Will and Paul stared at Sonny. Neither made any effort to move out of their embrace. Ari lied down in the accumulation of snow attempting to make a snow angel. Her delighted giggles permeated the air.
'Why is he here?' Paul thought.
Paul tightened his hold on the back of Will's neck. A little too hard if Will's wince was any indication.
"Sorry," Paul mumbled. He pet against Will's neck in apology.
"Um," Will took a deep breath and frowned when it hurt. "Sonny, you're here. In Salem." Will glanced around awkwardly. "Why?"
"Your voice," Sonny whispered with a frown. He moved his hands from his pockets to his sides back to his pockets. He didn't know what to do.
"I, um," Sonny had a hard time focusing after what he just saw. "I got your message," he weakly responded.
"Message?" Will questioned. With everything that had happened he almost forgot.
'What message?' Paul wondered.
"You said you had to talk to me about something," Sonny replied. He shook his head, clearing it. "I had a few days off and thought about coming to Salem for a long weekend. And um, my uncle called. He explained about um, what happened to you."
"I," Sonny licked his lips. "I got here as fast as I could but…" Sonny trailed off.
'I guess it wasn't soon enough,' Sonny thought. He couldn't stop looking at Paul's hand on the back of Will's neck. Or how closely they were sitting, the fact that he caught them kissing.
"I needed to see that you were alright," Sonny finished. 'I had to see you were alright.'
Paul grinded his teeth together. He didn't care for the tone in Sonny's voice or the look in his eyes.
"I'm OK," Will told Sonny.
Will felt unnerved. This was the first time he had seen Sonny since he walked out of their life. The last time Will saw the man they were still married.
'And now we're divorced and I'm dating the man I cheated on him with,' Will realized. 'The man Sonny never got over. The man Sonny still might not be over.'
'Oh god,' Will thought. 'What if Sonny does still want Paul?'
Will pulled away from Paul. The scarf around his throat suddenly felt too tight, too restricting. Will didn't want it there anymore. He didn't want Paul's arm around him or anything touching him.
"What are you doing?" Paul frowned. He reached out to grab Will's wrists to stop him from messing with his scarf.
"Don't," Will argued loudly. He froze when Paul tried to hold his arms down.
"Sorry," Paul held his hands up. He didn't mean to freak Will out. "I'm not gonna hurt you. But it's cold out here."
"It's too tight," Will whispered. "I don't want it on. It's too tight."
"OK," Paul nodded. He gingerly moved his hands forward to unwind the scarf.
"There," Paul said. The scarf loosely covered Will. "Better?" he asked.
"Yeah," Will nodded. "Sorry," he glanced down at his hands.
"It's fine," Paul gave Will an encouraging smile. "No big deal."
Sonny gazed between Will and Paul oddly. He didn't know what he just saw but he didn't like it.
Sonny cleared his throat.
"I went to the apartment but it was empty," Sonny divulged.
"We don't live there anymore," Will revealed.
"Oh," Sonny mumbled. That never crossed his mind.
'Why would they leave home? Where would they go?' Sonny shook his head.
"I called your phone," Sonny added.
"I don't where it is," Will divulged. The last time Will saw his cell phone, he was fighting for his life. It didn't seem important to find it now.
"Will," Sonny started to say. He caught sight of the bruising on Will's neck.
Ari popped up from the snow behind the bench.
"Daddy," Ari whined. "I'm so cold."
Will smiled when Ari crawled into his arms. "You've been playing in the snow for a while," Will reminded her. "I think we need to get home and warm you up."
"I cold like snowman," Ari shivered. She shoved her nose against Will's neck.
Will winced but didn't move her.
"Oopsie, Daddy. I forgot booboos," Ari sweetly told Will. She moved so her head rested on Will's shoulder.
Sonny sucked in a cold breath of air.
'When did she start talking that well?' Sonny wondered. 'When did she get that big? I wasn't gone that long. I wasn't. I talked to her a few weeks ago.'
"Ari," Sonny called. He needed to see her. He didn't realize how badly he missed Arianna or Will until they were standing in front of him.
Ari pulled her head from her daddy's neck. She caught sight of Sonny and frowned.
Ari glared at Sonny and threw her arms back around Will. "My daddy," Ari growled.
Will saw Sonny's face fall. Normally, Will would feel sympathetic. But Will recalled Ari's anger with Sonny. Her insistence that Sonny was mean and left her behind. At the moment, Will had too much to deal with to care about Sonny's feelings.
"Arianna," Sonny repeated, taking a step closer.
Will sat up from the bench with Ari in his arms.
"I got her," Paul offered. He didn't want Will straining himself after what happened.
"You wanna walk or do you want Paul?" Will asked Ari.
