CHAPTER ELEVEN

"Sonny, are you sure this will work?" Justin asked.

"He's my husband," Sonny said confidently. "The pastor and that family is everything to him. He'd do anything to keep them in the dark as long as their image of him will not be tarnished."

"And how do you know that?" Justin asked.

"Like I said, he's my husband." Sonny repeated. "I had first-hand experience with him." He took a sip of his whiskey. "I have full confidence that he will return with me to Salem."

It has been days since Liam Robertson told Ernest and Tamela the truth about his past. Ernest has avoided him every time they cross paths in church. During dinners, Tamela pretended as if nothing happened. Ernest would ignore him whenever he tried to start a conversation.

"Breathe, Liam breathe." He inhaled deeply before entering the office.

"Liam!" Ernest greeted in a surprised tone. "What are you doing here? Have a seat!"

Liam hesitantly proceeded towards the desk and sat down.

"I'm here regarding of my ordainment this Sunday." Liam said. "I don't think I'm suited to be an Elder."

Ernest leaned in, "What Li? What are you talking about? Why are you saying this now? You completed your classes and everything. Why do you say you're not ready?"

"Because I realized that I have been a horrible person." Liam said gloomily.

"What do you mean by that?" Ernest questioned.

"I've been dishonest with you guys since I returned to New York. I have lied to you about my past and I haven't been honest with you about why that man really came to New York." At this point, Liam could not even bring himself to say his name. It was too much for him to handle.

"Li, you don't have to be so hard on yourself." Ernest tried to console. "Regaining your memories must have been really hard for you. I can only imagine how difficult that must have been for you."

"I haven't tell you everything about my past yet. That was only the tip of the iceberg." Liam interrupted.

It was Ernest's turn to feel nervous. "You mean there's more?"

"Unfortunately, yes." Liam nodded his head.

Ernest closed his eyes for a few seconds in contemplation before opening them again.

"Ok, what is it?" He was prepared to hear the worst.

"I have a daughter." Liam divulged. "She's going to turn eight soon."

"A daughter?" Ernest raised his eyebrow.

"Yes." Liam replied. "This happened years ago before I got together with that man."

"Where is she now?" Ernest probed.

"She's back in Salem, with her mother." Liam informed. "She thinks her father is already dead. I didn't want to confuse the mind of a happy seven-year-old. She's been doing so well without me, I couldn't bring the topic up."

Ernest nodded his head, empathizing with the situation. "I can't imagine how hard it must be for you to leave her."

"I don't wanna think about her." Liam shook his head, "Everytime I think about her, I'm unable to get through the day."

"Li, Tamela and I were talking about you last night." Ernest confessed. "And we thank you for being so honest with us. We want to apologize for the way we have been behaving. We've been really cold to you these past few days. We were confused, we didn't know what to think of the situation. I mean you were married to a man. And we let you marry our daughter. We were afraid you never really loved her."

"Of course I loved Tammy!" Liam defended. "You all know that. Just because I was married to a man doesn't change anything."

"And we get that now." Ernest expressed his regret. "We know how difficult it must have been keeping this secret, thinking that we don't love you anymore. You must have thought we would break all ties with you. But Tamela and I want you to know that we're here for you. You have a dark history, but matters more is that you rise above and learn from your mistakes. You will always be our boy, Li!"

Drops of tears started forming at the corner of Liam's eyes.

"You must be hurting." Ernest said. "I want you to know that we will always be here for you. And no matter what happens, you will always be our boy."

"You don't know how much this means to me." Tears of joy flowed down Liam's cheeks.

"Li, what matters most is that you learn from your mistakes. Tamela and I will always be here for you, no matter what." Ernest smiled. "And regarding your ordainment, you have proven yourself to be a servant of God. God sees the heart, and you have repented from your evil ways. You earned the title of an Elder."

"You want to what?!" Justin Kiriakis couldn't believe his ears.

"You know I think it's time for Titan to give back to the community!" Sonny stated indifferently. "The church has plenty of programs. They provide food to the homeless shelters, they run a support group for abused women and raped victims! Don't you think it's a good cause?"

"Sonny, you can't just sponsor a non-profit organization as and when you please!" Justin reminded. "Have you even talk to Victor about this? And sponsoring a church? Come on!"

"The last thing I heard was that Titan has been trying to rebrand themselves. Trying to put all the rumours to rest about Titan's dirty laundry. What better way to do so then to start in the holiest of all places!" Sonny smirked.

