A/N: Many, many thanks to WinstonandJulia for this chapter from Sonny's POV. You may think it looks a lot like chapter 36...well that's because it is. The previous chapter is Will, and this one is Sonny.
I'm thrilled to be able to add to this story...finally! I have been focused almost entirely on my original stories, but I do want to bring this one to a conclusion. We'll probably have ourselves a wedding then and end this on a happy note! Thanks for your continued support!
SONNY POV, Day of Arianna's Birthday Party
"Please tell me we aren't going to have to do this again anytime soon..." I say collapsing into one of the chairs in the middle of Common Grounds. I am lying, of course. I would love to do this again soon. Because it reminds me of a dear little girl who I now can't imagine life without.
Granted my shop looks very different today covered in glitter with balloons hovering near the ceiling, but it is a good different. And I have a feeling we'll be finding glitter on the floor and tables for several months to come. No matter how hard you clean, you can never get rid of ALL of that stuff.
"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."
I can't believe Will is talking about Monster High again, so I have to ask. "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?"
Will's support isn't waning. "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?" I am just teasing, wanting to stir any emotion in Will. I'm not about to confess that I watched it on Netflix last week just to understand. It is much more fun to have Will explain it. Plus, I adore the way he gets a certain gleam in his eyes whenever he talks about his daughter.
"No!" Will says punching me in the arm, lightly."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, Draculaura would never be interested in drinking her friend's blood; she's a vegan." Will replies while cleaning up napkins from the floor.
This was all too much. Too much, but also perfect. If Arianna is interested, Will is interested and if Will is interested, well then . . . I am interested. I tilt my head with a smile just for Will saying, "You're an amazing father. Do you know that Will?"
Will gives me that shy laugh with the blush and a shake of his head. He used to do that all the time when we first met, but now I have to work harder to get that reaction from him.
"Shut up. I know you're just making fun of me."
No, that isn't right. I'm not making fun of him. I worship this unassuming man, so I walk up behind him close and press myself against Will with my arms circling his waist and my nose tucked in his elegant neck.
"No, Will, I'm totally serious," and I mean it as I let my breath tickle his ear. I really can't resist him and why would I even try? I think as I kiss his jawline. I am so beyond happy that he is mine. One day he will really be mine, but I need to take that slow. We've talked about marriage so many times, but each conversation ends with "but..." So, for now I'm waiting. And I will know when he is truly ready.
He turns in my arms and threads his fingers through my hair sending a quick chill down my spine. "You are the amazing one, Sonny," he says fixing me with that intent blue gaze that drowns me everytime.
Like I thought, unassuming, but no; I couldn't let this pass again. "Will," I say in my most intimidating voice, , "no dodging my compliment. Aaap-" I stop him from interrupting. "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."
His eyes dart to mine burning bright blue as he asks, "Do you really feel that way, Sonny? This is your dream come true?" His hands leave my hair and point around at the mess that is my business. It now looks like the resulting debris of a big, fat, pink hurricane. "Really?" He asks reminding me of my father during cross examination.
I am sure. More sure than I am sure I am a Kiriakis. I never would have guessed it at the age of 20, but this really is my dream. The dream that was too wonderful for me to imagine before I found it, so I answer immediately and completely. I want to erase the doubt that always seems to remain with Will.
"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?"
His eyes are back on me and the look is hard like drilling into concrete but then it softens as he speaks, "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."
Still more doubt. I wonder if he will be convinced 50 years from now. "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?"
This is just another expression of his doubt disguised as flirtation. Usually, I am a sucker for that, but not today. "Will, can't you be serious for one minute?" I smile, but it is a sincere smile, not a flirtatious one.
"I can," he says as his voice lowers and the deep sometimes brooding Will joins me.
"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..."
Will gapes and stutters, "A-a-nother..."
Now I have his attention! "Yes, Will."
"Oh," he says quietly looking completely perplexed.
