"Will?" Paul asked, panicked.
Paul and Will talked several times about cheating. They spoke at great length about how Paul trusted Will to stay faithful. That Will believed in himself to not cheat on Paul.
'But we never talked about me,' Paul realized. 'He made promises and I didn't.'
Will looked at the picture of Paul and the model, couldn't look away. Will couldn't help the tiny flare of insecurity bubble in his chest.
'Paul's a model. He deserves to be with a model,' Will thought. 'This guy is so good looking. He's the kind of guy Paul should be with.'
'I didn't hear from Paul for an hour last night. An hour is a long time. Paul said the pilot made them stay last night. Do I know that's true?'
Ari chomped loudly on her cereal, gaining Will's attention.
'Paul said he'd rather be here with us though. And I believe him,' Will decided. 'Paul's never lied to me. He'd never do anything to hurt me.'
Will took off speaker phone.
"Yeah," Will unclenched his fists. "I know it doesn't mean anything. You'd never cheat on me."
"I wouldn't," Paul exhaled, relieved. "You know how much I love you."
"I know," Will promised.
"I went to the party. I mingled," Paul explained. "I was laughing with that guy but that's it."
"Pa-," Will tried to say.
"OK," Paul added quickly. "He hit on me but I turned him down. I told him I was desperately in love with you. I did not have some wild night out. I didn't. Hell, your grandma was there. She would kill me if I did anything inappropriate. Jake was there! He would never let me hurt you."
"Paul," Will yelled. "I know!"
"You know?" Paul asked. His heart hammered painfully in his chest.
"I trust you," Will said emphatically. "I already knew you were going to have models throw themselves at you. That was a given. I trust you though, always."
"God," Paul covered his eyes. Exhaustion took over him.
"Are you OK?" Will asked.
"Exhausted," Paul replied. "I didn't really get any sleep. I woke up about an hour after we fell asleep on the phone. I couldn't get back to sleep so I checked to see if the airport was open and surprise, it never closed."
"I found the pilot's room and banged on his door until he answered," Paul sighed. "Why wouldn't he just fly us back last night?"
Something niggled at the back of Will's mind.
"When are you getting back?" Will wondered.
"Soon," Paul assured Will. "We're gonna land in about fifteen minutes."
"Good," Will responded. "What did my grandma say about the article?"
"She's pissed," Paul told Will.
Paul glanced over at Kate screeching into her phone.
"Why would True Vista publish that?" Paul wondered out loud. "Aren't they owned by Titan? Why would the magazine write something trashing me?"
Will closed his eyes, realization hitting him. The sudden trip, the pilot lying about needing to stay grounded, and now the article.
'All at the same time as my 'secret admirer' showed up,' Will grimaced.
"Oh my god," Will growled. "Oh my god!"
"What?" Paul jumped at Will's tone. "What is it?"
"That asshole," Will screamed.
Ari shot Will a startled look.
"Sorry, baby girl," Will said. "Why don't you finish eating in front of the TV?"
Will flipped the TV to Doc McStuffins and walked back to the kitchen.
"Oh my god," Will angrily whispered into the phone. "I can't believe him."
"Believe who?" Paul questioned, lost.
"Sonny," Will hissed.
"Sonny?" Paul repeated, his mind a bit sluggish.
"Yes," Will grumbled. "You getting called away even though work knew you asked for time off? The magazine writing an article about you cheating on me? The pilot keeping you in Chicago? Who else could be behind it?"
Paul threw his head back in his seat.
"Kate," Paul yelled. "Sonny!"
"Sonny?" Kate asked. It took a moment for her to understand. "Of course," she mumbled. "We ran into him after our meeting with Victor. He must have asked his uncle for a favor."
"Your grandma is working on it," Paul told Will. "What the hell are we going to do about him?"
"I don't know," Will replied. "I thought he just needed time but this is ridiculous. I can't believe he'd do this."
The pilot came over the loud speaker informing them they were about to land.
"I need to go," Paul told Will. "But we'll figure out what to do together. OK?"
"Right," Will agreed. "I love you."
"I love you too," Paul promised. "I'll see you soon."
"Thank you for coming," Sonny said with a smile. He leaned across the bar at TBD.
"Yeah," Derrick warily responded. "Exactly why am I here?"
Sonny drummed his fingers against the bar. He had to figure out exactly how to explain this to Derrick.
