"Please tell me we aren't going to have to do this again any time soon..." Sonny collapses in one of the chairs that is still sitting in the middle of the room.

I survey what used to be the orderly and tidy Common Grounds cafe, which is now riddled with pink and black balloons and lots of glitter. LOTS of glitter. "Well, we won't have to for Arianna for another year, but there were a number of parents who loved what you did with the place. I wouldn't be surprised if this is the new hot spot for all of Salem's Monster High themed birthday parties."

"Okay, I still don't get it. They are monsters, like children of werewolves and ghouls, but they are good? And they all go to high school together?"

I can't help but laugh at Sonny's very rough summation of the show my daughter seems to like so much. Truth be told - I like it a lot, too. "Oh come on, Son, they really have a great message."

"What? That you better watch out because your best friend might have fangs and decide she wants to drink your blood one day? Or your other friend has super strength and howls at the full moon?"

"No! You ass!" I punch him lightly in the arm. "They teach kids to be proud of their differences. Frankie's famous line is: 'be yourself, be unique, be a monster!' and I'm all for Arianna following her advice."

"Frankie, huh..."

"Yes, Frankie Stein. She's the one Arianna talks about all the time. And besides," I lean over to gather a few napkins that fell to the floor during cake time, "Draculaura would never be interested in drinking her friend's blood; she's a vegan."

Sonny tilts his head to the side and a subtle smile starts to form on his perfect lips. "You're an amazing father. Do you know that Will?"

I laugh and shake my head as I toss what's in my hand into the garbage. "Shut up. I know you're just making fun of me."

And then he's there right behind me, his chest pressed against my back, his arms latched around my waist, and his nose buried in the crook of my neck. "No, Will, I'm totally serious," he whispers softly and I can feel his breath ghosting against the shell of my ear. My heart starts to pick up some speed, and I let my head fall lightly against his cheek. His lips find my jawline, and I can't help but let out a contented sigh.

It's days like this one that remind me just how lucky I am. Months ago, after burying Gabi, after Sonny moved in, after Arianna got bullied at school, I didn't think I'd see a light at the end of our tunnel. But here we are celebrating Ari's 6th birthday surrounded by friends and family and laughing together like so many of us haven't done in a while. It's liberating. And then to know that I'm going home with the most incredibly generous and gorgeous and loving partner ever? Well, let's just say I must have done something right to deserve all of this. I'm living my dream.

I turn in Sonny's arms and my fingers find their usual spot in his hair. "You are the amazing one, Sonny."

"Will," he says sternly, "no dodging my compliment. Aaap-" he stops me from trying to change the subject a second time. "I look at you with Arianna and listen to you talk about these Monster characters you know almost as well as she does, and my heart is so full I actually think it might explode. I have never been happier in my entire life, Will. I love you and Ari so much...I feel like I'm living a dream."

I flash my eyes to his and hold his gaze intensely. "Do you really feel that way, Sonny? This is your dream come true?" I raise my hands from his neck and gesture to the cluttered mess that is his cafe: chairs strewn all over, half-eaten cake still on the table along with a couple of spilled cups of pink lemonade, glitter, balloons, and bits of wrapping paper littering the floor. "Really?" I ask him skeptically.

Sonny doesn't hesitate nor does he look away when he answers me. "Yes, Will. You, Ari, living together, being so in love with you and adoring your daughter more than, gosh, more than I ever imagined I could...yes, this is my dream. You still don't get that do you?"

"Well, I get it because it's the way I feel Sonny. You are my dream come true. I feel like I must have been a war hero or global peacemaker in a previous life to deserve all of this. My struggle is comprehending that you actually see me and Ari as part of your dream."

"Not just part, Will, integral. I had dreams before, but nothing felt so perfect until I met you. My dream has evolved since you two came into my life."

"You always say the best things, Kiriakis. Are you trying to get some extra loving tonight?"

"Will, can't you be serious for one minute?" he teases but I can see the honesty behind his smile.

"I can," and I give him my full attention.

"What is it going to take for you to realize that this is what I want - you, Ari, a life together, a house, maybe a puppy or another kid..."

