A/N: Hi everyone! Thanks for all the reviews so far. And I hope you enjoy this chapter as well.
February 8, 2016
Will let out a heavy sigh for the second time that night. He was in a cafe, drinking coffee at a window table with Abigail. His gaze kept drifting toward Paul and T who sat not too far away from them. He frowned as he watched the two of them laughing and shoving.
Abigail wore a frown as well as she swirled her spoon around in her coffee cup. She was bored out of her mind. Suddenly she felt him bouncing his leg up and down under the table. I've had enough of this.
Abigail waved her hand in front of the blonde's face. "Hello! I'm right here." She glanced at the crumpled napkin on the table. When he did not respond, she flicked it at him.
"Huh?" Will asked as he turned his attention to Abigail.
She sighed. "You can sit with them if you'd like."
He pursed his lips. "Why would I want to do that?"
She gave him a knowing look. "You've been staring them down all night. What's up?"
"Oh, I don't know," he sighed. "They've been all chummy lately."
She scrunched her eyebrows together. "So?"
He shrugged. "It's weird."
She pointed an accusing finger at him. "You're jealous, aren't you?"
He shook his head. "No way. Besides, there's nothing to be jealous about. T's straight."
"Uh huh," she nodded. She glanced over at Paul, noticing the way his muscles flexed with every small movement. Her glance lowered to his legs. Tight jeans hugged his lean, muscular thighs. "With a body like his, I'm pretty sure he could turn anyone gay." Will raised an eyebrow and glared. "What? He managed to get you into bed with him." As soon as the words left her lips, she regretted them. She saw him flinch at her words. "I'm sorry. That was rude of me."
"You can be a real bitch," he gritted out.
I suppose I deserved that.
"I know," she muttered and dropped her head in her hands. "It's just…it's Chad."
"Chad?" She nodded slowly. "What about him?"
"He's been acting really strange lately."
Biting his bottom lip nervously, Will looked at her warily. "Strange, how?"
"Ever since his visit with Kayla the other day, he's become colder, more distant." She sighed deeply. "I tried to get him to talk about it but he just won't open up to me." He nodded and looked down sheepishly. "You don't seem too surprised," she said, and a trace of disappointment was in her tone. She suddenly leaned forward. "You know something, don't you?"
Will jumped in his seat, startled. "What? Why'd you—"
"He's thinking of breaking up with me, isn't he?"
He rolled his eyes. "Not everything revolves around you, you know."
"But what if—"
"Believe me, it's nothing like that." He sighed once again "It's me."
"You?" She shook her head. "I don't understand."
"I ran into John the other day," he explained. "He said he hadn't heard from Paul since the incident." He paused. "You know, now that I think of it, no one had…anyway, he asked me to check up on Paul. I'm still pretty angry with him, so I bribed Chad and T to find out what had happened to him. They both said they didn't find anything, but now…"
"You think they're lying." He shrugged. "But, why would they lie for him?"
"I don't know." Will balled his hands into fists, a fiery twinkle in his eye. "I plan to find out, though."
December 31, 2015
Will looked down at his daughter, sleeping soundly in her crib. Usually she'd be bouncing off the walls right about now. He reached into the crib and carefully picked Arianna up. It was then that he noticed there were patches of red on her face and neck.
He let out a big heavy sigh. "What'd I tell you about playing in the bushes." She wiggled against him and he carried her to the kitchen counter. With Ari's head resting upon his shoulder, he slowly bent down and looked inside the cabinets. "Ah! Here it is." He pulled out a tube of soothing cream. Then he moved over to the couch, and Will pulled Ari onto his lap.
Arianna slowly opened her eyes and tilted her head back to look up at him. "Da! Food."
"Okay. You wait." She pouted. He squeezed some cream out onto his hand and rubbed it on her face and neck. She squirmed from the coldness of the cream. "Just hold still, I'm almost finished." Some few seconds later, he finished. "Okay, all done now."
"Yeah!" Ari shouted and jumped out of his lap. A faint smile crossed Will's lips as he watched her run to her box of toys.
As T neared Will's door, he noticed it was open, standing slightly ajar.