"I need your help with something," Sonny settled with.
Derrick crossed his arms. He was sick and tired of getting pulled into the middle of whatever triangle was happening now.
"With what?" Derrick wondered.
"I want Will back," Sonny stated firmly. "I'm sure you still want Paul. There has to be some way for us to make that happen."
Derrick closed his eyes. He resisted the urge to groan.
"Sonny," Derrick started. "I'm not getting involved in this."
"What are you talking about?" Sonny asked, disappointed.
"I've been there and done that with this," Derrick gestured between Sonny and himself. "I helped Will when he wanted me to keep Paul from you. I inadvertently helped Paul when he wanted to make Will jealous. Quite frankly," Derrick said blandly. "I'm sick of it."
"I don't know what is wrong with the three of you," Derrick stood up from his bar stool. "But keep me out of it."
"Derrick," Sonny called out. "I know I can do this."
"No," Derrick shook his head. "I'm sorry but no."
Derrick headed for the exit before turning around.
"After what happened at the hotel," Derrick told Sonny. "What happened in that video? You should be able to see that they want to be together. Maybe you should just leave them alone."
Sonny narrowed his eyes.
"No," Sonny professed. "Besides," Sonny tried to keep his face blank. "I saw online that Paul already cheated on Will. Clearly he's not as dedicated to Will as that video made it seem."
Derrick ignored Sonny.
'You're not getting involved,' Derrick chanted in his head. 'Stay out of it.'
Sonny watched Derrick exit.
'I'm not ready to give up,' Sonny decided. 'Not yet.'
"Terry, watch the club," Sonny ordered to an employee standing nearby.
Sonny ran to his office. He grabbed his jacket and stuffed a small box underneath his arm.
Pulling out his phone, Sonny made his way to Will and Ari's new apartment.
'I'm not giving up until I get my family back,' Sonny vowed.
As the plane landed, Paul turned his phone back on. He scrolled through his notifications angrily when he stopped at one name.
Message-Sonny Kiriakis
'You have got to be fucking kidding me,' Paul thought. He stabbed at his phone harder than he needed to.
-You and Will are never going to last.
Paul glared at the screen.
-What the hell is your problem?!
-I'm just letting you know.
-You don't know anything.
-I know him better than you do.
-No you don't!
-I do. I know things that he'll never tell you.
-You need to leave him alone. He doesn't want you anymore. He has me.
-He had you in February. He still came back to me.
-Leave him alone and while you're at it keep your nose out of my business.
-I thought you liked Chicago.
-Fuck you!
-I'd rather fuck Will
Paul slammed his phone down.
'The next time I see him I'm going to punch him in his sanctimonious face,' Paul decided.
Paul followed Kate and Jake off of the jet and into an awaiting car.
"I don't know what in the hell Victor was thinking," Kate declared. "But I think I've salvaged this."
"He's what? 90," Jake said under his breath. "Explains it all."
"Yeah," Kate snorted. "Not to mention Sonny is his favorite. I'm sure it didn't take much convincing for Sonny to get what he wanted."
"What did you do?" Paul wondered, ignoring the bits about Sonny. "What's salvaged?"
"We're just releasing the ad sometime today," Kate explained.
"Already?" Paul asked. "That seems a little fast."
"We didn't have to do much to it," Jake shrugged. "It was pretty much perfect as is."
"Anyway," Kate continued. "I think if we spin this right it'll just give us an even bigger reaction to the ad."
"Yeah," Paul huffed. "Let's see the magazine try to say I'd cheat on Will after they see that ad."
As Kate and Jake began talking business, Paul zoned out.
Despite his best efforts, Paul couldn't get what Sonny said out of his head.
'What could he possibly know about Will that I don't?' Paul thought.
"Daddy?" Ari asked. "Why you mad?"
Will walked over to sit next to Ari on the couch. He attempted to school his face.
"I'm sorry, sweetie," Will told Ari with a small smile. "Daddy just got upset."
"Why?" Ari wondered. She didn't like it when her daddy was mad.
"Someone did something really mean," Will explained. "It made me mad."
"Can't be mean," Ari told Will seriously. "If you be mean you can't have friends."
"That's right," Will agreed. "No one likes mean people."
Ari cuddled against Will's chest.
"I make you not mad," Ari declared. "I keep you happy."
