May 20, 2016
"Thanks for bringing her for a visit," Gabi Hernandez told Will. Her expression equal parts ecstasy and heartbreak.
"Well, it's her birthday," Will shrugged. "Why wouldn't I?"
"I can't believe she's already three," Gabi sighed. "She's so big now."
"Trust me, I know," Will chuckled.
"I big girl now, Mommy," Ari declared with a wide grin.
"Yes, you are," Gabi smiled, kneeling down to Ari's level.
"How old are you today, baby girl?" Will questioned.
"Three!" Ari yelled holding up three little fingers.
"That's right," Will agreed. "Now, tell Mommy bye. It's time for your party."
Ari threw her arms around Gabi before rushing to the door. She had a party to get to after all.
"Thanks for bringing her again," Gabi said.
"No problem," Will gave Gabi a quick hug and a peck on the cheek. "We'll be back real soon."
Will and Ari walked out of prison hand in hand. Ari telling every guard they came across it was her birthday.
"Tell me again," Will said as they drove back to Salem. "What kind of party are you having?"
"A Shopkins party!" Ari yelled. "And I'll have presents and a piñata and fun and games and caaaaaandy!"
"It doesn't sound like you need any candy," Will said under his breath. "I take it you're excited?"
"Yes!" Ari kicked the back of Will's seat all the way to town.
Will pulled into the condo's parking garage with ease. He made sure to rush toward the elevator. He didn't like lingering in the garage after the kidnapping.
Will checked his watch. "Do you want to change your clothes?"
Ari looked down at her matching Peppa Pig outfit and light up Minnie Mouse shoes. "No, like this."
"Good," Will said. "I won't have to worry about you getting dirty. But let me fix your hair."
Will kneeled behind Ari in the elevator. He held her hair tie in his mouth as he fixed her French braid. It drove him crazy when hair escaped. "What do you think?"
Will handed Ari his phone and opened up the camera. Ari glanced at herself a few times before puckering her lips and taking a picture. Will rolled his eyes before shoving his face behind hers and taking a few pictures of them together.
"You love the camera too much," Will teased. He picked his favorite pictures of them, made a collage, and posted them on Instagram.
"The camera loves me," Ari declared causing Will to snort.
"You need to stop hanging out with Grammy," Will said as the elevator dinged.
They got off on their floor and went inside the condo. Will grabbed a few things he needed for the party before they headed back to the elevator. Sami already had most of the party set up in the resident's center. Their condo might have been large enough to accommodate guests but Will wanted room for the kids to spread out.
The resident's center was in a separate building right next to the condominium. It featured three separate pools, tennis and basketball court, a BBQ station, and its own grassy area. Streamers, balloons, and Shopkins decorations surrounded the covered picnic area.
Will helped Sami finish the decorations as Ari ran to join the kids at the grass. The party started in half an hour. Plenty of time to get everything ready.
Will set up the drinks, bottles of water and juice boxes, in a cooler. He put all the food in a small refrigerator next to the built in BBQ. For dinner, they were having hamburgers and hot dogs as well as typical picnic foods like potato salad. Instead of a cake, Ari requested flavored marshmallows. During one of Lucas' business trips to Chicago he brought back a box of fresh marshmallows. Ari became addicted. Lucas made the trip to Chicago that morning to get a few boxes and was rushing back to make it in time for the party.
Soon enough, Ari's guests trickled in one by one. Her entire preschool class as well as their parents came. As well as almost all Ari's relatives, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, great-grandparents.
"I am so glad we decided to have the party here," Will said to Sami as he rushed to set up a new game.
"The house would be in ruins," Sami agreed. "Whose bright idea was it to invite over twenty preschoolers?"
Will, with Eric's help, tied a length of rope between two poles holding up the Ramada. Attached to the rope were two dozen donuts. Will instructed each child to lie on their backs under a donut before the challenge began. Whoever ate their donut the fastest would be the winner.
"We didn't play this at any of my birthday parties," Eric said as he watched the kids' stuff their faces.
