"Don't you 'mom' me," Sami ordered, hands on her hips.

Will crossed his arms and caught Sami's eyes.

Paul uncomfortably looked at Will and his mom staring each other down. He had heard so many stories about Sami Brady. Quite frankly, he was terrified.

Sami raised one eyebrow before smiling.

Will rolled his eyes fondly. He stepped forward and yanked his mom into a big hug.

"I missed you," Sami said, wrapping her arms around her son.

"I missed you too," Will kissed her cheek. "What are you doing here, Mom?"

"What?" Sami pulled away from Will. "I can't come to visit my baby."

Will gave her a look. "You only call me that when you want something. Also, no you can't come to visit me. You told me not two weeks ago that you would only come back to Salem when Stefano was dead so you could dance on his grave."

"Oh and you took that seriously?" Sami scoffed. "But if we're bringing up past conversations let's talk about one we had four days ago."

"What did we talk about four days ago?" Will questioned, having no idea.

"It's what we didn't talk about," Sami elaborated. "And what we didn't talk about was this...thing."

Sami pointed in Paul's direction.

"Uh," Will swallowed. "No, no we did not."

"Why?" Sami demanded.

"It was a secret then," Will explained sheepishly.

"You don't keep secrets from me," Sami dismissed. "Not anymore."

Will didn't anticipate this. If anything he thought he'd get an earful over the phone. He did not expect his mother to hop on a plane to lecture him in person.

'Poor Paul,' Will thought. 'If he thought his mom was going to be disapproving…'

Will could pretend he didn't know why his mom was concerned. But that would be a lie. Will knew exactly why his mom would fly all the way to Salem when she heard about Will sleeping with Paul again.

As Will started spiraling out of control the one person he turned to was his mom. While she didn't approve of what he was doing she did understand. She understood what it felt like to be young, in love, and desperate.

Unfortunately, Will spent too many of those phone calls bemoaning Paul's existence. If Paul thought Tori had a poor opinion of Will it was nothing compared to what Sami thought of Paul.

Sami gave Will one more look before pushing him aside, entering the apartment, and rounding on Paul.

Paul took a step back.

'Oh god,' Paul thought. 'She's got crazy eyes. She's got crazy eyes and she's staring at me. She's got crazy eyes, she's staring at me, and she knows I've hurt her son before.'

Sami exhaled through her nose and lifted her hand ready to swing.

Will grabbed his mother's wrist and pulled it down to her side. "I love you, Mom," Will told her. "But can we talk before you slap?"

Sami looked Paul over again. "Fine," Sami spat out.

Will moved to stand next to Paul.

'Paul stood up for me,' Will reminded himself. 'Paul always stands up for me. Now it's my turn.'

"Mom," Will grabbed Paul's hand. "This is Paul. Paul, my mom."

Paul gained strength from Will's hand in his. He confidently said, "It's nice to meet you Ms. Brady."

Sami narrowed her eyes. "That's Mrs. DiMera," she corrected. "And the feeling isn't mutual."

"Oh my god," Will mumbled under his breath. Louder, Will groaned, "Mom, please."

"No," Sami defended. "I spent months listening to how Sonny and this jackass made you feel awful. How crazy you felt. How, how he would lie to your face about trying to steal your husband."

"So, no," Sami yelled. "No, I am not going to put on a fake smile and shake his hand."

"Can't you just listen?" Will wondered. "Just listen to what I have to tell you."

"Will," Sami shook her head. "You are getting your life together. You do not need-,"

"Mom," Will shouted. "You are not listening to-,"

"This idiot in your life," Sami continued ranting.

"Me at all. Why can't you just let me explain?" Will growled.

"He is not someone you need," Sami added.

Paul's eyes went back and forth between Will and Sami. The two were both yelling over each other and getting red in the face.

Before either could start going again Paul held up his hands. "Both of you stop it," Paul ordered. "Just stop."

Sami, offended, opened her mouth. "Who do you-,"

"Paul is my boyfriend," Will screamed.

Sami stopped talking. She stared at Will in surprise.