"You always make me happy," Will agreed.
'Will wouldn't keep anything from me,' Paul decided.
His phone started buzzing in his hand. Paul looked to see who was calling and wrinkled his forehead.
Confused, Paul answered.
"Derrick?" Paul questioned.
"Hi," Derrick said. He debated whether he should call Paul but Derrick decided it was best.
"Look," Paul scratched his eyebrow. "Not that I'm not interested in this call but now isn't really a good time."
"I know that," Derrick dismissed. "I heard about the rumors. That's kind of what I need to talk to you about."
"It's not true," Paul stated firmly. "So if this is some ploy to-,"
"Would you shut up?" Derrick sniffed. "I'm trying to tell you about a conversation I just had with Sonny."
"Sonny?" Paul repeated. "What did he say?"
"Oh, now you're interested," Derrick muttered. "He asked if I would join him in some plan to break you and Will up. I told him no but I don't think he's giving up."
Paul balled his fists, nails digging into his skin.
'I'm gonna punch him. I swear to god,' Paul thought again.
"I'm staying out of it," Derrick insisted. "But," Derrick bit his lip. He closed his eyes before deciding to just tell Paul the truth.
"Look, the girl that called the paparazzi the day of Will's attack?" Derrick said. "She's my friend and she called them for me."
"What does that mean?" Paul asked.
"Because I complained to her about you and Will," Derrick admitted. "She thought she was helping me out, you know? Getting some sort of payback on you and Will for jerking me around. I never thought she would do that though. I swear."
"That's why I'm telling you about Sonny," Derrick added when Paul didn't say anything. "Because I feel guilty about what happened."
"Right," Paul nodded.
Paul didn't know what to feel. He knew it wasn't really Derrick's fault. Derrick wasn't in charge of his friends actions.
'I was an asshole the last time we talked,' Paul knew. 'That doesn't make it right. None of this has been right.'
"Derrick," Paul said. "I'm sorry I was a dick the last time we talked."
"I figured you were," Derrick replied. "You're too nice not to be sorry."
"Thanks for giving me a heads up about Sonny," Paul continued.
"You're welcome," Derrick responded. "Now, go fix things with Will."
Will and Ari cuddled on the couch. With Will's fingers running through Ari's hair, she quietly fell back to sleep.
'At least I know when everything else goes wrong,' Will thought. 'I'll always have this, my own little piece of perfection.'
Will carefully lied Ari back into her bed. He tucked her in nice and tight.
'Paul should be here soon,' Will realized.
Knock Knock Knock
'That's some good timing,' Will appreciated.
'I really need to make Paul a key,' Will decided. All he wanted was to fall into Paul's arms and pretend the last day didn't happen.
Thinking it was Paul, Will opened the door without asking who it was.
It wasn't Paul.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Will demanded. The relief he felt thinking he would see Paul melted away.
Will stood closer to the doorjamb, blocking inside the apartment.
"My mom bought these yesterday when she was with Lucas and Ari," Sonny enlightened. "Ari left them at the Pub."
Will glanced at the box of tiny dress shoes in Sonny's hand.
"And why did you bring them?" Will took the box of shoes. He wanted to see if Sonny would tell him the truth. Until he did, Will decided to play dumb.
"Because," Sonny scratched the back of his neck. "I wanted to come over," Sonny swallowed. "And see you both."
"See us?" Will repeated, lifting one eyebrow. "Are you sure that's all you want?"
"Will," Sonny took a step closer. He felt frazzled.
'Why isn't he asking about it?' Sonny wondered. 'How could Will not realize that I'm his secret admirer?'
Will wasn't budging. If Sonny wanted to talk he was going to have to bring it up himself.
"Um, can I come inside?" Sonny asked. "Maybe see Ari."
"She's asleep," Will said plainly. "So no."
"It's kind of cold out here," Sonny pointed out.
Will pressed his lips together, eyes narrowed. He could feel his control waning.
Will tried his best to keep his emotions in control. Normally, Will would keep everything inside until it burst forth. Ever since the incident with Ben though, Will had little control over his emotions.
Will thought back to his conversation with Gabi the day before. Gabi admitted she felt scared Paul was taking advantage of his vulnerability.
'Someone's trying to take advantage,' Will realized. 'And it's not Paul.'