"Ari saw it on YouTube," Will said with a laugh. "They seem to like it."
Will handed out a prize to the winner before moving onto the next activity. While Will was hustling and bustling, Sonny arrived with several large boxes.
Will, passing out juice boxes, waved Sonny over after he set down the gifts. He nodded to Adrienne and Justin as they walked past.
"Hey," Will greeted. "I thought you were gonna be late."
"I got someone to cover for me at TBD," Sonny said. "I wouldn't miss this for anything. Let me help?"
Will nodded, "Please for the love of God."
Sonny laughed, "Just tell me what to do."
Since moving back to Salem, Sonny took control of TBD again. He confessed to Will that he preferred running his own club as opposed to someone else's. Sonny found something satisfying in cultivating his own business. Will suspected Sonny just wanted out of Victor's illegal enterprises.
Will and Sonny regained their old friendship. Will didn't realize how much he missed it until he had it again. He missed the days when he could tell Sonny anything, everything. When they could spend hours and hours talking without judgments or hurts.
The two reached a new element in their relationship, total honesty. They were honest almost to a fault no matter how painful the truth had been. Sonny explained to Will the entirety of his relationship with Paul. Each agonizing moment, leaving nothing out. He even explained all his other relationships as well.
Will, for his part, explained his time in California to Sonny better. He told Sonny all about Amir and what they did together. The things they discussed and just how intimate their conversations had been. Sonny learned the truth behind Will and Paul's time together. Will even told Sonny about his rekindled friendship with Amir including the kisses they shared in the hospital. Sonny didn't complain as he had his own secret hospital kisses to reveal as well.
As Will got closer to Sonny, Sonny got closer to Ari. The two regained the others affections which pleased Will more than anything else. He hated the thought of Ari having an estranged parental figure.
Will and Sonny were friends, best friends. They would always love one another, owning a part of the other's heart. But neither were ready or willing to take that extra step. They weren't sure if they could survive another attempt at their relationship. As friends, they could understand and let some of their hurts go. But as lovers, as husbands, things were trickier.
Could they give themselves over to each other again? Could they trust the other not to hurt them? Were their hearts free of any lingering temptations?
Will and Sonny weren't sure. Even though it hurt, Will accepted that Sonny still had feelings for Paul. That maybe Sonny had and always would. That Paul would hang over Sonny's head as a giant glaring what-if. Just like Amir would be Will's.
Will was with Amir through his assimilation into life in Salem. He was there for Amir when the judgments rolled in, the suspicions. He encouraged Amir when everyone looked down on him. He helped Amir and Chad get to know one another. He cheered Amir up when Amal slipped back into another coma. He held Amir's hand when Stefano's health took a turn for the worst too.
Despite all that, Amir had established himself in Salem. He still roomed with Lucas. The situation working out better than Will anticipated. Lucas didn't have much to spy on as Amir was forthcoming with all his time spent with Stefano.
Stefano tried for a while to integrate Amir into the family business. Amir, having neither a head for business nor the desire, rejected Stefano at every turn. In the end, either through design or a change of heart, Stefano accepted Amir's decision. Surprising everyone, Stefano gave Amir a loan to fund his own tattoo parlor.
Which was where Amir was now. Ever since opening a few weeks ago, the place was filled with customers. Amir himself was booking appointments weeks in advance.
While proud of Amir, Will couldn't help the tiny bit of jealousy he held. Not that Amir was succeeding, Will loved that. Will was envious of Amir's customers and employees for spending so much time with him now.
Ever since their conversation, Amir did his best to tone down his feelings for Will. He didn't bring them up any more, afraid he would upset Will or infringe on Will working things out with Sonny. Now, though, Will wished Amir would bring them up again.
Will didn't know how to breach the topic. He feared that too much time had passed. That Amir no longer felt that way about Will. That without the outside influences, without manipulations, Amir no longer wanted Will at all.
"What's with the pout?" a familiar voice said in Will's ear making him jump.
