Will's released from the hospital two days before Christmas. Sonny drives them home in the BMW, going several miles under the limit the entire distance. There's a heavy snowfall, very similar to the weather the day Will got into his accident. But still, cars speed past them, horns honking, flashing their middle fingers, but Sonny's not going any faster.
"What happened to Christmas spirit." he mutters, reaching over to rest a hand on Will's thigh.
The doctors were speechless by Will's recovery. Almost overnight, the huge inoperable tumor had shriveled up into nothing, but the bodyguard couldn't do anything about his other injuries, caused by the crash itself.
"Speaking of which." Will says after a beat, shooting Sonny a completely apologetic look. "Sony I...I was really hoping to do it right this year. You know? Our first Christmas together since I got my memory back, here in our home, in our new lives. Tree, Christmas lights, spiked eggnog and glazed ham-- I'd been working on it for a while. I'm sorry I couldn't pull that off for you."
Changing lanes to get on the exit for Melas, Sonny gives an incredulous look back at his husband. "Will, are you serious? You were in the hospital with a freaking brain tumor, which really should've killed you, and you're apologizing because we couldn't celebrate a stupid holiday? We haven't celebrated one together since before your memory came back, I think we can do one more. And not to sound all mushy, but, uh...you alive, and here with me-- it's the best gift you could ever give me." Sonny blushes, embarrassed he actually said that out loud.
"Aw, Sonny." Will teases. "I love you too."
As WIll turns to look out the window, he notices Sonny suddenly go stiff. Will turns to look at Sonny gain, frowning, "What, what's wrong?"
Sonny shakes his head, ducking slightly, trying to hide the rosy blush on his cheeks. Will wants nothing more than to touch every inch of his body.
"You uh. It's just. That's the first time you've said that since we've been here. That's all."
Will's frown only deepens. "Said what?"
Sonny sighs, drumming his fingers against the wheel. "Thatyouloveme." he says quickly under his breath.
Will stares at his husband, utterly shocked. No way is that true-- he hasn't? It feels like it's all he was humanly capable of saying when they lived in Salem, showing it in every moment they were together, every other word he ever said, that Sonny is the love of his life, but he knows this time, Sonny's right. It makes the shame and guilt rear their ugly heads deep in his gut. Sonny's the type of person who deserves to hear words like that, and he'd know if Will suddenly stopped saying them. Yet another reason, on a list of countless others, Will can never let himself believe he deserves this man. Because Will is selfish, needs Sonny more than anything, more than even Sonny could possibly ever know. All Will can do is be better than the man he was, and earn back the love he almost lost several times over, every waking moment.
"Never?" Will gasps, hating himself. "Not even once?"
"Not to me." Sonny mumbles, face so red, he looks flushed. "I don't care, Will. I know you do. And it didn't matter as much, back in Salem, before you died the first time. But you still managed to show me, and that's all I ever really cared about. It's just… now that, you know. With this." Sonny raises his left hand, showing off his ring. "And me kind of, uh, telling the whole town I'm your husband…"
" What?" Will didn't know he could screech so loudly. But he's smiling, because he's selfish as well as possessive, always is where Sonny is concerned. He needs everyone to know Sonny has his heart, will always have it all the days of his life.
The word lover has always meant everything to Will, and the excuse, "He's the love of my life." to explain so many things he's done because of Sonny-- blackmailed Paul's mom, lied about his daughter-- but it doesn't mean the same thing someone else would think. Not to mention, with the term "husband", there's that possessiveness in there that makes everyone immediately understand they are the most important person in each other's lives, that they will put each other first above all others. Will honestly never thought he'd ever be the one to say he's someone's husband, regardless of both of their not-so-secret dream of settling down together, but now it makes his heart swell with pride, makes it pound so loudly, he's sure Sonny can hear it.
"Let's finally make it official." Sonny tells him, turning down the road that takes them home. Will's missed their place so much, can't wait to be back inside. Plus, there's something he and Sonny have yet to do, something just as important as getting remarried. Will doesn't care about his injuries, they can-- wait, what did Sonny just say?"
"Official?" Will repeats.
"I got us a marriage license." Sonny admits, smiling at Will. "All you gotta do is sign your name, and we can get it framed and put it over the mantel."
Will snorts goodnaturedly. "Where, right next to the whiskey bottles?" Sonny rolls his eyes as he pulls into their driveway. Will winces with every hit the car's shocks take, about to tell Sonny to take it easy. "Aren't you still technically married to Leo? And don't people think we're married already?"
"Thought of that too. We can just tell them it's a vow renewal ceremony. And since technically the certificate was forged, it's not like it's going to be on any official records. Leo can't touch us."
Will thinks this over, chewing on his lip, hugging his broken arm tighter to his body. Honestly, he only recently started thinking of making it official. Sonny's wedding ring back on his finger and everyone knowing would've sufficed for WIll, but Will still remembers what Sonny had planned the day of his accident. If the hopeful look in Sonny's eyes is any indication, he wants it more than anything.
"What the hell. Want to make an honest man out of me?"
"I love you, Will." Sonny says, voice turned serious. He squeezes Will so tightly, Will wouldn't be surprised if he leaves bruises. "Besides, we all know you're the woman in this relationship."
"Sonny!: Will exclaims. "I said no dress!"
Sonny is most definitely laughing at him, not with him, but Will just rolls with it. He'll gladly be the longest running joke if it means he gets to hear Sonny laughing like that, like he did when they were still in college and still had no idea what his future would hold. But Sonny doesn't need to know that. He should already be well aware how whipped Will really is for him, how completely and utterly in love he is with him. Last thing he needs is to add fuel to the fire.
Sonny smiles over at Will as he makes a smooth park, biting his tongue to stop himself from laughing again. Will knows in all likelihood Sonny already knows that anyway. And he couldn't be more okay with that.