dungeon in the fiery pits of hell."
"You're exaggerating," EJ replied.
"I know I am," Will grunted. "I am making a point. And that point is it's easier to stay home where I'm somewhat liked than go out and deal with people that see me as an extension of my mother."
"There's nothing wrong with your mother," EJ insisted. "And you shouldn't feel ashamed about where you live or who you live with either."
"You go up to teenagers in this town and tell them you want them to come hang out at the DiMera mansion and see how far they run," Will offered.
"Being a DiMera is-," EJ argued.
"I'm not a DiMera," Will said over EJ. "I'm not."
"There are worse things in life William than being a DiMera," EJ responded. "Maybe someday you'll learn that."
Will, adjusting his book, angled his body away from EJ.
"Two of your siblings are DiMera's," EJ added as he stood up and headed for the door. "How do you think they'd feel knowing how you think of their family?"
"Yeah," Will shoved his face back in his book. "And why don't we ask them how they feel when they learn about their conception and early childhood?"
EJ opened his mouth to say something before sighing and shaking his head. He took a step out the doorway before turning back around. "That should give you some hope then."
Will looked up from his book.
"If someone as awful as me can find love and happiness and a family," EJ said. "Then you shouldn't have any problem."
Will held EJ's stare for a few seconds before turning away. "When are you leaving?"
"In an hour," EJ answered. "I'll leave money on the table for pizza."
"Thank you," Will said before turning back to his book.
EJ walked down a winding hallway and up one flight of stairs to his own bedroom.
Samantha Brady, Will's mother and EJ's fiancé, walked out of the bathroom in a silk robe, running her fingers through her long wet hair.
"Did you ask him?" Sami wondered as she sat down in front of a vanity. She started rubbing various creams and serums into her skin.
"Yes," EJ stood in front of his closet door. He didn't like his tie after all. He'd have to change it.
"Judging from the tone, it didn't go well," Sami noted.
"No," EJ said as he yanked off his tie. "I asked why he never went out anymore. He didn't appreciate it."
"Well," Sami pressed her lips together, looking into her vanity mirror. "He's sensitive. Will takes everything to heart."
"Great," EJ rolled his eyes. "That won't make for an uncomfortable home life."
"Will also has a selective memory," Sami pointed out. "Over time, he'll let everything go. He always does."
"I wouldn't be so sure of that," EJ ran his fingers over a few ties before picking a standard black one. "The boy knows how to hold a grudge."
"Will forgives," Sami amended. "He doesn't forget. And since Lucas is working overseas," Sami turned in her chair and sauntered toward EJ. "That means he'll look to as a father figure."
"Well, God help us all," EJ mumbled.
"Stop that," Sami wrapped her arms around EJ's waist, pressing herself close. "You and Will are going to work through your problems."
"How are you so certain?" EJ wondered, slipping his hands over her silk covered skin.
"I know my son," Sami smiled up at EJ. "Sooner or later, we'll all be one big happy family."
"Is that so?" EJ smiled, leaning close to Sami's face.
"Oh, I know," Sami grinned, standing on tip-toe to close the distance between their lips.
Will Horton laid his baby sister, Sydney DiMera, on her changing table. He pulled the snaps on her onesie open and changed her diaper.
"Much better," Will said as he lifted Sydney up and cradled her against his chest. At a little over a year old, Sydney fit right in the crook of his muscled arm.
"Johnny! Allie!" Will shouted as he walked out of Sydney's bedroom. "Dinner time!"
Will turned to Sydney and sighed when he heard two matching sets of complaints.
"Why do they always argue with me?" Will wondered as he rocked Sydney back and forth. "That's why you're my girl, huh Syd? 'Cause you don't complain."
Sydney giggled, shoving her fist in her mouth.
Will switched Sydney to his other arm and bounced her up and down. At seventeen, Will didn't want to spend his Friday nights taking care of his siblings. A normal Friday night for Will involved hanging out with his best friend Tad Stevens, T. They'd practice riding their skateboards at the park or go to the movies. Hang out at the Brady Pub and wait for Will's great-grandma Caroline to bring them fresh baked treats. Despite what EJ said, Will didn't stay inside the mansion any more than he had to.
