"I sing Christmas song," Ari declared. "You hear."

Ari cleared her throat and adjusted on the sofa. Her head was resting against Will's chest while her sock-covered feet kicked the cushions.

"J'ngle bells, j'ngle bells," Ari sang loudly. "Oh fun, horse sleigh. Hey! J'ngle bells, j'ngle bells."

"You have a beautiful voice," Tori assured her. She found herself easily charmed by Ari.

Johnny, Allie, and Sydney were putting decorations on the large tree. Sami and Lucas were helping as well as Eric and Brady. Wil smiled watching his parents interact.

Will by no means wanted to see his parents together but their friendship made Will happy.

'Such a nice difference from my childhood,' Will realized.

"Why don't you sing your other songs?" Will suggested. He pushed Ari's hair out of her face.

"Uh," Ari paused before singing again. "Santa Claus comes town. Santa Claus comes town."

Paul, walking back into the room, plopped next to Will and Ari.

"You know a lot of songs," Paul told Ari.

"I practice," Ari informed him.

"So," Tori glanced at the easy way Paul leaned against Will. "This is a nice place you have here, son."

"Thanks," Paul smiled. "I saw it when Will, Ari, and I were running one morning."

"You and Will certainly do a lot of things together," Tori commented lightly.

"Daddy 'n Super Paul best friend boyfriends," Ari inputted. She promptly went back to singing.

"I guess we are," Will said. "I never really thought about it before."

Paul put his arm around Will.

"I never thought about it either," Paul agreed. "I could do worse."

"You two don't have any other friends?" Tori wondered.

"We do," Paul replied. "Things have just been really," Paul searched for the proper word. "Hectic lately."

"Right," Tori remembered. "Things have been improving after…that?"

"Yeah," Will nodded. One hand automatically moved to his throat. "Everything's gotten easier."

"Hey, kiddo," Paul wondered. "Can you go check if Tate is still sleeping?"

"Okie," Ari ungracefully rolled off the couch and toddler toward her room.

Tori moved a bit closer.

"What exactly happened? I saw a video," Tori admitted a bit sheepishly. "But I don't…"

Will took a deep breath and squeezed Paul's leg. He gave his silent permission for Paul to talk to Tori about it all.

"Will got a new job reporting for the local newspaper," Paul explained. "He was really good at it, too good."

Will pressed his lips together. Even though he had been getting better, Will still didn't like discussing it all.

"They put him in charge of the Necktie Killer," Paul continued. "Will did some digging and investigating and discovered who the serial killer was."

"How did everything at the hotel happen?" Tori questioned.

"A series of unfortunate events," Will inputted. "Ben tried to go after Ari when she was at daycare and he went to the apartment we used to live in. So, Paul took us to his hotel."

"Somehow Ben figured out Will was there and managed to get inside," Paul finished. "You saw the rest in the video."

Paul put his arm around Will protectively. He took a deep breath and exhaled. Talking about it all brought up several unwanted emotions. Keeping his arm around Will reminded Paul he was still there. That Will was safe.

"Wow," Tori shook her head. "That's horrifying."

"It was," Will agreed. "But now it's over."

"We've all been moving forward," Paul confirmed. "Slowly but surely."

"Daddy," Ari yelled. "I wake my baby."

"Ugh," Will half-groaned, half-laughed. "Excuse me."

Tori noticed Paul followed Will with his eyes.

Paul turned back to face his mother and gave her a strange smile.

"What?" Paul asked her.

"Nothing," Tori softly smiled. "I just don't think I've ever seen you like this before."

Paul held out his arms for Ari to cuddle against while Will sat down next to them with Tate.

'I've definitely never seen you like this,' Tori realized.

"Come inside," Paul swept his arms towards his condo.

"Thank you," Marlena smiled. She put down a large shopping bag and rushed towards Johnny, Allie, and Sydney.

"Son," John greeted. "This place looks great."

Paul nodded, "Thanks. Come on in."

John followed after Marlena towards the kids.

Will looked between his grandma and John and Tori still on the sofa.

'Well,' Will thought. 'This'll be interesting.'

"Come here, handsome," Marlena requested of Will.

Will stood up, Tate still in one arm.

Marlena fretted over Will. She pushed his hair out of his face and touched Will's throat.

"Are you OK?" Marlena wondered.

"Yeah," Will nodded. He looked down at his feet briefly. "For the most part."

"As long as you're here, with us," Marlena hugged Will with one arm.

"And you," Marlena extended her arms to pick up Tate. She started bouncing him on her hip. "Your cheeks get chubbier every time I see you."

