"I don't even get a hint about New Years?" Paul whined.

"No," Will laughed. "Help me make the bed and stop bugging me."

"But I wanna know now," Paul continued, voice petulant.

"Just wait," Will sighed. "You're as bad as Ari."

"Am not," Paul defended.

"Uh huh," Will pulled the comforter across the bed.

Seeing Paul's pouty lips, Will smiled fondly. He grabbed Paul's chin and kissed him.

"Just wait a little bit, please?" Will whispered against Paul's lips.

"I guess," Paul agreed. He chased Will's lips, pulling him back for another kiss.

Paul's cold hands grabbed at Will's pajama top. They slid against Will's skin causing him to shiver.

"God," Will jumped away from Paul.

"Whoops," Paul teased.

"Jerk," Will smacked Paul's stomach.

"You love me," Paul shrugged.

"When are you leaving?" Paul questioned his mother.

Everyone sat at the dining room table eating breakfast.

"My flight's scheduled for tomorrow," Tori revealed. "If you wouldn't mind driving me to the airport."

"Of course not," Paul promised. "Just let me know what time."

"If you're giving out rides," Sami swallowed her coffee. "We're also leaving tomorrow. I need to return my rental car."

"Boo," Johnny complained quietly.

"We go see Mommy now?" Ari asked. She pushed her half-empty plate towards the center of the table.

Will swallowed a bite of food.

"Um, yeah, we can go see Mommy if you want," Will decided.

"Paul too," Ari insisted.

Paul, eyes wide with panic, nodded.

"Yeah, um, Paul too," Paul said.

"Yay," Ari wiggled off her chair. "I pick dress."

Tori set her fork on her plate. It just dawned on her that she didn't know anything about Arianna's mother.

'All the family members that came in and out of here,' Tori realized. 'And all I heard was her mother has dark hair.'

Sami lifted one eyebrow before standing up as well.

"I think I'll go help Ari," Sami mumbled. "Kids, go play."

Will waited until his siblings had left the table to speak.

"You don't have to come," Will told Paul. "I'd get it if you wanted to wait."

"No," Paul shook his head. "We planned for me to go with you next time. I'm going."

"Exactly where are you going?" Tori wondered.

Will pressed his lips together and moved around nervously.

"My friend, Gabi, and I had Ari a little bit after I came out," Will explained.

Paul put his hand on Will's knee and squeezed.

"OK," Tori nodded.

"And, well," Will continued. "Things happened and now she's in jail."

"Jail?" Tori repeated, surprised.

"Yeah," Will said. "For, um, murdering her ex-husband."

Tori stared at Will for a long time. She said nothing.

"He was a creep though," Paul interjected. "And he tried to hurt her, right? So, it's not like she's some psycho."

"Right," Will agreed. "There were a lot of extenuating circumstances."

"I see," Tori finally replied.

Tori took a quick sip of her tea.

"You take your daughter to see her?" Tori questioned.

"Yes," Will answered quickly. "They both deserve to know each other."

"Of course," Tori faintly responded.

"Mommy," Ari grabbed Gabi's hand. "Super Paul!"

"Hi," Paul wiggled his fingers in greeting.

With his other hand, Paul clung tightly to Will.

'You don't have anything to worry about,' Paul reminded himself. 'You're a nice guy. Will and Ari love me. There's nothing for Gabi to freak out about.'

"Hello," Gabi nodded.

Ari monopolized Gabi's time. She explained all about her Christmas and all the toys Santa brought her.

"And I have new grandma," Ari finished with. "She buy me doll and throw food at Grammy."

"Um, what?" Gabi looked at Will.

"She likes Paul's mom," Will explained. "And there was a bit of a food fight the first night she was around my mom."

"Ah," Gabi chuckled. "Got it."

"So," Gabi pushed Ari's hair out of her face. "You like Paul's mom?"

"Uh huh," Ari nodded. "She like me and she like Daddy. She nice like Paul."

Gabi turned to see a soft expression on Paul's face. That was a look she knew well. The look of someone completely smitten with her little girl.

"So, you like Paul?" Gabi asked.

"Of course," Ari replied. She looked at her mommy like she was crazy. "I love Super Paul! He my super Paul. He save Daddy and he make us happy. Hafta like Paul."

"Oh, I have to?" Gabi smiled.

"Yeah, I say so," Ari pointed her finger sternly.

As they were packing up to leave, Paul stood close to Gabi.

"I do love them," Paul assured Gabi in a quiet voice. "Will and Ari. I'd do anything for them."

"I've heard that before," Gabi told Paul.

"I know," Paul sighed. "And I'm going to prove that I'm different."