T and Will weren't the most popular kids at school. Will due to his reputation and upbringing and T because of his T-like awkward behavior. Will didn't exaggerate that much when he spoke to EJ earlier. Kids did steer clear of Will because of Sami and even because of his associations with the DiMera's. That wasn't the whole story, though. Will, like T, didn't know how to fit in at school. He played sports. He was on the baseball and track teams. But he didn't consider himself a jock. Will was smart. He enrolled in all honor classes and was in the honor society. But Will didn't think he was a Brainiac. He didn't fit in with the theater kids or the band kids. He didn't even fit in with the other Hodge Podge collection of kids that weren't defined by only one grouping.
If Will was honest with himself, he wanted to take EJ's advice. He wanted to go out and make friends. Teach them that Will Horton was so much more than his mother and his potential step-father.
Will forgot to tell EJ one little part about why he stayed close to T, though. The friends Will made before moving to Switzerland a few years before still sought him out. They invited Will to parties, wanting Will to get drunk or stoned the way he would before.
After the incident, after his father went to jail and Will was sent away, Will vowed to stay away from those kids. Promised himself that he wouldn't go down that road again.
T was a good friend and kept Will on the right path. He made sure those kids stayed away from Will and Will stayed away from them.
If I have to stay home with my one friend to get a normal, sober, gun-free life, I will, Will thought to himself.
Sydney wriggled in Will's arms, pulling his attention back to her.
With her gummy smile staring at him, Will decided he didn't mind babysitting much.
"Hey, you two," Will announced as he opened the door to his twin sibling's playroom. "Time to start picking up your toys."
"But why?" Johnny DiMera whined, throwing a block on the already messy floor.
"We're not even hungry," Allie Horton huffed with too much sass for a three-year-old.
Rolling his eyes, Will responded, "I ordered pizza."
Will laughed as Johnny and Allie started throwing toys back into the storage bin, rushing to clean up.
"Daddy doesn't like us eating on the couch," Johnny said through a mouthful of pizza.
"Yeah," Allie agreed with a nod. "He says we're too messy."
"He can clean the couch," Will rolled his eyes. He did his best to keep his comments about EJ to himself. He didn't want any of his siblings to know how much Will detested the man.
"Anyway," Will kneeled in front of the TV and DVD player. "How can we watch a movie if we're in the dining room?"
"Movie?" Allie bounced up and down. "What movie?"
"My favorite," Will answered, putting the DVD inside the tray and changing the channel on the TV.
"Oooh," Johnny said. "I love it! When it's Halloween I'm gonna be Peter Pan."
"And I can be Wendy," Allie decided with a smile.
"I guess that means Sydney's our Tinkerbell," Will chuckled, sitting back on the couch.
Will cut up a few pieces of pizza into bite-sized bites for Sydney to work on while in her high chair.
"Mommy can be Mrs. Wendy's mom," Allie clapped her hands, smearing pizza sauce.
"Mrs. Darling? Yeah, that would be fun," Will said. "What about me? Do I get to go?"
"Yes," Johnny nodded. "You get to be the boy with teddy bear 'cause you got a teddy bear."
Will, cheeks heating up, huffed, "Gee, thanks."
"You're welcome!" Johnny nodded, too young to understand sarcasm. "But who's Daddy going to be?"
"Captain Hook," Will answered, taking a bite of his pizza.
"Daddy's not mean," Johnny shook his head.
"Well, there's no one else," Will said. "Unless he wants to dress up as John Darling."
"Johnny should be John," Allie insisted. "And EJ can be Peter Pan!"
"Yeah," Johnny agreed with a grin. "That would be awesome!"
"Sure," Will said without feeling, none too pleased for EJ to besmirch Will's favorite character. "How about we just watch the movie now?"
Allie and Johnny quieted down for a few minutes before talking again. They kept up a string of commentary throughout the movie even getting up to act out their favorite parts.
Once the movie finished, Johnny, Allie, and Sydney all got ready for bed.