"I know I haven't told you," Will said in a quieter tone. He glanced over his shoulder towards Ari's room. He hoped they didn't wake her up. "But I've been seeing Paul for a while now."

"Why didn't you tell me this?" Sami demanded.

"Because I knew this is what you would do," Will admitted. "If you would just sit down we could explain it."

Sami pressed her lips together. She didn't like this. She didn't like this at all.

'But,' Sami realized, 'Will does look good, better than the last time I saw him.'

"Fine," Sami sighed. "But this better be good."

Will and sat between Paul and Sami on the couch.

"Can I get you anything to drink?" Will asked politely.

"Get talking," Sami snapped. "And stop stalling."

"Right," Will nodded. "OK."

It wasn't that Will was nervous exactly. It was more that he felt he was disappointing his mom. Will knew that Sami wanted things to be different for Will. He knew she wanted Will to have the happy perfect life she never had.

'Then I went and cheated on my husband and ruined my family,' Will thought. 'All the things that I harped on her for as a kid. I disappointed her so much.'

Sami's eyes softened when she saw Will's expression.

Sami scooted closer on the couch and patted Will's hand. "I promise to be open minded."

Will gave his mom a dubious look.

"Oh, shut up," Sami laughed. "And explain."

"Alright," Will grabbed Paul's hand again. "So, Paul and I were staying away from each other. And then we ran into each other one night."

"And?" Sami asked dryly.

"I might have gone to his hotel room," Will smiled sheepishly.

Sami wanted to judge but was in no position.

"So," Will continued, "That kept happening. We'd run into each other and one thing would lead to another. Then we just sort of gave up on staying away."

"I see," Sami said.

"It's not a sex thing," Will rushed to explain. "OK, yes, we have sex and it started that way. But we spent time together too. We'd talk and, and," Will started faltering.

"And," Paul smoothly took over. "The more time we spent together the more we liked one another."

"Hmm," Sami looked between her son and Paul.

Will could see that his mom wasn't impressed.

'Why would she be? All she knows about Paul was from before. She doesn't know what he means to me now,' Will thought. 'But I know she can understand. I just have to explain it right.'

Will tried to think of how he could reiterate his feelings for Paul. Then Will recalled a conversation they had a long, long time ago.

"Mom," Will said. "Do you remember a few years ago when you were talking to me about marrying EJ?"

"You and I have talked about marrying EJ a lot. You're gonna have to narrow it down," Sami replied.

"I told you to marry him because I thought you could make it work," Will explained. "I said it would be a horrible mistake to not spend the rest of your life with somebody who makes you happy."

"I don't know if I'm going to spend the rest of my life with Paul," Will told his mom. "But he makes me happy. And I don't want to make a mistake by staying away from him."

Sami sighed, shoulders drooping.

"Do you remember what you told me after that?" Will nudged their shoulders together.

Sami rolled her eyes. Unfortunately she did remember. Reluctantly Sami said, "Will Horton, you are smart."

"Yes, I am," Will nodded and smiled at her.

Paul smiled and squeezed Will's hand. He didn't know if he and Will were going to be together for the rest of their lives either. But he was happy with Will now. Happier than he'd been in a long time.

"You better know what you're doing," Sami warned Will. "Or else I get to say I told you so."

"If you say that," Will pushed her teasingly, "I'm going to list all of your bad decisions."

"Ha," Sami laughed. "Don't even start with me, kid."

"You've got 16 years on me, Mom," Will snorted. "Who do you think is going to come out looking worse?"

"Does this mean she's not going to kill me?" Paul asked, amused by Will and Sami's relationship.

"Don't get your hopes up," Sami retorted. "I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt that Will likes you. You being good for him remains to be seen."

"Mom," Will put his hand on Paul's forearm. "He's a good guy."

"I don't want you with a good guy," Sami revealed. "I want you with someone real. Someone with flaws, someone that owns up to their mistakes. Someone that isn't perfect. Someone that doesn't try to belittle you or hold things against you. Someone that lets you be you, Will. Someone that doesn't expect too much of you."

