It's the fall of 2013, and Will has spent the better part of the summer doing two things- learning how to walk again and how to be a new Dad. He was doing really good at the walking thing, still shaky, but everyday was one day closer to being as normal as possible. And with being a Dad, he was a natural. And well he had to be, having full custody, it was a challenge, but one he was suited for.
It all started with EJ going to the courts and giving a witness account of his knowing that a "Young William" had done the unthinkable, shooting him, and his father sacrficing himself on his behalf. He stated that he didn't want to prosue any further charges, that William was a productive member of socity and a new father-and the only parent in the childs life, as her Mother was sitting in jail herself for a multitude of charges unrelated to this case. He said that "My Step-son was a now a model member of Salem society, a wonderful brother to his sisters and brother, and he is a wonderful father".
The Judge they got was sympthetic and decided that it wasn't worth procuing any further actions in the case, if the victim himself didn't want to press charges. Will had got off legally on the charges, but he still knew he was never going to be "free" from what he did. He decided that he would just live his life-do the best he could, since he had this little girl to take care of.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sonny was at home with Amelia Caroline Horton, while Will was at physical therapy. The family had moved on to Victor's property, in a guest house he had built especially for Will, and his situation. It was completly modified for a wheel chair-until he didn't need it anymore.
Sonny padded into the completely decked out nursery with her morning bottle. He got her things ready and placed them on to the changing table.
Sonny: Good morning, Sweetie. (he says peaking into the crib) So you only got us up once last night-so you are either starting to actually sleep threw the night, or we are going to be in big trouble today.
She just smiled at him, all gums-he had to laugh. She was actually one of the best babies in the world, well-not that he had any to really compare her too. She was always happy and sweet. He had fell in love with her instantly. He had been afraid because she was Gabi's child he wouldn't be able to love her, but as soon as the nurse brought her in to Will and him, he fell in love right away. And with Gabi in prision, for however long-he learned right way that he needed to be a good Dad, as much as Will.
He lifted her to the changing table, did their morning routine, and then gave the bottle to her. He craddled her and rocked with her the white and pink rocking chair in the corner of her room. He was staring out of the window-looking at the changing leaves. He smiled as he looked into her eyes, brown with specks of green.
Sonny: I have a secret for you, Amelia. (she looks at him like she really understands) I'm asking Daddy to marry me. That's right, tonight-at that special dinner Uncle Vic is hosting at Chez Rouge.
Sonny had been preparing what he was going to say to Will for over a month now, everytime he thought he was close to asking Will-he actually chickened out. He was scared-not of asking, but of everything kinda changing everything between them, making it official. And now that Gay marriage was legal he was really excited to ask.
Sonny: So, Missy what are we going to do until Daddy comes home? I have some bookwork to do for the coffee house-so you wanna hang out in the playpen thing? (she smiles at him, and babbles something he takes as a yes)
He places her inside the playpen and she heads for her favorite spot, right next to his desk. He starts on his bookwork and is thinking about what Will is up to at PT.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sasha(PT): That's it Will-come on push-one more.
Will: You're getting to much pleasure out of busting my...
Sasha: You said you wanted to walk again, and well-by God if that isn't my job. Now shut it and work.
He was lying flat on his back on the floor, doing leg lifts, then he would roll from his back to his stomach and back again. To the everyday person, this didn't seem like hard work, but with the type of injury he had, it was the hardest.
Sasha: Enough of that, now-sit up, and we are going to see how long it takes you to get in the chair.
He actually smiled at this. He rolled to his right, up onto an arm, then sat up, straight. He scooted over to the chair, made sure the breaks were locked, he put his back to it, and hoisted his weight up and it the chair-10 seconds flat.
Sasha: Bravo, Mr. Horton. You want to do the stand lift and stand infront of the bars today?
Will: I don't think I need the lift today-I want to try myself, with a couple of spotters.
Sasha: Ok, let me grab two of my guys.
She grabs two of her male PT's as spotters for Will and they goto the parelle bars. They put on the gait belt and placed his chair in front of the bars. He has tried this numerous times before, without sucess and he didn't expect that today would be any different, but he would always try. Ameila and Sonny were his inspiration.
Sasha: So why are so driven today?
Will: I am going to a special dinner with Sonny tonight with our families, and I think that "tonight is the night".
Sasha: Confindent-I like that. So likes put our money where are mouth is, Mr. Horton. Now, roll to the end of the bars. Set you break and scoot to the edge of the chair. When you are ready, Mike and Ernie will spot you, and you will pull yourself up to a stand.
Will: Ok. I can do this, I was not meant to have a life sentence in this chair. (he takes a deep breath and grabs the bars, he pushes down with his legs and pulls his weight up with his arms, and before he realizes it, he is in a full stand.
Sasha: Wow-awesome job, Will. (she claps) Now lets see how long you can stand.