"Well, for their sake," Gabi gestured toward Will and Paul. "I hope that you do."

"What did you think?" Will asked Gabi.

They had a moment alone together. Will sent Paul and Ari ahead of him.

"He seems nice," Gabi said. "But you know who else seemed nice."

"I do," Will commented. "But this is different."

"How?" Gabi questioned.

"Paul and I are honest about everything," Will informed Gabi. "If either of us had a problem we could tell the other."

"And the bruise on his face?" Gabi mused.

"That was Sonny," Will reluctantly admitted.

"Will," Gabi shook her head.

"I know," Will promised. "It isn't going to happen again."

"It better not," Gabi threatened.

Will gave Gabi an aggravated expression.

"I think I know how to take care of our daughter," Will defended. "I'm the only one that's been there her entire life."

Gabi held Will's gaze with an icy look.

"I would never put myself above Ari," Will insisted. "And you know that. I wouldn't let someone violent and crazy around my daughter either."

"Low blow," Gabi huffed.

"I am doing what's best for Ari," Will maintained. "She loves being around Paul. I love being around Paul. That's the way it's staying."

"Fine," Gabi crossed her arms.

Gabi smiled slightly, knocking her shoulder with Will's.

"Your ad was pretty hot," Gabi admitted.

"You saw that?" Will grinned with a laugh.

"I've been telling all the girls you're my baby daddy," Gabi teased.

"Oh, god," Will covered his face. "Never thought I'd be the one in a magazine, did you?"

"At least someone gets to be a model," Gabi smiled sincerely.

"Lunch," Paul yelled. He pushed the door to the condo open.

"Did you bring me French fries?" Johnny questioned.

"I wanted onion rings," Allie complained.

"You get what you get," Will rolled his eyes.

Will tossed the bags he was carrying onto the coffee table.

"Don't make a mess," Will warned.

As everyone began to eat, Will's phone beeped several times.

"Hey," Will said. "Who wants Uncle Chad to come visit?"

A chorus of 'me me me' began.

"Hmm," Chad looked around the condo. "This is nicer than I thought it would be."

"Gee, thanks," Paul mumbled.

"Uncle Chad," Sydney screamed.

Chad found himself surrounded with children.

"Did you bring me present?" Ari demanded. Her hands were on her hips.

"Did I bring you a present?" Chad asked rhetorically. "I brought everyone presents!"

"Yay," Ari jumped up and down.

Paul slumped on the couch next to Will.

Eventually Chad was able to detangle himself from the kids. He sat across from Will and Paul. Chad noticed Sami and Tori sitting at the dining room table together.

"I see everyone is still living," Chad commented. "That's surprising."

"Yeah," Will agreed. "Adrienne was over yesterday too."

"I'm doubly impressed," Chad admitted.

"So," Will began. "Your dad really doesn't know Johnny and Sydney are here?"

"I don't think he does," Chad replied. "But you never can tell with my father."

Paul nodded along. He didn't know where he stood with Chad anymore.

Paul didn't care if it was illogical. A part of him was always going to blame Chad and Abigail for what happened with Ben. Paul knew that wasn't fair but he didn't care.

'Just like I'm always going to be the guy in the fight Chad had to break up,' Paul thought. 'Or the guy that was going after Sonny.'

Chad leaned back in his seat. He looked completely relaxed with a cocky smile on his face.

"Your face is healing nicely," Chad noted, smirking.

"Thanks," Paul replied through clenched teeth.

Will chuckled awkwardly, rubbing Paul's forearm.

"He's tough," Will smiled.

"Sure," Chad condescendingly nodded. "Fighting in front of a toddler, how manly?"

"That was not my fault," Paul argued.

Chad rolled his eyes in an exaggerated fashion.

"Technically," Will interrupted. "I started the arguing."

"I didn't see you throwing any punches," Chad pointed out.

"I threw candy and an IPod," Will shrugged.

"Oooh, scary," Chad mocked.

"Do you think I wanted to punch Sonny?" Paul glared at Chad.

"Maybe," Chad quirked an eyebrow. "I don't know what kind of foreplay you like."

Paul growled.

"Stop it," Will ordered. "Both of you."

Paul settled back against Will. Will rubbed up and down Paul's arm soothingly.

"Fine," Chad agreed. He waited a few beats. "Have you heard anything from Sonny since?"

"He sent Ari a present," Will explained. "That's been it."

"Good," Chad said. "I haven't talked to him since then."

"Don't you have to talk about work?" Paul asked logically.

"Yeah," Will added inquisitively. "What's even happening with TBD without Sonny?"

Chad shifted uncomfortably.