Without a word, Will spun around. He stomped the few short steps it took to get to the kitchen.
Sonny followed inside, quietly shutting the door. He took in the new apartment.
'It's so small,' Sonny noticed. 'So much smaller than our apartment. Why did Will move here?'
Will threw Ari's new shoes on the couch on his way to the kitchen. He grabbed the plant resting on the small counter. It took up more space than necessary, overwhelming the tiny kitchen.
'Too big,' Will thought angrily. 'Too big and too much. I don't need this. I don't want this.'
Will rounded on Sonny, plant in his arms.
"What the hell is this?" Will hissed.
"A plant?" Sonny questioned, suddenly nervous.
"I know that," Will maintained, shaking the plant. "Why did you send it to me?"
"Will," Sonny took a step closer.
"No," Will shook his head. "Just tell me. Why?"
"Because," Sonny explained. "Because I want to be with you."
"Why?" Will pressed. "Why now? Why not before?"
"I did want you before," Sonny insisted. "I was just angry and confused and hurt."
"No," Will shook his head. He could feel his lips trembling. "You didn't want me. You wanted to get as far away from me as possible."
"I just needed space," Sonny argued. "I needed perspective. Because now I know you're what I want."
Sonny took another step forward.
"And I know if you thought about it," Sonny continued. "You'd realize I'm what you want too."
"No, Sonny," Will sighed. "You're not what I want. Not anymore."
"Yes, I am," Sonny contended. "Will, you've always been it for me."
"Ha," Will huffed out. "I've always been it? Are you forgetting the past year of our lives?"
"I haven't been it for you since you remembered Paul existed," Will snarled.
"That's not fair," Sonny raised his voice.
"Not fair?" Will laughed. "That's not fair? Nothing about this is fair, Sonny. You doing this to me is not fair."
"Doing what?" Sonny demanded. "Try to get my husband back?"
"I'm not your husband," Will stated firmly. "You wanted a divorce. You got one."
"I was wrong," Sonny admitted. "OK, I was wrong. I made that decision hastily and I regret it."
"Do you?" Will shrugged. "Or are you just angry I moved on?"
"Of course I regret it," Sonny ran his hands through his hair. "Will, I love you!"
"No, you don't," Will closed his eyes.
"I do," Sonny reached out and grabbed Will's arm. "I love you, Will."
"Stop saying that," Will pulled away from Sonny.
"I love you," Sonny promised. "I've always loved you. From the moment we met in the square. I've always wanted you."
"Do you forgive me?" Will asked Sonny point blank.
"What?" Sonny was taken aback.
"For cheating on you," Will responded. "For lying and manipulating, do you forgive me?"
Sonny's mouth opened and closed like a fish.
Will smiled grimly.
"How can you love me, want me back, if you haven't forgiven me?" Will wondered. "Do you even trust me?"
Sonny averted his eyes.
"Sonny," Will said, exhausted. "Why are you even doing this? You need to stop this before it's too late."
"No," Sonny shook his head. "I'm not stopping until we're a family again."
"A family?" Will repeated. "A family? Families don't abandon each other, Sonny. Families don't move to the other side of the world and never call again. Families don't forget about their daughter! We are not a family."
"We will be again," Sonny urged. "Will, I love you and I love Ari. Things can go back to how they were."
"No, they can't," Will said. "You aren't getting it, Sonny. Things are never going to be the same again."
"They can," Sonny believed. "Just forget about Paul and everything can just go back to how it was."
"I'm not breaking up with Paul," Will stated. "You aren't listening to me!"
"Why not?" Sonny doubted. With a sneer, Sonny said, "He seems to have forgotten all about you."
Will glared at Sonny.
"He wasn't even gone a day and he already found someone to replace you with," Sonny jeered.
"No, he didn't," Will said through clenched teeth. "You know he didn't."
"How would I know that?" Sonny questioned.
"Because I know you did it," Will disputed. "You made him go on that stupid trip. You made him leave!"
"I didn't make him do anything," Sonny argued.
"Yes, you did," Will insisted. "Now I know why you were always so angry with me. The scheming and manipulating is obnoxious."
Will shook his head, focusing.
With accusing eyes, Will asked, "Why would you do that to me?"
"I-," Sonny started.
"If you love me why would you take him away?" Will interrupted. "I don't feel safe without him. I needed him with me."
