Paul stood alone in his kitchen. He had woken up early, Will's hair tickling his neck. Normally, Paul would be able to go back to sleep but he had a lot on his mind.

It was overwhelming being surrounded by all of Will's family.

'Especially when they don't all like me yet,' Paul thought.

'I just have to show them I can take care of Will and Ari,' Paul decided.

So, Paul got out all the ingredients he needed to make a nice wholesome breakfast for everyone.

"What are you doing?" Will wondered as he came into the kitchen. He wrapped his arms around Paul from behind.

"Cooking," Paul answered.

"You didn't have to do that," Will nuzzled against Paul. "I wanted you to stay in bed."

Paul smiled, stirring the batter.

"I'd say we were lucky no one heard us last night," Paul quipped.

"That's because my mouth was preoccupied," Will laughed.

"Yes it was," Paul put his spoon down and turned around. He enveloped Will with his arms. "And I appreciated every minute of it."

"My ass appreciated it too," Will lifted his eyebrows up and down several times.

"I bet it did," Paul cupped Will's butt and squeezed.

Will smiled and kissed Paul firmly on the lips.

Paul pulled Will back against him when Will tried to move away.

Foreheads pressed together, Will enjoyed the intimate moment.

"What time does your mom get here?" Will wondered.

"Later in the afternoon," Paul said. He rubbed his hands up and down Will's back and backend.

"It won't be so bad," Will said.

"It won't," Paul agreed. "It's like how I need to get your siblings to warm up to me."

"Well, you didn't blackmail my siblings before," Will pointed out.

"No, but they did hear about everything else," Paul reminded Will. "So, I'd say we both have some impressing to do."

"Yeah," Will trailed off.

Will knew he had much more to worry about with Tori than Paul did with a bunch of kids.

'But I did that to myself,' Will recalled. 'I made my mistakes. Now I have to own up to them.'

"Hey," Will looked into Paul's eyes. "I want to go for a run."

"Do you want me to go with you?" Paul questioned.

"No," Will shook his head. "I think I can do it alone. I want to try at least."

"OK," Paul smiled encouragingly. "Whatever you think is best, baby."

"Besides," Will brushed against Paul's chest. "I need you to be here for Ari when she wakes up."

"Oh yeah?" Paul smiled. "You trust me with that?"

"Of course," Will patted Paul's chest. "I trust you with everything especially my most important something."

Ari walked out of her room dragging her stuffed lion on the floor. She saw Allie, Johnny, and Sydney watching TV on the couch. She noticed her grammy in the kitchen and Paul standing by the stove.

"Where Daddy?" Ari wondered. She moved over to Paul to pull on his shirt.

"Daddy is running," Paul answered. "But I'm making pancakes."

"I like pancakes," Ari smiled.

"I know that's why I made them," Paul smiled back. "But first," Paul grabbed her hand. "Potty."

Ari huffed unhappily.

Will's feet hit the snowy pavement. He had forgotten how running in the cold weather proved challenging. At the same time though, Will found it exhilarating. The icy air going in and out of his lungs. Sweating in the cold breeze. It energized Will.

At the same time, it also helped Will focus.

'Everything with Tori is going to go fine,' Will told himself. 'Everything might have been bad before but I'm different now. My relationship with Paul is different now.'

'I love Paul and he loves me. His mom is important to him. I can do this.'

'Paul makes such an effort with my family. He's letting my mom and kids stay with us. The least I can do is not be completely neurotic about this all.'

'OK, that's what I'm going to do,' Will decided. 'Try not to be neurotic.'

Paul flipped a final pancake onto the griddle.

"Who's next?" Paul called out.

"Me," Sydney replied.

"I thought you already had some," Sami commented.

"I'm a hungry girl," Sydney defended.

"When is Will getting back?" Johnny wondered, finishing his pancakes.

"He'll be back soon," Paul answered. "He likes to go running in the morning."

"I'm surprised he went by himself," Sami noted. She poured herself another cup of coffee.

"Me too," Paul pressed his lips together. He felt a bit nervous having Will out completely alone.

"He's nervous about my mom being here," Paul told Sami. "Running helps him focus."

"Well, I don't blame him," Sami decided. "Pretty much every in-law I've ever had has hated me. Plus, Adrienne ruined him for mother-in-law's forever."