"Geez," Will held his hand to his chest. "You scared me."
"Sorry," Amir said with a wide smile.
"What are you doing here?" Will asked, trying not to smile too wide. "I thought you were all booked up today."
"I called and moved some things around," Amir explained. "I figured my services would do better here." Amir held up a face-painting kit and tilted his head. "What do you think?"
"I love it," Will beamed. He guided Amir to a shady spot under a tree for him to set up his paints.
"'Mir, 'Mir," Ari squealed as she jogged over with a gaggle of preschoolers behind her. "You're at my party!"
"Of course, I am," Amir answered. "Now, does the birthday girl want to go first?"
Ari plopped onto the grass doing her best to hold still as Amir painted her face.
Sonny wandered over with the rest of the kids, getting them to sit in a line and wait their turn. "I don't know how teachers do it," Sonny declared already exhausted.
"I couldn't do that every day," Will agreed. The two leaned against the tree trunk and watched as a large butterfly took shape on Ari's face.
"He's good at that," Sonny offered.
"Yep," Will said.
"You thinking about getting one?" Sonny questioned.
"What? Get my face painted?" Will laughed. "No."
"Not that," Sonny nudged Will in the waist. "Get a tattoo."
"I don't know," Will shrugged. "I wouldn't know what to get."
"I'm sure your boyfriend would love to mark something on you," Sonny teased.
"He's not my boyfriend," Will rolled his eyes, cheeks flushed.
"Uh-huh, sure," Sonny said. His tone changed as he turned to face Will. "You know, if you wanted to date him, you should. I mean, I wouldn't hold you back or anything."
"I know," Will said, "And thanks."
"Aiden said things will be official in a few days," Sonny reminded Will.
"Yeah, what a way to celebrate our divorce," Will rolled his eyes. "Going out with the man you accused me of cheating on you with."
"Our divorce isn't like that, anymore," Sonny acknowledged. "You and I are in a good place, a great place. You know I love you and I know you love me."
"Yep," Will put his arm around Sonny and squeezed. "But we're better off as friends."
"At least for now," Sonny hugged back. "Who knows what the future will hold but I think we're both happy now. Happy in a way we haven't been for a while."
"Speaking of that," Will nodded towards the picnic tables. "Looks like your boyfriend is here."
Sonny, seeing Paul mingling with John and Marlena, huffed, "He's not my boyfriend."
"Uh-huh, sure," Will mocked, mimicking Sonny.
"I didn't even invite him," Sonny said. "I don't know why he's here."
"I invited him," Will said. "Now, go talk to him."
"Are you sure?" Sonny asked. "I don't want you to feel weird or anything."
"Sonny, I'm not jealous if that's what you're worried about," Will said. "It's weird but I just want you happy."
"It's Ari's birthday, though," Sonny mumbled.
"And she could care less," Will huffed. He shoved Sonny in Paul's direction. "Go!"
Will smiled when Sonny walked up to Paul before turning away. Will did want Sonny to be happy and he wasn't jealous. It was still odd for him, though. For a long time, Paul represented everything Will never was. It was hard to turn off those insecurities even now.
Sami wandered over to Will with a bottle of water for him. "I saw what you did for Sonny there. That was nice of you."
"Yeah, well," Will took a swig of water. "No point in delaying the inevitable."
"Right," Sami said in a vague tone. "I guess that means you made your decision."
"If he'll have me," Will answered with a bashful smile.
"You're adorable," Sami said.
"So, you gonna tell me if I made the right choice or not now?" Will asked, thinking back to the conversation he had with his mother. The time he asked for her help and she refused to let her answer influence Will.
"Do you hear me complaining?" Sami raised one brow.
"No," Will said.
"Then you have your answer," Sami walked away without another word.
An hour later, Will manned the grill. He would never be a master chef but he had gotten the hang of the basics. Grilling he could do with ease.
Every now and again Will would look at his watch. "Dad's still not back yet."
