Hi guys, here is another chapter, and only a few more to go. Thank you so much for the great continued support and kind words!
I grab a tissue from the car fixture and wipe my fingers, having finished a bar of dark chocolate. "Feeling better?" Sonny glances at me and grins for a quick second before focusing on the road. I'm going to meet Sonny's daughter Athena and her mother Mia for the first time. "Uhh kinda ok…" I smile at him. But I'm lying; the amount of serotonin that has entered my system is not enough. The last time my nervousness peaked was when I waited for my board results to appear on the computer screen. But now, that's been surpassed. I just can't believe a 7-year-old kid is doing this to me.
Sonny had already spoken to Athena about me; she and her mother have even seen pictures of mine. He told me that Athena responded positively about him having a boyfriend, after he had answered all her questions; like, if I'm gay too?… Sonny did sense that his little girl was having some fear of whether her dad might distance himself from her, now that I've entered his life; the other reason being Mia's unstable love life. Sonny had assured Athena that she is the most special person his life.
Well, I'm fine with getting the second spot – I have to, how much ever greedy I may be – for I was the catalyst in creating such a scenario in Sonny's life…. "Someone seems to be in deep thought…" Sonny says looking at the rear-view mirror. "Hmmm…yeah…was thinking what if, ah, Athena doesn't like me…" I clear my throat and sit straight. "Will…" Sonny sighs "can't you see yourself…how sweet you're? Should I tell how much the kids in our neighborhood adore you? You have won their hearts in such a short span! And, Athena won't be an exception to that… 'cos I know my daughter very well" Sonny points a finger to his chest. I smile widely and lean to peck his cheek. This man is just…
We arrive at that the modest two-story house of the Anderson family. Sonny chose this day because Mia's parents, especially her still-homophobic but superficially-nice dad, are out of town. "Good riddance. But I have great respect for Mrs Anderson though. She treats me like her son" Sonny says while pressing the doorbell. I'm standing a little behind him, shifting foot to foot.
"Sonny" Mia coos and hugs him. The normally 6-feet tall basketball coach, now on three-inch heels I think, towers over me as she extends her hand with the widest warm grin "Hi, Will, finally!" I chuckle "Yeah finally. How do you do, Mia?" Wow, her hand feels ice-cold...is she in the same state as I am, given the weird connection that we both have? "God, you're more gorgeous in person" Mia places her palm on her chest. "Thank you! So are you, Ma'am" I grin shyly. She gracefully accepts the flower bouquet from me. Can't help but Mia looks more or less the female version of me – blonde, athletic, pale complexion, baby face, dimpled chin…The notable difference is, her eyes are honey brown.
"Daddy!" here comes running the little Miss Kiriakis in a floral gown as Mia leads us in. With an intact smile, I swallow a bit. She is so much like her dad…. "Hey sweety!" with overflowing love, Sonny lifts and twirls his daughter before kissing her cheek. Such a beautiful sight… Athena acknowledges me with her innocent sunshine smile, even before our formal introduction. Great relief. I grin ear to ear. Sonny lowers her and introduces me "Athena, this is Will." I reach for her small soft hand "Hello, Missy." One hand holding her dad's, Athena shyly does a weak handshake. I kiss the back of her palm. "This is for you" I give her a small pink paper bag. She tilts her head and takes it with a "thank you."
All of us move toward the center of the hall. Holding the gift bag, Athena sits on her dad's lap. I sit beside Sonny, who places his hand around my shoulder. "Can I get you guys, something?" Mia smile and rubs her palms together. Sonny says he doesn't want anything as we all four will be going out for lunch. Mia looks at her daughter "Well, Athena has made lemonade…" and wiggles her eyebrows. "Yeah, a sweet one and a salty one" Athena says chirpily. "Wow, I can't wait to have it" I show my enthusiasm. The little girl grins sheepishly. Mia goes to the kitchen.
"Daddy, I can see my present now?" Athena says in a loud whisper. "Oh sure, sweets" Sonny plays with his daughter's dark bangs. I lick my lips as Athena patiently and methodically unwraps the gift. A wide smile appears on her face as looks at the colorful book of fairy tales and skims through the pages. "You like it? Will selected it" Sonny smiles at me. "Yes daddy" Athena's gaze shifts from her dad to me "thank you, Will." "You're welcome, Missy" I bow my head.