Will: I don't believe it, I frickin' did it. I just wish that Sonny could see this, I wish that everyone could see this.
Sasha: Maybe there's a way-where's your phone?
Will: In my side pocket, in the backpack.
she runs to his jacket, and she grabs the phone. She finds his camera setting and snaps a photo. She texts Sonny-he's on his own two feet-and sends the photo.
Sasha: Now tell me he won't be proud of that.
Will: Thank you-but I need to sit back down, before I fall.
Sasha: And we will call this a day, Mr. Horton.
Will: See you tomorrow?
Sasha: Yes. I will be here.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sonny is working at his desk, when his phone indicates an incoming text message. He opens it and to his delight, its a picture of Will standing. He has tears in his eyes instantly and he has this feeling that by time they do get married, Will could be walking. He knows now that his plan for tonight is going to be perfect.
When Will comes home, he spends time with Amelia and tells Sonny about his PT.
Sonny: Well-you made my day with that photo you sent me.
Will: I always want you proud of me.
Sonny: I am very proud of you, Will.
Will: I need a shower, I worked my ass off today.
Sonny: Really-are you taking a nap too?
Will: Not today, I think I might play a little while with Amelia-then who knows.
Sonny: I have to go check on something-and then we have dinner tonight.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Will is alone with Amelia, when she starts to cry-and it's not the normal I'm hurgery or need to be changed cry. He rolls himself to her room. They had one of the special cribs, that wheel chair bound parents had, so he'd have easy access to her. He got her of the crib and he places her on his lap and grabs a blanket.
Will: Hey, what is wrong, Sweetie?
She stares at him, and smiles. He thinks that she looks some much like Gabi-but he sees himself too. He rolls over to the changing table and takes care of business. All clean and fresh, he takes her out to the living area. He places her on his lap, holding on with his left arm, he takes his right, and lowers himself to the floor with her.
Will: Guess what? Daddy stood today. (she smiles back at him) I know right. So what do you think, Sonny is up too? (she gets wide eyed) Yeah, that's what I'm thinking too. And if that is the case, what do you think Daddy should say? (she smiles) Is that a yes? Well, I absolutly agree.
The door bell rings, he sees that Sonny left the door unlocked.
Will: It's open. I'm on the floor, so I can't get up (he yells)
Sami rushes inside.
Will: Hi,Mom.
Sami: Why are you on the floor?
Will: playing with my daughter. I'm fine.
Sami: you want help getting her ready?
Will: Sure. Her clothes are out on the changing table. I need to get myself ready.
Sami: I wonder what all this mystery is about with this dinner?
Will: don't ask me, I have no idea.
Sami: How as PT today?
Will: Great, I stood for the first time-well for the longest time I've tried.
Sami: That is great. (holding Amelia) isn't that great Sweetie, Daddy was standing.
Will heads in to his and Sonny's room. Their bathroom is specially made so he can get ready by himself, without help.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
They arrive at the resturant and go inside. Will is surprised that it is closed for private party. Will rolls inside and it is all decked out. He goes and finds Sonny.
Sonny: You look really hot, by the way.
Will: Thanks, you look good, too. So what is the special occasion?
Sonny: You-you are the reason we are here tonight.
Will: Me?
Sonny: I wanted to show you that I am very proud of your recovery and that I love you-to incourage you to keep up the good work.
Will: I don't know how I got so lucky.
Sonny: Me either.
They had a wonderful dinner, a menu picked especially by Maggie. There are a few close family and friends in attendence. Sonny singles with his glass that he want's to propose a toast.
Sonny: If I could have your attention please. I want to say something to everyone here-I want to thank you all for coming. And I want thank you all for supporting Will and I-with everything the past few months. You have all been so wonderful. We still have a long road ahead of us, but I know that after today-it will be an easier one to go down. Will sent me an awesome photo today-(he actully printed it off) one of him standing. It was a pleasent and wonderful surprise. I am so proud of the work he has already done and the progress he is making.
Will you are an inspiration to me. Your will to live, your will to get better and learn to walk-the way you take care of Ameila and me. I haven't seen such dedication in my life. And I want to be with you to see what you will do next. I want be with you for the rest of my life. You are my whole life and without you, it would never be the same. I want us to be together for ever. (he takes a knee in front of Will, grabing one of his hands) Baby, I want us to spend forever together. Will you marry me?
Will: (he is wide eyed and in shock) Sonny-I, um-can't believe that we're here and you're actually asking me to be with you forever. You have stood by through all of this, and you have been an amazing parent to my-our daughter. I never expected that we'd even be together right now, and yet you want to spend forever with me. I would be honored to marry you-so my answer is-YES.
Sonny is on his knees in front of Will, and they embrace. Sonny stands up and watches as Will has a surprise for him. He locks the wheels of his chair and scoots forward, he takes deep breath and stands up in front of everyone. They embrace again and share an amazing kiss.