"He'll be here," Sami said between bites. "He sent me a message a while ago when he stopped for a bathroom break."
Will glanced at his mother out of the corner of his eye. He could see the hint of a smile on her lips. "What's with you and Dad anyway?"
"What do you mean?" Sami asked, busying herself with her food.
"Don't play coy," Will brandished his metal spatula in her face. "I saw Adrienne arrive with Justin. So, spill it."
"You can't tell any of the other kids," Sami warned. "I don't want their hopes getting up."
"I won't say anything," Will promised.
"Okay, your father and I have been…spending time together," Sami admitted. "Nothing serious. Just feeling it out."
"Okay," Will nodded. He didn't want to think about what that entailed. "I'm happy for you two and glad you're taking it slow."
"Well, you know what they say," Sami shrugged. "Tenth time is the charm."
Will muttered something under his breath that caused Sami to smack his arm.
Lucas arrived just in time for dessert. Ari and all her little friends gorged themselves on marshmallows and sugar. Not long after, everyone began drifting off.
It took Will and Johnny four trips up to the condo to get all Ari's presents inside. Will didn't even want to think about how the new toys were going to fit in her already stuffed room.
Sonny and Paul stayed behind to help clean up the decorations. As long as the two stayed away from Sami, everything was fine.
Will laughed when he saw Ari fast asleep on a picnic bench. She partied a little too hard. Will took a few pictures before lifting her up.
Sonny, with Paul a safe distance behind him, told Will goodbye. "The party was great. Ari had a blast."
"I know," Will said with a proud smile.
"Night, Will and thanks," Sonny said. He leaned forward and kissed the top of Ari's head before planting a kiss on Will's cheek.
"Night," Will said in parting. He waved at Paul who gave a terrified smile back.
Sami herded Johnny, Allie, and Sydney upstairs. Lucas, Amir, and Will, with Ari in his arms, stepped into the second elevator.
"You know," Lucas said just before the elevator stopped at his and Amir's floor. "I think I'll go up and tell the kiddos goodnight. Why don't I take Ari?"
Lucas gave Will a meaningful look before Will nodded. "Yeah, sure." Will eased Ari into Lucas' arms.
When the elevator dinged, Will stepped off with Amir.
"What was that all about?" Amir questioned as he unlocked the door.
"I'm not sure," Will mumbled as he followed after Amir.
"Well, it's been a while since we've hung out," Amir said.
"I know," Will licked his lips, "I wanted to talk about that."
"About us hanging out?" Amir asked. "You know you can come by the shop if you want."
"Yeah, I know," Will said. "I was thinking about writing something about it now that you mention it. Since you're so popular and everything."
"Well, if it's as successful as your last few articles," Amir grinned, "I'd love that."
Will's articles on the Fairfield murders and everything that surrounded them were huge successes. They brought in a hefty sum that Will put into a savings account in a different bank than the ones he used before. Despite the money, Will and Ari continued living with Sami. It felt nice to be so close in a way he didn't have growing up.
"You could come by whenever you want," Amir repeated. "I'd love having you around."
"Yeah?" Will asked, biting his lip and looking at Amir through his lashes.
"Uh huh," Amir nodded. "I'm pretty sure everyone at work thinks I'm making you up anyway."
"What do you mean?" Will wondered.
"Uh," Amir scratched the back of his neck. "Nothing. It's nothing."
Will noticed the tell-tale rosy glow to Amir's cheeks.
"Actually, that nothing is what I wanted to talk to you about," Will said in as steady of voice as he could muster.
"Oh?" Amir blinked several times.
"Yeah, I want it to not be nothing," Will said. "I want it to be something. I want us to be something."
"Us?" Amir repeated. "A-are-are you sure?"
Will nodded. He stepped closer to Amir, lacing their fingers together. "I am if you are."
"What about Sonny?" Amir whispered.
"Filed for divorce last week," Will answered, moving closer.
"What about my parents?" Amir asked.
"You can't control what they do," Will said, brushing their noses together.