"You keep saying you love me," Will fumed. "But you don't know anything about me anymore."
"You don't need him," Sonny disagreed. "I get it. You feel safe with him after what happened. But you don't need him."
"No," Will shook his head. "You don't get to tell me what I do or do not need."
"I know you-," Sonny tried to say.
"You don't know anything," Will gave up on being polite, trying to be rational.
"I don't need this stupid plant," Will seethed. He threw the calla lily at a surprised Sonny.
He moved to the kitchen again. He ripped open the refrigerator and yanked out the bag of chocolate.
"I don't need this," Will tossed the bag near Sonny.
Small chocolate bars flew everywhere.
"Will," Sonny tried to get this under control.
"I don't need this," Will found the IPod. He flung it over his shoulder.
Sonny caught the IPod one-handed.
Will dug through his recycle bin for the cards from his 'secret admirer'.
"I don't need these," Will shoved the cards into Sonny's chest. "I don't need anything from you anymore."
Sonny took a step back, wounded.
Will spotted the box he found that morning. He never got around to opening it.
Will handed the box back to Sonny.
"Open it," Sonny requested, desperate.
"I don't need it," Will stated.
"Open the box," Sonny repeated. "Please."
Will gave up, ripping the box open with his bare hands. Will's lips curled up when he saw what was inside.
"Why are you doing this?" Will demanded, angry. "Why can't you just let it go?"
Will pulled out an old familiar tin. He remembered the first time he ever saw it. Sonny left it on his dresser when Will was over. Between kisses, Will noticed it. Noticed it and had to know what was inside.
"I can't," Sonny practically whimpered. "I can't let you go."
"You did," Will argued. "You left me behind. You didn't want me. You don't get to do this now."
Will handed Sonny his New Year's resolution tin.
"If you had done this before," Will told Sonny. "It would have mattered. If you made any kind of effort with me before we wouldn't be having this conversation."
Will shook his head, "But you're too late."
"I can't be," Sonny shook his head.
"I broke your heart, Sonny," Will reminded him. "We hurt each other. Our time together is over."
"I'm with Paul," Will maintained. "I want to be with Paul. It doesn't matter what you say, what you do. It doesn't matter how far away he travels, how many models stand next to him."
"I'm in love with him," Will told Sonny.
Sonny dropped everything in his arms. The plant, the cards, the IPod, it all fell to the floor.
Will turned away from Sonny. He didn't need to see this. Will never wanted to hurt Sonny.
At one time, Sonny meant the world to Will. He was Will's world. But so many things happened to change that. Will's selfish actions. Sonny's negligence. Things had changed.
Will cared about Sonny though. He wanted Sonny to be happy.
'Just not with me,' Will realized.
The door pulled open, surprising Will and Sonny both.
"Baby," Paul yelled. He wanted to yank Will into his arms and never let go.
'I never should have left him,' Paul thought. 'I knew we weren't ready. I knew something awful would happen if I did.'
Paul felt concerned that the door wasn't locked. That evaporated when he saw the scene before him though.
"Will?" Paul questioned.
Paul took in Will's tense posture, the hunch to his shoulders. He also noticed the horrified look on Sonny's face, the mess at his feet.
Will stepped into Paul's arms, breathing in his familiar scent.
Everything with Sonny and Paul leaving swirled inside of Will. He wanted everything to go back to the way it was.
Paul held Will tightly against him. Paul didn't know what Sonny was doing here but that could wait. His anger over Sonny's actions could wait. Will was more important.
"Are you OK?" Paul asked. He held Will's face in his palms, looking him over.
"I think so," Will responded. "I didn't-I don't, he said but I didn't and I-,"
"Shh, hey, relax," Paul rubbed his thumbs against Will's cheeks. "It's OK."
Will's face crumpled. He didn't know how much more of this he could take.
Sonny's machinations, the pressure Will felt to get over the attack, and his general anxieties and insecurities, Will thought he was going to crack.
'I need to buy Christmas presents still. Get ready for my brother and sisters. Figure out how to get Tori to tolerate me. Decide if I want to write about what happened to me or not. I don't want to deal with Sonny hounding me. I don't want to have to deal with rumors about Paul cheating on me. I don't want everyone staring at me even more than they already do.'
'Everything was finally getting back to normal,' Will blinked several times, clearing his eyes.