"You don't deserve someone that's good," Sami addressed Will. "You deserve someone good for you. So if you can't do that," Sami glared at Paul, "Than I am going to make your life miserable."

Paul sat up straighter. Sami might have been intimidating but Will was more important than that.

"I know what kind of guy Will deserves," Paul answered. "And I'm doing my best to give him that."

"Good," Sami nodded. "Now," she looked around the apartment. "Where's my grandbaby?"

"Napping," Will replied. "Although I get the feeling she didn't sleep through that."

Will walked into Ari's room and sure enough, she was wide awake.

"Daddy," Ari whined. "You woke me up."

"Sorry, Princess," Will sat on the edge of her bed. "Daddy was arguing with Grammie Sami."

"Always so loud," Ari sighed dramatically.

"That's genetic," Will informed her. "Which means you're going to end up just as loud and obnoxious."

"So," Will helped her out of bed and into the front room. "Daddy has that to look forward to when you're a teenager."

"Grammie," Ari said when she saw her. Ari nuzzled against Sami as soon as she was in her arms.

"What are you looking forward to when she's a teen?" Paul questioned.

"Ari being as bad as mom and me," Will replied. He leaned against Paul on the couch. "I can't wait."

"I'm gonna tell you what my mom told me," Sami covered Ari's ears. "Payback is a bitch."

Will made a face as Paul laughed.

"What's with all the boxes?" Sami commented a few minutes later.

"Move," Ari declared. "Get new room. I paint stars."

"You're moving?" Sami narrowed her eyes. She looked between Will and Paul suspiciously.

"Yes," Will explained. "And no," Will said before Sami could ask, "I'm not moving in with Paul. Ari and I are moving into a smaller place."

"OK, good," Sami gave Will a warning look. "And don't take that attitude with me. Your track record with moving in with guys is high."

"One guy, Mom," Will shook his head. "One guy."

"You've only been with one other guy," Paul pointed out.

"See," Sami raised an eyebrow at Will.

Will turned to glare at Paul. "Don't help her."

Ari, excited to see everyone getting along, hopped up and down in Sami's arms. "Help her, help her," Ari urged Paul.

"Oh, great," Will threw his head on the back of the couch cushions. "I have to deal with all three of you now."

"We were just here for breakfast," Will complained. "There are other places in Salem to eat, Mom."

"This is my favorite place. So this is where we're going," Sami rolled her eyes.

Sami looked down at Ari. "Besides, Ari loves it here. Don't you?" Sami tickled Ari's tummy.

"I do," Ari nodded.

Ari started wiggling around. "Grammie, potty."

"I'm on it," Sami said before taking her bag from Will and rushing off to the bathroom.

Paul guided Will towards a table big enough for all of them.

"Thanks for putting up with this," Will whispered. The two took off their coats and put them on the back of their chairs.

"It's not putting up with anything to get to know your mom," Paul said. "She's an important part of your life. I want to get to know her."

"Out of curiosity though," Paul began. "Was she like this with Sonny?"

"Uh, no," Will stated. "Actually she accepted him right away and was always one of our biggest supporters."

"Oh," Paul looked down at the table.

"Hey," Will put his hand on Paul's. "It's not you."

"No, no I get it," Paul nodded. "She's protective after everything that happened. I can respect that."

"I'm still sorry," Will offered. "Your mom wasn't happy but at least she respected your decision."

"I think it's pretty obvious we have very different mothers," Paul defended. "And that's fine."

"I just hope I'm doing enough to show her that we're real," Will admitted. "You do so much for me and I feel like I don't give enough back."

"Hey," Paul threw his arm across Will's shoulders. "If I had a problem I would let you know. Total honesty, OK."

"Yeah, OK," Will believed Paul.

A waiter came over to take their order. Will, knowing what his mom and daughter would want, went ahead and gave their order.

When Sami walked out of the bathroom with Ari, she paused before they arrived at the table.

Sami took a moment to look over Will and Paul. She wasn't sure about this relationship but she had to admit they were cute.

