Here I am again with a new chapter. The whole aftermath ended up a little longer than expected, so decided to split it in two parts. So this is basically the first heart to heart..
Hope you all like it, know it probably took a little longer than I had planned this one to come out..
Again, I'd like to thank all my lovely reviewers! It really means so much to know people read, review and favourite this story! Lots of love to all of you and I hope you'll keep responding to me!
For a moment, the Kiriakis family just looked at each other, trying to process what just happened. Even Joey and Vic seemed to be stuck for words, which was saying something. After a minute, Will noticed Adrienne looking over at Justin, when he decided to take charge. He simply squeezed Sonny's hand lovingly again before using it to pull the napkin off Sonny's lap. 'Go after him' he then softly instructed.
Sonny looked at him wide an unreadable look, while the rest of the table responded with a unified surprise. 'Will, I don't know..' Justin started diplomatically, when Adrienne took everyone by surprise.
'I think he's right' she suddenly spoke, getting a surprised look from Justin, 'Don't look at me like that, dear'
'But mom, you really think..' Vic started, when Adrienne simply smiled lovingly at her youngest son.
'Yes I do' she simply answered, 'I raised all of you and I have faith that I raised you well. I know my boys and I know how much Sonny and Alex love each other'
Sonny didn't know what to say, surprised at his mother's response and let her continue, 'I know I might meddle in a lot of things. But I didn't meddle in this. I've noticed the two of you being awkward around each other for years, and I think it's time to get over it'
'Mom' Sonny started, but Adrienne simply shook her head.
'Honey, I love you both and we all don't need to know what happened exactly, but I can't pretend anymore that I don't know something happened between the two of you. You boys are so alike, you know that? Even when you were kids you'd never really fight. Vic and Joey used to tear down the house, but Alex and you were always so calm. I don't know why, might be because you both didn't want to hurt of disappoint someone you loved, but whenever something happened you'd immediately shut everyone out and built up your walls. Just pretended nothing happened and nothing changed. Until in the end something forced you to communicate. And I know I can't force you anymore as I could when you were a kid, so I'll simply ask you. Sonny, will you please go and talk to your brother and work whatever this is out?'
Sonny looked at his mom for a second, but couldn't even manage to say anything. So he ended up nodding, before standing up. He walked over to her for a second, gave her a silent hug before walking out of the room.
'That was well spoken' Justin spoke firstly, giving his wife a loving gaze, 'let's just hope they can work this out'
'Like I said, I have faith in them' Adrienne simply stated back, before looking over at Will, 'but I'm not done yet'
Will didn't know what to expect, but was caught off guard when she spoke again, 'Will, I think you should go and talk to Charlotte for a bit'.
'Me?' Will responded surprised.
'There's no reason to act so surprised, Will' she smiled fondly, 'I think it's quite clear you understand Sonny better than anyone and you without a doubt got everything I just told him already. You even told Sonny to talk to Alex before I did. And, to top that you are the one family member we have that hasn't been raised in this crazy family besides Charlotte, so you might be able to give her some insight into how to deal with us Kiriakises'
Will couldn't help but stare at her dumbfounded for a second, before Vic patted him on the shoulder, 'I think that's the elaborate way of mom to say: Welcome in the family' he winked, 'So I guess you're officially stuck with us now'
Will let out a breath before looking around and finally meeting Justin and Adrienne's warm look across of the table.
'I don't even know what to say' he started, while taking his napkin of his lap.
'Don't worry about that, I think Adrienne said everything there is to say' Justin responded, 'and just for the record. I think she was spot on'
Will stood up and couldn't help but hug them, before listening to Adrienne and walking off to find Charlotte.
'I'm very proud of you mom' Joey spoke with a playful grin, 'I think this is the first time you meddled by telling others to meddle instead of jumping the gun to fix things yourself. It's a genuine step forward.'
Adrienne shot him an unimpressed look, when Vic decided to step in, 'Yes mom, does this mean we'll get more visits and calls from brothers now to tell us to make something of our lives instead of you telling us all the time?'
In the meantime, Will had arrived at Alex and Charlotte's bedroom and softly knocked the door. 'Alex, if that's you again.. When I told you to leave me for a minute, I didn't literally mean one minute' he heard Charlotte say.
'It's me, Will' he spoke out, waiting for response, 'Can I come in?'
He heard some stumbling, before a key was turned and the door opened slightly, revealing Charlotte. Her eyes were a little puffy and she'd let her hair loose from the elegant bun she'd before, but she was still wearing her dress and wore a watery smile while greeting Will, 'They sent you?' she let out surprised, while letting Will enter.
'Yeah, apparently I am the closest the Kiriakises brothers have to a sister' Will joked, stepping into the room.