Paul pulled Will back against his chest. Paul encouraged Will to burrow against his neck.
"It's OK, baby," Paul promised.
Sonny, overhearing, made a strangled sound in the back of his throat.
"What did you do?" Paul spat at Sonny.
"Gee," Sonny crossed his arms. Pain and anger made him angry. "Maybe he's realizing you're going to leave him for a model."
Paul grinded his teeth together.
"I didn't cheat on Will," Paul maintained. "I'd never cheat on him and he knows that."
"Right," Sonny growled cruelly. "I guess the only one who can't keep it in his pants is Will."
Paul felt Will shudder against him.
"Shut up," Paul yelled. "You don't get to talk to him like that."
"Why the hell did you have to sleep with him then?" Sonny demanded. "All the men in the world, in Salem, and you had to sleep with my husband."
"No," Sonny shook his head. "Why did you have to come to Salem at all? Everything would have been fine if you never came. Will and I would be happy if you never came. Will never should have met you!"
"Well, I'm so sorry," Paul sarcastically responded. "But it's too late for that. Maybe if you were smarter you would have held onto him instead of throwing him away!"
"Like that wasn't what you wanted," Sonny shouted. "You wanted me to leave Will! You practically begged me. How the hell do you even want him now?"
"I don't just want him," Paul yelled. "I love him! Every single thing about him. Everything!"
Will pulled away from Paul. He couldn't have them yelling. This had gone on way too long. He didn't want them waking up-
"Daddy?" Ari asked, opening her bedroom door.
Ari rubbed her sleepy eyes, hair a mess. She took in the scene before her. Candy strewn about the apartment. The angry look on Paul's face. Will's watery eyes. Sonny's red face.
Will pushed Paul and Sonny aside.
"It's OK," Will gave Ari a smile.
"They're yelling," Ari stated eyes wide. "They woke me up."
Will sighed. Whenever Ari woke up suddenly she would be cranky the rest of the day.
'I should have put a stop to this before it even started,' Will knew. 'I should have just made Sonny leave.'
"I'm sorry, baby girl," Will pulled her against him. "They won't yell anymore."
"Right," Paul agreed. He took a deep breath. "Sorry, princess."
Ari nodded.
"Super Paul back home?" Ari questioned quietly.
"Yeah," Paul nodded with an encouraging smile. "I'm back now."
Sonny watched Paul interacting with Ari with a heavy heart. Sonny recalled a horrible fantasy he had shortly after he discovered Will cheated on him.
'It was just like this,' Sonny realized. 'I came home and Ari didn't know me. Will didn't want me. Paul took away everything.'
Ari held tightly to Will. She wanted to go back to sleep. Ari wanted to lie down in her daddy's big, warm bed with Will and Paul around her.
"Why Sonny here?" Ari wondered when she noticed him again.
Sonny's face paled hearing that. It suddenly dawned on him. Everything his mother tried to tell him, everything Will tried to tell him.
'I did abandon Ari,' Sonny thought. 'I left her and I left Will. I made my nightmare come true.'
"Ari," Sonny spotted the shoes he brought for her on the couch. "You forgot your shoes with grandma yesterday."
"Oh," Ari saw the shoes nearby. She looked over Sonny before saying, "You go now. No want Sonny."
Sonny kneeled down in front of Ari.
"You don't mean that," Sonny argued. "Daddy just wants to play with you."
"Not Daddy," Ari shook her head. She clutched Will's shirt in her hand. "Daddy. You mean, Sonny. Can't like mean people."
"I won't be mean anymore," Sonny promised. "I'll do whatever it takes."
Ari shook her head. Her eyes hurt and she felt all sleepy. Her tummy felt hungry and she needed juice. She didn't want Sonny there. Sonny wasn't supposed to be there. Sonny was mean and made her daddy sad. He made Super Paul yell. Ari couldn't like Sonny.
"Sonny," Will sighed. "Please just go."
"No, no. I can't go," Sonny pleaded. "Not until I fix things."
Sonny, still on his knees, moved forward to grab Ari's hand.
"No," Ari cried out. She clung to Will, hopping up and down so he would pick her up. "No touch!"
"Sonny, stop it," Will implored. He hefted Ari into his arms and away from Sonny. "She doesn't want to see you right now and neither do I."
"Will," Sonny stood up. "Please, just listen."