Paul meandered towards his own mother. He desperately hoped that tonight would go well.

'We've got tonight, Christmas Eve, and Christmas to get through,' Paul thought. 'Hopefully everyone can get along.'

Sami stood side-by-side with her mother. The two talked quietly, heads bent together. Sami rather unsubtly shot Tori and Paul a look several times.

Will watched his mom and grandma while he checked on Ari.

Catching Paul's eye, Will and Paul came to an unspoken agreement. They were keeping the three women separated.

"You know," John said. Johnny was holding onto his side. "I think we brought something, didn't we Doc?"

"Right," Marlena agreed.

Allie and Sydney ran towards the door. They found the bag Marlena dropped and rifled through it.

"Gingerbread houses," Allie cheered.

Will and Paul set up the gingerbread house kits at the dining room table. Marlena and John wisely brought two.

All four kids sat at the table.

"Here," Will told the table full of children. "We need to put the walls up first. We can use the frosting as glue."

Will put up the structures and sat back to let the kids decorate. Ari, needing help, sat on Paul's lap. Lucas helped Allie while Sami assisted Sydney. Eric and Johnny worked on making it look like it snowed.

Tori hovered awkwardly between the table and the sofas. She hoped to get towards Paul before having to speak to anyone. She wasn't so lucky.

John, hand in hand with Marlena, walked up to Tori.

"Tori," John politely smiled. "It's nice to see you."

"Yes," Tori agreed. She didn't want to be rude.

Marlena, deciding to be civil, said, "I'm glad Paul invited you."

"Thank you," Tori replied. "I'm glad he did as well."

"How have things been going with Will?" John asked, curious.

"Good," Tori responded. "I almost can't believe how different he is."

"Of course he's different," Marlena bristled. "He's grown so much this year."

"I've noticed," Tori nodded. "Excuse me," she said.

Tori moved to sit next to Paul at the large table.

Paul helped Ari put gumdrop roof tiles on the gingerbread house. He questioned his mother discreetly.

"You OK?" Paul wondered.

"Yes," Tori nodded.

She was fine. A little awkward and nervous but Tori was just fine. It had been several years since her time with John. While their time resulted in the best thing in her life, Paul, she had moved on, hardened herself.

Things might not be ideal, but Tori felt determined to make the most of the situation.

'Everything is uncomfortable enough without adding that to it,' Tori mused.

"You've got something," Paul told Ari. He dabbed a bit of frosting on her nose.

Ari giggled. She attempted to use her tongue to lick it off. Realizing it wasn't going to come off, Ari rubbed a big glob on Paul's face too.

Johnny glanced up from his decorating. He watched as Ari and Paul goofed around, getting Will mixed into it too.

Allie caught Johnny's eye. They both noticed how happy both Will and Ari looked.

Once Will had cleaned both Ari and Paul, Ari got back to work.

"Here," Ari shoved a handful of M&M's into Tori's hand. "You help?"

Will linked his ankle with Paul's and grinned.

All the adults sat down at the massive table for dinner. The kids were sitting at the kitchen island. Paul had ordered out food from the Brady Pub. It seemed easier than trying to cook for everyone. Plus, he knew everyone liked it.

Paul felt relieved that so far everything had gone smoothly.

'The kids are giving me a chance. My mom and Will seem fine. Sami is behaving. My parents are getting along,' Paul thought. 'Things are going good.'

"So, Will," Eric asked lightly. "Have you heard any more about what's happening with Ben?"

"Uh, no," Will looked down at his plate. "Justin said he would get back to me about it. I know that he was talking about a plea bargain."

Sami snorted causing everyone to look at her.

"What?" Sami huffed. "Excuse me for wanting that bastard to be held accountable for what he did to my baby."

"Yeah," Lucas agreed. "I don't want Ben getting off for what he did to you, Will."

"It's not really up to me," Will lifted one shoulder.

Will didn't want to talk about this.

Paul cleared his throat.

Brady, taking the hint, changed the subject.

"Have you two heard anything about the reaction to your ad?" Brady questioned.

"I've pretty much been ignoring everything," Will admitted. "I'm not sure I want to know."

"I've been ignoring Kate," Paul confessed. "But I've checked out the response on social media."

"And?" Brady asked.

Paul grinned devilishly.

"Some groups are pissed about it," Paul said. "But the target audience definitely enjoys it."

"Oh god," Will mumbled, face red.

"You're popular now, baby," Paul declared. "I'm pretty sure everyone knows you're my hot young thing."