"I can handle things," Chad defended.

"When did you ever handle things?" Will wondered. "Even back when it was Common Grounds I'm pretty sure Sonny did everything."

"Rude," Chad remarked.

"Besides," Chad added. "It doesn't really matter anyway. I could run that place into the ground and it wouldn't affect me. Not after the deal we made."

"Not after what deal?" Will frowned.

"You know," Chad replied.

Chad stared at Will's blank face.

"OK, you don't know," Chad pursed his lips. "Well, all you need to know really is, um, well."

"Well, what?" Paul questioned.

"I'm getting there," Chad huffed. "Basically, if anything happens with the club Sonny's going to be the one to take any heat."

"Why would you do that?" Will wondered.

"My father sai-," Chad began.

"Oh, now it makes sense," Will cut Chad off.

Will thought over the situation. It shed a light over a lot of things that had happened the year before regarding the club.

"Is that why Sonny blew all our money on that stupid club?" Wil asked Chad. "Because Sonny was the one in charge?"

"…Kinda," Chad admitted. "I didn't exactly think Sonny would use your actual money though. Maybe a loan or something."

"Or he'd ask you?" Will gave Chad a look. "That way he'd be in your debt."

Chad sucked his cheeks in. He wouldn't meet Will's eyes.

"…Maybe," Chad mumbled.

"Why would you do that?" Will asked bluntly. "Do you know how big of a deal that was?"

"Like I said," Chad quickly replied. "I didn't realize he was going to use almost all your money!"

"That doesn't make it OK, you jerk," Will crossed his arms.

"I'm sorry," Chad insisted.

Paul took Will's hand and squeezed. He knew how much of a struggle Will and Sonny had over money.

For such a long time Sonny had been the only one making anything. Will wanted to be able to contribute with his writing. When Sonny took that money, without Will's knowledge, he felt extremely hurt. Will had to take advances on paychecks and deal with Sonny pushing for him to finish his story on Paul.

Will never realized that was because of Chad.

'Chad and Stefano,' Will sighed deeply. An aggravated expression crossed his features.

"I'm sorry," Chad repeated.

"Sonny's your best friend," Will said. "Why would you make a deal with him like that?"

"I don't know," Chad shrugged. "Because I listened to my father?"

"Um," Paul interjected. "How did Sonny not realize that you were screwing him over? I thought he was smarter than that."

"I have no idea about that," Chad lifted his hands up. "Either he didn't read over the deal or he just heard that he'd be in charge."

"So," Will continued. "If I was still married to Sonny, that deal would have kept going?"

"Technically, yes," Chad nodded. "But you're not. So don't worry about it."

"You caused me a lot of grief," Will informed Chad. "And since when do you listen to your father?"

"I've learned a lot from him," Chad replied, indignant.

"No," Will narrowed his eyes. "You wanted to be his new little favorite since EJ's dead."

"That's not true," Chad set his jaw.

"Mmm hmm, sure," Will responded.

"Do you really wanna play this game?" Chad asked. "Because we all know which parent you're taking after."

Sami, walking nearby, flicked Chad in the back of the ear.

"What does that mean?" Sami demanded.

Chad turned around quickly.

"Nothing," Chad smiled awkwardly. "Nothing. Just talking about how great Will is."

Sami crossed her arms.

"I've known you since you were a teenager," Sami reminded Chad. "Don't think I won't smack you upside the head."

Sami turned on her heel and flounced back to the kitchen.

Chad turned back to face a laughing Will and Paul.

"You couldn't have warned me," Chad complained. "Geez," Chad rubbed his poor abused ear.

"Serves you right," Will stated.

"I'm still sorry," Chad promised. "I didn't mean to cause you any problems."

"I guess it doesn't matter now," Will said. "But thanks."

"Well, you'll be happy to know I'm not turning into a mini-EJ," Chad assured Will. "I'm stepping away from my father's schemes."

"You make a better Chad than you do an EJ anyway," Will teased.

"I like you better as Will than Sami too," Chad agreed.

Chad stayed through dinner. He joined Will and Paul in playing with the kids. Reluctantly, Chad and Paul began to get a better understanding of the other.

"Thanks for keeping your father out of the loop," Will told Chad.

The two stood in front of the elevator.

"Sure thing," Chad rocked backwards and forwards on his feet.

The elevator dinged before opening.

"Quick question," Chad said to Will. "Did Mad World make you sign anything contract wise?"

"No," Will gave Chad a strange look. "Why?"

"Nothing," Chad smiled widely. "I'll talk to you later."

"OK," Will waved before going back inside.