"Grandma has be nice Daddy," Ari remarked knowledgably. "Paul mommy too."

"Yep," Paul agreed, pointing his spatula at Ari. "Everyone has to be nice to Daddy."

Paul's phone started beeping at him. With a dismissive glance, Paul turned it on silent.

Sami glanced at Paul curiously. Paul noticed her gaze.

"I'm not interested in working right now," Paul explained. "Besides, they owe me for that stupid article."

"What article?" Allie asked innocently.

"Nothing," Sami responded quickly. Her children didn't need to know that particular rumor. "Just gossip."

"Hmm," Johnny narrowed his eyes.

"Need do tree," Ari interrupted. "Fix tree at home. Need fix tree at other home."

Paul grinned at Ari referring to his condo as her other home.

'I am so attached to this kid,' Paul realized.

A year ago, Paul never would have envisioned this as his life. Paul never thought he would have a life outside of baseball.

'Now, I have a real family with a real boyfriend and the sweetest little girl on the planet,' Paul thought.

The front door opened and a sweat-soaked Will came inside.

Paul watched Will interact with his siblings and Ari. Watched the easy way Will navigated around them. Will gave them all an equal amount of attention and interest all with a smile on his face.

Will made his way to the spacious kitchen and kissed Paul on the cheek.

"Hi," Will smiled.

"I made everyone breakfast," Paul told Will.

"I noticed," Will chuckled. "I'm gonna take a shower real fast."

"Yeah," Paul nodded with a smile. "I'll work on some pancakes for you."

As Will walked away, Paul kept his eyes trained on him. Realization swept over him.

'I'm happier now than I ever was playing baseball.'

Will came back into the main living area to find his siblings and Ari coloring Christmas pictures.

Sami, feet up on the couch, scrolling through her phone, shrugged.

"I know how to keep them busy," Sami informed Will.

Will moved back to the kitchen and sat at the massive island. Paul was waiting to eat with him.

"You could have eaten without me," Will commented.

"Maybe," Paul said. "But I like eating with you."

"What time is your mom getting here again?" Will questioned nervously.

"In a few hours," Paul replied. "I don't know if I want to get her or send a car for her."

"She'd probably like some alone time with you," Will noted. "She's going to be pretty overwhelmed here."

'Overwhelmed and she already hates me,' Will sighed. 'Not to mention she's going to see an advertisement with my almost naked body all over her son.'

'No, stop being neurotic,' Will scolded.

"Hey," Paul nudged Will with his elbow. "What's with the long face? You usually look happier after a run."

"Just thinking about how much your mother hates me," Will honestly relied.

"Come on," Paul wrapped his ankle around Will's. "She doesn't hate you. She doesn't really know you."

"She knows me," Will countered. "Just all the bad parts."

"Exactly," Paul nodded. "Once she sees all of you she'll understand why I'm in love with you."

Will ate his pancakes, feeling a bit better.

"Don't you think it's weird though?" Will asked a few minutes later.

"What's weird?" Paul wondered.

"This whole situation," Will said. "We don't exactly have the same problems normal couples do."

"Yeah, that's true," Paul agreed. "But that's not going to change my mind. I want this, with you."

"I do too," Will insisted. "It's just hitting me how real this all is. My brother and sisters are playing in your living room. My mom is here. Ari has her own room. Don't get me wrong," Will continued. "I love all of this. It's just a lot to take."

"Even if we weren't together," Paul reminded Will. "We'd spend time together. My dad is with your grandma. My brother is your step-uncle."

"Yeah," Will made a face. "Don't remind me."

A few minutes later, after the dishes were washed and put away, Will and Paul joined the kids in the living room.

"Do we need to buy your mother anything?" Will asked suddenly.

"What would we buy her?" Paul frowned.

"I don't know," Will said panicked. "Things to make her comfortable? Earplugs? Night cream? Sheets?"

"Will," Paul laughed. "You're freaking out over nothing. She has a room and a bed with sheets. You don't need to worry about anything."

"What about food?" Will added. "Do we need to buy some? Did we buy her a present already? I can't remember."

"Baby," Paul put his arm around Will. "We bought her something the other day. Remember?"