"Hello?" He spoke loudly and peeked his head in the door. T didn't see Will or Arianna. He stepped in, closed the door and glanced around. He walked over and picked up a picture frame containing a photo of Will, Sonny and Arianna.
He frowned as he looked at the picture. Will looked genuinely happy. Why does he still have this out? It can't be healthy. T felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. As he reached in his pocket, he dropped the picture frame. Crap. He bent down and picked up the object, oblivious to the fact that the door opened.
As Will quietly closed the door, he turned around as he heard heard a noise behind him. "Ah!" Will yelped and leaped back with his hand clutching his chest. "Gees,T, you scared me to death!"
T started laughing so hard he snorted. Will put his hands on his hips and glared at him.
"This isn't funny."
Tears started to fall from T's face. "I'm sorry man, I really am," said T, giggling under his breath as he fought to keep a straight face.
Will put a finger to his lips, signaling him to be silent. "I've just put Ari down for her nap."
"Oh," he nodded. "Sorry!" he mouthed silently.
Will walked over to the couch and sat down. He patted the couch gesturing T to sit down. T scrambled to sit beside him.
"What brings you here?" Will eyed him warily. Sensing that he was about to speak, he held up a hand. "Before you answer, though, can you stop smiling like that, it's creepy."
T rolled his eyes. "Anyway, to answer your first question. Chad and I are going out tonight."
He cocked his head to the side. "Okay…what does this have to do with me?"
"We thought you'd want to come with us."
Will sighed. "Well I—"
"I don't wanna hear that you're too busy and blah blah blah. Let's cut the crap, alright?" He looked at him shocked. "We're going out tonight."
"But who's gonna watch over Ari?"
"I'm sure you'll find someone." Will opened his mouth to say something, but T interrupted him. "I'm not taking no for an answer."
"But—"
T put his finger to his mouth. "Shhh." Will looked at him oddly. "You're going, okay?" Will swallowed, nodding. A big grin appeared on T's face. "Good."
Paul watched as two kids chased one another around and around the bench. He smiled, and there was a pep in his step as he walked through the park.
Today's the day. I can feel it. Today I'm gonna earn Will's trust back.
Suddenly he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Will pushing his daughter in her stroller. He let out a deep breath. Just keep cool.
As he walked over to them, he saw Will roll his eyes. "Look I'm having a pretty crappy day and no offense, but you are the last person I want to talk to right now."
His smile faded, and he looked away for a moment. This isn't starting off too well. I can't just give up now. Right. I've got this. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He rolled his head around trying to get the kinks out of his shoulders. He opened his eyes and saw Will standing in front of him, looking at him worriedly. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing would come out. "I—" he stammered finally, cleared his throat, tried again. "I'm not looking for a fight, I just want to talk."
"Are you deaf? I don't want to talk right now." Will turned the stroller around and walked away as fast as he could, but Paul jumped in front of them. "Move," Will yelled.
"Can't," he said, "not until we settle things between us."
"You're forgiven, alright? Now, get outta my way."
Paul shook his head. "I don't believe you." Will threw his hands in the air, exasperated. "You've been ignoring me for the last five months. Do you really expect me to believe you've forgiven me?"
"Alright, alright," Will sighed. "What are your plans for tonight?"
Paul's face scrunched in confusion. "What does that have to do with anything?"
"Just answer the question." He grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Nothing, really." He raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Long story short, I need someone to watch over Ari."
Paul pointed his thumb towards himself. "You want me to babysit your daughter."
"I wouldn't normally ask you, but no one else is available…it would mean a lot to me." He gave him his best lost puppy eyes. "Please."
This is your chance to put things right. I mean, babysitting can't be that hard, right? Just say yes. He rolled his eyes and sighed. "Fine, fine, I'll do it."
Will squealed. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"Well I - oomph!" Paul grunted as Will pulled him into a tight embrace. Paul managed a smile.
It was only for a few seconds before Will pulled away, blushing. He scratched the back of his head. "Sorry 'bout that. I don't know what came over me."
He shrugged. "It's fine…so, um, what time did you want me to head over?"
"Oh, sixish."
Paul nodded. "See you then." he said, then he quickly walked away. That went well, I think.