"Really?" Lucas asked dryly.

"Yeah, we all know who they're really looking at," Will argued.

"Nope," Paul teased. "It's both of us."

"Stop it," Will whined.

"You know you're adorable," Marlena smiled.

"That's exactly what every grown man wants to be," Will rolled his eyes. "Adorable."

"Don't say you're a grown man," Sami pointed her fork at him. "You are not grown!"

"I'm 22, Mom," Will reminded her.

"No," Sami shook her head. "I refuse to believe it."

"22 years and about a month," Will laughed. "Does that mean you're going to be 40 soon?"

"You shut your mouth," Sami gasped. "I am not 40!"

Paul, Brady, and Eric loudly laughed.

"You're already a grandma," Will shrugged. "I don't know why you're surprised by this."

"I'm a grandma because you couldn't wrap it up," Sami crossed her arms.

"I'm pretty sure that's why I'm alive," Will responded with a lifted brow.

"Hey, now," Lucas lifted both his hands. "Don't blame me."

"You two were clearly bad influences," John teased.

"We're bad influences?" Sami stared in exasperation. "Your little dirty secret is sitting next to my son."

Tori sat up straighter, frowning.

"Sami," Marlena shook her head.

"Let's not forget Belle either," Sami sniffed.

"Uh, Sami," Brady smiled sinfully. "How many baby daddies do you have?"

"Not as many baby mamas as your father," Sami gave Brady an angelic grin.

"Mom," Will sternly replied.

"You started it," Sami dismissed.

"Wait," Paul said. He was thinking over what everyone had said. "So, Will had a kid when he was a teenager. And Sami had Will when she was a teenager," Paul trailed off.

"Yeah?" Will answered.

"And Marlena and John have kids with a lot of people," Paul commented.

"Is this going somewhere?" Marlena pursed her lips.

"Hey," Paul said. "I'm just getting a clear picture about why Will is the way he is."

"What does that mean?" Sami stiffened.

"Probably that you all screwed Will up," Brady mumbled.

"Do you really want to get in on this?" Sami shot back.

"I'd say compared to you I'm nice and normal," Brady argued.

"Really?" Eric frowned. "Who gave birth to Tate?"

"Don't get me started on you," Brady huffed.

"I think we all need to just relax," Paul suggested.

"Quiet, homewrecker," Sami waved her hand dismissively.

Paul rolled his eyes. He had gotten used to Sami's brusque behavior.

Tori was a different story.

"How dare you?" Tori spat.

"I wouldn't," Will quietly recommended.

"You heard me," Sami threw her napkin on the table.

"Samantha, be nice," John ordered.

Marlena shot John a stern look.

"Why are you defending her?" Marlena questioned.

"I'm not," John argued weakly. "I'm just…"

"Actually," Will told Paul. "I think my grandma Kate has more baby daddies. If we're being fair."

"You can't talk to my son that way," Tori scolded Sami.

"I'm gonna talk to your son however the hell I feel like," Sami sneered. "If he doesn't like it, tough."

"You are in his home," Tori responded. "You should treat him with more respect. Especially after everything he's done for your poor son."

"I wasn't defending her," John rubbed his forehead.

"You didn't care at all until Tori said something," Marlena argued.

"Because Sami is clearly out of her league," John defended.

"My poor son?" Sami glared. "What the hell does that mean?"

"Sami," Brady interrupted. "I think we all know what she means by your poor son."

Sami, annoyed, tossed her fork at Brady.

Unfortunately, the fork still had a bite of food stuck to it. A forkful of mashed potatoes flew off and smacked Will in the face.

Will frowned, wiping off his cheek. He gave his mom an exasperated look before throwing his roll at her.

Sami blocked the bread with her hand. It hit Lucas instead. Lucas threw the bread back across the table only for it to carom off a takeout box and smack Paul.

Before everyone knew it, food was flying.

Tori looked at everyone incredulously. Which was when someone, most likely Sami, hurled a hamburger in her face.

Will laughed. The situation was ridiculous and embarrassing but Will was having fun. It reminded Will of when he was in grade school and his parents got into a food fight.

'Only this time I'm not completely mortified,' Will realized. He discreetly threw a hamburger bun in Brady's direction.

"Children," John reprimanded.

Several handfuls of food smashed in John's face.

Eventually everyone found themselves covered in food. They were all having so much fun they nearly forgot what they were arguing over.

Hearing the commotion, all four children walked into the dining room.

"What?" Johnny asked in amazement.

"Mommy?" Sydney wondered.

