Chapter 3

"So, please. Gabi."

"I still don't appreciate what you are implying, here, Sonny."

"Ugh, Gabi. I did't mean to offend you. I just want you to watch Ari by yourself for one night."

"Yes, well. You prefaced this request by implying that I haven't been pulling my weight. "

"Gabi, I-"

"Which is ironic because if I remember correctly, I was the one who stayed home from a night out so you and Will could go to the club opening!"

"GABI!" Sonny shouted throwing up his hands as if gesturing for her to stop. Sonny grunted. This was frustrating. He could not have a normal conversation with this girl. He stood up. Slowly, he walked over to the bedroom doorway and peeked in to see if Arianna was still sleeping after his and Gabi's loud voices. When he saw that she was sound asleep, just as she was when Sonny put her down twenty minutes ago, he returned to the couch where Gabi sat.

"Listen, Gabi. I understand that you've had to sacrifice a lot for Arianna. Especially, since you broke things off with Nick. I was even saying to Will the other night that I thought that you were feeling a little lonely."

"Well, thanks for the pity, Sonny."

"I don't know what you want! I am trying to be supportive and understanding. But you won't let me talk to you calmly like a human being."

"Fine!" Gabi slapped her hands down on her jeans. "I can be calm. Talk."

"Ok," Sonny said slowly. This was progress. "Look, I know that you have been stressed out lately. Things can't be easy with a newborn, and your brother in the hospital."

"No. It's not. And you were…kind of right before when you said…that I was feeling a little lonely. I mean, I was married. Ready to have this great life and then… it's just me."

"I get that. And I know that no matter how much Will and I help out, it won't feel like it did when you were married. That commitment to another person…it can't be replicated that easily."

"Exactly." Gabi nodded very softly.

"But that's why I need you to understand that Will is feeling the same thing and-"

"That's ridiculous!" Gabi interrupted. "He has you! He lives with you, and he gets to live in a loving relationship every day."

"But he's under the same stresses as you. Did you see him the night of the club opening? He was willing to stay home so that you could have a night out. He wanted to sacrifice his relationship for his daughter! And I know he's been putting on a brave face, but this thing with his mom has him super worried."

Gabi crossed her arms and put on a confused face. "I thought your dad was handling her case. And with all of you guys testifying, the case should be- I don't know- looking up."

"Well, even with my dad working his hardest, it's still a hard case…and her chances of getting off…well, let's just say it's a longshot."

"I -I didn't know things were that bad."

"Yea, well. " Sonny didn't say it because he didn't want to keep arguing with Gabi. But he wanted to say that she would've known if she took two seconds to think about anyone but herself. "Gabi, things are great between Will and I, but we haven't had a lot of alone time. And he had an argument with one of my friends last week…because there was an issue that…well, he…it doesn't really matter."

"Sounds like it mattered a little," Gabi observed.

"Alright. There was a problem. But I handled it. And now I need to make it right with Will." Sonny paused. Gabi said nothing, but nodded. "So, please. Will you understand? And will you watch Ari by yourself tomorrow?"

Gabi frowned. Sonny was worried he hadn't gotten through to her. She sighed deeply. "Will's lucky to have you."

Sonny took that as an agreement. "Thank you, Gabi. Don't worry. We'll make it up to you."

"Oh, yea," she said sarcastically averting her eyes. "Like when I go out on a date. You know… in a week from never."

"Oh, don't say that." Sonny was trying to be encouraging, but he didn't know what more he could say.

"I didn't think I would live with you guys forever." Gabi started to get choked up. But I really just have no place to go." Sonny saw her eyes start to fill up with tears. "I know I'm not doing this alone. But sometimes…it feels like you guys are so set …and I'm by myself." Every time she paused, she sniffled a little.

Now Sonny officially felt bad for her. Damn, Gabi! This was supposed to be Sonny telling you off and making you take some responsibility. And then you go and start crying!

After what Chad had told Sonny about Gabi, he couldn't trust her one hundred percent. However, that didn't mean that she didn't have feelings. He could see that she was genuinely upset, and if Gabi was to watch Ari all on her own, Sonny knew he had to at least attempt to make her feel better. Again, he was doing this for Will.

Without speaking, he scooted over on the couch and put his arm around Gabi as she tried to quell her tears. When she started to calm down, Sonny felt compelled to give her a full hug. Gabi wrapped her arms around Sonny in appreciation. They stayed like this for a few moments, silently supporting each other.

"You give really great hugs," Gabi finally said softly. Sonny laughed lightly.

Sonny looked up as he heard the front door close. "Hey!"

Gabi turned around to see Will standing by the door. She and Sonny hadn't heard him come in.

"He does give great hugs, doesn't he?" Will smiled. Sonny bet Will felt glad that he and Gabi were getting along. He got up and walked over to his boyfriend and gave him a huge hug in greeting.

"I missed you," Sonny said as Will fiercely hugged him back.

"Mmhh. This is mine!" Will exclaimed. "Just so you know, Gabi."

She laughed. "Yes, I know, Will. Sonny and all of his hugs are yours."

Sonny and Will let go of each other and turned to face Gabi. Will looked from Sonny to Gabi. "So, is everything ok?"

"Well, Gabi and I were just talking and we-"

Sonny was interrupted by Arianna's loud cry. The baby was awake. "I got her," Gabi said. She nodded toward Sonny who smiled slightly in response.