"Does your daddy like Paul?" Sami asked Ari.

"Uh huh," Ari nodded. She was twirling her hair around her finger. "Paul makes daddy smile. Paul is nice."

"You call Grammie Sami and tell her if that changes," Sami ordered. "Got it?"

"Got it," Ari nodded and stuck her pinky finger out.

Sami smiled.

'She really does remind me of Will,' Sami thought happily. The two linked their pinkies and shook.

"Hey," Will greeted the two of them. "How did the bathroom trip go?"

"No accident," Ari cheerfully informed them. "I made it to the potty."

"That's my big girl," Will praised.

Paul lifted his hand up for Ari to high five.

As everyone began fawning over Ari, they were joined by a few guests.

"Sami?" Marlena cried out in shock.

"Mom," Sami stood up to embrace her.

"What are you doing here?" Marlena held onto Sami's shoulders and looked her over.

"I just felt like visiting my first born," Sami responded.

"What did he do?" John asked jokingly as he pulled Sami into a one armed hug.

"Nothing," Sami replied. She glanced back over at Will and smiled. "I just missed him," Sami said.

"He's a pretty good kid, huh?" Marlena agreed. She laughed when she noticed Will was trying to hide his face against Paul's bicep.

"Stop it," Will ordered, embarrassed.

"No," Paul pulled Will's chair closer. "I think you need to hear how much everyone loves you."

"Love you," Ari piped up with. She liked it when her daddy smiled like that.

"Love you too," Will told her warmly.

"Why don't you join us?" Sami suggested.

John pulled over two more chairs for himself and Marlena.

"So," John said, seeming to realize that Paul was there. "What's going on here?"

"I'm getting to know my son's new boyfriend," Sami announced.

"Boyfriend?" Marlena repeated. She knew Will and Paul were seeing each other but she didn't realize they were ready for that.

"Yeah," Paul said. "As of this morning. I had a cute little princess inform me I was her daddy's boyfriend."

"Paul is boyfriend now," Ari told everyone. "I say so."

"I see," John nodded. He wasn't sure if he liked this or not but he knew better than to say anything. After the last conversation he had with Paul, John figured he should stay out of it.

"Congratulations," Marlena finally said. "As long as you both are happy."

"I know I am," Will informed her.

"We're both happy," Paul let everyone know.

"It's kind of funny when you think about it," John said a few moments later.

"What's funny?" Sami asked.

"Your son dating mine," John shrugged.

Sami crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. Truthfully, that thought never even crossed her mind.

Marlena shook her head. "That's not funny, John. Will you used to call you his grandpa."

Paul's eyes started getting bigger and bigger.

"He did what now?" Paul demanded. Paul knew he was closely connected to Will but he never thought about that.

"Grandma," Will frowned. "You're making things weird."

"Her?" Sami spat out. "You're the one dating your uncle!"

"They aren't married anymore," Will pointed between Marlena and John.

"Do you consider Brady your uncle?" Sami asked. "Because I call him my brother."

"That's not the same thing," Will argued. "I've known Paul for less than a year."

"You're traumatizing Paul," Marlena attempted to settle Sami and Will down. "Look what you did," Marlena scolded John.

John helped his hands up innocently. "I thought it was funny," John defended.

"What else are you planning on doing while you're here?" Marlena asked Sami an hour later. They were all sitting in the town square after getting some ice cream.

Ari insisted she needed ice cream even though it was cold outside. Currently, she was snuggled up between Will and Paul on one of the couches.

"Spend some time with Eric, talk with Lucas," Sami replied. "Go see Grandma," Sami continued. "Make sure Will's really alright with everything that's been happening."

"I'll admit that I haven't been talking with Will as much as I used to," Marlena revealed. "But look at him."

So Sami did.

Will had his head thrown back in laughter. Ari's tiny little fingers were prodding his neck, tickling him. When Will calmed down, he put his head on Paul's shoulder.

Sami saw Paul smile tenderly at Will and run his fingers through the hair at the base of Will's neck. Will looked up at Paul and welcomed a gentle kiss.

