Chapter 6

The smell of pancakes wafted into her room. Gabi was overwhelmed by the delicious aroma and it pushed her into the kitchen.

"Mmmhh," she said moving closer to the stove with the half-baked pancakes. "Oh my gosh, that smells amazing." She leaned over Sonny's shoulder. He had made a mess on the countertop with the pancake batter, but the ones he was flipping in the pan were beginning to cook to a delicious golden brown.

"You want some pancakes, Gabi?" Sonny mockingly asked as it was obvious she was longing for one.

"Are you nuts?" she said in an offended tone. "I'm still trying to lose my maternity weight! I can't be eating pancakes!"

"Oh, please!" Sonny exclaimed. "You looked like your former-model self the day you got out of the hospital."

"Well, thank you for that." Gabi smiled. "But I still won't tempt myself. What were you thinking, making them smell so good?" Frowning at the cook, she walked around the table to the fridge to get some juice.

"I was thinking that Will loves pancakes."

"Ahh," she said understanding.

"Especially with whipped cream," he added pointing to the table where a bowl of whipped cream sat with a spoon in it.

"So this is how you plan to make him not mad at you? With pancakes. Really, Sonny?"

"It's not a bribe. And I told you he's not mad at me exactly."

"Right…" Gabi said in a disbelieving tone. She took a sip of her juice.

"We just need to talk, or I need to tell him certain things," he continued. "And he has to listen if he has a mouth full of pancakes."

"Brilliant plan," she said half-sarcastically.

"Don't you have a class to get to?"

"Not for a while," she retorted. "But relax, I'll hide in my room while you and Will have your little pancake chat."

"Thank you," Sonny said as he raised his spatula to flip another flapjack. Gabi reached back into the fridge and pulled out the blue cooler pack that stored Arianna's milk. (well, technically it was Gabi's). She took out a bottle and placed it in the microwave. As she put the cooler back in the fridge, they heard a cry come from the other room. "Sounds like someone's ready for her breakfast!"

"I guess so," Gabi agreed. Once the microwave beeped, she took the bottle to Arianna. As Sonny tended to the pancakes, he heard Arianna's cries subside. He guessed that she couldn't cry out because her mouth was full of breakfast. Sonny smiled. He hoped his pancakes would have the same effect on Will. Like father, like daughter. (at least that was the plan).

Sonny turned as he heard a bedroom door open. He saw that it was Will who emerged, clearly having heard his daughter's cry.

Temporarily forgetting his anger at Sonny, he asked, "Is Arianna ok?"

"Yeah, she was just hungry," Sonny calmly explained. "Gabi's giving her a bottle now."

Will nodded his head and relaxed a little. His eyes stayed on his boyfriend. He was starting to remember that they had had a tense argument last night. However, Will could not help but stare at Sonny who was standing in the kitchen with his apron on, flower on his face, and a spatula in his hand. He softly smiled and said, "What are you doing?"

Sonny laughed a little. He was glad he could at least get one of Will's cute little smiles out of him. "Breakfast. Specifically, pancakes. Couldn't you smell them?"

"A little," he said tentatively as he started walking over.

"Well, they're pretty much all done. Why don't you come sit down and have some?"

"Okay," Will said slowly. He made his way closer to Sonny. With each step he felt his heart beat faster.

"I put some whipped cream out," Sonny said as Will sat down at the table.

"I see."

Sonny put the plate of pancakes in the center of the table and sat down opposite Will. He saw it as a good sign that Will was willing to sit and eat breakfast with him. Sonny smiled to himself when Will helped himself to many pancakes and a lot of whipped cream.

It was now or never. "Will," Sonny started. "I'm really sorry about last night."

Will swallowed and looked up at his boyfriend. "Sonny, you don't have to-"

"No, I have to," he interrupted. "I want you to know that I heard and understood everything you said." He paused. When Will didn't respond, but stuffed his face, Sonny continued. "You are the sweetest person on earth for suggesting that you'd sacrifice your happiness for mine. But it doesn't have to be like that. It's not like that."

"Sonny, I don't want to fight," he started slowly. "but just because you say you won't regret it, doesn't mean you won't eventually." He spoke softly and tenderly. Sonny could tell he was trying hard to avoid another round like last night.

"Will, I could never regretanything I do with you. And I would never resent you for something that I want to do. " Will looked down at his breakfast and said nothing. "Will, don't you understand? You think that I'd be happier if I wasn't - to use your words- tied down here. But the fact is, I would be so heart-broken if I was away from you. Or away from Arianna."

Will finished chewing the last of his breakfast and then rubbed his eyes with his hands. He then looked up at Sonny who was eagerly waiting for his response.

"Sonny," he said slowly. "I believe you. And I love you for saying that. I really do."

"I love you too."

"But," Will continued. "I can't help but feel bad, even just a little bit when I hear about things that happen to you because of me and my family."

"Will, we are in this together. You know that."

"I know. I know." Will bowed his head. He picked it up to look into Sonny's eyes. "I think I just have a hard time believing that things are gonna-you know- stay stable. I mean all my life, everything was just one disaster after another. And sometimes you being here with me and my daughter seems too good to be true."

Sonny stared intently at Will and let him finish. "I'm sorry I shouted at you. But I think no matter what you say, I'm always gonna worry, and wonder…"

"Will-" Sonny reached out his hand and put it over Will's.

"But I just have to keep reminding myself that you love me, and that we are okay."

"We are," Sonny said as seriously as he could, nodding his head. He smiled at Will. "And I love you so much. And I always will. No matter what scary thoughts run through your head."

"I know. "Will smiled back at him. Sonny, not letting go of his hand, stood up and walked over so he was standing over him. He leaned down to press his lips against Will's. He welcomed the kiss, and after a few seconds it deepened. Will grabbed the back of Sonny's head to pull him in. It was the longest kiss they'd had in a long time. And Sonny loved every millisecond.

When they both stopped, they continued to stare into each other's eyes. Will killed the mood when he said, "I gotta go see my mom."

"Now?"

"Yes. Before she faces jury selection this afternoon."

Sonny was disappointed. He let out a groan, but then let go of Will's hand so he could get up and get ready.

After Will left, Sonny reflected on what he had said. They had definitely moved past their disagreement. Sonny felt as though the air was clear. The sun was shining in their relationship once again. Yet, there was a giant grey cloud looming close, threatening to block their sunlight. Sonny understood where Will was coming from. He had a hard time believing that Sonny would always be on Will's side because everyone in his life before this had let him down somehow. Will needed desperately to know that Sonny was different. If there was one thing that Will could count on, it was his relationship.

Sonny was determined to prove that he was with Will for the long haul. Then, it came to him. This was the perfect solution. There was one sure-fire way to ensure his boyfriend just how committed and dedicated he was. But first, he needed to take Will on a date. No, not just any date. A super-date. He needed…

"GABI!"

"What?!" She ran into the living room, frantic. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Sonny assured her. "I just need a favor."

"God, Sonny!" Gabi exclaimed. "You nearly gave me a heart attack!"

"Sorry, I just got excited. Do you remember how you promised to take Ari for the day, so Will and I could have some alone time?"

"Yes," she said, "But I assumed that plan was off. You know cause of the whole fight-sleeping -on-the-couch thing."

"Well, it's happening, so I'm gonna have to ask for the plan to be back on!"

"Did you and Will settle everything?" she asked genuinely concerned.

"Almost," Sonny hesitantly admitted. "We just need a little more communication." Sonny kept running his idea through his mind, each time convincing himself that this would work. He smiled to himself. "And I plan to express to him exactly how I feel."