"Paul," Ari held her arms out to him. "Paul is superhero boyfriend."
Paul caught sight of Sonny stumbling backwards.
'Funny,' Paul thought. 'I thought the world was ending when Sonny said he was leaving Salem.' Paul adjusted Ari in his arms. 'And now my world has changed entirely.'
"Will," Sonny cleared his throat. "I-I thought we needed to talk."
"Later," Will told Sonny firmly. "I need to get Ari home."
"Can't you just-?" Sonny tried to ask.
"No," Will shook his head. "No, I need to get home. We can talk later."
"Please, Will," Sonny practically begged.
Will sighed. He didn't want to talk to Sonny now. He wasn't prepared.
'And I don't want to be away from Paul,' Will realized. 'I'm not ready to be away from him.'
"Go to the pub tonight," Will requested. "We can talk there."
'Where there's plenty of people and no chance to be alone,' Will thought.
"I have to go," Will quickly said, rushing off.
Sonny watched Paul and Ari trail Will. He frowned when he saw two men casually walk behind them as well.
Sonny drifted over to the park bench and put his head in his hands.
Yesterday night, Sonny ended his shift at his uncle's club to find a message from Will. It was a few hours old. Sonny found himself curious. He hadn't heard from Will in a long time.
When Sonny made the tough decision to divorce Will he purposely kept his distance. It was easier that way. Easier to get through it all without the constant reminder of Will.
It wasn't that Sonny didn't love Will. He just didn't know how to get over what happened. He didn't know how to let everything go. Maybe it was the coward's way out but Sonny made his decision.
'Then I listened to Will's call,' Sonny remembered.
Sonny hadn't heard Will's voice in so long. When he listened to the voicemail, something in Sonny's chest fluttered open. It brought back so many memories. For the first time in a long time Sonny let himself think about Will. The good and the bad.
Sonny remembered everything. The first time he ever laid eyes on Will. Will's red eyes when Sonny caught him kissing Neil. Will asking to be friends when they broke up after Gabi's wedding. The look on Will's face when he admitted he shot EJ.
'How he looked at our wedding,' Sonny thought. 'How he looked when he found out I knew about his cheating. His face when I told him I was going to Paris.'
'Then Uncle Vic called me,' Sonny pressed his lips together.
From the minute Victor explained what happened, what almost happened, Sonny could barely focus. All he could think about was getting to Will. Seeing Will.
It reminded him when they broke up after Gabi's failed wedding. They were apart but the second Sonny heard Gabi and the baby were in the hospital Sonny flew to Will's side. He couldn't let Will deal with that by himself. Sonny assumed the same would happen now.
'What the hell were Will and Paul doing?' Sonny closed his eyes. 'Why were they kissing? Why did Ari want Paul?'
Sonny knew Will and Paul had hooked up a few weeks back. His mother made sure he knew it.
'But it couldn't be serious. It couldn't be real,' Sonny thought.
Will and Paul couldn't be together. Not after what happened when he left. Not after everything Will did.
'Paul must have reacted like I did,' Sonny rationalized. 'He must have heard the news and wanted to support Will.'
Sonny stood up. He set off to find his parents. He took a deep, calming breath.
'They aren't together,' Sonny told himself. 'They don't want each other.' A small part of Sonny couldn't help but think, 'They both only want me.'
"Do you want to come in?" Will asked the officers following them.
"Thanks," one officer nodded. "But the Chief would throw a fit if he found out we relaxed on duty."
"Can I get you a drink or anything then?" Will wondered. "It's pretty cold out here."
"I'm gonna make Will some tea," Paul told them all. "I can bring you out some."
"That would be great, thanks," the other officer nodded. "Hey, kid," he said to Will. "Good job on working the case."
Will flashed a brief smile before going inside. He would never get used to that. The praise and adoration. It made Will uncomfortable.
'Don't think about that,' Will ordered himself. 'You can't think about that.'
Ari already rushed inside. She pulled off her boots and coat, leaving them on the floor.
"Daddy, Daddy," Ari pointed to a pile of blankets on the couch. "I have a sleep party last night!"
"How did it go?" Will asked.
Paul took off his own coat before grabbing Will and Ari's. He headed to the kitchen to get started on the drinks.
"The best party ever," Ari hopped on the couch. She dragged Will with her. "I made my baby laugh and laugh. And Grammy and Theresa hit Uncie Eric and Uncie Brady with pillows."
"Oh yeah?" Will smiled. He grabbed one blanket and stretched it over the two of them.
"Uh huh," Ari continued. "After I go sleep, I heared Grammy cry. So, I made her better."
"Heard, not heared," Will corrected. "Why did Grammy cry?"