"OK, fine," Sami huffed. "They're cute. But I don't want Will rushing into anything. He's already got one divorce under his belt. I don't want him getting hurt again."

"You can't stop him from being hurt," Marlena stated. "You can only be there for him if it happens."

"Thank you for checking on me," Will told Sami. They were getting ready to part ways for the evening. "You could have just called though."

"I really did miss you," Sami promised Will. She pulled him into a tight hug.

"I didn't think I was going to but I missed you too," Will teased.

"You're terrible," Sami said. "I don't know why I love you."

"You'd be lost without me," Will squeezed his mother tightly.

"I really would," Sami kissed Will's cheek.

"I'll call you tomorrow," Will promised.

Sami turned to Paul. He was holding a drowsy Ari in his arms.

Sami looked Paul up and down. Exhaling loudly, she said, "I guess my son could do worse."

"Huh," Paul replied. "That was almost a compliment."

"Almost," Sami agreed. She patted Paul on the arm. "I'll see you later, baby brother."

Will rolled his eyes. "Ignore her, please."

Later, after Ari was fast asleep in her bed, Will sat next to Paul on the couch.

"So," Will asked nervously. "How was your first day as my boyfriend?"

Paul pretended to think it over. "Ehh," Paul teased before chuckling. "I liked it. I liked it a lot."

"I know it wasn't really what you were expecting," Will admitted. "Getting bombarded by Hurricane Sami."

"No," Paul agreed. "That was pretty unexpected. But you introduced me as your boyfriend. That was pretty nice."

"We had dinner with your dad," Will pointed out.

"Yeah," Paul sighed. "That's something I never thought would happen, dinner with my dad and a boyfriend. But I'm glad it did."

Paul put his hand on Will's neck. "And I'm glad it was with you."

Will bit his lip and nodded.

Paul pulled Will into a kiss. "I think I'm ready to spend our first night together as boyfriends."

"Me too," Will stood up and pulled Paul towards his bedroom.

The two made quick work of their clothes, mouths and hands gliding up and down each other's bodies.

"Can I tell you something weird?" Paul asked. His mouth caught a sensitive spot near Will's collarbone.

"Yeah," Will pulled on Paul's hair, encouraging him.

"It kind of turns me on that I could be your step-uncle," Paul revealed. His eyes flickered all over Will's face and neck but not his eyes.

Will, panting, quirked an eyebrow. "Oh," he said.

"Oh?" Paul repeated. "Is that a good 'oh' or a bad 'oh'?"

"Why does it turn you on?" Will wondered.

"You already know I like that you're younger than me," Paul explained. "I just like the idea of me being your older mentor, of being in a position of power over you. I don't know, corrupting your innocence."

"OK," Will nodded. "I guess that is kind of hot," Will admitted.

"It is?" Paul asked feeling worried.

Will closed his eyes and tried to concentrate. 'OK, Horton, you can do this.'

Will demurely opened his eyes, lashes fluttering. Trying to look as innocent as possible Will bit his lower lip.

Will put his hand on Paul's chest. "I've been having thoughts," Will caught Paul's eyes.

Paul lifted his eyebrows in surprise. "What kind of thoughts?" Paul tried to look concerned instead of elated.

'Oh my god, I can't believe this is happening,' Paul thought.

"Bad thoughts," Will whispered. "About boys."

"That's not bad," Paul said soothingly.

"It's not?" Will batted his eyelashes. He was trying so hard not to smile.

"Of course not," Paul assured. "I'll show you."

"Please," Will whimpered.

Paul's hands slid down Will's stomach, brushing through his pubic hair, and stopping to rest on Will's inner thighs.

Paul pushed Will's legs open. "You're doing so good," Paul praised. He adjusted until he was between Will's legs.

"Now," Paul kissed Will's mouth. "Keep those pretty eyes on me and let me take care of you."

"Holy crap," Will extoled later. His skin was wet with sweat and his heart was hammering in his chest. He could already feel his muscles pulling and bruises forming on his hips.