"Oh, right," Will nodded. "Sorry. I just want her to like me."

Ari shimmied over to sit on Will's lap.

"Paul's mommy has to like you Daddy," Ari informed him. She patted his cheeks. "You're the best."

"Thank you, baby girl," Will smiled at her. "I try to be the best for you."

"Best, Daddy," Ari laid her head on his chest.

"See, you don't have anything to worry about," Paul promised.

The alarm buzzed indicating someone was in the lobby waiting to come inside.

"Oh my god," Will dislodged Ari trying to sit up. "Is she here already? I'm not ready!"

Ari huffed in exasperation.

"No, it's too early," Paul double-checked the itinerary his mother emailed him.

Paul moved over to the intercom.

"Who is it?" Paul questioned.

"Your big brother," Brady responded. "Let me in."

"Oh," Will sighed in relief.

A short elevator ride later, the front door opened.

"Hello," Brady announced. He held the door open to let Eric, holding baby Tate, inside.

Brady and Eric smiled widely at Paul.

Brady pushed Paul aside. "I brought Ari a present."

Ari perked up from the other side of the room.

"My baby," Ari gasped. She ran as fast as her little legs could take her. "Gimme, gimme!"

"Hey, princess," Eric moved over to the fancy sofa and helped Ari hold Tate.

The rest of the kids moved over to see Brady and Eric. After a few hugs, the girls moved over to fawn over Tate.

"So," Brady nodded at Paul and Will. "Anything interesting happen to you two lately?"

"Like, oh, I don't know, a certain advertisement," Eric cajoled.

Will's cheeks heated up. He hid his face in Paul's bicep.

Brady and Eric burst into laughter.

"What are they talking about?" Sami demanded.

"You haven't seen it?" Eric asked, surprised.

"I thought you knew everything about Will before it even happened," Brady teased. "Oh, no wait. You're always the last to know."

"Shut up and tell me what you're talking about," Sami rolled her eyes.

Paul reluctantly handed over his phone opened to his and Will's advertisement.

Sami took one look at the screen and frowned.

"Oh, god," Sami responded. "I don't need to see this."

"You're gonna see it everywhere," Brady guaranteed. "I overheard Kate and my grandfather. She's talking billboards, magazines, online ads, everything. We won't be able to go anywhere without seeing those half-naked bodies."

Will groaned as Paul laughed.

Johnny, eavesdropping, looked at the picture. Afterwards he glared at Paul.

"Can you stop focusing on the naked part and look at our faces, please?" Will pleaded.

"That isn't any fun though," Eric replied.

Sami examined Will and Paul's facial expressions in the pictures.

'OK, fine,' Sami admitted. 'They look nice together. And maybe the two of them look like they're happy.'

'Damnit,' Sami grumbled. 'Maybe that idiot is in love with my son.'

"Mom?" Will questioned. Once he emerged from hiding his face, Will instantly saw the look on his mom's face.

"What?" Sami answered shortly.

Will just smiled widely, leaning against Paul.

"Stop it," Sami narrowed her eyes.

"I'm not doing anything," Will stated.

"Yes you are," Sami argued. "I get it. Fine, I wasn't right."

"You mean, you were wrong?" Will pressed.

"Don't push it," Sami crossed her arms.

"What are we not talking about?" Eric wondered, bemused.

"Uh," Will looked at Johnny out of the corner of his eye.

"Hey," Will told his brother. "I downloaded a new Minecraft game on my tablet. It's in my bag in my room."

Johnny knew he was being sent out of the room. He would let it go this time.

Everyone waited until Johnny was out of earshot and the girls were all occupied with baby Tate.

"Mom's admitting how wrong she was about Paul cheating on me," Will declared.

"I was wondering about that," Brady nodded. "I figured it was crap but I wondered."

"I didn't, obviously," Paul assured everyone. "I am happily taken."

"Doesn't really explain your face, now does it?" Eric pointed at Paul's bruised eye.

"Goes with the fat lip Sonny has though," Brady mused. As much as he tried to stay neutral, he really couldn't this time.

"Your beloved brother and cousin were fighting over my son like dogs over a piece of meat," Sami informed them all.

"Thank you, Mom," Will said sarcastically.