My mouth pops open in surprise. "A-a-nother..."

"Yes, Will."

"Oh," is all I can say. There's so much running through my mind right now that it's all a blur. I want to say everything but can't say anything.

"It's okay, Will, I'm just going to keep telling you all of this and hopefully one day you'll finally believe me."

I cup his face in my hands and chew on my lip nervously. "I believe you."

"Now I don't know if I believe you."

I let go of my lip and lift my chin to look him squarely in the eyes. "Marry me."

"Will..."

"This is me being completely serious, Sonny. We've been together over a year, we all live together, you are helping me raise Arianna...not to mention I love and adore you so much. I'm ready, really ready this time."

Last time I said I was ready was our anniversary. And then I started freaking out wondering if we were moving too fast; if it would be hard for Ari to have her Dad marrying someone else less than a year after her mother died.

Those fears are gone. Granted I will always worry about some of that, but I clearly see (as does my family and our friends) how much Ari loves Sonny. He's not just my rock, he's hers, too. Marrying him is what's best for me...and what's best for her.

"Honey..."

"Sonny, stop looking at me like that! I want this now, trust me, I want you to be my husband. Please?" I quickly drop to my knee and take his hands into mine. "Sonny, share my life forever? Be my husband?"

And then I see his features soften and his eyes fill with tears. He nods, quickly and confidently. "Yes, I will marry you Will. There's nothing I want more."

He pulls me back up into his arms, and we kiss, gently at first and then becoming more desperate. Our lips are all over - faces, ears, necks, and back to lips so our tongues can intertwine.

"Daddy, Sonny! Look at my new clothes!" Just then Arianna bursts out of the back room where my Mom was with her trying on all of the new things she got for her birthday. I wanted her to take them all home but she insisted we do it now. It is her birthday after all.

I'm startled and jump back away from Sonny when I hear Ari's voice. He doesn't let me get too far away, though, as he keeps his arm around my waist, tucked in close to his side. I rest my arm on top of his on his back. I'm anxious to celebrate what just happened...but we're going to have to wait a while. My daughter seems pretty ramped up right now.

"Ari, you look beautiful!" Sonny says adoringly. I can still see the tears in his eyes. Ari does too.

"Sonny, are you crying?" Arianna plants herself directly in front of him.

Just then I hear my mom come into the room, and she looks at me questioningly. She must have heard Ari.

"Actually, I am. But these are happy tears, not sad ones."

"You're happy because it's my birthday, right? And because I look really cute in the new outfit Uncle Rafe gave me." She follows her declaration with a twirl. I watch as her curls lift off her shoulders and bounce as she turns. Her hair is exactly like Gabi's. There are other features she shares with her mother, but her hair is the most distinct. She even holds her head the way Gabi did so that her hair frames her face perfectly. If she ever wants to cut those curls short, I don't know what I'll do.

Sonny chuckles. "Yes, honey, I'm so happy to be invited to your birthday party. Thank you for including me."

My daughter squints up her nose and purses her lips. "You are my bestie, Sonny, where else would you be on my birthday? Besides, you belong with me and my daddy."

I watch as Sonny scoops her up in his arms and smothers her with kisses. I love the joyful giggles that fill the room as he tickles her and smacks his lips together with each kiss.

"Daddy...help me..." but I know she doesn't really mean it. She loves the way Sonny showers attention on her. I feel the same way. He has this gift of making each person he interacts with feel like they are the most special person he's seen all day. This man of mine, my fiancée for real this time, has a light in him that shines through every pore. You can feel his warmth the minute you step into a room with him. I'm pretty sure that most of his daily customers come in for more than a good cup of coffee. Once you feel that Sonny-love, you don't want to live without it.

I clear my throat and motion my mom to come a little closer to us. "I love that you said that Sonny belongs with you and me, because I happen to agree. And actually, I think part of the reason Sonny is crying is because I just asked him to marry me."

"I'm assuming then that you didn't turn my son down?" Sami looks to Sonny with raised eyebrows and hands on her hips. Leave it to my Mom to make this celebration her inquisition.

