Chapter 20 The Wedding 3

Will reached up and straightened his tie. As he looked at himself in the mirror a broad smile appeared. And why shouldn't he be smiling? Today was one of the 3 happiest days of his life, the day Sonny told him he loved him, the day Arianna was born, and today.. Today was his wedding day.

"Ok, how is everything… Oh honey," Sami gasped as she walked into the room. "Will, you look so handsome just look at you!" Walking up to him she felt her eyes well up.

"Mom, don't cry ok?" he said as he pulled her into a hug.

"Honey I can't help it. You look great, so happy. It does a mothers heart good when they see their children happy and content. You're not my little boy anymore. But, I couldn't be more proud of the man you've become. You and Sonny have built a wonderful life together. You have an amazing family Will. I love you so much." Giving a final squeeze she stepped back and ran her hands over the front of his white shirt down to the buttons on the black vest smoothing away any imagined wrinkles. "Need some help getting your jacket on?"

Will smiled. "I may not be your little boy anymore but that doesn't stop you from still wanting to help me get dressed." He said with a chuckle.

"Oh you," Sami said with a giggle. "Just come over here and let's get this on." Holding the black matching coat up she slid it on up his arms and onto his shoulders. Stepping back in front of him she smoothed it down. "Perfect."

Hearing a choked gasp Will looked up and standing in the doorway were his grandmothers. "Oh my baby boy, just look at how handsome you are." Marlena said in a shaky voice. "You're all grown up. Where did the time go?"

Kate put her arm around Marlena's shoulder and the women leaned on each other for support. "I agree Will. You look great. Ready to become Mr. Horton-Kiriakis?"

Will took a deep breath. Standing tall he looked at the three women in his life and smiled. "I think I was born ready to be Mr. Horton- Kiriakis. At least, I know I was born to be Sonny's."

"Oh Will, I think you were too." Sami said. "Ok then, I think I'm going to go make sure everything else is going on schedule. Mom, Kate, why don't you two go ahead and be seated. It won't be long now."

Each of them giving him kisses on the cheek, they left the room as T walked in. Wearing a black tux also, minus the vest and tails, he walked over to stand beside Will and looked in the mirror. "So, I look pretty awesome in this don't I?" he teased with a wink.

"Oh absolutely man. All eyes will no doubt be on you I'm sure." Will teased as he nudged him with his shoulder.

"Ha ha I know right? Just kidding man. You and Sonny both look great."

"You've seen Sonny?" Will asked. "I haven't seen him since yesterday."

"I saw him a few minutes ago. He's with his parents in another room like this getting ready. He said to tell you that soon you were going to be all his forever and that he loves you very much." He said with a blush. "He made me repeat that a few times so he knew I would say it right." He laughed.

Will smiled even as he gazed at his reflection in the mirror. He let T ramble on as he remembered last night. Sonny and he had had a nice dinner. Then they had cuddled on the couch for the longest time just loving the closeness of the other, the warmth that flowed between them, the desire that grew as they went from gentle kisses and caresses to almost frantic touches and passionate love making. He felt his eyes sting though remembering that as the night ended Sonny held him close and looking into his eyes told him he was going to spend the night at his parents' house because although he didn't believe in the whole bad luck to see each other before the ceremony, he was taking no chances. Sonny had gazed at him, his eyes sparkling with so much love as he had kissed him so lovingly at the door. "Tomorrow Will, tomorrow will be the beginning of a whole new life for us. A life where it will just be you, Ari and I for the rest of our lives. You will be mine forever and I won't ever let you forget that." Will felt his heart melt as he remembered the look of possessiveness in Sonny's eyes as he had leaned forward to give a gentle kiss of his own before reassuring Sonny that "That's all I ever want to be…yours. Forever." Brought out of his reverie by the not so gentle nudge from T, Will said "Sorry, what did you say?"

T laughed. "Ok I don't wanna know what you were thinking about. I was just asking where Arianna was. I haven't seen her yet today."

"Oh," Will laughed. "Sorry about that. Abby has her getting her all ready. Wait till you see her. That's all I'm saying."

"Alrighty then." T said with raised eyebrows.

"You got the ring right?" Will asked suddenly

"Yes. Geez I think you are like the fourth person to ask me that. You'd think people didn't trust me or something."

Will shook his head as he smiled.

Meanwhile in another room in the club…

"Well?" Sonny asked his parents as he stood in front of them and turned slowly so they could see the black tuxedo trousers creased just so, the vibrant white of the shirt a perfect contrast to the black tie and vest he had on under his tux jacket that was buttoned and fit perfectly. He hadn't been sure of the tails on the back of the jacket but well, Will wanted them. And what Will wanted, if it was within his power to give him, Will got. It was that simple. He lived to bring the happiness, joy and love to Will's eyes. It's all he wanted to do for the rest of his life.