"You listen," Will said firmly. "You can't keep doing this. If you want to see Ari, fine. But not right now."
Sonny reached out to grab Will's arm.
"Knock it off," Paul ordered. He pushed Sonny's hand out of the way.
Sonny, faltering, got upset.
"What is your problem?" Sonny spat out.
"You," Paul pointed out. "That's what we've been saying since you got here!"
"Shut up," Sonny shouted. "You should have stayed in San Francisco where you belong."
"No," Paul smirked. "Where I belong is with Will and Ari. You're the one that doesn't fit."
Without thinking, Sonny reached out and pushed Paul.
Paul, stumbling backwards, pushed Sonny back.
"Stop it," Will yelled.
Ari hid her face in Will's neck, scared.
But Paul and Sonny couldn't hear. Will's screaming was background noise at that point. All the frustration and anger Paul and Sonny felt over each other and the situation took control.
Paul and Sonny, hurling accusations at the other, pushed and shoved.
"No," Ari screamed, starting to cry. "No hurt! Daddy, make them stop!"
Will took Ari into her bedroom and closed the door. He sat them on her bed.
"I'm sorry, baby girl," Will confessed. "It'll be OK."
"No," Ari shook her head. "Hit bad!"
"Stay right here," Will ordered. He kissed the top of Ari's head. "Don't open your door."
Paul vaguely heard Will and Ari in the background. He couldn't stop though. It felt good to hit something, work out his frustration.
'Sonny made me leave Will here,' Paul thought. He threw another punch. 'He sent Will those stupid gifts. He's responsible for the fucking article.'
'Why can't he just leave Will and Ari alone?' Paul wondered.
Sonny grit his teeth. He reached out and smashed his fist in Paul's jaw.
Someone knocked on the door.
'How could Will be with him? How could Ari want him around and not me?' Sonny ignored the pain in his fist and eye.
'Why did I give up? Why did I stop trying with Will? How could I just leave him?' Sonny was beginning to understand what Will had been telling him.
'I divorced Will,' Sonny realized. 'It's my fault he moved on. Will wanted to be with me and I threw him away. I did. It's my fault.'
Will rushed back to the front room. He couldn't believe what was happening.
"Stop it," Will shouted loudly. "Paul! Sonny! Stop it!"
Will attempted to separate them. But, one of them, Will didn't know who, shoved him back.
Will would have been fine if he didn't trip over the candy bar he threw earlier. Losing his balance, Will toppled toward the front door.
Luckily, the front door opened.
Chad walked up to Will's front door and knocked. He enjoyed spending time with Will the night before. He wanted to get that friendship back. Somehow over the years Will and Chad drifted apart.
Chad waited patiently until the screaming started. Ripping the door open, Chad startled when Will literally fell into his arms.
Chad righted Will, standing him on his feet. Then, Chad noticed Sonny and Paul.
Paul and Sonny both stopped when Will fell. Both seeming to realize what they were doing.
"What the fuck is the matter with you?" Chad yelled.
Chad shoved Sonny and Paul apart.
"What in the hell do you think you're doing?" Chad demanded. He looked over Sonny and Paul's battered faces.
Paul and Sonny both began spitting out weak explanations.
Paul, breathing heavily, looked at Will.
Will leaned against the door, eyes wide. When he fell, Will flashed back to the attack with Ben. Ben shoving him forward, his head banging off the door.
'Yelling and he didn't listen. No one's listening,' Will shook.
"Will?" Paul questioned.
'What the hell did I just do?' Paul stepped towards Will.
Paul grazed Will's arm, shocking him.
Will jumped away from Paul's touch. With a strangled cry, Will ran away from Paul. Without looking at anyone, Will hurried into Ari's room and closed the door again.
"Daddy," Ari whimpered.
Will picked up Ari and placed her on his lap. He bit his lip, trying to stave off his own tears.
Paul made to follow after Will only Chad blocked his path.
Chad glared between Paul and Sonny.
"You two happy now?" Chad asked. "If your goal was to alienate Will and Ari than I guess you succeeded."
'Fuck,' Paul groaned. He sidestepped Chad and knocked on Ari's door.
"Baby?" Paul asked. "Are you alright?"
Will rested his head on top of Ari's. He held onto Ari tighter, ignoring Paul.
Author's note:
Any thoughts?
Thanks for reading!