I smile at him and try to reassure. "It's okay, Will, I'm just going to keep telling you all of this and hopefully one day you'll finally believe me."
It must be working because he cradles my face in his hands and says, "I believe you." On second look, he is still doubting.
"Now I don't know if I believe you." Just as I deliver those words, Will's expression changs to full on determination.
He looks right at me and says, "Marry me."
My heart stops with his words. It is the last puzzle piece falling into place. I try to speak, but I can only manage one small word, "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."
My mind is racing. Did I really hear everything correctly? Is he truly finally ready? God, I hope so. Again, I can only manage one word, "Honey..."
"Sonny, stop looking at me like that! I want this now, trust me, I want you to be my husband. Please?" Will drops to one knee and grabs my hand taking my remaining breath away, "Sonny, share my life forever? Be my husband?"
I melt, completely, but I am able to nod and answer, "Yes, I will marry you Will. There's nothing I want more." My instincts take over and I pull him into my arms. We kiss gentle at first and then desperate.
"Daddy, Sonny! Look at my new clothes!"
I reluctantly look away from Will to see Ari, my second love, in her new birthday clothes. I am struck by the realization that I will really be her dad soon. "Ari, you look beautiful!" I exclaim as I try to blink back the tears that have somehow formed in my eyes.
"Sonny, are you crying?" Arianna confronts me with a firm stance.
"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.
She is so adorable that I laugh through my tears. "Yes, honey, I'm so happy to be invited to your birthday party. Thank you for including me."
Ari looks confused as she explains to me, "You are my bestie, Sonny, where else would you be on my birthday? Besides, you belong with me and my daddy."
I knew she was perfect, just like Will. Before I even ask for her to let me join their little family, she has confirmed it. Impulsively, I lift her into my arms and kiss her as she giggles.
"Daddy...help me..." but I know she is only teasing and bringing him into our small circle.
And Will does just that, "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."
Sami steps forward and joins the conversation, "I'm assuming then that you didn't turn my son down?"
I don't take offense. She will be my mother-in-law soon and I will love her through any mistake. "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?" Arianna says from her comfy nest in my arms.
"Of course you do! I love you tons girlie!"
"I love you tons Sonny!" As if that wasn't enough, Ari follows it with a big sloppy kiss on my cheek and then she wiggles away to return to her project.
Will turns to his mother, "Well?"
She pulls him into a violent hug and then gives me the same treatment. I check another off my list, Ari, Sami, only a few more of Will's significant others to win over if I haven't already.
"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." Will says as his face is washed in relief. I can see that this is the reaction he wanted, but not the one he expected. I am happy that nothing is deflating this day.
"Thanks, Sami," I say grabbing Will's 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," and with that she heads back to Ari. "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."
I see that familiar twinkle in Will's eyes as he replies, "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?"
I hear her but I see only Will as he turns to me, "Son?"
Like he has to ask . . .
"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 surprises me for the second time today, or maybe it is the third. "Thanks Mom. We'll be taking you up on that."
"Perfect. I'll tell Ari."
"Tell me what?" Ari asks popping her head out of the hallway door.
"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 up at will for permission and I wonder silently if she will ever look to me for permission. I realize in this moment, that having a child is something I've always wanted, but never dared to really hope for.
"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." Will says, perfunctorily.
"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." Will says and I can sense the anticipation that has crept into his voice.
"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!" Will says happily. "Now, let's get back to work so we can head home soon."
"You're on, Will. Thanks, Sami." I say and immediately begin working.
"Of course. You can repay me by allowing me to speak at your wedding." Sami says, but I don't even care. At this point, I would agree to anything.
"Deal!" I say without hesitation knowing that the ease of saying yes today will make it more difficult to say no to her later. Because if she speaks then my Mom will have to speak. And the last thing I want is for our wedding to become the "Who Is The Best Mom" show put on by Sami Brady and Adrienne Kiriakis. But for now, we're all good, and we'll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it.