Will, balancing Sydney on his hip, browsed through a bookcase in the middle of the twins' room. "Let's see. What book should we read?"
"Your book!" Allie shrilled. "Please, please!"
"Mine?" Will paused to think. "Are you sure it isn't too old for you?"
"It's not," Johnny shook his head, black curls flopping against his face. "We're big kids now!"
"Oh," Will chuckled. "Well, in that case, I'll get it."
Will, holding Sydney, rushed to his room for the book EJ caught him reading earlier. He trailed his finger over the beloved title. Will didn't own many books when he was younger. He would go to the library often and was always read to as a child but he didn't have many of his own. This one had always been his favorite.
Will shook his head, not wanting to get lost in the past. He walked back to the twins with his favorite book, Peter Pan and Wendy.
"Got it," Will declared. He made himself at home in Johnny's bed.
Johnny curled up under one of Will's arms while Allie snuggled under the other. With Sydney resting in his lap, Will opened the book.
"I love this book when I was your age," Will informed them as they all settled together. "I wanted Peter Pan to fly in my window and take me away to Neverland."
"Like the movie?" Allie questioned, eyelashes brushing against Will's arm.
"Almost," Will cleared his throat. "Now, let's get started."
"'All children, except one, grow up'," Will began.
As Will delved into the world of Peter Pan, Allie and Johnny hung on his every word. They gasped and laughed in the appropriate places. Will had never seen them so focused.
"'When he saw she was a grown-up, he gnashed the little pearls at her'. And that's the end of the first chapter," Will snapped the book closed with a muted thud.
"That's all for tonight," Will decided.
"No," Johnny sighed around a yawn. "What happens to Mrs. Darling?"
"Yeah," Allie agreed, fighting to keep her eyes open. "When do they get to Neverland?"
"We'll find out tomorrow," Will promised. "Now, it's time for bed."
Will helped Johnny slip under his covers before carrying Allie to her own bed on the other side of the room.
"Can't sleep yet," Johnny argued. "Nonno has to give us our vitamin."
"What?" Will questioned. He sat down next to Johnny and brushed his dark hair out of his eyes. "What are you talking about?"
"Nonno always brings us vitamins," Johnny revealed, blinking up at Will with wide brown eyes.
"Does Mom know about that?" Will swallowed.
"Dunno," Johnny answered.
"They taste good," Allie said from her bed.
"What are you talking about?" Will questioned, mind reeling.
"Hem hem," a deep voice cleared their throat behind Will.
Will stood up from Johnny's bed and turned around. He held Sydney tighter against his chest when he saw Stefano DiMera. He was EJ's father and Johnny and Sydney's grandfather. Or Nonno as Johnny preferred to call him.
Whatever negative feelings Will had for EJ didn't compare to how he felt about Stefano.
"Did Samantha and Elvis leave again?" Stefano asked, walking into the room without a care. "Tsk, they should spend more time with their children."
"They went on a date," Will mumbled not sure what to make of the situation.
"How charming," Stefano chuckled to himself. He turned to face Johnny and grinned. "My little Geovanni. How is my handsome boy tonight?"
"We watched a movie, Nonno," Johnny bragged. "And Will read us a big kid book and it was the best. He said he'll read more tomorrow. Will's the bestest brother ever."
"Ah, yes," Stefano nodded in agreement. "William is a dedicated student and a hard worker. One day, you will grow up and be as strong and as smart as him."
Johnny gasped, adoring eyes landing on Will.
"Here you go, mio nipote," Stefano pulled something out of his suit pocket and handed it to Johnny.
Before Will could object, Johnny popped the item in his mouth and chewed.
"And my beautiful Alice," Stefano turned to face Allie. "Did you enjoy your story as well?"
"So much," Allie grinned. "Will's the best babysitter!"
Will smiled despite the strange situation.
"He loves his family, our William," Stefano nodded. He handed the same item to Allie.
Will watched as Allie chewed and swallowed whatever Stefano gave her.
"Goodnight, little ones," Stefano declared before leaving the room. "Don't let the bed bugs bite."
