Gabi..."uh- guys, we need to talk…

Chapter 7

Will looked at sonny even as he said "Sure Gabi, come on in. We actually wanted to talk to you too."

"Oh, ok" She said walking into sit in the chair by the bed. "You go first then."

"Well Sonny and I have been talking and with…everything…that's happened we would love it if you and Arianna would move in with us. Now before you say anything, we just moved into a townhouse that has 3 bedrooms."

"Short term," Sonny interrupts with a big smile at Will. Giving him a wink he teased "We have a house to find. Don't we babe?"

Will grinned and said softly, "Oh yeah we do. Big porch, huge yard… I want it all. Anyways…" he says with a deep breath and a rosy glow to his cheeks, "Gabi we already have one bedroom set up for a nursery in the hopes that Ari could stay with us sometimes. And you are more than welcome to use the third bedroom. We were just going to use it as an office/den type room anyway. That way we would be there to help with the baby and we'd be able to watch her when you have work. School… well if Sonny has to work then I know my mom would love to help. Or Sonny's mom even."

"Absolutely." Sonny nodded. "She would love it. And the townhouse is close by too. What do you say Gabi?"

Gabi sat there stunned. Her mind has been spinning with worries and what ifs and questions and here… after everything Nick had done to them, how she treated them… here they are offering her the perfect solution on a silver platter. "Really? I-I mean do you guys have any idea how a new baby can just… be utter chaos? I mean, I'm not even sure I know" she said with a sad chuckle.

"Gabi look at me." Will said. "She is ours… all of ours. We all adore her. She is the most precious baby I have ever seen and I can't thank you enough for bringing her into our world. We want to be there, not just to help, but to just… be there. To share every moment. We want to see her first smile, hear her first sounds. When I thought that I wasn't going to be a part of her life it hurt so much every day. I would look at her sono picture and feel like I let her down already and she wasn't even born yet. When I felt her kick that first time that was one of the most amazing feelings ever. She became so real to me that second. I thought I would never hear her call me daddy, would never see her take her first steps or kiss her first boo boo." He broke off to take a deep breath and wipe the lone tear that had escaped his eye and slowly trickled down his cheek. Feeling Sonny take his hand he gave him a small smile.

"Please Gabi; we really do think it would be the best for everyone. And I know I-I'm not really her daddy..."

"Sonny," Gabi interrupted quickly. "You and Will are together. You might not be married… yet. "She said teasingly as she saw the guys look at each other and grin. "But either way you are a part of her. If it wasn't for you, I don't even know what we would have done. If she'd even be ok. You helped bring her into this world, you were the first person she saw, the first person to hold her and make her feel safe, and you wrapped her in your shirt so she would be warm. Blood doesn't always mean family Sonny. She might not have any of your DNA, but in my heart and in Will's heart… she's every bit as much yours as she is ours."

"She's right Sonny. Arianna Grace is all of ours. We are a family. And that means Gabi… we need to stick together. Is it a deal? You both will move in with us?"

"I want her to know her daddies guys… and I-I don't have much of a choice right now. We would love to." Gabi said in a soft voice with a grateful smile.

"Ok, so it's all set! We just acquired two of the most important roommates we'll ever have Will. I think Gabi, if you would call Maggie and let her know what's going on, maybe she could get all your stuff ready and I could pick it up and take it home. That way tomorrow when you and Ari are discharged you can go straight there and get settled. I really should stop in quick at the coffee house. Chad has been great picking up my slack so I can be here; I know Abbi's been helping him a lot so I don't really think he's minded tooo much." He said with a chuckle. "Will, are you ok with that?"

"Absolutely! I am so excited knowing that we will all be under the same roof. My God, a few days ago I didn't even think I was going to be able to be a part of her life. Now… Yes, more than ok. Go, please Sonny. This gives me even more of a reason to get better and get the hell outta here." Looking deep into Sonny's eyes he whispered, "Not that I didn't already have the very best reason for wanting to go home."

"Ha ha guys... I'm still sitting right here ya know." Gabi teased.

"Oh we know. You might as well get used to seeing us close and hearing us tease each other Gabi. We love each other very much. A need to be close and touch… well that's as necessary as breathing to us. We won't hide, not from anyone." Sonny said. He was worried about her reaction but there was no way in hell he wouldn't show his love for Will whenever and however he wanted to. Especially not in their home.

"It's ok Sonny. I-I remember the feeling well." She broke off with a cough. "Now please excuse me guys, I need to go call Maggie. I wanted to call Rafe to and tell him. Thanks again guys, I know you're mostly doing this for the baby…"

"Gabi, you're still one of my best friends and also the mother of our daughter. We want you there. It'll be ok." Will said softly

Sonny watched as she nodded and left the room, head down walking slowly. "You think she's going to be ok babe? She's been through a lot. And I also know there's those baby blues they talk about. I think we need to talk to Maxine, get some information on what exactly that is and what to look for."