"Sonny, this isn't you." Justin proceeded towards him. "If you want Will to return, you got to find another way."

"What do you want me to do? Beg him to return to Salem?" Sonny scoffed. "As if that will work!"

"Sonny…" Justin began.

"Dad, I know what I'm doing." Sonny cut him off. "Besides, it's not like I'm taking anyone's life! Relax!"

Emoni and Zeke Barrino were sitting at the dining table at the Barrino townhouse. Liam was in a great mood so he decided to make dinner for them.

"And here it is, jambalaya with extra chorizos and a whole ton of shrimp!" Liam proceeded towards the table with three plates. He was holding two in his hands and the other plate between his left elbow.

"It smells so good!" Zeke raved.

"Smells just like Mama's!" Tamela reiterated.

"You really think so?" Liam laughed, flattered by the compliment.

"You may be white on the outside, but everybody knows you know soul food!" Emoni praised. "Hey! By the way, don't you have church choir today?"

"Oh crap!" Liam took a mouthful of jambalaya and stood up. "I'm late!" He rushed towards the living room and took his coat. "Please babysit Devon for me!" He rushed out of his apartment, accidentally slamming the door.

"Good evening Pastor Barrino!" Sonny took a seat across him.

Ernest frowned.

"My people and I have gathered up a contract for you." Sonny took out the documents from his suitcase and placed it on the table. "If you read here, you will get a $50,000 donation straight up…"

"I know who you are." Ernest interrupted.

"Excuse me?" Sonny asked.

"I know who you truly are." Ernest repeated. "Liam has told me everything."

Sonny squinted his eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"The two of you were married." Ernest stated plainly. "And yes, I know about his infidelity. Our entire family knows it."

Sonny's eyes widened. The room went silent. The two stared at each other for a few seconds.

Hiding his astonishment, Sonny took in a deep breath to compose himself.

"Well, I'm surprised he told you." Sonny adjusted himself on his seat.

"Yes, and he told us everything." Ernest informed. "We had a long talk about it. And we also know what you have done ever since you entered New York."

Sonny giggled. "I supposed you don't have a very good impression of me."

"I will cut to the chase." Ernest pushed the documents on the table forward. "You can keep your contract. We may be a simple church, but we won't sell our souls to a criminal organization for blood money. Secondly, I understand that Liam has hurt you in the past. But you need to know that the man that he is now, is no longer the man that he used to be."

"I don't think you know him as well as I do." Sonny tried to justify.

"I think you need to know that Liam is a changed person." Ernest put his foot down. "This is a brand new man. I have seen him grow into the person that he is today. And as of this Sunday, he is going to be officially ordained as an Elder of the church. I want you to know this because this is where he belongs. With his family."

Containing his anger, all Sonny could do was smile. He took the documents and placed it back into the briefcase.

"Well, Pastor Barrino. It has been interesting meeting you." Sonny stood up. "If you would like to reconsider working with Titan, do not hesitate to contact me."

Sonny offered his hand for a handshake. However, Ernest remained seated, unwilling to move from his seat. Sonny smiled before turning around, exiting the pastor office.

Sonny Kiriakis was about to blow his top.

"He actually told them everything?" He thought furiously.

Just as he was about to exit the church, he heard singing and clapping coming from the sanctuary.

Can't no-body

Do me like Jesus

Can't nobody

Do me like the Lord

Sonny quickly rushed into the sanctuary and saw the choir clapping and stomping their feet. At the corner of the altar, the organist was playing an upbeat tune. Leading them was the director and the church's only white man.

Liam Robertson held a mic in one hand, snapped his fingers with the other, stomping his right foot.

He picked me up

Turned me around

Turned me around

He picked me up

He picked me up

Turned me all around

Turned me around

He picked me up

He picked me up

And turrrrned me around

Turned me around

He is my friend!

My friend My friend oh yeah…

Liam Robertson was smiling and ad-libbing, shaking his hips goofily. Sonny still had no idea how or where he got that set of pipes. The Will Horton he knew was never that much of a singer.

Say He's my friend

Say He's my friend

Say He-ee-eee-eee-ee-ee-eeeeeeeee's My-eeeee-i!

My friend-ee-ehhhhhhhhhhh

The organist and drums entered with a loud outro.

Yeahhhhh-ehhh-ee-yeaahhhhhh! Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah-ee-yeaaahhh!