Will kissed Allie and Johnny goodnight before rushing after Stefano.
"Stefano!" Will shouted, thankful that Sydney was still wide-awake.
"Hmm?" Stefano stopped at the top of a staircase. "Something the matter?"
"What, um," Will didn't know how to phrase it. "What did you give them? They said it was a vitamin but I know they take theirs in the morning."
"Ah," Stefano said. He reached out to tickle under Sydney's chin and smiled at her laugh. "It's a vitamin, nothing more. Here," Stefano reached into his pocket.
Stefano placed a container in Will's hand. It looked like a standard white pill bottle only everything was in Italian. Will couldn't make out anything other than the label, La Vita Eterna.
"What kind of vitamin is this?" Will narrowed his eyes as he unscrewed the lid.
The inside looked normal. Half a bottle of tiny pink pills stared back at him.
"I've been taking them since I was a child," Stefano disclosed. "It's just a simple multi-vitamin. See?" Stefano reached inside and ate one of the pills himself. "Nothing to worry about. Why don't you try one?"
Will, keeping his eyes on Stefano, reached into the bottle and grabbed a pill. He placed it in his mouth and chewed. It tasted like peppermint.
"Harmless," Stefano declared with a clap of his hands. "In fact, William, you keep that bottle for yourself."
"I already take vitamins," Will said, pushing the bottle towards Stefano.
"I insist," Stefano shoved the bottle back. "Yes," Stefano mumbled to himself. "I should have offered you them years ago. But, it's not too late, now."
"Okay," Will said, lost. "Thank you."
"Of course," Stefano turned to head down the stairs. "You're my grandchildren's brother. And I'm in the business of taking care of family. When you run out let me know, I'll get more."
Will watched Stefano walk down the stairs until he was out of sight.
"That was weird, Syd," Will said out loud.
Sydney gurgled in agreement, reaching her chubby arms out to hold onto Will's face.
"You're right, kiddo," Will agreed. "Time for bed."
Will placed Sydney's baby monitor on his nightstand and kicked off his shoes. He rubbed his eyes. Babysitting two toddlers and an infant drained him.
Another wild night for Will Horton.
Will thought back to what EJ said, about a normal boy his age having a girlfriend.
EJ's right. If I was normal, I'd have a girlfriend.
Will didn't know what kind of girl he'd even want to date. Someone that was easy to talk to or had things in common with him.
Will ran through a list of girls in his school. He couldn't decide which of them, if any, he'd want to call his girlfriend. T wouldn't have that problem. T knew the exact type of girl he found attractive. Whereas Will, he knew which girls were pretty but none of them did anything for him.
I wonder why Will mused before disregarding the notion. I just haven't found the right girl yet. That's all.
Okay, that's what I'm going to do. I'm gonna make some friends and find a girlfriend. Okay, I can do this. I can.
With a new plan in mind, Will moved into the bathroom. After brushing his teeth and washing his face, Will flopped onto his bed. He almost went right to sleep when he saw the white pill bottle Stefano gave him on his nightstand.
I should find out what kind of pills these are.
Within a matter of minutes, Will was fast asleep, the taste of peppermint still in the back of his throat.
"You know that place between sleep and awake, that place where you still remember dreaming? That's where I'll always love you. That's where I'll be waiting."
Will Horton juggled several bags of groceries and his daughter, Arianna Grace, as he unlocked the door to his apartment. He made it two steps inside before dropping the bags.
"You, little miss, are heavy," Will proclaimed as he plopped Ari onto the couch. "In case you were wondering."
Ari shook her head, disagreeing. "Nu-uh."
"Oh, uh-huh," Will moved closer and closer until their noses were touching. "Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh!"
"Nu-uh, nu-uh, nu-uh!" Ari countered with a wide grin.
"Yeah huh," Will ended the argument by reaching out and tickling Ari until she squirmed all over the couch. "Say, I love you, Daddy, you're always right."
Ari giggled, shaking her head.
"You don't love me?" Will stuck out his lower lip in an exaggerated pout. He put his hand over his heart and pretended to cry.