"Grammy sad 'bout you, Daddy," Ari informed him. "Said you almost went away. I tell her Paul save you. She feel better."
"I'm glad you made her feel better," Will said. He felt proud of Ari for being so compassionate.
Ari cuddled against Will. "I'm a nice girl," Ari nodded.
"You're such a good little girl," Will confirmed. He kissed the top of her head.
"One hot chocolate," Paul presented to Ari. "And one tea," Paul handed a mug to Will.
Paul walked outside and handed off some tea to the officers standing guard nearby. He chatted for a bit then came back inside.
Paul sat down next to Will.
Will leaned against Paul's warm body. He wanted Paul as close to him as possible. He didn't realize it while they were in the hospital but he knew now.
'I feel safer around Paul,' Will thought. 'Better.'
Will knew it must have been residual fear over the incident. But he didn't care.
'Paul's comforting,' Will nuzzled against him.
Ari watched her daddy and Paul cuddle. She liked Paul. He played with her and made her daddy happy. Watching them reminded her of something.
"Daddy?" Ari asked. "Why Sonny here? I don't want him here. He's mean."
Paul bent his head down, hiding his smile.
"Daddy won't let him be mean," Will promised. "I will take care of you."
"And Paul take care Daddy," Ari giggled. She took a sip of her hot chocolate and slurped up all the marshmallows.
"That's right I will," Paul nodded.
"Baby girl," Will patted Ari's arm. "Do you want to go in your room and play for a while?"
"OK," Ari agreed after a moment. She took her mug and slowly, carefully walked to her room.
Paul waited until Ari left before asking. "When did you call Sonny?" Paul demanded.
"Yesterday morning in the bathroom. I wanted to talk to him about how he'd been ignoring Ari," Will explained.
"Why did he make it sound like something else?" Paul questioned.
"I don't know," Will said. "I didn't think I needed your permission to call him."
Paul closed his eyes, slumping. "You don't," Paul replied. "I guess seeing him just freaked me out."
"Me too," Will divulged.
Will grabbed Paul's hand. Nervously, Will played with Paul's fingers.
'You need to be honest with Paul. You can be honest with Paul,' Will thought. 'He won't judge, make me feel bad, or hide things from me.'
Will took a deep pull from his tea.
"Are you still in love with Sonny?" Will asked, holding his breath.
"What?" Paul frowned, caught off guard. "I thought we already talked about this."
"I just," Will linked their fingers and held on tightly. "I need to know."
Paul opened and closed his mouth. He thought it over. He needed to be certain. Will deserved the truth.
'I used to love Sonny. I thought I wanted to be with Sonny,' Paul thought. 'But that was before. I wanted to be with the Sonny I knew three years ago. The Sonny that I met in secret. The Sonny from before.'
'I don't want to be with the Sonny that would abandon his daughter,' Paul realized. 'Or the Sonny that would walk out on his family without a word. The Sonny that would mess with my head for months while doing the same to Will.'
"No," Paul said. "I'm not in love with Sonny."
"Are you sure?" Will questioned. He licked his lips nervously. "Because I've been there before. With someone, feeling secure, only for their ex to come back. And then it all falls apart."
"Will," Paul put his hand under Will's chin. He held Will's gaze. "I'm not in love with Sonny. I'm not going to leave you for Sonny. The only one I want is you."
Paul wanted to tell Will the truth about the depth of his feelings.
'But not like this,' Paul knew. 'Will deserves a big, special moment. I don't want to tell him I love him just because he's feeling insecure. He needs to know I'm serious.'
"What if Sonny wants you?" Will whispered. "What if-?"
"No," Paul shook his head. "No what if's. There are no what ifs. It doesn't matter what he says. I want you. I'll tell you that every day if I have to. OK, baby?"
"Yeah," Will smiled. He believed Paul.
"For the record," Will told Paul. "I only want you too."
"That so?" Paul quirked his eyebrows. "You're not going to fall into his arms now that he's back?"
'Which is probably what he wants,' Paul thought.
"No," Will shook his head. His eyes were still looking right at Paul. "You're all I think about, all I see."
Will bothered his lower lip. "After, um, after what Ben did, when I opened my eyes and saw you? I knew everything was going to be OK because you were there. I knew you wouldn't let anything happen to me."
"I wouldn't," Paul promised. "Ben, Sonny, anyone, it doesn't matter. I'm going to do everything I can to give you and Ari the life you deserve."
Will wrapped his arms around Paul's neck. They held onto each other for a few moments.
"Sonny won't come between us," Will promised.
'And I'll do whatever I have to to make sure of it,' Paul vowed.
Sonny sat down across from his mother at TBD.
"I can't believe you're here," Adrienne shook her head.
"Mom," Sonny gave her a strange look. "Of course I had to come."