Liam threw a punch in the air and the music stopped.

"Ok, so whenever I throw a punch in the air or wave my hand that means I want you guys off. You all get that?" Liam directed.

Sonny glared at the white man, who was completely unaware of his presence.

"No, I won't let you do this. I won't let you abandon our daughter so you can sing kumbaya!" Sonny's nails were digging through his palm.

"What are you doing now?" Justin Kiriakis questioned.

Sonny passed a flyer he took from the church to his father.

Justin skimmed through the details.

"The ordainment of Elder Liam Robertson?" Justin stated in shock. "As in Will? A church leader?"

"Ironic isn't it?" Sonny snorted. "A church elder of all things. Makes you wonder how he got there."

Justin placed the flyer on the coffee table. "Ok, so he wants to be a church elder. So what?"

"Plan B has failed. I need to go to Plan C." Sonny said before dialing on his phone. "Hello? Have you printed them out?"

"All ready Mr Kiriakis!" The voice replied.

"Perfect! Tomorrow morning, we strike." Sonny hung up.

"What are you going to do now?" Justin questioned worriedly.

"Don't worry, I'm not purchasing the church!" Sonny assured. "Who needs that church anyway?"

Liam Robertson looked at the mirror and straightened his tie.

"You ready for your ordainment?" Zeke Barrino asked.

"Yeah, I'm ready." Liam smiled.

"Just want you to know, we are all very proud of you." Zeke patted his shoulder.

"Thanks Zeke!" Liam replied.

"Service is about to start soon. I will give you time to prepare yourself." Zeke left the bathroom.

Liam looked into the mirror, he was nervous about this ordainment. For some reason, he had this bad vibe that something might go wrong.

"Father Lord, Tammy, please help me through this day." Liam requested.

"My fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, today we are here to witness a man who reaching a huge milestone." Ernest Barrino began. "Liam Robertson started out serving as a cook for post-service tea. Soon after, he became active in the choir and began leading a few bible study groups. Over the years he became more active with the church and has slowly proven himself to be a faithful servant of the Lord. Today, we are very happy and pleased to officially ordain Liam as an Elder of this church. Liam, would you come forward?"

Liam stood up proceeded towards the front of the sanctuary.

"Elders serve by governing the church in Christ's name. According to the book of Matthew, they received this task when Christ entrusted the apostles and their successors with the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Elders are thus responsible for the spiritual well-being of God's people. They must provide true preaching and teaching, regular celebration of the sacraments, and faithful counsel and discipline while keeping in confidence those matters entrusted to them." Ernest explained the responsibility of an Elder. "Liam I would like you to now raise you right hand and answer these questions."

A member of the PA quickly fixed a mini-mic on Liam's suit and scattered off.

"Do you believe that in the call of this congregation God himself is calling you to these holy offices?" Ernest questioned.

"I do, God helping me." Liam replied.

"Do you believe that the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and life?" Ernest asked the second question.

"I do, God helping me." Liam replied.

"Do you subscribe to the doctrinal standards of this church, rejecting all teaching which contradicts them?" Ernest questioned.

"I do, God helping me." Liam replied.

"Do you promise to do the work of your offices faithfully, in a way worthy of your calling and in submission to the government and discipline of the church?" Ernest asked the last question.

"I do, God helping me." Liam replied.

"Liam, would you please kneel?" Ernest requested.

Liam quickly got down on his knees. Ernest took a few steps towards Liam and placed his hand on Liam's head.

"Heavenly Father," Ernest began officiating. "who has called you to these sacred offices, guide you by his Word, equip you with his Spirit, and so…"

"HOLD IT!" The entire congregation heard a voice from across the sanctuary.

When Ernest looked up, he gasped when he saw the brunette walking towards the altar.

"This man is not fit to be an Elder!" The man shouted.

"Wait a minute, what's going on?" Liam recognized the voice. He stood up and turned around. "What the hell is he doing here?"

"Everyone, I want you to know that this man is a fraud!" Sonny Kiriakis raised his voice.

A/N: Ok, so that's it for now. Sorry for not updating, school has been awful! I will try to give you guys the next chapter by this week.

Song is 'Can't nobody do me like Jesus' by James Cleveland

Just so you know, the war between Sonny & Will/Liam will get even more intense! I hope you stay excited.

Thanks for reading. And as always… REVIEW! :D