Charlotte couldn't help but let out a small laugh, before closing the door again, 'I do have to warn you, I'm not really in a talkative mood right now'
Will shrugged, 'That's okay, why don't we start by just sitting down?' he suggested. Both of them sat down next to each other and kept silent for a moment.
'Is everyone very mad?' Charlotte finally asked, 'Or upset?'
'Charlotte, no-one is mad' Will reassured her, 'and mostly just worried about the both of you to be honest'
'Not even Sonny?' Charlotte spoke, 'Alex was so worried Sonny was going to be mad at him for feeling, for thinking.. And after he said all that at dinner just now'
'Why don't we both stop worrying about Sonny and Alex for a second and let them work their stuff out together' Will interrupted her.
Charlotte looked up surprised, 'You mean Sonny and Alex are together now? Alone?'
Will nodded, 'And as much as I want to be there to make sure they don't end up making it worse, they really do need to have a talk. So let's just hope that all works out and focus on you and Alex for a second'
Charlotte bit her lip, 'I'm not sure there is an Alex and me to be honest' she responded flatly, 'the Alex I thought I knew would never, I mean I know him to be such a nice and caring guy'
Will put his hand on her leg for a second, 'Hey, don't jump to conclusions now' he stopped her, 'Who's to say Alex isn't a nice and caring guy anymore?'
Charlotte looked up, 'Didn't you hear him say all those things about you and Sonny, and about Ari? Didn't sound like a nice and caring guy to me'
Will nodded, 'I know' he admitted, 'But I also think he didn't mean it the way it came out'
Charlotte shot him an unimpressed look and kept silent for a moment. She twiddled her thumbs for a second, before speaking up again, 'It's not just you, you know' she spoke, 'What if we get a kid and that kid turns out to be gay?'
'You do know gayness isn't genetic, right?' Will pointed out with a smirk, while understanding her dilemma perfectly.
Charlotte smiled nonetheless, 'Very funny' she responded, 'But seriously?'
Will bit his lip for a second, 'Honestly? I think you're making a too big of deal out of this' he finally told her, 'Alex isn't a bigot'
Charlotte pinged the bridge of her nose, 'I wish I was just as sure about that'
'Trust me, I've met a lot of bigots unfortunately' Will clarified, 'And Alex doesn't strike me as one'
Charlotte looked up, 'He just called our wedding a PFLAG-event because I wanted your daughter to be a bridesmaid' she shot back.
'Well, you could also think of it as a positive sign he knows about PFLAG' Will shot back with a smile.
Charlotte bit her lip, 'He felt totally uncomfortable when you and Sonny kissed' she confessed.
Will nodded, 'To be honest, a lot of guys do at first' he told her, 'Including my best friend and my own father'
Charlotte looked up surprised, 'And what did you do about that?' she wondered aloud.
'I basically called them out' he admitted, 'Forced them to deal with it. They struggled a little, but eventually they did'
Charlotte bit her lip again, 'You didn't call Alex out though' she pointed out.
Will nodded, 'That's because Alex is Sonny's brother' he answered, 'and Sonny isn't like I am. At least not when it comes to the people he loves'
Charlotte kept silent for a second, in thought before Will continued. 'In a way, Sonny and I are opposites. I tend to be the hardest on people close to me. My parents, my friends. While Sonny basically doesn't want any harm to be done to the people closest to him. Especially not by his hand' he explained, 'So he'd rather walk on eggshells for years, avoiding issues'
'Sounds like someone I know' Charlotte smiled slightly, 'Guess it's genetic'
Will nodded, 'And pretty annoying at times' he added with a smile.
'So, what can we do?' Charlotte wondered.
'Hope they finally stop beating around the bush' Will answered.
'And hope you're right about Alex' Charlotte added with a sigh, 'I mean, it's not like I've ever seen him around any gay people before. Maybe he's just ignorant and small minded'
Will shook his head with a small smile, 'Didn't we have a conversation last night where he actually asked me about my coming out? Doesn't strike me as something a bigot would do'
Charlotte couldn't help but smile too, 'It doesn't, right?' she asked optimistically, 'And you obviously know better than I do'
Will nodded, 'Trust me on this one, I think Alex just doesn't understand. All Alex remembers is his little brother being a confused teenager. He never stopped to look at the man Sonny has become, nor has Sonny let him see that. So this week, is just a little bit much for the both of them'
'I'm starting to understand why everyone is always talking so highly about you' Charlotte smiled, 'you really are a great guy who likes to see the best in people'
Will smiled shyly, 'You're not so bad yourself' he replied, before putting his arms out to her 'I think I'm getting a real cool sister'
It was Charlotte to smile shyly, before hugging him sincerely, 'Thank you Will, I'm really glad you were the one they send up' she confessed.