"Had to?" Adrienne wondered.
"It's Will, Mom," Sonny said as if that explained everything.
"Sonny," Adrienne carefully began. "I've talked to you about Will, remember?"
Sonny shook his head dismissively. "But I know that can't be true," Sonny insisted. "I saw Will and Paul just now anyway."
"Then you know they're together," Adrienne furrowed her brows. She felt confused by Sonny's reaction.
"I get it," Sonny said easily. "It's just like before when they messed around."
"Sweetie," Adrienne put her hand on Sonny's arm. "That's not what's happening."
"I wasn't here," Sonny shrugged. "They got lonely. But I'm back now."
"Back for what?" Adrienne asked. 'This isn't going to end well.'
"What I never should have left behind," Sonny declared.
'Oh goodness,' Adrienne thought.
"Is it OK that my bags are in your room?" Paul wondered when Will came out of the shower.
Paul noted that Will changed in the bathroom instead of in front of him. Paul didn't plan on saying anything about it though. He knew Will needed time to deal with what almost happened to him.
"Not many other places in the apartment," Will shrugged. "Besides, it's not like you have that much. I don't mind."
"Just checking," Paul remarked.
Will saw something inside of one bag. Will tilted his head and pulled out the item.
"Is this Ari's?" Will asked. He held up a plastic princess container he thought he lost.
"Oh," Paul scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. "Um, yeah, it is."
"Why do you have it?" Will wondered. "I thought I lost this."
"You did," Paul pointed out. "Remember that day I ran into you in the square? Jake was hitting on you and I came over and ran him off. You got really mad at me and told me to leave you alone. Ari threw this on the ground," Paul took the container from Will.
"You kept it all this time?" Will mused.
"I did," Paul divulged. "Because I was afraid I'd never see you again."
"You were?" Will questioned.
"You told me to leave you alone," Paul reminded Will. "I held on to it all this time so I would have an in. If you stayed away from me I could always use this as a reason to see you."
"Even when we started seeing each other?" Will stepped closer to Paul. He rested one hand on Paul's chest.
"I didn't want to take a chance that we would blow up in my face," Paul admitted. "I guess I can give it back to you now though."
"No," Will shook his head. He took the container from Paul and threw it back in the bag. "Keep it. Ari's going to need things at your condo anyway."
Paul slowly, giving Will plenty of time to move away, leaned in to kiss Will.
Will kissed Paul, caressing his chest. He pulled away suddenly, eyes wide.
"What is it?" Paul asked, concerned. "Did I do something?"
"No," Will replied. "I said Ari's name and I realized it's too quiet in here."
Paul listened. He didn't hear anything. No cute little voice talking to her toys. No mounds of toys falling to the floor.
Will and Paul stared at each other before nodding.
"She's the cutest thing ever," Paul remarked. The two stood outside of Ari's room.
Ari had fallen asleep on the floor. She surrounded herself with My Little Ponies.
"I know," Will nodded. "I'm glad that my kid is legitimately cute. I was afraid she would be one of those kids that are ugly but you have to say are cute."
"Will," Paul chuckled, shocked.
"What?" Will covered Ari with a blanket. "It's a real fear. I didn't want to be stuck with the ugly baby."
"Well," Paul shook his head. They walked back into the small living room. "You don't have to worry about that. Arianna is adorable…just like you."
"Everyone does say she looks just like me," Will agreed bashfully.
"I like it when you talk confident to me," Paul kissed Will on the cheek.
Knock Knock Knock
"Sir, there's, uh, someone here to see you," the officer called from outside the door.
Paul got off the couch and answered the door.
"Uh," Paul said, stunned. "Will?"
"Who is it?" Will asked. He was holding a new mug of tea.
Will turned to look out the door and his eyebrows rose. 'What the hell?' Will thought.
"Um, Stefano, what are you doing here?" Will asked. "How do you even now I live he- never mind I forgot who I was talking to."
"William," Stefano stated. A handler pushed Stefano's wheelchair past Paul and into the apartment.
Will stood up from the couch. Paul rushed to Will's side.
Paul had heard enough stories about Stefano DiMera to be on guard. 'What the hell does this man want with Will?'
Stefano looked Will up and down, eyes lingering on Will's exposed throat.
"Do you remember the first time you moved into my mansion?" Stefano asked.
Will blinked a few times, unprepared for the question. "Yes," Will finally said.
"We played chess. I offered you an internship," Stefano reminisced. "I saw potential in you. And," Stefano folded his hands in his lap. "I am pleased to see you finally lived up to my expectations."
"Oh," Will didn't know what to say. "Thank you, Stefano."
"You saved my son from prison when I could not," Stefano admitted. "For that you have my gratitude, young William."
