Chapter 9

"Hey Sonny can you come here and help me a minute please?" Will called out from the nursery.

"Sure babe what's …" Sonny breaks off as a startled laugh escapes him. Eyebrows raised, he says "Uh Will… I'm pretty sure the powder is supposed to go on her… not on you!" Giggling uncontrollably he looks at the picture in front of him. Will is standing in front of the changing table trying to hold Arianna's legs up with one hand, while holding the powder in the other of which half the contents appear to be down the front of Will, all over the changing table as well as the carpet.

"Ha ha ha I know it's so funny! Seriously can you help? I was just trying to open it then her leg slipped out of my hand and the powder dropped and dumped all over and…"

Attempting to control his laughter Sonny walked up to Will and gave him a swift kiss. "Babe… it's ok. Really it is. We'll get this cleaned up in no time. Besides, you look sexy as hell covered in powder!"

Looking into Sonny's eyes and seeing the sparkle there as well as the smile he was trying to hide, Will broke into laughter. "You're crazy you know that? Seriously, this is way harder than it looks though!"

"Oh I know, trust me! Hey between you and me, if it makes you feel any better at all, the first time I changed her I thought I had done sooo good till I picked her up and the diaper somehow came right off! And, if you tell anyone that story, I will totally deny it!"

"I think we need a sign for the wall here that reads 'What happens in the Nursery… Stays in the Nursery!'

As both men broke out into laughter again Sonny wraps his arm around Will and hugs him to his side. "I like you way you think babe… we definitely need to live by that rule!" Looking down and seeing Ari staring up at them he reaches out his other hand out to her smoothing her hair back. "Hey precious, how about we help Daddy get you back dressed and then maybe you need to eat huh?" Seeing the smile slowly die off Will's lips he tightens his arm around him. "Hey you, where'd you go?"

"It's nothing; I'm just being silly really."

"It is something, tell me."

"Well it's just you know all this stuff about her. It's like you know her routine already while I feel so lost. I mean I helped my mom with the girls and Johnny but now it seems so different with her. She's so tiny!"

"Will, it's not your fault you were in the hospital and not here these last few days. I've watched and helped Gabi yes… but trust me we both have a lot to learn. And we will… together."

"Promise?"

"Yes babe, I promise." Leaning over he brushed a kiss to Will's temple. "Now, let's get her dressed and we'll make her a bottle, then maybe you can rock her some. Get in a little snuggle time. Sound good? That way you can be sitting down and resting at the same time."

"Sounds great." Making little cooing sounds the guys worked to get her to finish changing and dressing her.

Settling Will and Ari in the rocking chair Sonny had just sat down when his phone rang. "It's the coffee house." He said as he answered it. After talking for a few minutes Will heard him say that he would be down soon to take care of it.

Will looked up from watching and smiling as the baby was drinking her formula. "Something wrong?" he asked as Sonny hung up.

"Just a special delivery I had coming. It wasn't supposed to be here for a day or so. They need me to come down to sign for it quick and I guess the latte machine is acting up. It shouldn't take me long at all. Think you'll be ok for half hour or so?"

Looking back down and seeing Ari's eyes were closed he smiled. "Oh yeah, we will be just fine won't we angel?"

"Ok... But I'm going to hurry. Please just rock her and rest here. If you need anything at all promise you will call or text me. I can be home in minutes."

"I promise Son. I'm fine. Snuggle time is awesome! I'm going to just enjoy holding her for as long as I want to."

Giving them both a kiss Sonny hurries out the door and heads to Common Grounds. Upset at leaving Will alone his first night home he sends him a text as soon as he gets there. Hey babe, just checking in. Everything ok?

Will rocking slowly back and forth, a sleeping Ari snuggled upon his chest feels his phone vibrate in his pocket. Opening it up to see the text message from Sonny he smiles and rolls his eyes. Hitting the reply button he types… Considering you left here not more than 5 minutes ago, did you think it wouldn't be? LOL Relax honey, everything is great.

Hey, can't blame a guy for checking to make sure his family is alright. I'm finding out I worry a lot more these days than I used to.

Oh? Why's that?

Guess I never had anything or anyone in my life that I loved and cared about like I do you and Arianna. When you're as happy and as in love as I am with you guys… worry just becomes part of the package deal too. I don't know what I'd ever do if anything happened to you.

Reading the last message Will feels his heart melt and he blinks his eyes a few times to clear them as he types back… I never, in my whole life, thought that real love existed. I've seen love come and go between everyone I know. You've stood beside me through so much drama, so much bull shit that was called my life. You've shown me what love, real love, is supposed to be like. I love you more than I can ever tell you. It upsets me sometimes that I can't find the right words to tell you.

What? Why would you think that? You tell me all day, every day Will. It's more than just words babe. It's the look in your eyes when you look at me. It's in the way that you need to touch me all the time. It's in the way you protect me. So many ways babe.

I protect you? You're always defending me. Taking care of me and my bag… you know what I mean.

LOL you're learning babe! Even texting you knew not to finish that thought. Yes you protect me! You think I never realized that that should have been me out there getting shot? Gabi was carrying your child. She's your best friend. And yet you sent me to lead her away. I knew you just wanted us to get out of there. I wanted so much to stay and argue that it should be you getting them out of there. I honestly just didn't want to waste time arguing with you about it. I just thought if we all hurried, the faster we'd all be back together and be ok.