"Good idea Son, I hope she'll be ok. At least we will be there to keep an eye on things. I know we'd both go out of our minds wondering how things were going otherwise. And hey, thank you… for all the nice things you say to her. I-I know things have been messed up with you guys for awhile now, well with all of us."

"Will, everything's fine I promise. What Gabi and I went thru out there, well let's just say between the delivery and being worried about you… I guess I learned what's important. Our family… you, Ari, myself, and Gabi too… that's all that matters to me. Besides, she had no idea what a dick her husband was even like. I say let's just let it go. Focus on getting you healthy and home and just enjoy being a family."

"Sounds perfect."

"So, the Dr.'s say the nurses will be getting you up and moving probably soon here. You'll be starting physical therapy, they thought tomorrow. And hopefully in a week, give or take a few days, you'll be ready to come home. Dr. J said it could have been so much worse. If the bullet would have broken apart, or lodged deeper, or hit anything major… well I hate even thinking about it but let's just say you would be here so much longer."

"I know Son. Everything's good now. Let's just think about the future huh? No more dwelling on the could have happened. The future… I'm so happy Son. I just love you so much. Thank you for sticking with me."

"You are stuck with me forever William Horton. I love you so much too. Forever." Bending down he softly kissed him. "Now, I've got things to do so we can bring Ari home where she belongs. Txt me if the nurses get you up. I wanna know how you are. Or, just txt me whenever you want me." With another quick kiss he winked and left the room. Before he even got to the elevator he felt his phone buzz in his pocket. Pulling it out he sees a message from Will. Smiling, he taps the screen to open it and reads I always want you Sonny. I love you. He quickly typed back saying That's good babe. Cuz I always want you too. Love u! Pushing send he walked into the elevator.

9 days later...

Sonny settles back into bed and looks at the big empty spot next to him and smiles thinking Tomorrow … Will is coming home tomorrow! He can't wait to have him lying next to him again. The bed is way too big and his arms way to empty. Looking at the clock he sees that it's 2:15 am. Ari was having a little trouble with her days and nights it seemed like to him. He's been trying to help all he can because Gabi is still crying a lot and complaining about how tired she always is. Well Sonny's tired too, but how can you get upset when you walk up to the crib and see those eyes looking at you? He never minds getting up and feeding her, snuggling her close and rocking her. He debates texting Will, he thinks Will needs his rest, but thinking back to the frequent texts they've shared this past week he supposes he better throw a quick text. Smiling he scrolls back through the many messages, back to the one that first night he left to get Gabi's things…

Will... The nurses just got me back to bed Son… I walked! It hurt man don't get me wrong but what a good hurt!

Sonny… Oh babe, you have no idea how happy I am for you! Wish I had been there!

Then the night Ari and Gabi had come home. Sonny had snapped a picture of the baby sleeping all snuggled in the bedding they had bought together with a txt saying I love you Daddy! Can't wait till you're here with us!

Will… Oh Sonny, she looks so beautiful, so perfect. Give her a kiss for me please. Tell her daddy loves her too and I can't wait to be home either!

Then he sees the txt that reads Son, please don't forget to txt me if you are up with her in the night. I don't care about rest. I need to feel I'm a part of this. I want to know everything that's happening. BTW, thanks for bringing her into see me tonight. I love you! Ps… is Gabi still crying all the time?

He remembers the conversation they had had where he had mentioned that Ari was waking up a lot in the night. Will was so upset at the thought he was missing out on being there for their baby girl. And upset over the fact that Gabi just doesn't seem like she was getting the whole motherhood thing. They both realized she had been through a lot and was missing the life she thought she would have. He knows she had talked to her Dr. about feeling overwhelmed and sad and he had given her a prescription of something… but so far it didn't seem to be helping. He also knew Will was feeling guilty he wasn't home to pick up more of the load… but he assured him all the time that he loved helping take care of the little punkin. He loved her so much.

Figuring he better sleep while he could he sent Will a txt saying… Hey lover, just got our little princess back to sleep and tucked in for the night… or for a while ;) I can't wait for tomorrow Will. I just want to hold you in my arms forever. This house, my arms, hell my whole life is so empty without you. How can I feel so damn alone and lonely when I'm around people all day long? It's because I'm not just me anymore. Youhold my heart and soul with you.And finally, tomorrow, when you're home and I'm holding you in one arm and Ari in the other… finally I will be whole again. Good night my love…

Will woke up to the chime of his phone, signaling an incoming message, and picks up his phone. Opening the message and reading Sonny's words brings tears to his eyes. Brushing at the teardrop that ran down his cheek, and with his heart racing like it always does with anything concerning the love of his life, he sent back this text... I love you more than there are words to write. More than there are actions to show. You are truly my love, my heart, my very soul Jackson Kiriakis. Finally tomorrow, I will be home, back where I belong, in your arms. You Sonny… are the only home I will ever need or want. And sharing that home and our love with our daughter…is heaven right here on earth. Till tomorrow my love… I can't wait! Good night my heart… With a sniff and a last swipe at the tears on his cheeks, Will smiles and pushes send.

To be continued….