2.10: VD
Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

At the Brady Pub, Chelsea sat with Dario and Ignazio. It had been a little more than two weeks since Isobel's death, and Dario was clearly still affected by it. Understanding that Dario needed time to process and heal through everything, Chelsea leaned into the table and offered, "If you want to talk about your mom, Ignazio and I can help you. We are all friends here."

Ignazio watched Chelsea and Dario for a moment. Even though he wanted to help Dario, too, he didn't think talking about it was what Dario needed. "We don't have to talk about your madre. We can talk about something else."

Chelsea moved back in her chair as Dario remained quiet. She wondered why Ignazio opposed the idea of processing through Isobel's death. "Ignazio, you mentioned that you lost your mother at a young age. What did you do when you grieved her?"

"My experience is not what is important at the moment," Ignazio stated calmly. "Sometimes it is good to focus on something else."

Dario finally looked to his brother and Chelsea because he had made his decision on what he wanted to do. "Let's talk about something else," he requested.

Chelsea fought her frustration with Dario and Ignazio and decided to ask Dario a different question. "How are your siblings?"

"Everything has been packed and we're moving out of the guesthouse at the end of the week," Dario answered.

Even though it wasn't the answer she exactly wanted, Chelsea chose to keep the conversation going. "Where are you moving?"

Dario slightly felt apprehensive as he shared, "Victor Kiriakis has provided a condo for the family because he offered Arianna a job. Manny and Ari are moving in there, but I am not sure what I am going to do. I really don't want to live there because of the Sonny connection. I think it's best if I just avoid that whole family."

As Ignazio was pleased to hear Dario say that, Chelsea thought about what Sonny told her about his situation with Dario. She didn't understand why they kept pushing each other away. "I think you should give it a try. Maybe things won't be so hard for you and Sonny this time around."

Ignazio had a different idea. He didn't want Dario thinking about giving into Sonny anymore. "Why don't you move in with me in the guesthouse? EJ told me I could still have it when your brother and sister move out."

Dario gave Ignazio an interested look while Chelsea questioned why Ignazio was so against Sonny. "I'll think about it," Dario let out.

Will walked into the pub with a backpack and spotted Ezra talking with Abigail at a booth. Confused, he walked over and asked, "What's going on? Where are the other guys?"

Ezra motioned for Will to take a seat next to him. "We're relaxing tonight, so there's no reason to be afraid. I invited Deveraux to join us since it's Valentine's Day."

"Oh." Will took a seat next to Ezra and placed his bag down by his legs. Turning to his cousin, he said, "It's weird that it's already Valentine's Day."

Abigail nodded her head and agreed. "I didn't have anything planned for the day. It seems no one at my house is celebrating, so I figured it would just be a night filled with homework for me. Luckily, Ezra called and said you two were hanging out tonight and that I should join you two."

Patting Will on the back, Ezra looked to Abigail and said, "I told Horton that his initiation started tonight, but I don't know what I want him to do yet. I'm glad he's in Kappa. He could be in my shoes one day."

Abigail raised her eyebrows as she turned to Will to give him an impressed look. "Wow. President of Kappa. Would you be interested in that?"

Will shrugged his shoulders and felt this weirdness come over him. He soon recognized the odd feeling as paranoia and turned to Ezra. "I don't understand. Why are you so interested in me?"

Ezra sensed some hostility in Will and remained calm. Turning his body in the booth so that he could face Will completely, he responded with, "I don't understand either." Catching Will's full attention, he continued, "I don't know how you don't see it, but you're a really good guy. Everyone around you is inspired by you because you are really brave."

Will looked into Ezra's eyes and saw sincerity in them. A genuine smile crept on his face for the first time since Chad left, and he didn't know what to do with it. "Thanks, Ezra. I'm not that great."

"Come on, Horton…" Ezra let out.

Will couldn't handle the compliment and decided to stand up. After everything he had been through in his life, he couldn't accept that anyone could see greatness in him. "I should say hi to my great-grandmother while I'm here. I'll be back."

After Will walked off, Ezra turned his body again so he could face Abigail. "He'll eventually realize it one day."

Abigail smiled at Ezra with appreciation and respect. "It's great what you're doing for Will. He definitely needs someone taking him under their wing right now. We've all been through crazy stuff, but I think he's really had the worst of it all."

Ezra nodded his head. "I feel bad for Will because of what Chad did to him. I want to make sure he doesn't give up on his life. Hopefully I can help him find something to live for." Making eye contact with Abigail, he admitted, "I know if a girl rejected me in the same way Chad rejected Will, I would feel like complete shit."

Abigail's thoughts immediately went to Josh as she looked away. "Right."

"Whoa!" Ezra quickly let out as he grabbed Abigail's hand. Realizing his mistake, he insisted, "I am happy to spend Valentine's with you even if it's just as friends."

Abigail nodded her head knowing she could believe Ezra. "Thanks. I am glad you invited me."