I honestly never thought about it like that I guess.

That's exactly what I mean Will. You show me all day, every day, in a thousand different ways, how much you love me. Please never ever doubt that. Today is the first day of the rest of our lives babe. Together as a family.

I love you Sonny. And I love our family. Now would you stop texting and do your work so you can come home? Even though everything's fine, I miss you.

LOL you bet I'm going to hurry! Packages already signed for and if I can't get the latte machine fixed, screw it we'll just buy another. ;) And Will, I love you too. Call me if you need me otherwise I'll see ya real soon.

I will.

Setting the phone down on the end table Will looks down and sees that Ari is completely out. Laying his head against her he takes a deep breath just breathing that baby smell in. Softly kissing her cheek a few times he decides he better lay her down awhile, maybe she would sleep longer that way. It'd been a long day for her as well. Standing up slowly, he winces as he straightens up. Just a little stiff he thinks as he stands still and takes stock of how he is really feeling. It's been hours since he had gotten home and needed to take the pain pill. It was amazing how well he felt considering all that had happened. Course being home with Sonny and Ari sure helps. He thought with a smile as he slowly walked into the nursery and gently laid her in her crib. Covering her up with a light blanket and making sure the baby monitor and the night light was on he closed her door partway and went back out to the living room.

Picking up his phone he sent Sonny a quick text. Hey honey, just laid Ari in her crib. Going to nap on the couch until you get home.

Ok babe, do you have the monitor on? I won't be much longer, promise.

Yes, Daddy Sonny, and the night light too.

Sonny smiles as he reads this last one. Daddy Sonny huh? And hey, I'm just checking! Lol

Well yeah 'Daddy Sonny', you know you're her daddy too. What else should she call u? Papa?

Idk… guess I thought she would call me whatever she wants too as she gets older. But until then, yeah… Daddy fits perfect. I love you… and I love her too. Be home real soon. Rest sounds good.

Ok honey, we love you too. Will pushes send then puts the phone down. Lying down on the couch he snuggles in and falls asleep quickly.

Sonny walks in a little later and turns the lock on the door after shutting it. He was a little longer than he planned to be but his phone wouldn't stop ringing from Will's family calling to check on him and wanting to come over to see him and Ari. He's glad he told everyone that tonight was their night. First night home just the three of them and he wanted it to be special. He shakes his head at the remembrance of the varied reactions once he told them all that Gabi left and they had no idea when she was coming back. Personally, he wasn't that surprised. He got to see firsthand that Gabi was having a very difficult time bonding with Ari. Made no sense to him though. One look into those blue eyes and he was a goner. Just the same as when he looked into Will's blue eyes the first time. Instant, soul consuming love.

Walking into the living room he stops and stares at the vision in front of him. Sometimes, when he sees Will, he just can't imagine what he did so right in this life to deserve him. He knows Will thinks the opposite of that, that he, Sonny, could do better. Sonny wishes just once that Will could see himself through his eyes. When he looks at Will he doesn't see a man that has a crazy messed family. He doesn't see any baggage, God he hates that word! All he sees is Will. Will, with beautiful blue eyes that if one only took the time to look deep enough, was truly the windows to his soul. You could see every emotion in those blue eyes. From love to laughter, joy and pain, shyness, excitement, desire, vulnerability and even the need to believe that this time, everything would be different and this love would stay. This family would stay. He looks at Will and sees heart. He would do anything for anyone no matter the cost to himself. That's not even counting his delicious and sexy body Sonny thinks with a glint in his eye. Moving forward till he is standing beside the couch, he drops to his knees so he is face to face with Will. Reaching out he runs his fingers through his hair. Leaning forward he softly brushes his lips across his brow, down his temple to his ear. Lingering there he whispers "Hey sleeping beauty, I'm home."

Will smiles and slowly blinks his eyes open. "Hey, I'm glad you are. I missed you."

"I missed you too. Feeling ok?"

"Oh yeah, was a little stiff but I feel pretty good now."

Sonny's eyes sparkle at Will as he chuckles and murmurs… "Stiff huh... Well maybe I'd better take a look at that don't you think? See if I can uh… help in any way?"

Seeing Sonny wink at him, hearing the touch of roughness in his voice, Will did indeed feel the blood rushing south. It seems like it's been forever since he has felt Sonny's touch on his body. "Uh yeah, actually I think that sounds like a great idea."

Sonny slowly reached out and circled Will's ankle with his hand. Slowly drifting upward running over calf, to the knee. Feeling Will part his legs, hearing the soft moan he couldn't hold back as his hand ran up his inner thigh, closer and closer until his hand settles gently over him and cups and squeezes the hardness he finds. "Mmmm oh yeah babe, definitely stiff. What do you say we go back to our room? I think I need to further uh… assess this problem. "

"I say let's hurry the hell up!" Will says on a groan, hips arching to meet the pressure.

Sonny leaned over and kissed Will, latching onto his lips with heat and pressure. Tongue thrusting into Will's mouth in a hungry move. Breaking away, chest heaving, Sonny stands and reaches down to help Will up. "Then let's go. I need to feel every inch of your sexy body touching mine."

Will stands up and walks forward straight into Sonny's arms. Nestling there just for a minute he then whispered. "Bed please. I need you!" Clasping Sonny's hand in his he gives it a squeeze as they turn and walk toward their room… their bed… it's been way too long.

To be continued... ;)