"No!" Ari placed her tiny hand over Will's larger one. "Love Daddy! Love you, no cry!"
Will wiped at imaginary tears and pretended to sniff. "You love me?"
Ari nodded her head up and down, throwing her arms around Will's neck. "Love you, Daddy."
"I love you too," Will scooped Ari up in his arms. "More than anything in the entire world. And I'm never ever gonna leave you, okay?"
Ari grinned, snuggling against Will's neck.
"Now, what are we gonna make for dinner, baby girl?" Will mused as he lifted the grocery bags one by one and carried them the short distance to the kitchen. "Daddy's cooking skills are limited."
Ari pointed to a box Will unpacked.
"Ah, yes," Will nodded in a solemn voice. "The macaroni and cheese special, a personal favorite. Excellent choice."
After dinner, Will kneeled in front of the bathtub and filled it with bubbles. He felt proud that he only added a bit too much milk in the sauce for dinner.
"Alright," Will ordered. "Shirt off."
Ari managed to pull her shirt up to her ears before getting stuck with her arms straight in the air. "Help!"
Chuckling, Will detangled Ari and tossed her shirt over his shoulder.
"Shorts," Will requested next. He held onto Ari's hips for balance as she wiggled out of her shorts and pull-ups.
Ari climbed into the tub and began splishing and splashing with her water toys.
While Ari played, Will sat on the toilet lid as the exhaustion from his day hit him.
Sonny Kirakis, Will's husband, left them behind a few weeks ago. Fed up with Will's machinations, Sonny packed his belongs and left for the other side of the world.
Will wasn't stupid. Dumb, perhaps, but not stupid. He knew Sonny wasn't coming back.
No one takes a job on another continent and leaves without so much as a conversation with plans to return. I was the last one to know he was leaving because I was the one he was running from. Sonny isn't coming back.
Despite that knowledge, Will tried to carry on like things were normal. He kept Ari's routine the same, hoping it would ease the pain of Sonny's absence. Nighttime was the worst, though. When Ari felt settled and sleepy, she'd realize Sonny wasn't there.
Will could compartmentalize his own pain over his husband's absence. He couldn't handle Ari's, especially when there was nothing Will could do.
Especially when it's my fault he's gone, Will knew.
Leaving him, Will understood. But he'd never understand leaving Ari.
I miss her when she's at the babysitter. I miss her when she goes to sleep and I'm still awake. Every sound a child makes in public, every cry, every laugh, I check to make sure it wasn't Ari. How could Sonny leave her behind? How?
Those few days Will was gone on his writing fellowship when Ari was an infant were the worst. He loved the seminars and classes, yes. But he missed his little girl like nothing he ever felt before.
Will didn't understand how Sonny could disregard his daughter that way. Didn't understand how he could go so long without seeing her, without talking to her. It didn't make sense.
For perhaps the first time in his life Will understood why EJ always went so crazy with Johnny and Sydney. Why he'd arrange over the top, outlandish plots and schemes involving them.
EJ loved his kids and would do anything for them even if it didn't make sense to anyone but him. EJ would have done anything for them. Sonny ditched Ari the first chance he got when he left for Arizona. And now he's done it again.
What kind of father leaves their child behind?
Will shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Sonny isn't like EJ and you don't want him to be. Hell, if anyone's like EJ, it's me. I'm the one that cheated and ruined my relationship and family. I'm the reason Ari is without her father. Stop blaming Sonny. Maybe he'd tell me why he left if he could stand me anymore. I lost that right a long time ago. All I can do now is wait and hope.
Ari interrupted Will's thoughts. She splashed water over the side of the tub, wetting Will's feet.
"Hey," Will complained, flicking water off of himself. "You know the water stays in the tub."
"Sorry," Ari grinned looking as un-sorry as possible.
"It's a good thing you're cute," Will warned, rolling his eyes when Ari's smile grew even larger.
"Night, baby girl," Will smoothed down Ari's hair as he sat on the edge of her bed. "Sleep tight. I love you."
"Love you," Ari repeated, eyes struggling to stay open.
