Here it is, guys! The not-so-long-awaited sequel to Highway of Regret! This takes place two years after HOR ends. Since we don't yet know the fates of Bo, Shawn, Ben, EJ, Caroline, and Stefano; they won't appear in the fic until later. I'll just assume their fates are either death or prison (and that EJ and Bo are still alive), then once we know, I'll try to correct it.
Enjoy! This starts out as Paulson, but ends as Wilson.
February 2018
Sonny walked through the cemetary until he found the grave he was looking for. He knelt down and set flowers into the small, built-in flower pot.
William Horton
16 Nov. 1992 – 9 Oct. 2015
"You know, it's been over two years, and I still can hear your voice." Sonny said, his voice trembling slightly. "I never thought I'd ever fall in love again after you…but I did. I know you would have wanted me to be happy no matter what. You wouldn't want me to grieve for the rest of my life. My mom said that my heart's big enough for another true love. She's right." He kissed his fingers and touched the cold, cement grave. "I love you, Will."
From a distance behind a tree, someone watched Sonny carefully.
XXX
At the Salem Inn, a mysterious figure all in black picked up a newspaper announcing the marriage of former Star Baseball Player, Paul Narita and Prominent Business Owner Sonny Kiriakis. His hands shook in anger as he ripped out the article and ripped it to shreds.
XXX
The Salem Convention Center was just recently built to accommodate the city's growing populations' activities. Paul and Sonny's wedding is to be held there. In his dressing room, Sonny adjusted his wedding kimono. The Naritas were very traditional, and Sonny sincerely agreed to do a Japanese wedding. Adrienne knocked and entered. "Hey."
"Hey!" Sonny smiled broadly. "How do I look?"
"Incredibly handsome." Adrienne replied. "Paul isn't going to be able to focus on the vows."
Sonny chuckled. "Is Ari with Gabi?"
"Yep." Adrienne nodded. "I'm glad you adopted her. She needs a dad."
"I'm glad, too." Sonny replied. "Paul is going to be…probably as good a stepfather as I am."
Adrienne laughed. "Speaking of, I was a little surprised you agreed to do a traditional Japanese wedding…"
"Uh, friendly reminder: you and Dad had a Greek wedding." Sonny raised an eyebrow.
"Okay, okay, good point. Sorry." Adrienne shook her head. "I'm so proud of you. And I know that Paul is a different man now. I know he'll make you and Arianna and any kids you might have via surrogate or adoption happy and safe and loved."
Sonny was getting emotional. "Oh, God, I'm gonna ruin my kimono with my tears."
Adrienne laughed again. They hugged.
XXX
"You ready for this, son?" John smoothed the shoulders of Paul's kimono, smiling.
Paul exhaled slowly and smiled. "I've been ready for eight years now."
John chuckled. "I'm proud of you, kid."
"You know, I never thought that I'd have this." Paul admitted. "I never thought that I'd be getting married to the man of my dreams or that my father would be there."
"Well, that just goes to show that dreams do come true." John replied.
Paul smiled and nodded in agreement. Brady walked in. "Hey, there's my baby brother!"
"Hey, Brady." Paul greeted. They hugged.
"Now…I know you chose not to have a wedding party, but, I will not be denied of my best man speech." Brady said simply. "In addition to that, Sonny's brothers and I will be singing a song in your honor."
"Aw, you shouldn't have." Paul said modestly.
Brady chuckled and put his hand on the doorknob. "Oh, don't worry. You will love it." He opened the door and walked out as Tori walked in.
"Mother." Paul greeted.
"I'll leave you two alone." John walked out, and grabbed Brady, gently. "So, I'm curious: what song are you guys singing?"
Brady grinned mischievously. "'I'm So Excited' by the Pointer Sisters."
John raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that a song about-"
"Sonny!" Brady interrupted. Sonny walked towards them. "Are you nervous?"
"A little. More excited." Sonny replied.
John smirked. "So, you could say you're so excited?" Brady sideways glared at his father.
Sonny chuckled. "Yeah. I guess you could say that."
XXX
Tori and Paul hugged. "I'm so proud of you, my son. And so so happy and honored to have Sonny and Arianna as part of our family."
Paul smiled. "I just wish Ojichan was here to see this."
Tori bowed her head for a few seconds, then looked up. Hiro Narita passed away the year before of a heart attack. "I know he would have wanted to be here physically. But, he is here spiritually and in our hearts."
"I know he is." A tear fell down his cheek.
"Hey, no crying!" Tori exclaimed, smiling. "This is a most happy day. You're getting married!"
Paul chuckled and nodded. "Okay, let's do this."
XXX
Paul took in the room. There were a thousand and one folded paper cranes hanging from the ceiling. Light blue tulle was tied to the backs of every chair. White Chrystanthemums lined the aisles. Everything looked perfect. Tori took her son's arm as the traditional Japanese wedding music started. Everyone stood and smiled as Tori walked her son down the aisle. Once at the altar, Tori and Paul bowed to each other. Paul turned to the door where Sonny and Adrienne started walking down. Sonny and Paul smiled broadly, not taking eyes off each other. Sonny glanced at Sami, who sat next to EJ (whom they discovered faked his death), and Sami smiled and nodded encouragingly. Once Sonny and Adrienne made it to the altar, Sonny bowed to Tori, John, and Marlena; Paul bowed to Adrienne and Justin, who was officiating the ceremony.
"Dearly beloved. We are gathered here today to witness the union of these two men." Justin started. "Their love survived more than anyone could say in such a short time. It was a heartbreaking journey that was worth it in the end."
Sonny turned to Paul, holding his hands. "Paul…I am so lucky to have twice found the love of my life. I didn't think I would ever love again…but, boy, you proved me wrong. And I'm glad you did. You were the first man who made me feel loved. You were my first love, and I wanted more than anything for you to be my last. And now you are. We're going to spend the rest of our lives together."
Paul swallowed back tears of love. "Wow. I don't think I'll be able to top that." A few people chuckled. "All my life, I've dreamt that I would find the love of my life and spend the rest of my life with them. I didn't realize it at the time, but…it was you I was imagining. I wish I realized that the first time you proposed. What can I say? I'm a work in progress."
Now it was Sonny's turn to blink away tears. He pulled Paul's ring out of his pocket and put it on his finger. "I, Jackson, take thee Paul…"
"…to be my lawfully wedded husband…"
"…to have and to hold from this day forward…."
"…to honor and to cherish…"
"…in sickness and in health…"
"…as long as we both shall live." Paul finished.
"If there's anybody who wishes to speak out against this union, please speak now, or forever hold your peace." Justin paused. He half-expected Sami to speak out, but, she just smiled. "Well, then, in that case, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and husband. You may now-"
The doors swung open loudly. Sonny's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open in shock and disbelief. Some people gasped.
"Sorry I'm late." Will said simply. He walked into the room.
Sami couldn't believe it. Her son was alive! She stood up and walked towards him. "Will? Will!"
Will turned to Sami with an angry and hurt expression on his face. "Sit down, traitorous slut!"
Sami was taken aback. EJ stood up and pulled her back to her seat.
Will turned to Paul and Sonny. "Oh, please, continue. My gift to you: this happy, happy day. Enjoy it while it lasts, because I will destroy your happiness- all your happiness…" He glanced around the room. "if it's the last thing I do." Without another word, Will left the room.
Paul stared after Will in horror. That was it- his life with Sonny is over.
