Chapter 3

With fear in his eyes Sonny stands up trying to tell by the look on their faces what their news is. He knows Will's alive... his own heart is still beating so he must be. His soul would know if Will wasn't here anymore. He just doesn't know how bad… Feeling everyone gather around him he says "Will?"

Daniel, staring into his eyes suddenly smiles "the surgery went well. We were able to remove the bullet. There is some swelling and bruising around the spinal cord where the bullet was. But there were no other internal injuries. We have every hope that he will make a full recovery. Of course, we will know more when he wakes up."

Hearing the gasps and sobs of relief behind him Sonny took the first deep breath he's taken in hours, since he 'felt' something happen to Will. "That's great, fantastic! One question… When can I – we see him?"

Cameron smiles at him with understanding in his eyes. Give us an hour Sonny. He's still in recovery and we want to get him settled into his room. Guys, go get some coffee, relax a little… you'll see him soon. With that Daniel and he walk back out the door calling out "your welcome!" to the chorus of thank you's coming from everyone.'

Sami hugs Sonny... "He's going to be ok Sonny. Please, let's get you some coffee ok?"

Returning the hug he pulls away with a small smile." I'm not going to be able to relax really until I see those dark blue eyes of his. But there is something I need to do now. I need to check on Gabi and go see our daughter. I'm sorry I didn't go with you earlier. I-I just felt like if I thought about Will hard enough, shared memories with him, he would know how much we need him and he would fight harder. I needed to remind him of what he has to live for. Sound crazy?"

With tears in her eyes Sami smiled. "Not at all honey. With your connection, I don't doubt he heard every word. If anything on the earth Will would fight for... it's you." Kissing his cheek she stepped back and said "Go ahead, go see that gorgeous baby. We'll all be here when you get back."

After giving his parents a hug and telling them where he was going he headed to Gabi's room. Finding her still sleeping he checked with her Dr. on whether or not that was normal. Once he was told that between the stress of the kidnapping and childbirth on top of the sedative it was completely likely she would sleep through the night, Sonny headed to the nursery. There in a small bassinet in front of the window he could see Miss Arianna Grace. God, she is so beautiful… thank you for letting her be ok, and especially for bringing Will through.

The nurse on duty stuck her head around the corner, "Sonny… I know the baby's sleeping but you can come in and see her, hold her? Word has it you delivered this little beauty. Think that gives you holding rights." She smiled.

Walking into the nursery and washing his hands he donned the gown the nurse gave him to "keep the germs away". Holding his arms out as the nurse placed the tiny bundle in them he looked down in Ari's small perfect face. "Oh baby girl, you already hold my heart in your little hands. We need to be strong Ari, your other daddy needs you, needs us. We need to show him all he has to live for, to look forward too don't we?" With a soft kiss to her forehead he notices her opening her eyes. Looking into those eyes so blue they are a mirror image of Will's eyes, he whispers "oh Sweetheart, you just look so much like your daddy, how can I NOT love you little one? I'm going to make sure you and your daddy are always happy, always safe. We will be such a happy family Ari, you, your daddy, your mommy and I. I don't know how it will all work yet, but I promise… we will figure it out." Sitting down in one of the rocking chairs he snuggles Ari to his chest and rocks her back and forth slowly, patting her back. Leaning his head back he thinks about how much his entire life has changes from the first moment he met Will. Looking down he sees Ari's eyes slowly closing, her little rosebud mouth making small sucking movements. Holding her closer he kisses the top of her head. "Sleep punkin. Both your daddies are here, you're mommy's here and you're safe."

Once he got Ari back to sleep he handed her back to the nurse and with a smile of thanks headed back to the waiting room where everyone was back waiting. Walking into the room he sees Roman standing there with his family and said "Excuse me, Commander Brady?"

"Yes Sonny, everything ok?" Roman says turning to him

"Well as right as it can possibly be with Will in here sir, but I had a question. Where is Nick? Did Will get back to him in time? Where is he? I thought he'd be here with Gabi by now but no one on her floor has seen him."

Hope walks in just then and meets Roman's eyes. "How's Will?" After filling her in on Will's condition he told her Sonny was just asking about Nick, where he was. "Oh boy this is hard" Hope said. "Everyone, if you could all gather around I'd like to fill in some blanks for you. And as difficult as this is, I'd really like to say it all just once." Once everyone was within hearing range and she was assured she had their attention she took a deep breath and said "Nick is dead." Everyone all of a sudden began talking at once. "Please! Just listen and I'll answer any question you have after. First let me tell you all that happened as we appeared at the scene." She tells them of walking toward the house and hearing the 2 gunshots from inside, how with their own guns drawn they were cautiously approaching the back door when it suddenly opens and Nick came running out with the gun in his hands. Putting her hands up she said "Wait, I'll explain everything I promise." When Sami started to speak. She then went on to tell them how Will had called out that it was him, and how Nick had turned the gun on him. After telling them everything they had heard between the 2 men she then described how the shooting had occurred and that Nick was in fact dead.

Silence reined. Then Sonny spoke up. "I knew Nick was a homophobic ass. But what the hell, why would he turn on Will when Will was trying to help him?! All of this…every slur he's made, his contemptuous looks at us, I knew he hated us. I knew he hated us only because we loved each other. But I never truly thought he would hurt..." Sonny choked off, so angry and upset he couldn't breathe.