Will kissed Ari's forehead and walked out of her room with a baby monitor.
There were a lot of things Will should do now that Ari was asleep. He needed to do the dishes and tidy up the house. He needed to make out a check for the rent that was due in the morning. He needed to start a load of laundry and fold the clothes that were already in the dryer. Try to find a simple and easy recipe for him to follow for dinner tomorrow, something he wouldn't ruin.
Look at this month's bills and make sure there's enough to cover them. Get started on my new article. Call Mom and check on the kids.
There was plenty to keep Will busy but he only wanted to do one thing.
Will grabbed his favorite book, Peter Pan and Wendy, and sat on the couch. Whenever he felt upset when he was young, Will immersed himself in the story. He spent hours imagining he too was in Neverland.
Ever since Sonny left, Will found himself reading the book more and more. It was his own little happy thought, giving him the ability to fly. Or, in Will's case, continue on in the strange and sudden world of single parenthood.
Rafe Hernandez, Ari's uncle, gave Will a hint the other day that he wouldn't be alone for long. Will didn't understand the how or why but Ari's mother might get released from prison soon.
At least that will help me and Ari, Will thought as he opened his favorite book and read.
Several hours later, Will was more than three-quarters of the way through the book. He heard a heartbroken wail over the baby monitor. Will marked his spot in the book and rushed into Ari's room.
Ari, sitting up and crying, held her arms out for Will. "Daddy!"
"What is it, baby?" Will held Ari close. "Did you have a bad dream? It's okay."
Ari shook her head. "Want DaddyS'nny, want."
"Is that what you dreamed about?" Will questioned, dread filling his stomach. "Daddy Sonny?"
Ari nodded, holding onto Will's shirt with her small fists.
Will held his Ari in his arms as he paced back and forth. "Shh," Will soothed as he bounced her up and down. "It's okay. It's okay."
"Where Daddy?" Ari's voice muffled against Will's neck.
Will could feel tiny tear drops leaking down his skin and through his shirt.
"It's okay," Will bit his lip. "Daddy had to go to work far away. It'll be okay. Just close your eyes, baby."
Ari shook her head no and clung harder to Will.
"Okay," Will didn't know what to do. Ari never had problems sleeping before Sonny left. In fact, Will worried she got too much sleep since she always seemed to be napping.
Ever since Sonny walked out on them, Ari's sleep schedule got screwed up. Not that Will blamed Sonny. It was all Will's fault. Everything was Will's fault.
Will walked Ari all throughout the apartment, hoping the motion might sooth Ari. She continued a steady combination of tears and trembles.
"Maybe this'll work, baby girl," Will said. He picked up the book he was reading before and settled the two of them on the couch.
Will read Peter Pan and Wendy to Ari the way he read it to Johnny, Allie, and Sydney years before. Just like with them, Ari became enthralled. Maybe it was the words and the story. Maybe it was Will himself and how lively he sounded reading it.
Ari, stubborn as her parents, stayed awake almost to the end of the book. Will knew come morning he would regret letting her stay up so late but he wanted to finish the book as much as she did.
"'When Margaret grows up she will have a daughter, who is to be Peter's mother in turn; and thus it will go on, so long as children are gay and innocent and heartless. The end,'" Will finished.
Ari, eyes lidded, smiled. "Like, Daddy."
"You liked that? Good, that's Daddy's favorite story," Will informed her as he yawned and stretched his arms over his head. "Oh, Daddy almost forgot."
Will walked into the kitchen and came back with a white pill bottle with Italian lettering. He popped a pill in his mouth. While Will chewed, he grabbed a smaller but similar bottle for Ari.
When Ari was born, Stefano offered his well-wishes and a steady supply of vitamins.
Ari, sucking on the vitamin, tilted to the side.
"Come on, baby girl," Will said after he put the bottles away.
Will heaved Ari into his arms. She was so near sleep she felt like a dead weight.
Instead of taking Ari into her bedroom, Will carried her into his room. His bed felt lonely these past few weeks without Sonny. Ari struggled without him too. This way they'd be together.