Stefano nodded at Will before turning towards the door.
"If your career at the newspaper continues," Stefano called over his shoulder. "I hope we can come to some sort of understanding."
The door closed behind Stefano.
"What was that all about?" Paul wondered.
"I'm not sure I want to know right now," Will told Paul. "I can only deal with so many things in one day."
Will thought about everyone in his family coming to see him. Sonny's return. Stefano dropping by unannounced. Guards following their every move.
'Hands, hands squeezing around my throat. Hands pulling at my clothes, unwanted hands. Not Paul's hands. No, no, stop it. Stop it.'
Will closed his eyes tightly. He took a few deep breaths before turning to Paul.
"Can you just hold me until it's time to go?" Will requested.
"Of course," Paul responded. He grabbed a blanket, lied down, and opened his arms.
Will settled against Paul and relaxed. He finally felt like he could breathe.
Will, Paul, and Ari walked into the Brady Pub later that night to loud applause.
Will lifted his hand and smiled. He still couldn't believe everyone came to see him. That so many people cared. Although it did make him nervous. Will didn't want too many people staring at him.
Ari started jumping up and down. "My baby, my baby," Ari pointed. "I sit with my baby?"
"Yeah, baby girl," Will confirmed. "You can sit with your baby."
Will laughed seeing Ari rush over to Theresa and Tate. He thought it was adorable that Ari loved Tate and Theresa so much now.
"Is it OK if she sits with you?" Will asked Theresa.
"Yeah, I guess," Theresa shrugged, aiming for nonchalant.
Ari plopped down on Theresa's lap. "Draw me picture again," Ari handed Theresa a crayon and a kid's menu.
"Please?" Will gave Ari an expectant look.
"Pleeeeeeease?" Ari grinned at Theresa.
"OK, kid," Theresa began drawing a picture for Ari. She glanced up at Will and Paul. "I've got it," she huffed. "Go make out somewhere."
Will laughed and let Paul pull him away.
Sami snuck over to Will and Paul.
"How are you feeling?" Sami asked. She put her hand on Will's forehead, checking his temperature.
"I'm not sick," Will pulled away from her.
Sami smacked Will's shoulder. "Stop squirming. I'm mothering here," Sami argued.
Paul chuckled at Will's predicament.
"And you," Sami turned her sharp gaze on Paul. "You better have everything under control. I need you at your best to watch over my son."
Paul stood up straight. He wrapped his arm around Will, resting it on his belt loop.
"I take my job very seriously," Paul insisted.
Sami nodded appraisingly. "You do have access to a lot of baseball bats," Sami mused. "I'll allow it."
"He's got a gun somewhere too," Will rolled his eyes.
"Oh good," Sami perked up.
"Now," Sami caught Will's eyes. "I've been contemplating having the kids come to Salem for Christmas."
"Really?" Will asked, stunned. "I thought you never wanted them here again. You didn't want them near Stefano."
"I don't," Sami confirmed. "But they want to see you. School lets out for winter break soon. I might be able to find a way to keep them away from Stefano."
"Why are we keeping them from Stefano again?" Paul questioned. He could only remember so much family history before it all blended together.
"He's their crazy murderous grandfather," Will said quickly.
"Got it," Paul nodded. He went back to listening.
"I'd really love to see them," Will admitted. "But not at the expense of their safety."
"But Paul's mom is thinking about coming," Will added. "Um, maybe we could all get together sometime, have dinner."
"I thought she hated you?" Sami bluntly responded.
"She's working on it," Paul smiled. He turned to look at Will. "You'd really want to get everyone together?"
Will nodded. "Yeah. I told you," Will gave Paul a nudge. "You're important to me."
Sami gazed at Will and Paul thoughtfully.
"I'll let you know what I decide," Sami stated. "I'm gonna go call to check on them anyway."
"Hey, Mom," Will grabbed her elbow. "You know how much I appreciate you now, right? Because I do, so much."
"I know," Sami nodded. She yanked Will into a hug. "Just don't ever do anything like that to me again, ever."
"I'm not planning on it," Will held his mother closely.
Will and Paul sat together in a booth. They had several people visit them throughout the night. Paul figured it would be easier for Will to handle if they weren't sitting center stage.
"Will," Lucas dropped in the seat across from them. "Sonny's back in town."
"I know," Will stated. "We saw him earlier."
Will took a sip of his tea. 'Kayla was right. I need to be resting my throat.' It was starting to ache again.
"I just wanted to give you a heads up," Lucas said. He shook his head, biting the side of his cheek.
"What's wrong?" Paul asked. He pushed Will's tea closer to him, encouraging him to drink.
"I kind of got into it with Adrienne," Lucas confessed. "About Sonny."