"That was," Paul started laughing. "Wow."

Will rolled onto his stomach and kissed Paul. "That was so much hotter than I thought it was going to be."

"Right?" Paul almost couldn't believe it.

"Thank you," Paul said. "For doing that for me."

"I am all for anything that involves you fucking my brains out," Will revealed. "But you're welcome."

"If this is what being your boyfriend involves," Paul pulled Will against him. "Then I hit the jackpot."

"Keep saying things like that," Will promised Paul, "And I'll give you whatever you want."

A Few Weeks Ago

"Do you need your jacket?" Will questioned as he and Ari walked around the zoo.

Belle, Shawn, and Claire had invited Will and Ari to the zoo in the next town over. At first it was just going to be them but Brady found out and insisted on taking Tate. Soon enough the whole family found out about it and carpooled to the zoo. Will and Ari, however, drove themselves.

"No," Ari rolled her eyes. "Wanna see more amnials," Ari whined. "They slow."

"Animals," Will enunciated.

"Aminals," Ari tried.

"Closer," Will nodded. "What do you want to go see now?"

Ari jumped in front of Will and held her hands up near her face. "Roar," Ari growled sounding like a lion.

Will pretended to be startled. "You scared me," Will jokingly complained.

"Good," Ari giggled. She grabbed Will's hand and started pulling him along.

"We should stay with the rest of the group," Will said before giving up.

'They'll be fine without us,' Will thought.

Paul, walking around with Brady and their father, saw Will and Ari sneaking off in the opposite direction as everyone else.

"I'll be right back," Paul mumbled. He covertly followed Will and Ari. When he was certain he was out of sight, Paul jogged to catch up.

"Hey," Paul called out.

Ari grinned at her daddy before popping out in front of Paul.

"Roar," she called loudly.

"Oh my goodness," Paul said. He looked at Will. "Did you know your daughter is a scary lion?"

"I cute lion," Ari argued. "Now, faster, faster."

"You following us now?" Will questioned. It wasn't that he minded Paul joining them. But Will was worried that someone would see them and ask unnecessary questions.

Will was pretty sure he overheard Shawn asking Brady something about Will and Paul earlier anyway.

'Considering what happened with Uncle Phillip he's in no position to judge me,' Will ruefully thought.

"You already know I stalk you," Paul teased. "But," Paul continued, "As nice as spending time with my family is I kind of like being around you two more."

Will smiled and glanced at his feet.

"Look," Ari pointed towards a sign. She laughed at Will. "Let's see tigers, Daddy."

Will crossed his arms. "No tigers," Will pouted.

"What?" Paul titled his head. "Why aren't we allowed to see tigers? I want to see the tigers."

"Daddy scared," Ari giggled. "Can't not like tigers."

"Keep moving," Will ordered. "Lions, remember, lions."

"What's with you and tigers?" Paul questioned.

"I just don't like them," Will maintained.

Finally approaching the lion exhibit, Ari pressed her face to the bars and watched a lioness sleeping on a rock.

"What did a tiger ever do to you?" Paul chuckled.

"A tiger almost ate me once," Will revealed. "And everyone in my family. Pretty much everyone that's at this zoo really."

"…What?" Paul asked, disbelieving.

"I'm serious," Will shuddered. "It was horrifying."

"How did that even happen?" Paul wondered.

"A circus, a serial killer, and a really unlucky town," Will explained. "Anyway," Will continued, "Almost being mauled by a tiger as a child kind of puts you off of them."

"That explains why you almost cried when there was a commercial for the circus on the other day," Paul remarked. "I thought you were just really sensitive to animal rights."

"Circus' do make me sad," Will admitted. "But mostly it's the horrific flashbacks."

Will stepped closer to Ari. "Lions are OK though," he said.

"Well," Paul put his hand on Will's lower back. "If we ever run into a rabid tiger I'll protect you."

Ari started excitedly rambling.

"Both of you," Paul promised.

"There you are," John called out when Paul, Will, and Ari turned a corner. "We were wondering where you went off to."