"What about your parents?" Amir questioned, breath mingling with Will's.
"Why do you think we're alone right now?" Will smiled, nuzzling against Amir's facial hair. "Now, any more excuses?"
"No," Amir said. "None."
Will, one firm hand on the small of Amir's back, pressed their lips together. Amir wrapped his arms around Will's neck, relaxing into the embrace.
"Is this happening?" Amir asked, foreheads pressed together. His eyes shut tight, breathing erratic.
"Oh, yeah," Will said, nipping Amir's lower lip.
"It's not a dream, right? Tell me it's not a dream," Amir requested, breathless.
"It's not a dream," Will promised. He slid his hands down Amir's arms, brushing over his inked skin. "Now, why don't you show me your bedroom? Let me see if I can count all your tattoos."
"Uh-huh," Amir nodded, tripping over his feet as Will yanked him into the bedroom.
The room had changed quite a bit since Will stayed there. Before it still held Allie's decorations and toys as well as a pale yellow on the walls. It suited Ari just fine but not Will. The only thing that made it Will's before was the larger bed.
As Will entered there was no mistaking whom the room belonged to. Everything from the comforter to the furniture screamed Amir. The furniture was modern and minimalistic. There were several knickknacks, books, and pictures. The walls were a dark midnight blue. Instead of hanging artwork, Amir painted on the wall itself. He used bright, vivid colors, oranges, pinks, and yellows.
"It looks nice in here," Will announced as he took in the room. "Looks like you."
"I like it," Amir said. "Can we go back to the kissing now?"
Will laughed, head thrown back and cheeks flushed. He sat on the multicolored comforter and patted the spot next to him.
"Hi," Will said when Amir sat as close to him as possible.
"Hi," Amir parroted, staring at Will in a way he hadn't for a long time.
Will realized he missed it. With a grin, Will leaned forward and joined their lips together again.
Amir didn't know what to do with his hands. They brushed against Will's cheeks, behind his ear. Tangled in his hair before sliding to Will's shoulder and down to his waist. There was an almost frantic edge to Amir's touch, to his kiss.
Will wasn't quite so wild. Perhaps because his desire for Amir came on over time unlike Amir's. Although he relished in the tingly brush of Amir's facial hair to his sensitive skin.
Will grabbed Amir's hands, holding them in place against his hips. When Amir squeezed Will's flesh, Will smiled into their kiss. Will slipped his hand to the back of Amir's neck. His fingertips delved into Amir's long locks. Amir's hair had grown rather long the past few months.
Taking control of the kiss, Will swiped his tongue against Amir's. He smirked when he felt Amir shudder. Pushing, Will manhandled Amir until he was flat on his back, Will straddling his waist.
"Is this what you always imagined?" Will whispered into Amir's mouth. Lips wet and warm.
Amir nodded, keeping his dark eyes locked on Will's.
"What else?" Will wondered. He kissed along Amir's sharp jawline toward his ear. He sucked the tip of Amir's earlobe into his mouth.
Hands clamped tight to Will, Amir's hips twisted, writhing beyond his control.
"Hmm?" Will chuckled, fingertips brushing along Amir's jutting collarbone.
"T-touch," Amir spat out, voice low and deep.
"Touch, huh?" Will teased. He lowered his hips until he sat on Amir's lap, butt rubbing against Amir's groin. "What kind of touch?"
Amir's hands clamped down on Will's ass. He cried out when Will's teeth sunk into the sensitive flesh behind his ear.
"Hmm?" Will enjoyed watching Amir come undone underneath him.
Amir grunted, thrusting his hips up toward Will. He bunched the hem of Will's shirt in one fist, yanking. With a smile, Will sat up, yanking his shirt over his head. He tossed it over his shoulder, thriving off the look on Amir's face.
Amir's hands reached toward Will's skin before pulling back. He glanced up at Will in permission. Once Will nodded, Amir's hands spread over Will's bare skin. His thumbs brushed over Will's dark pink nipples. Hands digging into the ridges between Will's abdominal muscles.