"Wow," Brady's eyes opened widely. "Did he see your ad?"

"Um, no," Paul licked his lips, feeling uncomfortable. "He just wouldn't listen."

"I see," Eric shot Sami a meaningful look.

"I didn't see him today," Brady commented. "God only knows what he thought of it."

Everyone sat in a comfortable silence. The only sounds were the girls cooing whenever Tate would giggle.

Paul's phone beeped, his alarm going off.

"I need to leave to go pick up my mom," Paul announced.

"Your mom is coming here?" Brady questioned. "To Salem?"

"Yeah," Paul answered. He kissed Will quickly. Afterwards, he kissed the top of Ari's head.

"Does Dad know this?" Brady wondered. "Or Marlena?"

"I'm pretty sure I mentioned it," Paul said. He thought it over for a moment. "Oh, crap."

"This'll be a blast," Sami commented.

Sami got off the couch.

"That's it. I'm making mimosas," Sami pronounced.

Sonny paced back and forth in front of Victor's desk, raging. Victor continued working as if Sonny wasn't there at all.

"Why didn't you warn me about this?" Sonny seethed. He gestured wildly to the copy of the ad lying on Victor's desk.

"I wasn't aware I had to tell you every decision my companies make," Victor remarked dryly.

"When it has to do with my husband, yeah, you do," Sonny yelled.

"Will Horton is no longer your problem, thank god," Victor shook his head.

"If you have such a problem with Will," Sonny sneered. "Why are you using him in your ads?"

"The boy is popular now," Victor dismissed. "We all have to make sacrifices for business."

"Not when those sacrifices affect me," Sonny argued. "How could you let Will do this?"

"I didn't let him do anything," Victor shrugged. "Kate and her little sidekick Jake instigated the whole thing."

"Actually," Victor continued. "Your little stunt with True Vista drummed up even more interest. So, far sales have already increased for the magazine and the cologne. So, I suppose I should be thanking you."

Sonny stopped his pacing to glare at his uncle.

"What?" Victor questioned. "I thought you were done with them both."

"How am I supposed to be done with Will?" Sonny wondered. "After everything."

Victor stared at Sonny judgmentally.

"Did you really think fighting his boyfriend in front of him was going to win you any points?" Victor shook his head, disappointed.

"Everything you did," Victor began. "The article, getting Paul out of town, was a good start. But you are a Kiriakis."

Sonny sat down across from Victor, paying close attention.

"If you want something or someone," Victor continued. "You don't stop until it's yours."

"Now," Victor folded his hands on top of the desk. "We both know the one thing that will give you an in with Will Horton."

Sonny nodded reluctantly.

'Am I the type of man that uses his daughter to get what he wants?' Sonny thought.

'I guess I have to be,' Sonny realized. 'If I can win Ari back, I'll win Will back.'

"So," Tori said from inside Paul's car.

"Hmm," Paul nodded.

"I saw your advertisement," Tori revealed. "It was…interesting."

"It was my idea to include Will," Paul told his mother. "Originally it was going to be another model but I knew I only wanted to be with Will."

"Will," Tori repeated. "Right. You've certainly gotten close with him. Are the two of you living together?"

"No," Paul answered. "Well, I've been staying with him but it's not official. I couldn't stay in the hotel anymore obviously and I didn't want to be apart from Will."

"Obviously," Tori mumbled.

Paul glanced at his mother curiously.

"Is there something you really want to ask me?" Paul demanded, straightforward.

"I'm just still trying to wrap my head around you being with Will Horton," Tori admitted. "He's not the type of man I pictured my son with."

"Really?" Paul asked. "Because he's the exact type of person I want to be with. He's smart, kind, loyal, exciting. He challenges me. We're honest. There's no one else I want to be with."

"So you keep saying," Tori shrugged. "I just don't see how the Will Horton I knew is any of those things."

"That's because you don't know him," Paul argued. "You met him at a horrible time in his life. He's older now, wiser. He owns up to his faults. But I'm not going to let you or anyone else hold them against him."

"Will's changed," Paul insisted. "Trust me. In a few days, you'll love him just as much as I do."

"I hope for all our sakes I do," Tori conceded.

Author's note:

I had an unbelievably busy week. So, just a short chapter for now.

Thanks for reading!