Chapter 14
"Another surprise? Son, my ring is enough, more than enough it's everything!"

"Well this is more something for all of us, just the plan is the surprise." Sonny said sliding the folder out from under the couch where he had stashed it earlier.

"Ok, you've spiked my interest," Will said looking interestedly at the papers. "What's that?"

"Well, I was looking at houses on the internet and despite searching several sites I just couldn't find anything that even looked like what we would want. Either the house was too small or didn't have a big yard. One was nice that might have worked but it was on a main road with heavy traffic and there's no way Ari could play safe no matter what we did. So, I started thinking of how much land my Uncle Vic owns. I talked to him, and he said he would give us a section to build our dream house. We could make it exactly the way we wanted Will. He even said we could pick where we wanted it to be! Well? What do you think?"

Will sat there in stunned disbelief. Never in his wildest imagination did he ever dream that he would be here… engaged to marry the man of his dreams, dad to the most precious little girl ever, and now to have a home… their home built exactly the way they wanted? "I'm amazed and a little overwhelmed I guess." He said with a chuckle. "I'm not sure that feels right for him to just give us something that costs so much. And," he paused for a second looking down towards the floor. "How on earth could we afford too build a house? I know the coffee house is doing well but come on, you're talking thousands of dollars Son. You're talking hiring an Architect to come up with the plans and all the materials and the construction crews... I just can't even imagine…"

"Will, look at me please." Seeing the emotions in those eyes made Sonny smile tenderly. "First of all, Uncle Vic wouldn't hear of us buying the land. Believe me I asked. Once he hears about us getting married he will insist on the land as a wedding present anyway I'm sure."

At the words 'married' and 'wedding' both guys glanced down at the rings on their fingers before looking at each other and smiling once they noticed what the other was doing.
"As for the building of the house, we have some advantages most people don't have."

"Like?" Will Asked with a raised brow.

"Well for starters I have an old buddy of mine that went to school for Architecture and Design. I heard he was going to be stopping in town to see his family and we can talk to him about the plans."

"Old buddy?" Will asked with a fleeting look of unease.

"Babe, come on, I would never bring an old boyfriend around you. Brent is just a guy whose parents were friends with mine a long time ago. We, as in large groups, used to go and hang out different times. I haven't seen or heard from him more than a year. I kinda think it would be neat to show my family off to him honestly." Frowning, he watched Will look down at his ring and trace over the designs engraved there. "Babe…," he broke off with a relieved smile as Will looked up at him with a smile, the sparkle back in his eyes.
"Ok, so designing of our house… check. What about the affording part?"

"Ok, well, for one thing CG is in fact doing really well. But, my parents set up a trust for each of their kids to be used as we saw fit. It won't completely cover the cost, but it will be a huge part and we should be able to mortgage the rest easily enough. Please don't say no. This is for us, for our future. A house is a great investment too. Think Will, our house. Big, wrap around porch where we can sit someday and watch Ari play on her swing set. We would be close to families but not too close. Easy commute to work and school." Sonny grew quiet as he saw Will take a deep breath.

"Our house… first Ari, then rings and a wedding, now a house… this is my dream come true. Can you honestly look me in the eyes and tell me that this is yours? I mean seriously Sonny, a year ago you were…"

"So deep in love with you it was painful. Painful, because I didn't know if you would ever learn to love yourself enough to trust coming out and being who you truly are. Painful, because I knew if you didn't… then I never stood a chance at winning your heart. Painful, because I love you sooo much and I used to dream of exactly this happening but was so afraid it never would." Shifting closer, Sonny leaned in until he was so close he could feel Will's breath against his lips. "Sitting here next to you, wearing your ring to me, Arianna in her room, talking about our wedding and our house is exactly where I want to be. You William Horton are my dream come true." Tapping his finger against Will's ring he whispered "I love you forever… remember? Never… ever doubt that babe." Leaning forward he softly brushed his lips over Will's. Feeling Will open to him he swept his tongue inside and softly, slowly tasted Will. Feeling Will's tongue stroking against his own, Sonny moaned and brought his arms up and around Will pulling him closer still till they were so close even air couldn't get in between them. Feeling Will's tongue enter his own mouth Sonny gently began sucking on it. "Mmm babe, you taste so good. Let's take this to our room where we can get more comfortable huh?"