"Ari wanted to see the lions," Will told them all.

"I got lost on the way to the bathroom," Paul said causing everyone to look at him strangely.

Will covered his face and rolled his eyes.

'Seriously? How did he not out himself?' Will thought.

"We were all thinking about heading back home," Belle stated. "It's getting late."

Marlena, seeing the way Will rolled his eyes at Paul, made a decision.

As everyone was heading towards the exit, Marlena made a big deal out of looking at her phone.

"Oh no," Marlena said dramatically. "John, there's an emergency with a patient."

Marlena turned to Paul. "I'm so sorry, Paul. But I think you'll need to find a ride with someone else."

"Oh, sure," Paul shrugged. "Maybe I can get a ride with Brady."

"You'll figure it out," Marlena clapped him on the shoulder. She waited for John to say his goodbyes and headed towards their car.

'Will will get over it,' Marlena knew. 'But it's about time those two realized they need to get along with each other.'

Will tried to get Ari away from the gift shop but was having trouble.

"Baby, you already have plenty of stuffies," Will explained slowly. "You don't need anymore."

"But Daddy," Ari pouted. Her lower lip started to wobble. "I need it," Ari moaned.

"What do you need?" Paul asked.

"Lion," Ari held up the stuffed animal. "I need it."

"How can you say no to that face?" Paul asked Will. "Come on," Paul took Ari's hand and walked to the cash register.

"She does not need that," Will told Paul.

"Sure she does," Paul shrugged, taking out his wallet.

"What are you even doing here?" Will wondered. "I thought you came in with grandma and John."

"There was an emergency and they had to rush off," Paul clarified. "All the other cars are full. So, is it OK if I ride with you?"

"Sure," Will nodded.

Paul handed the stuffed animal over to Ari. "Here you go."

Ari hugged the lion to her chest. "My lion, your back," she squealed.

"What do you say, Arianna?" Will scolded.

"Thank you," Ari told Paul. She gave him a quick hug before grabbing her daddy's hand. "Look, I got my lion," Ari held the toy out for Will to see.

"Someone's spoiled," Will laughed.

"I am," Ari nodded.

"Daddy?" Ari asked once Will got her safely in her car seat.

"What, sweetheart?" Will turned his head from the front seat to look at her.

"I need happy meal," Ari insisted.

Will turned to look at Paul. "I blame you for this," Will informed Paul.

"I bought her one toy," Paul laughed.

"It's your fault," Will argued. "Now she's going to complain the whole drive home."

"I do," Ari agreed. "I need chick nuggets."

"Chicken nuggets," Will corrected. "And look what you did," he shot at Paul.

"Blame me for everything," Paul laughed. "I see how it is."

Later, Ari was slurping up a go-gurt and French fries in the back seat.

"Open," Paul requested.

Will opened his mouth and let Paul shove some French fries inside.

"Thanks," Will said around a mouthful.

"Sure thing," Paul told him. "How are those nuggets?" Paul asked Ari.

"Is yummy," Ari commented.

"Good," Paul grinned. Turning back to face Will, Paul asked, "Are you going to drop me off at the hotel or what?"

"Or what," Will answered.

"Good," Paul declared. "You know," he dropped his voice so Ari wouldn't hear him. "Today would be similar to what would happen if people knew about us."

"Maybe," Will didn't want to admit it. He didn't want to admit to how much fun he had wandering around the zoo with Ari and Paul.

"Maybe one day, huh?" Paul said wistfully.

Will, changing the subject, replied, "I don't think my grandma had this in mind when she had to hurry off."

"No, she probably wanted us to try to get along," Paul chuckled. "I think we're passed that at this point though."

"Yeah," Will nodded seriously. "Something tells me she didn't anticipate just how much we get along now."

"I don't think anyone did," Paul pointed out.

"Well, sucks for them," Will responded. "I like spending my time with you."

Paul looked over at Will and grinned. "Me too," Paul promised.

Author's note:

I don't know if I'm feeling this chapter but oh well.

Please let me know what you thought.

Thank you for reading!