"Why?" Will wondered.
"She told me he was in Salem," Lucas explained. "And I said good. Now we could talk to him about how he's been neglecting Ari. Adrienne didn't appreciate that."
"Adrienne doesn't listen to anyone when they criticize Sonny," Will agreed. "She thinks he can do no wrong."
"Yeah, well," Lucas huffed. "Sami and I made enough mistakes with you. I refuse to let Sonny do the same with my granddaughter."
"Thanks," Will said, touched.
Paul nodded gratefully at Lucas. Paul knew all Will wanted was for Arianna to grow up happy, healthy, and well adjusted.
"I told you," Lucas grinned. "Things are going to be different now, son."
"Mom's talking to the kids," Will informed his dad. "You could talk to Allie if you hurry."
"I'm on it," Lucas popped up and jogged off to find Sami.
A few moments after Lucas got up, Sami took his spot.
"Why didn't you tell me Sonny was ignoring Ari?" Sami demanded without preamble.
"I-I don't know," Will replied. "I only found out a few days ago. I called him yesterday and after, it didn't seem important."
"You're right," Sami nodded with a deep sigh. "I still want to be in the know though. And if Adrienne thinks she can-,"
"Mom," Will cut her off. "Please, can you not?"
Sami rolled her eyes. "For you, I will be nice. But if anyone does anything to you or my granddaughter I will cut someone," Sami said. She stood up and stomped off.
"I think I'm getting why everyone is afraid of your mom," Paul decided.
"Glad you made nice with her now, huh?" Will teased.
A group of people near them started laughing. Will automatically moved closer to Paul.
"You OK?" Paul asked.
"Just a lot of people," Will replied in a small voice.
Will and Paul were sharing a slice of pie. Ari sat across from them on Austin's lap.
"I used to hold your daddy just like this," Austin informed Ari.
"Daddy small?" Ari wrinkled. "No," she shook her head. "Daddy big. Daddy not fit on lap."
"He wouldn't fit now," Austin laughed. "But he was a tiny, cute little boy." Austin turned Ari so he could knock their foreheads together. "And I wanted him to be all mine."
"My daddy," Ari fake growled.
Will took a spoonful of pie. His face almost hurt from smiling.
"How about we share?" Austin offered.
Ari thought about it. "You share with Paul. Daddy all mine."
"I think Paul wants Daddy in an entirely different way than I do," Austin pointed out.
"That's right I do," Paul agreed with a laugh.
"Speaking of," Austin shot Paul a stern look. "I never got to give any sort of speeches before you got married or started seriously dating."
"And you don't need to do it now," Will caught his uncle's eye.
"Well," Austin shrugged. "The whole saving you from a bad guy," Austin remembered Ari's little listening ears. "Does give him some brownie points."
"No, no, I want a speech," Paul revealed. "I've never had one before. I want the whole boyfriend experience."
"Oh, I'll give you a speech," Sami came over. She turned to Will. "Tate is going to lie down upstairs. I was thinking Ari might want to read him a bedtime story," Sami gave Will a meaningful look.
"My baby go sleep?" Ari asked. "I tuck in."
"Thank you," Will mouthed to his mom. "Hey," Will got Ari's attention. "I love you."
"Love you, Daddy," Ari smacked a kiss on Will's lips. She gave Paul a hug. "Night, night, Paul. Bye, bye Ausin."
"You used to call me that too," Austin smiled. His eyes followed Ari and Sami.
Sami and Ari went around the back of the building and upstairs to the apartment.
"Who would have guessed your mom would take to being a grandma?" Austin asked with a shake of his head.
"You better not be getting ideas," Will warned.
"I am happily married," Austin defended. "Speaking of, I think I'll call the misses now."
"I like him," Paul declared once Austin got up.
"He's a good guy," Will agreed.
"So are you," Paul responded before stealing the last bite of pie.
Paul kissed the pout off of Will's lips.
"Sonny," Adrienne huffed as they stood outside the pub. "Don't do this here."
"Will told me to come," Sonny said. "He needs to talk to me about something."
'Not about what you think,' Adrienne knew. She had gotten into it with Lucas earlier. 'Will wants to talk about Arianna. Sonny has no idea what's happening.'
"Sonny," Adrienne tried again. "Just think about this. Something horrific happened to him. He's still dealing with it. Give Will some time."
Sonny was too busy reminiscing though.
"This is where our first real kiss was," Sonny said out loud. If he closed his eyes he could picture it. Picture Will in that blue shirt and blazer, his casual insistence that he wasn't good enough.
"Sonny," Adrienne sighed. "Please."
Without a word, Sonny opened the door to the pub and went inside.
'Wow,' Sonny thought. 'Why are there so many people here?'