"Oh yeah, sounds great." Will said in a husky voice. Tugging Sonny by the hand the guys entered their room and after hurriedly shedding their clothes climbed into bed and pulled each other close. "I love the feel of you next to me, holding me. I love your touch, your sexy smell, I love you Sonny. So much more than I thought was possible. And if you're sure... of everything... then I would love for us to build our house."

"Oh babe, thank you! I'm so excited, and we will do every step of it together. Those papers in the folder are just some different floor plans to get ideas and some pictures of the different properties Uncle Vic owns. There are pictures of different designs of houses and color ideas..."

Sneaking in a lingering kiss, Will said "Wow, sounds like you've really put thought into this. You've obviously put a lot of time into it."

"Yes I have, which should prove to you that this is right where I want to be, doing exactly what I want to do. And speaking of what I want to do... right now, what I really want to do is..." leaning closer he whispered "taste you...every delicious, sexy inch of you."

Will smiled even as he pulled Sonny closer. "Sounds like you're just full of good plans tonight."

Later that week…
Will, sitting at the table working on homework felt his phone vibrate. Pulling it out he smiles as he sees it's a text from Sonny. Hey my sexy fiancée … busy?

Will chuckles as he thumbs a reply. Homework, Mom and EJ came and took Ari for a while. What's up my handsome soon to be husband?

Mmm I love the word husband babe, can't wait! Anyways…LOL… that old friend I was telling you about is on his way here and I'd really like it if you were here to meet him and go over stuff with him.

Absolutely! Wouldn't miss it. I'm on my way. I love you Son.

Love you too babe… now hurry! Lol

Will walked into CG shortly after that and looked around. Not seeing Sonny anywhere he walked up to the waitress and asked if she knew where he was. Learning that he was back in his office Will heads that way. Seeing the door slightly ajar he reached for the doorknob just as he hears his name being mentioned. Standing there he hears Sonny telling someone about them being together and about being dads to the most beautiful little baby girl ever. Smiling, he takes a step forward even as he hears another man's voice say "Really Sonny? Married? Fatherhood? Where did this all come from? Where's the Sonny that could stay up all night at a party and still go hiking and climbing mountains the next day?"

Will's eyebrows dipped down as he frowned. Taking a deep breath he opened the door even as he called out "Is this a private conversation? Or since it involves me can I join in?"

Seeing Sonny standing next to a tall thin blonde Will looked at Sonny and said "The friend I take it?"

Sonny was upset. He hated having the choices he'd made in his life questioned. Seeing Will walk in, the over big, I'm hurt but I'm not going to show it, smile on his face just made him more upset. No one hurts his Will. At. All. "Hey babe." Sonny said as he walked over to stand next to Will. Sneaking his arm around his waist he pulled him close. "Yeah, I thought so anyway. Will, this is Brent. Brent, this is my soon to be husband and keeper of my heart… Will."

"You thought so? What's that supposed to mean?" Brent asked.

"It means, I thought you were my friend. After hearing you talk to me like I was a complete idiot for living the life I do…and loving it… I'm not so sure that's true anymore."

"Come on Sonny, I didn't mean any harm. I just can't believe you are ready to settle down into what… diapers, laundry, dishes, and cooking? You're young and, no offence Will, but just because your boyfriend is tied down to all that… why should you be?"

Sonny was completely stunned and speechless. He was so completely pissed off he could barely formulate a reply. And then, feeling movement, he looked down at Will's hands watching as he took the finger from one hand and was tracing the symbols on his engagement ring over and over again. Looking up into Will's face he saw he was looking down at his ring with a sad, hurt look on his face, and he lost it. His blood felt like it was boiling through his veins he was so mad.