Will eased Ari onto his large mattress, tucking her under the sheets. He motioned to move away, change his clothes and brush his teeth when a tiny fist grabbed his arm.
"Don't go, Daddy," Ari whispered with her eyes closed. "Don't go."
"I won't," Will promised. He kicked off his shoes and shimmied out of his jeans before crawling into bed.
Will kept his eyes on Ari in the dark space. He could just make out the rise and fall of her chest, the glint of moonlight reflecting off her silvery blonde hair.
When Will was certain Ari was asleep, he laid his head on the remaining pillow, Sonny's pillow.
Will didn't know if it was a treat or a punishment sleeping with Sonny's scent surrounding him.
"I won't leave you," Will repeated over the soft sound of Ari's snores. "I promise."
"To die will be an awfully big adventure."
Will Horton didn't know how his life came to this. How all twenty-two years of life came down to this one tragic happenstance.
All Will wanted was to talk to his cousin. He didn't want to stay in Abigail Deveraux's apartment and wait for the cable guy but Will felt guilty. Will knew her secret and he felt compelled to help her. He had to help her after he shed light on her affair with EJ, unintentional or not.
It was almost funny, all Will wanted to do was help. That's all Will ever tried to do and like always it was going to blow up in his face.
There would be no more helping, no more well-intentioned but asinine decisions. Will would never see his mom again, his dad. He'd never see his siblings grow up. He wouldn't see his best friends again. He'd never turn to Caroline looking for advice. He'd never play another word game with Marlena. He'd never hear another long-suffering sigh from Kate. No more gruff hugs from Roman or pats on the back from Eric. No trip to Switzerland that always seemed to get put off.
Will would never meet the grandfather he shared a name with. He'd never meet Abigail's baby. There'd be no more birthdays at the pub. No more visits to TBD. No more articles and no more work. No reuniting with his husband.
Will would never see his daughter's beautiful face again. He'd never see her off on her first day of kindergarten. Never see her dressed up for her first date. No threatening her first date. No walking her down the aisle.
This was it. Twenty-two years didn't seem like enough. It didn't seem fair. Not when Will had so many things left to do, so many things left to fix. He didn't want to go out like this. He didn't want this to be the end.
"Ben," Will held his hands up, backing away. "You don't have to do this."
Will tried to run out of reach. He aimed for the door and the rest of his life. Will didn't expect Ben Weston's rage or his preternatural strength, though.
Will wasn't fast enough.
Ben grabbed Will's arms, swinging him backward into the refrigerator behind him. Will's head snapped back as his spine rammed into the door handle with a resounding crack.
Everything faded away except for a painful ringing in Will's ears. His pain stole his breath away, stole his vision.
Will sank to the floor, sharp pains shooting up and down his back and neck.
When his vision cleared, all Will could focus on was the twisted face hovering over his. The face of someone he trusted, in the home of someone he loved.
Will's limbs wouldn't work, couldn't work. Paralyzed in fear and pain, Will's eyes swam with tears.
This wasn't the end. This couldn't be it. Will didn't want to die alone and unloved with half his world thinking him a monster.
Will needed to live. He needed to watch his daughter grow up. He had to watch his daughter grow up. He promised Ari he wouldn't leave her. He promised.
Tears dripped down Will's cheeks, as something tangled around his throat. Using the last of his strength, Will pushed at Ben's arms, desperate to get away.
With his daughter's bright smiling face in his mind, Will's eyes closed. As he took his last breath, Will Horton tasted peppermint.
Author's note:
If you are looking for a story where Will comes back in order to reunite with Sonny, this is not that story. This story is about two of my favorite characters who were killed unnecessarily finding redemption. This is a story about moving on, discovering family is more than blood, and forging new bonds through the help of Peter Pan.
Almost all of the story is already written so updates should be often.
The title is taken from the song "Lost Boys" by Ruth B. The song and the book Peter Pan and Wendy by J. M. Barrie influenced the entire story. All quotes are from the book as well. From the first moment I heard the song, all I could think about was Will.
Thank you for reading and please let me know what you thought.