Athena curiously stares at me taking my first sip of the sweet drink. "This is so delicious!" "I told you. Like father like daughter" Sonny's face beams as he clutches his smiling daughter to his chest. "Oh yeah. Athena, you know, your daddy used to make delicious lemonade when we…ah…were in school" I bite the inside of my cheek. "Yes. Daddy told me that you and daddy went to liberry in Salem" Athena flutters her thick curvy eyelashes and nods. "mhmm?" I surprisingly look at Sonny, wondering how much he has told Athena. He gives a lopsided grin. Mia giggles.
Athena takes me and Sonny to her lavender room. No wonder, it's like entering a fairyland with luminescent stars and crescents decorating the ceiling. She shows me some of her drawings. I smile at a particular one: cartoon images of her, her parents, and an unknown guy. "Wow, Athena it's really nice…who is this?" I quiz her. Athena twists the frills of her gown and smiles "That's Brian." I'm quite taken aback. But it's not something unbelievable – that man has been in this child's life since her birth... "Oh…that's, um, nice" I force a smile at her and then glance at Sonny. "Actually, that's a picture taken on Athena's birthday this year…She has drawn that. Isn't that, sweety?" Sonny caresses his daughter's arm and gently smiles at me. Athena sucks her lower lip and nods.
Sonny takes us to a nice quiet garden restaurant, which is close to Mia's place. We have Thai food. I learn that Athena is a sucker for the spicy red chicken curry. Her dad lovingly helps her mix the curry with steamed rice. As we eat, we converse about our work and sports in general. Mia invites me and Sonny for an inter-state game at the university. Athena gleefully enlightens me about her hobbies and her best friends in school.
After footing the bill, Sonny takes Athena to the nearby pond for duck-watching. "These two…" Mia chuckles as she adoringly looks at them. "Yeah, they're quite a duo" I smile. She turns toward me "Sonny is an amazing guy…He is such a great father" "Yes, he is" I nod firmly. "He's been through so much… and that's all because of me. I mean, no one knows it better than you do…" Mia smiles slightly with glistening eyes. I touch her hand "Mia, please don't feel bad about it. It was destined to happen….for good. Look how you guys have been blessed with such a wonderful and lovely daughter…" "I know, Will… thanks for understanding" Mia clears her throat and sips some water. "Even through those tough times, Sonny never refrained from talking about you…about those memorable days with you in Salem…he missed you dearly…." Mia says. "He told me….I was in the same state as he was all these years…But, now we found our way back to each other. I can't even describe in words how that feels…." Mia squeezes my palm "Will, as much as I am grateful to Sonny, I'm SO happy that he got you back in his life…." She smiles widely and says "You two make such an ideal and handsome couple…." "Thank you, Mia" I blush. She raises an eyebrow "I can't deny the fact that I'm quite jealous of you, Will Horton…because I'm yet to find my Sonny Kiriakis" and laughs. "Oh… now I need to find a way to protect me and Sonny from your evil eyes…." I laugh a little and immediately turn sober "Hey, just joking… Don't worry, Mia. You will find your guy…" I get up and hug her. "Thank you so much, Will."
After dropping Mia and Athena at their place, Sonny and I drive back to our place, that is, Sonny's place because I hardly stay at mine.
Sonny is so glad that my symbiotic relationship with Athena has had a great start. So am I. After a necessary hot make-out session, Sonny switches his laptop on to transfer all the pictures taken with the lovely ladies. A broad smile appears on both our faces when we look at a happy picture wherein Athena is sitting on my lap and Sonny is standing behind huddling us. "We should encourage Athena to draw this…what you say?" I squeeze Sonny's shoulder. "Oh yeah, I'd love that…It'll be such a masterpiece by our little angel" Sonny chuckles. I place a firm kiss on his cheek.
(to be continued...)
A/N: I know, most of the 7-year-old kids these days are like WOW! But I just wanted to show Athena as a shy, not-so-hyper, happy-in-her-own-way 7-year-old. :)
Guys, hope all of us are aware of the cheerful event being organized by rescuemama2007 and team in honor of our beloved Will and Sonny. If you haven't yet, please check into the fanfic account titled A Very Merry WilSon Holiday for details.