"Well son," Justin said, "You look fantastic. Will is a very lucky man."

"No dad, I'm the very lucky one." Sonny said softly.

"Oh stop you two." Adrienne broke in. "You're going to get me going and I'll have to redo all my makeup again. Sonny I am so proud of you. I am so happy for you both. I may not have always been the most supportive mother, but I hope you know it was only because I love you so much. I realize now though, that all I ever wanted was the best for you. Seeing you here, how extremely happy you are… Will is what is best for you." Reaching up she hugged him tightly. "You're always going to be my baby though." She whispered in his ear. Kissing his cheek she backed up and slipped her arm through Justin's.

"Just about ...oh I'm sorry if I'm interrupting," Chad said as he walked in the door. "Everything is just about set out here."

"I guess that is our cue to go sit down then dear." Adrienne said. With a last smile and tight hug said "I'm sorry your brothers couldn't make it Sonny. I promised them we would send videos."

"It's ok Mom. I just want to marry Will today. Nothing else matters. Besides, they said they'd come home for a visit soon." Adrienne smiled as they left the room.

"Well man, I must say you are looking good today. How do I look? Pretty snazzy huh?" Chad said as he spread his arms wide showing off the black tux that was a match to T's.

"Very snazzy, It's a good thing Abby is busy with Ari today so you couldn't become distracted." Sonny teased.

"Honestly Sonny, thank you for asking me to stand up with you today. You and Will are my best friends and I couldn't be happier to be a part of this." Chad reached and gave him a quick hug, thumping him on the back a few times. "You ready to head out there? We don't want Will to think you changed your mind." He added with a laugh.

"Haha so not funny. Besides, Will knows there is no chance in hell of anything ever changing my mind. I'm so ready. Let's go." Sonny said as he nudged Chad toward the door. "You have the ring right?"

Chad nodded and patted his pocket as they walked out the door.

Walking out into the main room that was decorated with candles and flowers everywhere, Sonny was amazed at how transformed this part of the club was. After the ceremony, the staff would quickly move the chairs and set the tables up for the reception. He just couldn't believe this was it. The day. The day he would tie Will to him forever. Show him that no matter what, they were a team. That they would always be together no matter what. He knew how much Will needed that. Walking to the front where Father Eric was waiting, Sonny stood beside him and faced the small crowd sitting there. Smiling at their family and close friends, he noticed all the happy smiles aimed at him. Hearing the music start he straightened up, eyes trained toward the door Will would come out of. The room quieted down as all eyes looked toward the door, then a burst of soft laughter and a chorus of ahhhs could be heard as first Sydney and Allie walked in, each with a basket of red rose flower petals dropping a few here and there. Behind them, Johnny walked through the entranceway in a smaller version of Chad and T's tuxes, hand behind him as he pulled a beautiful white wagon behind him adorned with white and red ribbons and bows along the sides. Inside the wagon was Miss Arianna Grace in a white flower dress with red ribbons in the front as well as a tiny red headband nestled in her dark hair. Sitting propped up with white satin pillows supporting her, Abby walked slowly beside her for safety. Ari was sitting up pretty good by herself, at least for a six month old, but when it came to Ari the guys took nothing to chance.

Sonny felt his heart melt all over again as he looked at that precious little face. Ari noticed Sonny and smiled at him. Sonny took a step forward and knelt down beside the wagon. Leaning over he softly kissed her cheek murmuring "I love you baby girl." Standing back up he resumed his place as Johnny slowly wheeled the wagon over to where Marlena, Kate and Caroline were sitting. As Abby sat next to them and Sydney, Allie and Johnny joined EJ, Sonny noticed the music change.

He felt his heartbeat accelerate as his eyes were glued to the door, waiting for his first glimpse of Will, his Will, to come through it. Just as he thought his heart would burst from his chest, Will appeared Sami and Lucas standing to either side of him. He felt his breath catch in his throat at the stark beauty of the man standing there. From the blonde locks he loved to run his fingers through, to the stark blue of those eyes that were sparkling brighter than any candle ever could, to that gorgeous body that belonged to him and him only… every bit was perfection. With every step Will took toward him Sonny realized that his heartbeat, instead of racing, was slowing to normal. This was so right. Everything about this day was exactly as it should be. As Will stopped in front of him and Sami and Lucas took a step back and sat down, Sonny reached out a hand and cupped his cheek. "I love you Will." He whispered.

