Dejection
When the kids were all tucked up in bed, after having asked many kisses from their returned big brother, Will took his cell and walked to his room. He called Abby "Will, I still can't believe you're back. I was so worried for you! I love you so much!" Will smiled "I love you too, cousin..." "You sound exhausted." "Well, this was a pretty filled night. If I could I would go to sleep for three days..." He ended his speech yawning and Abby laughed "Nothing's preventing you, Will. You must take care of yourself. Will you be seeing a shrink?" "I don't know yet. I'll see. I'll ask Marlena's advice." "Good idea. I'll leave you to sleep, then..." "Abby, wait!" He swallowed then asked calmly, his knee shaking "I don't have Sonny's cell number and I wanted to..." "Sure, Will, I get it of course. You guys have gone through so much together. You must be like brothers now..." Will had a poor smile. Brothers, no... "I'll send it to you. Good night!" Will paced up and down his room. What were they, really? Lovers of opportunity? Physically bounded? Fated to meet? The last one stopped him and he laughed at his sappiness. Two bips announced he had gotten the number. He pressed the button and waited for Sonny to pick up.
"So... How are you feeling?" "Dead tired. You?" "Same. The shoulder hurts less." Wow, it was awkward. The intensity brought up by their previous situation had created a special link. Now the thread was unwinding fast. He closed his eyes and asked "You've had words of how he found you?" "No. Dad say the police will question us. Can you meet him at his office tomorrow afternoon?" Will frowned "Won't you be there?" "I don't know..." His voice trailed on a high tone. Will didn't press it. "Well, I hope I'll see you soon, anyway?" "Will, I... I'm so sorry." "For what, for Nick?" "No... Yes, of course. Oh god, it's... OK, I'll call you when we can meet. Take care!" The line went dead. So did Will's heart. Figuratively, but it still prevented him from getting any rest. He sobbed quietly. Shrink it was, then. He owed it to everyone who had supported him to get better. He even owed it to Sonny. Maybe he just needed some time. He'd seen Nick die. Will knew exactly how horrible it was to go through this. So he stayed lying down. In the near morning, the door opened and little feet trotted to him "I can't sleep. I had a nightmare. Can I sleep here?" Will looked at his brother. He tapped his cover "Come here." Johnny's warm body pressed Will's arm, like Berry did sometimes. The cat had gotten lost at Abby's and Jen had promised to bring her when she turned up. So much for love and care...
Will was walking to Justin's office when he passed EJ, storming out. Justin was yelling after him. Will had never seen him losing his composure. It was frightening. Even EJ had seemed upset and he was hard as steel. Well except when it came to Sami of course. Will stepped past him and looked at Justin questioningly. Justin sighed and sat, trembling with anger "I'm sorry you had to witness that, Will. I'm so angry right now." He stood up and went to a back door. He opened it but didn't step out, leaning his hands on the frame "You know how Nick found you? Because, this... this son of a..." Will jolted. This was bad. "He wanted to impress Sami!... She had just lost her husband and he wanted to get into her pants... Oh, Will, I mean..." Will shook his head. It was crude but factual. Justin went on "So, he hired a private detective to find where you were staying. And the man did and Nick just had to pay him an extra." Will looked at his hand on the desk. It was slowly clenching into a closed fist. Justin turned and saw it. He sat on his chair "I shouldn't have told you that this way. It's just, that... You could both have died... I'm so sorry Will." Then he turned into a lawyer. And they went over his statement for the police about Nick's death.
Two hours later, Will was pounding the door to the DiMera's mansion. He was let in and waited for EJ who came in looking sheepish "William, I... You look good... I mean, except for your shoulder of course... I'm sorry I didn't talk to you at the lawyer office. I wasn't in a normal state of mind." Will looked at him and said slowly "Because you have a normal one? When you threatened my life and Sonny to satisfy your sexual instincts... With my mother!" EJ took a step back, then stopped and regained his self-control. "I know, I shouldn't have... I found your mother crying that day. She said she couldn't bear not to know if you were safe. That she understood why but she missed you so much. I wanted her to smile. At Christmas. The detective brought back a photo. I wanted to give it to her but... Well, she got the real deal..." "No thanks to you!" He wanted to insult him, humiliate him but the man looked... insignificant somehow. Which was a feast. EJ had charisma dripping in every directions. Will strode to the door, but EJ followed him and handed him an envelope "It's yours. I hope one day, you'll forgive me."
Will went to the Brady Pub and sat down. His great-grandmother Caroline came to kiss him hello and marvel at seeing him again. Gabi was working and she greeted Will with excited shouts. Will was beginning to resent the constant attention. He understood what they felt but he wanted quiet. He went to his father's place. Lucas wasn't in and Will lied down for a nap. He was finally sleeping when he got a text notification. He swore and took his phone 'Found a cute cat. Who shall I give it to? I'd keep her myself, she's so adorable. Abby.'
The cat was indeed found. Sitting like a princess on Sonny's lap. Abby was beaming, Sonny was looking down. He didn't even acknowledge Will's presence. Will began petting the cat and his fingers touched Sonny's hand. It didn't move. Will got the message. Loud and clear. It wasn't just the shock. He had heard Sonny talking to Abby before coming in. His voice was tired but kind and calm. So he was showing he didn't want him anymore. He didn't need him. The real world would replace him. "So" Abby exclaimed, a little forcefully "Have you decided who keeps her? Or will you arrange custody?" Sonny chuckled. Will felt a lump in his throat "It's decided. Sonny, if you're OK with it, I'd like you to have her. She's always liked you best." Sonny raised his head. He looked sad and remorseful. It was Will's turn to look away "No, Will, you've always loved her. You'll miss her too much." It was true but Will was stubborn. Of all this, he wanted to keep at least his dignity. He would be strong.
He came back to his father's. Lucas was happy to see him and they talked a lot. "So..." Lucas asked delicately "You and Sonny, you have grown close over the month...?" Will gritted his teeth, smiled and said "Yeah. We're like brothers now. But he needs to spend time with his family so I won't bother him. And I have to catch up with all of you and with my friends too." Lucas thought for a minute then said "How about we celebrate your birthday late and invite everyone? Not next week, it's New Years Eve but the week after? We can spoil you that way..." Will hugged his dad "Thank you, you're the best." He hoped Lucas wouldn't hear about EJ's involvement. He might want to kill him.