Adrienne reluctantly followed behind.
'Where's Lucas?' Adrienne searched for her boyfriend. 'I need to warn him about this.'
Sonny glanced around, searching for Will. It felt like every person in the room was staring at him.
Finally spotting Will, Sonny hurried to the booth. He ignored the way Will leaned against Paul. The empty plate with only one fork on the table.
'Paul's comforting Will because they slept together,' Sonny believed. 'Now that I'm here there's no need for that.'
"Can I talk to you?" Sonny asked Will. He could feel all the stares on him. He didn't understand the attention.
'No one in Will's family ever treated me poorly before,' Sonny recalled. 'Everyone always sided with me.'
Paul put his arm across Will's shoulders.
"You can sit down," Will replied.
Will glanced at Paul out of the corner of his eye. 'Is he really going to act like this anytime Sonny is around?'
"OK," Sonny said with a frown. 'Why isn't he making Paul leave?'
Sonny slid into the booth opposite Will and Paul.
'This is awkward. This is so awkward,' Will thought.
Will and Sonny both opened their mouths to talk at the same time.
"Do you-," Sonny started.
"I wante-," Will snapped his mouth closed.
"You first," Sonny smiled.
"Right," Will nodded. "We need to talk about Ari."
"What about Ari?" Sonny asked, startled. "Is she OK?"
"You tell me," Will shrugged. "You're the one that won't talk to her."
"What are you talking about?" Sonny grumbled. "I talked to her the other week."
"She's two, Sonny," Will snorted. "She doesn't understand why you left or where you are. You need to talk to her more often."
"I've been busy," Sonny defended. "The club has had a real turn around and I've-,"
"Stop," Will requested. "She's your daughter. She should be more important than some club."
Sonny furrowed his brows and gave Will an old, familiar look.
"Will," Sonny sighed. "I know that your job lets you be at home all day but mine doesn't. Some of us have to actually go out and work for a living."
"Hey," Paul glared at Sonny. "Don't talk to him like that."
Sonny stared at Paul. "What?" Sonny probed, surprised.
"This isn't about my job," Will interjected. He didn't want to get into anything. He just wanted to talk about Ari like mature adults.
"You don't get to talk to him that way," Paul declared. "Not anymore," Paul added.
"Can we not?" Will asked uselessly.
Will appreciated Paul's behavior but it wasn't necessary.
"No," Sonny shook his head. "Let's get this over and talk about it."
"About what?" Paul fired back. "The fact that you talk down to Will?"
Will put his hand on Paul's thigh and squeezed.
"No," Sonny crossed his arms. He gestured between Will and Paul. "Whatever the hell this is," Sonny frowned.
"Whatever what is?" Will wondered, exasperated.
"No, I get it," Sonny insisted. "I wasn't around. You were lonely. We weren't together so I can understand. But you don't need to act like it was anything more than that."
"Excuse me?" Will didn't get it.
'How does Sonny not know what's happening?' Will wondered.
"Obviously you're attracted to each other," Sonny continued, face pinched. "It's understandable. But you don't need to pretend with this," Sonny gestured to their warm embrace.
"No one is pretending with anything," Will firmly replied. 'Why didn't anyone talk to Sonny about this?'
"Sonny," Will figured he should be direct. "Paul and I are dating."
Sonny blinked a few times before shaking his head.
"I told you to stop pretending," Sonny rolled his eyes.
"No one is pretending," Paul inputted. "Will and I are together," Paul announced proudly.
Sonny shook his head again, leaning back in his seat.
"No, this has to be some joke," Sonny replied. "There's no way you two could be together."
"Well it is true," Will said. "I'm sure it's confusing but it's true."
"But," Sonny's face fell. "But when I left both of you…"
"Things have changed," Paul declared.
"I-I don't understand," Sonny whispered. "How could this have happened?"
Will didn't know if he should explain. 'It might help Sonny understand but he looks a little fragile.'
Paul didn't relish seeing Sonny hurt. 'But I'm not going to walk on eggshells for him.'
"Is this because of what happened?" Sonny wondered. He glanced at Will's throat.
"No," Will shook his head. "That's not it."
"No," Sonny argued. He knew Will and Paul slept together recently. He knew that.
'How could they be together?' Sonny panicked. 'How?'
Someone nearby dropped a glass causing it to shatter.
Will jumped. His eyes widened and he turned his head towards Paul, trembling.
"It's OK," Paul brushed his fingers over the back Will's head. "It was just a glass. It's OK."
Will nodded, embarrassed.
Sonny watched the two not understanding.
"Will are you OK?" Sonny asked. He wanted to reach out and pull Will into his arms. Offer Will some form of comfort.
"He's fine," Paul responded. He angled his head towards Will. "Let's get Ari and we can go home."