Allie covered her mouth with her hands, giggling.

"Daddy," Ari put her hands on her hips. "You make big mess without me!"

"Aw, I'm sorry," Will reached out to snatch Ari. He wiped his messy hands all over her face.

Ari screamed and laughed, wriggling around.

"Paul, save me," Ari pleaded.

Paul reached out, making it seem like he was going to help Ari. Instead, Paul just slathered more of a mess all over her.

"Ugh," Ari giggled.

Allie, Sydney, and Johnny all managed to get covered in food as well.

Everyone quieted down and sat in a comfortable silence. Slowly, everyone looked around the filthy table. Each person had food and sauces dripping down their face and neck.

Will thought back to how nervous he was that morning. How he wanted to make a perfect second impression on Tori Narita. How he wanted everything to go smoothly.

'And now she's covered in ketchup and mashed potatoes,' Will's chest began to quiver.

Will tried to hold in his laughter but it was impossible. Throwing his head back, Will howled loudly.

One by one everyone joined him until the table, young and old, laughed with Will.

"Thanks for coming," Paul told John and Marlena at the front door.

Everyone who was not staying in the condo needed to get home and wash up.

"It was interesting," John shook his head.

"And still not the most dysfunctional family dinner we've ever had," Marlena noted.

With a bright smile, Marlena kissed Paul's cheek.

"Take care of my grandson, would you?" Marlena requested.

"It's a full time job but I'm up for it," Paul teased.

Will helped Brady put Tate into a warm jacket. Tate was the only one not covered in his own food for once.

"Thanks again for giving me some of Ari's old things," Brady said to Will. "It means a lot."

"Sorry for the occasional pink," Will shrugged.

Ari smothered Tate in kisses.

"Goodbye, my baby," Ari cooed. "I play you soon."

Eric pulled Will into a hug. He finished up saying goodbye to Sami and the kids.

"Thanks for coming," Will patted his back.

"I figured you would need some extra support today," Eric revealed.

"You're the best," Will said before pulling back.

"I'm telling Austin you said that," Eric teased.

Paul escorted everyone to the elevator. He said his goodbyes and came back inside.

Sami took Johnny and Allie to one bathroom to clean up. Will took Ari and Sydney to another. That left Tori standing in the dining area attempting to clean up.

"You don't have to do that," Paul rushed to stop his mom. "I'm just going to call the concierge. The condo has a maid service. They'll come up and clean it."

"Oh," Tori put down the sponge she had found.

Paul gave his mother a once over. He had never seen her so disheveled in all his life.

Living in San Francisco, they had been caught in the rain before. Tori had taken Paul to baseball practice on dusty, dirt fields.

'But she's never been like this,' Paul shook his head.

"I'm really sorry about this, Mother," Paul confided. "I should have warned you that Sami has a mouth and a temper to match it."

"There's no need to apologize," Tori waved her hand dismissively. "Honestly, I had fun."

"Really?" Paul tilted his head. A smile spread over his face.

"You fit in so nicely, you know," Tori squeezed Paul's forearm. "You have a large family now. Unconventional and slightly bizarre. But you have them.

"You're happy, Paul-san," Tori continued. "And that makes me happy."

Paul nodded, beaming.

"Now, I need to get cleaned up and go to bed," Tori decided. "Do tell everyone goodnight for me."

"Kids are all out," Will told Paul.

Will walked into their shared bathroom in the master room.

"The poor maid is going to need to scrub down all the bathtubs too," Will pointed out.

Will looked at himself in the mirror and chuckled.

'I look ridiculous,' Will huffed.

Turning towards Paul, Will paused, eyes widening.

"Hey," Paul smirked. He sat on the edge of the jetted bathtub, naked. "I was waiting for you."

"Uh huh," Will said dumbly.

"Why don't you rinse off in the shower," Paul suggested. "And join me in here?"

Will scrambled to pull off his clothes.

Paul watched, amused. He loved how after all these months Will still seemed so eager to be with him.

Will stepped into the shower, giving his body a perfunctory wash.

Dripping, Will moved to stand in front of Paul.

"Guess what?" Paul's eyes followed a bead of water dripping down Will's chest and abdomen towards his groin.

"What?" Will asked, breathless.

"I think my mom likes you," Paul smiled.

Will's eyebrows lifted. His smile was so wide it practically split his face.

Without another word, Will threw himself at Paul. The two, a mess of limbs, wandering hands, and tongues, splashed into the warm, bubbling water.

Author's note:

Please let me know what you thought.

Thanks for reading and have a Happy New Year!