Taking a step forward which placed him slightly in front of and in between Will and Brent, Sonny took a deep breath and when he spoke his voice was so low it was more growl than anything. "Look asshole. I have no clue where you get off talking like that to me. You don't get to question a damn thing I'm doing with my life. All that shit you've mentioned about what I used to do was what Brent, a few years ago? You want to know what happened to me? It's called growing up. You should really try it sometime. Settling down is a whole lot more than household chores. It's working every day to become a person deserving of the love of another. It's being there through thick and through thin for that person. It's knowing that no matter what's going on in your life you have a safe place to come home to. It's knowing you are loved beyond reason and loving someone else more that you thought possible. It's wanting to spend every moment you can with that person, and sharing every moment you're not with them. And our daughter," Sonny stopped to take a quick breath. Brent, seeing Sonny's eyes had turned black with rage during the conversation had backed up a few steps. "I will only say this one time and one time only Brent so you listen damn good ok?" Seeing Brent pale and nod he said in a tight low voice, "Arianna is our daughter. She is every bit as much mine as she is Will's. I delivered her into this world. I was the first person she saw, heard and felt. I have rocked her to sleep, fed her and changed her. I've sung her to sleep and read to her. I've bathed her and walked with her. Most importantly... I love her! It is an incredible honor to have her love and trust me like she does. You speak of my family again… and to make myself crystal clear here my family is Will and Arianna…you speak with the utmost respect…or you don't speak of them… at all. And to answer your last question, stupid as it is, as to why I should be… as you called it… tied down?"

Sonny stopped as he felt Will's hand touch his back. Turning to look at him he was almost afraid to see the hurt and lost look that was on his face a few minutes ago. Seeing Will standing tall behind him, eyes calm and sparkling with love and laughter as they looked into his own, Sonny felt himself relax slightly.

"Son, I think I'd like to answer that question ok?" Will said smiling as he twirled his ring around on his finger. Seeing Sonny nod his head, Will stepped forward so he was standing directly in front of Brent. "So I believe your question was 'Why should Sonny be tied down to me and Arianna… correct? Well that's simple." Looking off to the side he winked at Sonny. "Because this is exactly where Sonny wants to be."

Sonny felt such incredible love and pride standing there watching Will. The confidence oozing off him in waves as he stared down Brent was, he had to admit, hot as hell. Looking down seeing Will playing with his ring he smiled. He was right, having that tangible something to stroke and hold as a reminder of how much and how deep his love went for him, brought Will a sense of love and security. Everything he had hoped it would do. Looking at Brent he had to hide a laugh. The man was pale.

"I'm really sorry guys. I had no idea how things were between you and I had no right to speak like I did. I really apologize Will. I don't even know you and I just shouldn't have said anything. Please," Brent said holding out his hand, "Accept my apology?"

Will looked over and saw Sonny leaning back against the desk. He could tell by the look on Sonny's face that he was leaving it up to Will to accept it or not. He could also tell by how very dark Sonny's eyes were that he hadn't completely calmed down yet. Will's heart melted remembering all that Sonny had said tonight regarding their family. He felt a peace in his heart that really hadn't been there before. He was, slowly and with Sonny's help, realizing that he was very much loved. But even more important than that, that he was deserving of that love. It wasn't, he realized, something that he truly believed in his heart up until now. Reaching forward he shook the offered hand. "Apology accepted. As to having you design our house…" he trailed off turning to look to Sonny in question.

"Will is a much more forgiving and generous person than I am Brent. I find out a little more every day that when it comes to Will and Arianna, I am every bit as much a Kiriakis as my dad and Uncle Vic. We don't forgive… or forget... slights to our loved ones. Will and I will need to talk and discuss the building of our house together. We'll give you a call. Now if you would please excuse us?" Sonny said in a neutral voice leaving no room for discussion as Brent nodded his head at them and walked out the door closing it behind them.

"Will? You ok babe?" Sonny asked coming to him and wrapping both arms around holding him close.

"Whew honey! I had no idea your eyes could turn that black… and they were just snapping. And that deep growl you get… uh… yeah Sonny… that was so damn hot."

Leaning against Sonny, Will could tell the instant Sonny felt his reaction to the possessive love Sonny had shown tonight. Feeling those arms tighten and bring him closer Will whispered in his ear. "Mom still has Ari, how about we go home and…" Will broke off as he felt Sonny shudder and shake his head.

"Sorry babe, can't wait that long. I need you right now. I love you so much Will. Never look like you did tonight babe. You looked so unsure of me… of us. Never let anyone cause you to doubt my love for you. I saw you caressing your ring. Always remember Will… I love you… forever." Sonny brought him close and kissed him almost desperately as he pulled him toward the couch in the office.

To be continued…