"You're so…" Amir trailed off, licking his lips. He stared at the deep line along Will's hips.
Satisfied with Amir's reaction, relishing in the reverent nature of Amir's touch, Will said, "Your turn."
Amir ripped his t-shirt off so fast he got tangled in the neck. Will couldn't help stealing a kiss before helping Amir.
Once free, Will took his time admiring Amir. Tattoos covered almost all Amir's dark brown skin. Some of the ink was black while others were colored. Some designs were intricate while others were simple and lighthearted.
Amir was thin, skinny in fact, but well-muscled. His arms were small but defined. Amir's body was different than any other man Will had been with. Sonny, Paul, and even Neil were similar in build to Will. They were all around Will's height and weight. Whereas Amir was much smaller, so small that Will felt a certain amount of power over him. Amir seemed delicate in a way. All sharp angles and bones.
It turned Will on.
Will grabbed Amir's hands and pressed them palm to palm against his. Will's fingertips curled over Amir's, longer and wider. Amir's hands were skeletal thin but with a certain strength. Will kissed the top of Amir's hand, over the beautiful artwork inked into his skin.
Realizing his fist encircled Amir's wrist caused a primal reaction in Will. He shoved Amir flat onto the bed and pinned his wrists above his head.
Lips and tongues twisting, Will ground his hips into Amir. He felt a thrill running through his veins at his perceived dominance over Amir.
One of Will's hands grappled with the button on Amir's jeans, yanking them open. At the same time, Amir pushed at Will's pants as well. Both wrestled their pants until they were down to their knees.
Letting go of Amir's wrists, Will caught his eye. Seeing Amir nod, Will shoved Amir's briefs down just enough to free his cock and balls. All while Amir slipped his hand into Will's boxers and wrapped his fist around Will.
Panting against each other's mouths, grunting, Will and Amir created a syncopated rhythm. Their hands were dry and a little rough against the other.
Their position was awkward. Will, pants around his knees, hovered over Amir. But their mouths locked, wrists twisting.
With a mixture of moans and whispered praise, Will brought Amir over the edge. Taking his time, working Amir through it, Will grinned at the dark sweep of Amir's lashes. How he threw his head back, exposing the tempting tendons of his neck.
Catching his breath, Amir smiled back at Will.
"Did you know you stopped speaking English as soon as my hand touched your dick?" Will asked with a smug smile.
Amir huffed, nose crinkling. "I had no idea."
"It's sexy," Will pronounced, leaning down to capture Amir's lips again.
"You're sexy," Amir countered. He maneuvered into a sitting position before flipping Will onto his back.
Amir yanked Will's pants to his ankles, sitting on Will's thighs. He grabbed Will's hand, stealing the mess of come and slick. He smeared it around Will's dick and used both his hands to get Will off.
With Amir's weight on his legs and agile hands around him, Will shouted out his release.
Amir wiped his hands on his black jeans, leaving an obvious stain behind. When he finished, Will yanked him close, nuzzling their noses together. They shared a few sweet kisses before Amir snuggled up to Will's chest.
"I've been waiting a long time for that," Amir confessed, squeezing Will close.
"Worth the wait?" Will wondered, eyes closing.
"So worth it," Amir sighed.
Will traced his fingers along Amir's back, following the path of one tattoo. "I gotta check on Ari soon," Will said more to himself than Amir.
"I know," Amir said. "Just a few more minutes like this."
"Okay," Will replied. He pushed his nose into Amir's hair. He felt peaceful deep in his bones for the first time in a long time.
"Well, well, well," Sami said the next morning as Will and Amir walked into the condo hand in hand. "Look at that."
Will rolled his eyes but kept a smile on his face. "You're one to talk," Will looked at how close Sami was sitting to Lucas on the couch.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Sami sniffed as Lucas put his hand on her knee.
"You two are cute," Amir declared as he sat next to Will.
"Is Ari up yet?" Will questioned.
