"You were such a brave girl today!" Sonny exclaims.
"Thank you!" Arianna smiles proudly. "I was just trying to be like my daddy. He's the bravest person I know."
"Well, thank you, baby girl," Will chimes in, happily. "You were mighty brave today. How many stitches did you get?"
"Dr. Cam said 6!"
"I bet they hurt," Sonny said.
"Yup. I tried to be brave for daddy."
"You didn't have to be brave for me, sweetie." Will bends down and picks up his daughter off the hospital bed. "How about we reward you for doing so well today?"
"ICEEEE CREEEEEEEM!" She shouts.
"If that is what you would like," Will smiles at his daughter. "Then your wish is my command."
Arianna giggles at her father and says,"Chocolate is my favorite! What's your favorite, Sonny?"
"I'm more of a vanilla guy," Sonny winks at Arianna, who begins to giggle.
"Daddy likes Chocolate, just like me!" Arianna states proudly. "You coming Sonny?"
Sonny looks to Will, who smiles and nods his head. "Please come along. Ari would love it." Then Will whispers, "And so would I."
"Now how can I say no to an invitation like that?" Sonny says to Arianna, then looks Will in the eyes and smiles. "So is it time to break out of here?"
"I can't believe what time it is!" Will announces as he sees the employees of the ice cream shop cleaning up. He looks down at his watch and notices that it is now 9 pm. "Sonny, I am so sorry! I can't believe we have been here for 4 hours!"
"Neil is going to kill me!" Sonny exclaims.
"Oh, I'm sorry. You can just tell him it's all my fault, because it kind of is." Will sighs.
"No, Will. It's not your fault. I just let time get away from me. Plus I didn't want to wake her." Sonny nods his head to Arianna, who is asleep in his arms.
"Oh, let me take her. She didn't last very long after that ice cream."
"No, it's fine. I will put her in the car for you. You ready?"
"Yeah."
Sonny gently gets up so not to disturb the little girl who has fallen asleep on his shoulder. Will picks up their trash and throws it all away, as Sonny heads to the door with Arianna. She wraps her legs around Sonny's waist and wraps her arms around his neck. I could get used to this, Sonny thinks and smiles.
"By the way, why is Neil going to kill you?" Will asks.
"Oh, we were supposed to have dinner tonight. I told him I would be there around 7. This was the only night we both had off in a long time."
"And we ruined it. I really am very sorry."
"Hey. It's not your fault. I had a great day with you guys today. More fun than I have had in a long time, honestly," Sonny whispers as he looks Will in the eyes and smiles.
"Well, I am happy to hear that," Will beams at Sonny. "We had fun, too. But I don't want Neil to be mad at you on my account. Did he ever call to see where you were?"
"No. I don't think so." Sonny begins searching his pockets for his phone while trying not to disturb Arianna. "Great. I don't even have my phone on me. Did I leave it in your car?"
They reach the car and Sonny begins to put Arianna in her car seat, while Will begins searching for Sonny's phone.
"Oh, here it is!" Will exclaims. "You must have dropped it before we got out. It was on the floor where you were sitting."
"Sooonny," Arianna says, groggy.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Are you leaving?" She asks, sadly.
"Yeah. I need to go home," Sonny whispers.
"You're not gonna tuck me in?" Arianna asks, as her lip begins to quiver.
"Ari, Sonny has spent the day with you. He needs to go home. I can tuck you in, like I always do."
"But I want Sonny to," Arianna begins to cry.
"I guess I could do that," Sonny smiles. "I'm already late. What's a few more minutes?"
"You really don't have to," Will whispers. "She will understand."
"Oh, do you not want me to do," Sonny says, embarrassed. "I just crossed a line, didn't I? I'm really sorry, Will. I didn't realize…."
"Woah," Will says, shocked and places his hands on Sonny's shoulders. Will looks into Sonny's eyes and says, "That's not it at all. I would love for you to come home with me. I just don't want you to feel like you have to."
Will begins to turn red when he realizes what he just said. "What I, uh, meant was. Uh…"
Sonny begins to laugh. "I know what you meant. And I really don't mind doing it. I kind of adore that little girl."
Will looks down at the ground, smiles and whispers, "Well, she kind of adores you, too."
Will looks up to see Sonny staring intently at him. "Well, let's go. I need to take you by the coffeehouse to pick up your car, don't I?"
"Oh, yeah. I completely forgot about my car."
Will smiles at Sonny as they both get in the car.
Will stops his car next to Sonny's at Common Grounds, where the parking lot has pretty much emptied out.
"If you want to follow me, I can show you where we live."
Sonny nods his head and steps out of the car. He looks over his shoulder and notices Will staring intently at him as he walks away. This sends a chill down his spine and he smiles as he walks to his car.
A few minutes later, they arrive at Will's apartment. Will scans the parking lot to check for Brian's car, which is nowhere to be seen. Will gets Arianna out of her car seat and feels someone's hand on his back. Will jumps, turns around and sees Sonny smiling at him, which makes Will smile.
"Do you want me to take her?" Sonny asks, teasingly. "I am her favorite, if you haven't already noticed."
Will smiles and says, "I have noticed. You may have taken my place."
"Oh, I could never do that," Sonny whispers, looking into Will's eyes.
Once they arrive at the front door, Will turns to Sonny. "Do you mind taking her for a minute? I need to find my keys."
Sonny reaches out as Will passes his daughter to Sonny. Arianna sighs and curls into Sonny's body. Will unlocks and opens the door. He sets his keys down in the bowl next to the door. He sets down Arianna's stuff and nods for Sonny to follow him to her room. Sonny sets Arianna down on the bed as Will begins to undress her.
"Sonny," Will whispers. "Would you mind going into her dresser? The second drawer has her pajamas in there. Just grab whatever."
"Snoopy," Arianna whispers.
"Nevermind. Make that Snoopy." Will laughs. "She loves her Snoopy pajamas. That's why there are so many in there."
Sonny grabs the pajamas and bring them over to Will. Will sits Arianna up in bed and pulls the nightgown over her head, as Sonny watches. Then Will picks up his daughter and asks Sonny, "Would you mind pulling back the covers for me?"
Sonny smiles at Will holding his daughter. "Of course."
Sonny pulls back the covers. Then Will places his daughter in bed. Sonny then places the covers on Arianna.
"Sonny?" Arianna asks.
"Yes?"
"Will you stay here tonight?"
"Why do you want me to stay?" Sonny asks, confused. Then looks at Will who has the same confused look on his face.
"For daddy," she whispers.
"What about me, sweetie?"
"You're happier when Sonny is around. I want you happy."
Will turns bright red at his daughters words. "Baby girl, I think you are just tired. How about you go back to sleep?"
"Kisses," she says.
"Well, of course!" Will exclaims. He kisses her on the forehead and says, "Sweet dreams, baby girl. And don't let the bed bugs bite."
This always makes Arianna giggle. Both boys walk to the door and Will turns off the light.
"Sonny?" Arianna asks.
"Yes?"
"Where are my bedtime kisses?"
Sonny looks at Will, who is smiling. Will nods his head and says, "You heard the girl. She wants her bedtime kisses."