"OK," Will nodded.
"No, no we need to talk," Sonny said desperately. "I don't understand what's happening."
"No," Will shook his head. "No, I want to go home."
Will scooted out of the booth and headed straight for the back room towards Ari.
"Will," Sonny shouted. He garnered almost everyone's attention.
"Don't," Paul told Sonny. "Not right now."
Sonny grabbed Paul's arm when he went to move away.
"Just tell me what's happening," Sonny begged. "I don't, I don't get any of this."
"Things change, Sonny," Paul huffed. He wrenched his arm away from Sonny. "People change. Did you seriously expect both of us to sit around waiting for you?"
"Why is Will acting this way?" Sonny demanded, ignoring Paul. He didn't want to think about that now.
"Why do you think?" Paul grumbled, annoyed. He grabbed their jackets hanging on a coat rack. He hurried after Will.
'He's safe with everyone here but I can't let him be alone,' Paul thought. Then Paul remembered the police officers that were still following Will around. 'Oh, right,' Paul relaxed some.
Will came back with Ari asleep in his arms. Will's guards followed behind him.
Sonny instinctually held out his arms for Arianna.
Paul elbowed Sonny out of the way. He carefully placed Ari's jacket on her. After, he helped Will into his coat.
"Let's go, baby," Paul told Will.
Sonny grimaced at the term of endearment.
"Will," Sonny said. "We need to talk. Just let me take you. I can call my uncle's driver."
"Thank you for the offer," Will said politely. "But Paul and I need to go home."
"Just send Paul to his hotel," Sonny shrugged.
"I'm staying with Will," Paul huffed. "You should know why I can't be at the hotel anyway."
"What are you even talking about?" Sonny ran his hands through his hair. "What the hell happened when I was gone?"
"Do you never go on the internet?" Paul wondered, frustrated. "Seriously?"
"Sonny, not now," Will pleaded. "I want to go home. I need to go home."
Paul put his hand on Will's lower back. He knew what Will meant. Will wanted to be away from all these people. He wanted to be safe and sound, free from any questions or judgement.
"Let's go," Paul ushered Will towards the exit.
Everyone in the pub cleared a path for them. They all eagerly watched the proceedings.
Sonny attempted to follow after them. Someone stepped in front of him to block his path.
Austin, arms crossed, gave Sonny a steady look.
"My nephew is leaving now," Austin stated.
"I think it's time you leave too," Lucas agreed. He came to stand next to his brother.
Adrienne placed her hands on Sonny and shoved.
"Let's go home, Sonny," Adrienne suggested. "Before Sami gets out here."
"I'll call you tomorrow," Adrienne told Lucas. "Move, Sonny."
Sonny stumbled out of the pub. He couldn't understand any of this.
"Why didn't you tell me this?" Sonny asked his mother angrily.
"I did," Adrienne insisted, indignant. "I called you weeks ago! I told you they were seeing each other."
"I thought you meant they were playing around," Sonny argued.
"Sonny," Adrienne attempted to calm him down. "You need to relax and clear your head."
"Fine," Sonny growled. He was angrier than he remembered being in a long time.
Angry and hurt and confused.
'The second I heard that voicemail,' Sonny thought. 'I wanted Will back. Now I find out this.'
Sonny didn't know how to deal with this. He didn't know what to do with a Will or a Paul that weren't focused on him. He didn't know what to do with disapproving family members. He didn't know what to do with a daughter that wanted nothing to do with him.
'It's just like my dad said before I left for Paris,' Sonny realized. 'I was gone too long.'
Without another word, Sonny stormed off into the night.
Will stared at himself in the bathroom mirror. His toothbrush held firmly in his hand. All Will could see though were his bruises.
'If I was stronger,' Will treacherously thought. 'These wouldn't be here.'
Will turned away from his reflection, spitting into the sink. He didn't want to look at himself anymore.
"You OK?" Paul wondered. He spit out a mouthful of mouthwash into the sink.
"Paul," Will caught his eyes in the mirror. "I want to do that photoshoot soon."
"Really?" Paul wondered. He didn't expect that.
"Yeah," Will inhaled, voice scratchy and rough. "I just want things to go back to normal. I don't want to remember anymore."
"If that's what you want," Paul smiled at Will. "I'll call your grandma in the morning to let her know."
"Good," Will replied.
"Let's go lay down," Paul suggested. "Your bed is going to be way better than that hospital bed."
"It's your bed too," Will commented.
Will didn't see the grin spreading on Paul's face.
Author's note:
Sonny was a challenge this chapter. Hopefully his reactions made sense.
Any thoughts?
Thank you for reading!
iluvh0rs3s, you deserve a medal for coaching me through all of this.