"Naw, she's still out," Lucas said. "So, what are your plans for the day?"
"I have some writing I need to do," Will said. "What about you?" Will tilted his head to smile at Amir.
"I was gonna check on my ammi before going to the shop," Amir shrugged. "I have a few consults today." Amir glanced at his phone and said, "I better head out now. Wanna have dinner with me?"
"Yeah," Will nodded more than he needed to.
"Okay, good," Amir couldn't keep the grin off his face. "I'll text you."
"Good," Amir and Will stared at each other for a few moments instead of moving.
"Is this what I have to look forward to?" Sami asked. "This disgusting display of sap?"
"You like it and you know it," Lucas laughed.
"Alright, fine, they're cute," Sami agreed with her arms crossed. "It's still gross."
"You're gross," Will sniffed as he followed Amir to the door. "So, um, yeah, I'll see you later."
"Uh huh," Amir smiled. He shifted on his feet a few times before pressing his lips to Will's. "Bye."
"Bye," Will stood at the door and waited until he saw the elevator doors close after Amir. When he closed the door, he saw his parents looking at him with matching expressions. "What?"
"Nothing," Lucas said with a small smile. "Nothing at all."
"So, are we telling the kids about this?" Will pointed between Lucas and Sami.
"Are you telling Ari about you and Amir?" Sami asked with a raised brow.
"Tell me about 'Mir what?" a soft voice asked from behind them. Ari, hair a tangled mess, face paint smeared everywhere, planted herself on Will's lap. "What about 'Mir?"
"Um, well," Will hadn't planned on telling Ari anything quite yet. Faced with her questions, though, he didn't see any reason to lie to her. "Amir and Daddy are dating now. He's my boyfriend."
"Boyfriend 'Mir?" Ari clarified.
"Yeah, is that okay?" Will wondered.
"Uh-huh," Ari nodded, resting against Will. "Like 'Mir. He nice boyfriend."
"I'm glad he's Ari approved," Will said with a kiss to the top of her head. "Now, let's get breakfast ready."
"Daddy go on dates now?" Ari prattled on as she trailed Will. "Are you gonna get married? Will I get a brother or a sister? I want brother! Johnny needs 'nother boy. Said it's not fair."
Ari rambled on and on as Will attempted to make breakfast. Soon enough his siblings joined them at the kitchen island. Each of them loud and rumbustious, Will the happiest and wildest of them all.
Amir walked into his mother's hospital room with an extra pep in his step. Amal Paracha had been in the hospital for over six months. Her condition hadn't improved much. She would go in and out of comas. Her doctors insisted her brain needed time to heal itself from the inside out and not to give up hope.
Most days, Amir felt subdued, almost like he needed to act like he was in a mosque or church. Today, he couldn't hold in his emotions. Smiling at a nurse checking Amal's stats, Amir waited for her to leave before sitting next to his mother.
"Hi, Ammi," Amir said before looking over his shoulder and slipping into Urdu. "I feel like I've waited forever but Will and I are together, finally. I know that it's thanks to you. To everything you did. It wasn't right, what happened. I know that. But I'm still pretty thankful. I don't think I ever would have had the courage to approach Will without you."
Amir grabbed his mother's limp hand and squeezed once before standing up.
"I can't believe your plan worked after all," Amir cleared his throat. "Thank you, Ammi."
Amir pressed his tongue to the side of his cheek before turning around and walking away.
THE END
Author's note:
I know some were expecting or hoping for Will and Sonny to reunite. I always intended for Will to end up with Amir, though. Also, I left the ending up to interpretation. Is Amir more DiMera-like than everyone thought? Maybe, maybe not.
Thank you so much to everyone for reading, reviewing, favoriting, and/or following this story. I truly appreciate all the support.
I'm not sure about my next project. I've been feeling rather uninspired lately. I have a lot of unfinished stories I doubt I'll ever get around to finishing. Would anyone be interested in reading some of them? If I posted some of my unfinished work? Let me know, please.