"I'm not nervous." Pale and jittery, Chad stands in the library while Sonny attaches the boutonniere to his best friend's tuxedo lapel.
"Try saying it 12 more times, see if you believe it then. Hold still."
"I am holding still."
"You mean besides the little seizure you're currently having? Yep, you're fit as a fiddle."
"I want to marry Abi. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. We've done nothing else but look forward to this day for months."
"That's right. Today," Sonny says soberly. "Is the start of the rest of your life."
"I think I'm gonna be sick."
"No time for that." Sonny says cheerfully. "Really close to the final fifteen. Want me to call your dad?"
"Oh hell no. He's got his hands full already. Remind me again how many people are waiting out there?"
"Last I checked, a couple hundred. And counting."
"Oh goddamnit. Why couldn't we have eloped? How the hell is a guy supposed to stand up in front of all those people and just completely change his life?"
"I think the whole tradition started to keep the groom from backing out. They'd come after him like an angry mob."
"Oh thanks for that. I was so freaked out before, but I sure as hell am not now. I need booze. Now."
Sonny just strolls over to where a painted cabinet is waiting, taking out a bottle. "Figured you needed something." He pulls out an Altoids tin. "These too. Last thing you want is to have booze on your breath when you kiss the bride. Or else she might be the one doing the running."
Sonny starts to pour, but when the door opens after a cursory knock and his mom marches in, he quickly hides the bottle behind his back.
"Aren't you two the handsome devils? Sonny, don't even think about giving more than one shot of that booze you're hiding behind your back. And make sure he uses mouthwash right after."
"Altoids is all I have."
"Fine." Smiling, she walks over to fuss with Chad's tie. "You're just nervous because it's the most important day of your life. The real cause for alarm would be if you weren't a nervous wreck. But trust me, the second you see Abigail, it'll all just fade away. I promise. She's so beautiful."
Adrienne frames had's face with her hands. "I'm so proud of you."
"Hey, what about me?" Sonny demands. "I brought the mints."
"I'll get to you. You're marrying the love of your life." Adrienne goes on. "You're surrounded by family and friends who love both of you so much. It's a beautiful day, and your best friend has seen to it you have a beautiful wedding venue. Now take a shot of that whiskey, take a deep breath, and get your butt out there so you can get married."
"Yes ma'am. I think I love you, Mrs. Kiriakis."
"Don't I know it. I love you too, but I'm not gonna kiss you and ruin my makeup. One drink, Sonny. If he shows up drunk, I'm holding you personally responsible."
Later, Sonny thinks his mom was right, like always. When he stands by Chad and Abi, a dream in white, walking down the aisle, Sonny feels the nerves drain right out of his best friend. He sees the wide, wide smile stretch over Chad's face, hear him say softly, "There's my beautiful girl."
He finds his own gaze going over the rows of people, meeting Will's. And you're mine, he thinks. This time around we're doing it right.
So he stands in the garden, with the old mansion rising over the lawn, watching his best friend and cousin get married.
When they kiss, when they turn around to be announced as husband and wife, cheers erupt, much more freeing and celebratory than the applause Sonny's used to.
He feels his own smile get bigger, almost as big as Chad's.
The music starts up almost immediately. When the photographer is down to just the bride and groom, Sonny breaks free through the crowds to find Will.
He's wearing a tuxedo. A very formal tuxedo that's very flattering on him. Just above his chest, hangs the bronze hourglass necklace Tom had once given to Alice.
"I was wondering if I'd ever get to see you wear it."
"It's a special necklace." Will says. "So I save it for special occasions. It was a very beautiful wedding, Sonny. You did an incredible job getting this place ready. You're a very good friend."
"I have a lot of good qualities, which makes you a very lucky guy. I missed you these past few days."
"We've both been really busy."
"Stay." Sonny catches Will's hand, seeing a refusal and excuses in Will's eyes. "Will, please stay."
"Maybe. There's a few people you should be talking to."
"They're all talking amongst themselves. Where's Marlena?"
Will scowls. "Your mom must've carted her off somewhere."
"Want me to track them down, set Marlena free?"
Pride stiffens Will's spine, as well as his voice. "My grandma can do just fine against your mom any day of the week."
"Oh really?" Amused, Sonny narrows his eyes. "If it turns into a fist fight, my money's on my mom. She's got one hell of a backhand. Why don't we grab some champagne and find them? See how bad it is."
"If she insults my grandma--"
"She wouldn't." Amusement gone, Sonny shakes Will's shoulders. "What're you thinking, Will? If she's talking to Marlena, she wants to get to know her better."
"Which is also why she dragged your dad to my place too, I take it? So she could get to know me better?"
"They were at your place?"
"The pub, yeah." Annoyed for being annoyed, Will reaches out to take a flute of champagne off of a passing tray. "She came to check it out, as well as me. She got quite an eyeful, and a damn good martini. And I set her straight right off the bat."
This is enough to send Sonny into a jittery panic at the thought of the two most important people in his life butting heads. "What does that even mean?"
"I said what I needed to say. That's it. We understand each other just fine now."
"How about you fill me in so I can understand you just fine?"
"Now's not the time or place."
"Then we're going to find the time and place."
Because he can hear the hardness in Sonny's voice, Will shrugs. Then smiles, tracing a finger down Sonny's cheek. "Now don't go getting all worked up. We're in the middle of a party. We can fight anytime, anywhere."
"Fine, we'll schedule the fight for later." Sonny catches Will's chin with his hand. "I don't know who you're underestimating, Will. Me, my parents, or yourself. Let me know when you've made up your mind."
Then he leans in, brushing his lips over Will's. "See you soon."