"There's more." Hope said in a low tone. "I am in no way excusing or condoning what he did to Will. I am only telling you what I learned from Vargas when I asked him about the man that kidnapped Nick and Gabi. His name was Jensen. He was a prisoner in with Nick and Vargas. Apparently Nick was Jensen's cell mate. Jensen made Nick's life very hard in prison. I don't know all the details but I'm wondering if something there happened that just… made Nick the way he was."

"I don't care what the hell happened to Nick! He treated Will and I horribly just because we loved each other! HE SHOT WILL! I for one am glad he's dead. NO ONE defend him in front of me... ever!" Sonny said in so deep a voice it was almost a growl, his dark brown eyes flashing fire.

"Aunt Hope, Sonny's right! Enough about Nick. It's a good thing he's dead or I swear I'd shoot him myself after all he's done to Will." Sami said in a low, hard tone.

"Samantha," warned EJ placing his hand at her back.

"No, I agree with her!" Lucas said standing next to Sami. Our son is lying in a hospital bed, gunshot because of that bigot! Enough about him… ever."

"Ok guys," Hope said "I just wanted to let you know what all happened. The next hard step is telling Gabi. Rafe wanted to do that."

"Well then she won't be alone. Good. I'm sorry but my main focuses are Will and Arianna. I can't think beyond them right now. Mom, Dad," Sonny said turning to them. "It's ok now to go home, get some sleep. Now that I know Will is going to be ok, I'm fine."

Just then Daniel stepped into the room and everyone turned to face him. "Ok, here's the deal. We have Will settled into his room. His vital signs are normal, he just…"

"He just…what Dr. Jonas?" Sonny asked fearfully.

"Well, he hasn't woken up yet. Now hold on," he said raising his hand to stop the flood of questions. "We are running some tests; so far everything is coming up normal. We will let you know, as we know."

"Can we see him now please?" Sonny asked.

"Yes, you may go in, only a few at a time right now. "

"Thank you Daniel, for everything" Sami said laying her hand on his arm. He patted her hand and nodded his understanding to her. He has a few children of his own and couldn't imagine what she was going through. He leaves the family to talk as he leaves the room.

"Sonny, come back with me?" Sami asked with her hand stretched out.

"Yes, please, let's go. I need to see him." Sonny let Sami take his arm and they walked to the room Will was in. Both pausing outside the door they take a deep breath, bracing themselves for the sight of their Will laying hurt in a hospital bed.

Walking through the door they both come to a stop. Sonny hears Sami sob as she walked up to the bed and cupped her hand to his cheek, "Oh my baby boy, I'm so sorry this happened to you. I'm here Will, and so are Sonny and your dad and your grandmas. We are all here baby. You're safe now and you need to wake up and get better now." He heard her whisper.

Walking up to the bed, staring at his Will, Sonny's eyes filled up with tears. Will looked somehow so small and defenseless laying there hooked up to an IV machine and all these other wires monitoring his heart rate and such he supposed. Eyes closed, just resting and yet it almost seemed as if yes, Will was there... but Will, the essence of Will, wasn't. Sonny buried his hand into Will's hair. "Oh God babe, I'm here. I'm going to be here, right here, until you open those blue eyes and tell me you love me. You need to wake up honey. It's OK to wake up. No one can hurt you anymore. I'll keep you safe with everything I have, every breath I take, I swear Will, I won't let anyone hurt you again." Sonny brought his other hand up to wipe at the few tears escaping and running down his cheek. Listening to the steady slow beep that was the heart monitor measuring each beat of his heart. "I should never have left you to go back without me. We should have just taken Gabi and left together or at the very least it should have been me that went back for Nick. But then God Will, something amazing happened. Gabi went into labor Will, I delivered Arianna! Do you hear me babe? Arianna Grace is here and she is adorable and beautiful and amazing. She needs her daddy honey. She needs you to hold her and tell her how much you love her. She looks so much like you." Sonny breaks off at the sound of the increased rhythm of the heart monitor. Looking at Sami with hope in his eyes he whispers "Will?" Seeing no response, he gets an idea.

"Wait right here Sami please. I don't want him left alone at all, to wake up and see no one. I have an idea… I'll be right back." And with that he rushes out the door leaving a confused Sami behind.

"That boy loves you so much Will" Sami whispered, stroking his arm." You have to wake up and get better. I'm not sure he would survive if you didn't. I'm not sure I would. We've been through so much together baby. We'll get through this too." Hearing the door open she turns around to see Sonny reentering the room… with Arianna in his arms. "Oh Sonny, what a great idea!"

"Will, its Ari." Leaning down where she could rest on the pillow next to him. "Wake up sweetheart; she wants to meet her daddy so much. She needs you Will, I need you. A family remember? "Hearing the increase in the monitors again he looks at Sami with excitement in his eyes. "Please Will, we love you so much. I can't lose you. Arianna Grace needs you babe. She wants to go ice skating with you." Seeing the flicker of Will's eyes, Sony bends over and softly brushes his lips over Will's. "She's right here Will, waiting to meet you. Wake up sweetheart, wake up and meet your daughter, our daughter Will. I love her so much. Come back to me Will. Come back to us!"

Just then Will's eyes flicker open. Those gorgeous deep blue eyes Sonny loves so much open and look into his eyes. Seeing Sonny first thing, his eyes get a sparkle to them. Feeling a weight on his arm he turns his head just as baby Ari opens her eyes. Deep blue stares into deep blue….

To be continued…