Will clutched Allie's hand as they walked toward the pub. Sonny walked next to Will, and the three of them chatted amiably. A few times, Will's eyes met Sonny's, and they smiled at each other. Will felt warm inside, and he realized he now knew what it felt like to be in love.
They arrived at the pub, and Grandma Caroline was waiting, and she hugged Allie, briefly lecturing the girl about not leaving on her own before hugging Will.
"You are the best big brother," said Grandma. "Hello, Sonny."
Sonny smiled. "Hi Mrs. Brady," said Sonny.
"Good to see you, Sonny," said Grandma, who offered them coffee, which they accepted.
Will searched his Grandma's eyes to see if she found Sonny's presence odd, but she didn't seem to think anything of it.
Will, Sonny and Allie sat in a booth together, and Will gave her a coloring book and some crayons. Sonny leaned over and whispered in Will's ear very softly, "I think men who are good with kids are incredibly sexy."
Will blushed, and he met Sonny's gaze. It was a kind of rush being in love, and it being a secret. Will wasn't sure how long the secret would be kept at this point, but he didn't really care at that moment.
Very soon the door opened and in came Sydney and Johnny and - to Will's surprise - EJ.
Allie greeted her siblings, and the children moved to a different table together. EJ looked quite amused when he spied Will and Sonny, and Sonny moved closer to Will, their bodies touching.
EJ greeted them both, snarking about Will's job and then sat at the booth, across from Will and Sonny. Grandma Caroline disappeared into the back. Will found himself nervous at the overload of his worlds colliding. Grandma, siblings, boss and boyfriend.
"So, it looks like you two are enjoying each other's company," said EJ smoothly.
Will looked at Sonny, who put his arm around Will's lower back in a way that the children couldn't see but EJ could. "We sure are," replied Sonny pointedly. Sonny's tone made it very clear to EJ that Sonny knew what had passed between EJ and Will, and that it was in the past.
EJ smirked, but he didn't appear upset. "Well, I'm glad for William's sake, but his brain better not go soft now that he's in love," said EJ, speaking in a low voice and sipping his coffee. "By the way, the coffee at your establishment is far superior."
"I appreciate that Mr. Mayor," replied Sonny smoothly, his hand gently rubbing Will's hip.
Will smiled, and he noticed that Sonny appeared Zen, as always, but unmoved by EJ's charms. If the children weren't in the room, Will would have kissed Sonny.
EJ looked at his phone. "So, William, it appears your mother, with your father, is on her way to pick up the children. There's no need for you and Jackson to remain here. I think your Grandmother and myself have everything under control."
Will took a deep breath. Grandma Caroline might be oblivious, but Will didn't think his father would be. Will glanced at Sonny.
"That might be a good idea, Will," said Sonny softly. "Some conversations are better when they don't happen spontaneously."
EJ gestured to the door. "Go," he said.
Sonny and Will got up, and they briefly said goodbye to the kids and left, briskly walking back toward Will's apartment.
"Let me guess," said Will in a low voice. "You think I need to come out to them."
Sonny sighed. "You know I do, but I think you need to in your own time, when you're ready." Sonny paused. "Except that there's a good chance Allie is going to mention that we had a sleepover."
Will sighed, "I know. It's so weird. I wanted to…I wanted to tell Allie that you were my boyfriend. I'm not ashamed. I'm proud of you. I want her to know because I love her. But with my mom and dad…I just don't want to deal with it."
They arrived to his apartment, and they took off their coats. Will hung them in the closet. He was about to say something when Sonny gathered him into a hug. "I know it's scary. Everything will change once your parents know. But eventually it will be better because you will get to share the truth of your life with them."
Will put his head on Sonny's shoulder. He relaxed into his boyfriend's warm embrace. "I know," he said. "I know you're right."
Will yawned, and he squeezed Sonny tight.
"Oh," said Sonny. "One other thing. You know I trust you, but if the mayor asks you to blow him again, you're quitting. You can sleep on the couch at Common Grounds." Sonny's voice was playful, but it had an edge to it.
Will broke their embrace and looked into Sonny's eyes. "You can trust me. And believe me, I'm never going to do that again. It's way too weird."
Sonny sighed. "I trust you. So much I'm not going to make you quit a job you love because you messed around with the boss. But if he…"
Will shook his head, and he squeezed Sonny's hand. "Never. Never again. I don't even want to think about it."
Sonny sighed. "Okay…I can't believe we were up so late and now it's not even eight in the morning."
Will, who was still holding on to Sonny's hand, led him to the bedroom. He knew Sonny was taking the afternoon shift at Common Grounds, but that didn't start for awhile. "Let's go back to sleep."
They took off their shoes and crawled into bed. Sonny pulled Will into his arms. "I was proud of you this morning," said Sonny. "You were really perfect with Allie, and I meant what I said. Guys who are good with kids are incredibly sexy."
They locked eyes, and Sonny leaned down and kissed him. Will thought back to their conversation at Common Grounds when Will had come out, and they had discussed finding the right person. Will knew they were young, but as he melted into Sonny's kiss, he realized he may well have found the one.