"No, Sami, I wouldn't dream of it. Your son has just made me the happiest man on the planet."

"What about me? Do I make you happy on the planet too?" Sonny still has Arianna in his arms, and he hugs her close once again.

"Of course you do! I love you tons girlie!"

"I love you tons Sonny!" Ari pulls herself up just enough to plant a kiss on his cheek. And then in a split second, she's wiggling free and running back to show us more of her new clothes.

All three of us watch our little whirlwind disappear inside Sonny's office.

I turn to look at my mom. "Well?"

My Mom doesn't say a word, she just walks to me and pulls me into a fierce hug. Finally when she lets go, she does the same with Sonny.

"Will, this is what I dreamed for you. I wasn't sure it would happen, because you seemed to be making some of the same mistakes me and your father did in our relationships, but clearly, you've grown. You amaze me...you're such a great father and partner. I am thrilled that you two are engaged. It'll be so nice to have you officially part of our family, Sonny."

"Thanks, Mom." I have to admit that I wasn't sure she'd respond this way. I thought she might be worried at how quickly it's seemed to happen, and the delicateness of approaching some of my more conservative family with a gay wedding invite. But she really has become a fantastic Mom. She is so great with Ari, and I am very happy that Ari has another strong female role model in my mother.

"Thanks, Sami," Sonny adds and grabs a hold of my hand. "I look forward to spending more time with you and the rest of Will's family. And thanks for your support. It means the world to me."

"You got it, Will...anytime." And with that my Mom heads back in the direction of Sonny's office so she can help Ari with her next outfit. Before she opens the door, she turns to us. "How about I keep Arianna overnight? She'd love to show Allie and Sydney her new clothes, and then you two can have some quality time together to celebrate."

"Mom, that would be amazing, but you don't have to. I know you have a busy week ahead of you."

"Will, don't you dare tell me that you think I'm too busy for my one and only granddaughter! I would love to spend more time with her today. So, she'll stay with us, and I'll make sure she gets to school in the morning. Sound good?" She then looks between the both of us, waiting expectantly for our answer.

"Son?" I turn to my fiancée. I kind of wanted to spend the rest of the day with my birthday girl, but when I think about an evening with only Sonny, I can't deny that I want that more.

"I'd love to have a night with you, Will. But it is Ar's birthday, and it's a really special day for her, so I understand if you want her close."

He's really sweet, but I think maybe this big party was enough for now. "Thanks Mom. We'll be taking you up on that."

"Perfect. I'll tell Ari."

"Tell me what?" You have to admit the girl has impeccable timing.

"That you are coming home with me tonight! You know how you said you'd really like to see Allie and Sydney again? Well, now's your chance!"

"I get to have a sleepover too after I just had a party?" She looks to me for my approval.

"Yes, honey. Now go change back into your party dress, and you can try the rest of the clothes on when you get to Grammy Sami's house."

"Yayayayayay!" Arianna sings as she dances her way back down the hall. "This is the best birthday ever!"

"I'll be right in Ari, and then we can head back to my house."

"Yayayay!" she repeats just a little louder.

"Thanks so much, Mom."

"Absolutely, Will, Sonny." She turns to the both of us. "You need some alone time together. I'll get her to school tomorrow, and you can pick her up from there."

"Perfect!" I cannot thank my mom enough. "Now, let's get back to work so we can head home soon."

"You're on, Will. Thanks, Sami."

"Of course. You can repay me by allowing me to speak at your wedding." And there it is, the catch. She'll rub our backs if we rub hers.

I look to Sonny, and he's smiling. "Deal!" he declares proudly. And we immediately start cleaning up the cafe with a sense of urgency we previously didn't have.

To Be Continued...

AN: Okay, a post-chapter author's note? Weird for me to do, huh. Anyway, the next couple of chapters we'll get some real M/M loving as they celebrate their engagement...and Arianna will weigh in on the role she believes she should play in her Daddy and Sonny's wedding.

As always, thanks for your reviews. I can feel the love. -Jen