Will was shaking. Amazingly enough though, not with nerves but with eager anticipation. He couldn't believe this was actually happening. In the back of his mind he had these nagging fears that something would go wrong. Not that Sonny would change his mind but that something would happen to postpone or stop the wedding from happening. Now though, seeing the loving look Sonny was giving him, hearing those words as he felt his touch… he realized that this was really happening. That finally he would belong to Sonny and nothing nor anyone could ever come between them. "I love you too Son… so much." He whispered back. Reaching up he threaded his fingers thru Sonny's as he stepped forward and they turned so they were facing his Uncle Eric.

Father Eric smiled as he looked at the happy expressions on his nephews and Sonny's faces. Nodding to them, he clasped his bible to him as he addressed the room. "Good afternoon. We are gathered here today to witness the joining of these two hearts into one. When one finds love, true everlasting love, in this world I believe you should hold tight to it with both hands. An essential requirement of a good marriage is strong bonds of friendship and trust. Jackson and William, your love will grow deeper every day but you must remember that love stands on a basis of genuine affection and respect for the other. True love means being willing to accept both strong and weak spots of the other with equal measures of respect and understanding. The vows you speak here today are only a small part of what will bind you together. The love and commitment you hold for each other is the true glue of a marriage. Please, face each other now. Jackson and William have you come here freely and without any reservations to give yourselves to each other in marriage?"

They both nodded saying "I have."

"Will you both honor each other as husbands for as long as you both shall live?"

"We will." They both agreed.

"Good. They have decided to write their own vows to each other. Jackson, would you start please?"

Sonny turned to face Will and clasped both their hands together. Noticing the fine tremble he squeezed reassuringly. "Will, I love you so much. You are my best friend, my lover, the keeper of my heart. I promise I will work every minute of every day to make right now into forever. I promise to laugh with you when you are happy, and to hold you when you are sad. I promise to be there Will, whenever you or Ari need me… be it today or when we are old and grey, I'll be there… right by your side holding your hand. I promise to support your dreams and to help in any way I can. But mostly Will, I promise…" Sonny broke off to take a deep breath as he reached up to wipe away the lone tear running down Will's cheek. "I promise I will love you for eternity Will. I promise I am not going anywhere. When you reach for me I will be there."

Father Eric smiled at Sonny and nodded his head to Will to proceed.

Will took a deep shuddering breath and cleared his throat. "Sonny, wow that was so beautiful. Thank you. I love you more than I can ever say. You too, are my best friend, my lover and keeper of my heart… my very soul. I promise to always cherish you. To let you know every day how much I appreciate you. I promise to support and encourage you and your dreams, to help in any way I can to make them a reality. I promise to stand by you, to take care of you. I promise to share Ari with you. To do everything I can to make our family a happy one. I promise to trust you Sonny, with not only my life but my heart. Because I know you will never hurt me. You have shown me that forever is not a pipe dream but reality. Our reality… and I will cherish that always."

Sonny tightened his hands around Will's. Looking at those wet blue eyes he mouthed Thank you babe... I love you.

Father Eric stepped forward again. "May I have the rings please?" After getting them from T and Chad he handed Sonny his.

Sonny, holding Will's left hand in his right slid the shiny gold band onto his finger, stopping at the knuckle as he said, "Will, just as this ring is a circle that has no beginning and no end so it is as my love for you. I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and fidelity. With this ring I thee wed and bind us together for always." Sliding the ring all the way on he brought Will's hand to his mouth and kissed the finger and ring.

Will took his ring from Eric and holding Sonny's left hand in his right he slid the ring to the knuckle as he said "Sonny, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love, devotion and fidelity. Wear it and know that I love you with everything that I am, and that as long as we are together… we are both home." Sliding the ring all the way on he too raised Sonny's hand to his lips and kissed his finger where the ring was.

Father Eric smiled proudly at the attendees. "Jackson and William, I want to wish you both much love and happiness as you begin this new journey of life as husbands. With that being said…By the authority vested in me by this state I now pronounce you husband and husband!" Looking at Sonny he stated, "You may kiss your groom now."

Sonny reached eagerly for Will and brought him close. Kissing him gently on the lips he tightened his hold around his back as he slid his tongue into his mouth for just one quick taste. Backing off he buried his face in Wills neck as he hugged him. "Mine… all mine." He growled in his ear as he heard the thunderous applause behind them.

"Ugh Son, really? The growl… here, now?!"

Laughing he squeezed Will tightly one more time as he turned them to face their family and friends. Seeing all these faces beaming with happiness and yes of course some tears from a few moms and grandmas Sonny felt such profound joy at that moment. Pulling him close to side one word just kept resonating in his head. Mine mine mine.

Father Eric spoke over the noise as he said joyously, "it is my distinct honor and privilege to introduce, for the very first time, Mr. Jackson and William Horton-Kiriakis!"

To be continued… the Reception :)