While Will walked Chad outside, Paul called his mom over onto the sofa. Paul pulled out his laptop so the two could skype with his grandfather.

Will glanced at Paul and Tori, wondering what they were up to. Before he could go over and check, Will noticed the mess the kids made.

"What is this?" Will looked over the section the kids were in.

Allie opened the jewelry making kit Kate bought her. Between her, Sydney, and Ari they completely wrecked the room.

"Clean it up," Will ordered.

"But why?" Ari asked. "Make mess again later."

"We aren't trashing Paul's condo," Will explained. "Now, pick everything up. You girls are going home in the morning. After this we're packing your bags."

Despite the grumbling, the girls set about cleaning everything up.

Will checked on Johnny. He set up shop in front of the TV and barely moved all day.

"Gross," Will commented. Potato chips and the dust from Cheetos lingered over the sofa. "Get the vacuum, you bum."

"What?" Johnny whined. "I'm playing."

"You haven't moved in twelve hours," Will exaggerated. "Save it and clean."

After Johnny found a handheld vacuum in a hall closet, Will moved to the kitchen.

Sami nodded at Will.

"I should keep you around," Sami decided.

"Who do you think kept our house clean?" Will asked rhetorically. "It wasn't you."

Will jogged away so she couldn't smack him.

"Your trip is going well?" Hiro Narita questioned.

"Yes," Tori replied. "I've been getting to know Paul's new family."

"New family?" Hiro pressed.

"He has half-siblings and step-siblings," Tori explained. "And a nephew and niece."

"Mom," Paul bashfully bowed his head.

"And his boyfriend has the cutest daughter imaginable," Tori continued. "She looks just like Will and she's beautiful."

Paul lifted his head up to stare at his mom.

Hiro's eyebrows rose on his forehead.

"It sounds like you both are enjoying yourselves," Hiro decided.

"Apparently," Paul laughed.

"Hey," Will moved near Paul. "Do you want some left over cookies?"

"Come here, baby," Paul opened his arms for Will.

"OK," Will stepped closer.

Paul put his arm around Will's waist and pulled him onto his lap.

"Whoa," Will put his arm on Paul's shoulder.

"Say hi, baby," Paul requested.

"Say hi to whom?" Will asked.

"Hello," Hiro said from the computer. He watched, amused, at his grandson's antics.

Will faced the screen. A strange squawk emerged from the back of his throat.

"Hi," Will waved uneasily.

"We were just talking about how beautiful Ari is," Paul told Will. He had a sweet smile on his face. "And how she looks just like you."

"Oh," Will bit his lip, cheeks red.

Clearing his throat, Will called out for Ari.

"What?" Ari skipped over.

"This is Paul's grandpa," Will explained.

"Oooh," Ari scrambled to sit on Paul's other knee. She pulled the laptop close and shoved her face right up against the screen. "Hi!"

Paul grinned widely as he watched Ari win his grandfather over. With one arm around Will and the other around Ari, Paul couldn't help but feel on top of the world.

The next morning, Will listened to Tori's instructions.

"After it steeps you need to pour it slowly," Tori directed.

Will gently lifted the tea pot. The green tea slowly poured into the mug.

"There you go," Tori nodded proudly. "Now you know how to make Paul-san a perfect cup of tea."

"Right," Will nodded. 'And it only has a million steps.'

"I'm gonna see if he can tell which of us made it," Will told Tori with an impish grin.

"Puddin' pop," Will called. "Can you come here?"

Paul wandered into the kitchen.

"What's up?" Paul wondered.

"Your mama made you something," Will pushed Paul's new mug towards him.

Paul took a large gulp of the tea and sighed in contentment.

"Oishii, Mother," Paul smiled.

"I'm glad you liked it," Tori nodded. "Because Will made it."

Will beamed proudly.

"Does everyone have everything?" Will asked.

"Unfortunately," Sami complained. She dragged a large suitcase filled with toys behind her.

"If not we'll send it on," Paul said. "OK, everybody to the cars."

"I'll miss you all," Will declared loudly. He waved as he watched his mom and siblings walk towards security at the airport.

"Love you!" Ari screamed shrilly. She waved enthusiastically along with Will.

Tori released Paul. She brushed her hands along his shoulders.

"Thank you for having me, son," Tori told him.

"You should come back sometime," Paul suggested.

"Yeah," Will agreed sincerely. "You should."

"Uh huh," Ari jumped up and down. "Come and see me!"

Tori bent over to hug Ari tightly.

"Of course, I'll have to see you," Tori nodded.

Ari giggled and kissed Tori on the cheek.

Surprising everyone, Tori hugged Will lightly.

"Oh," Will mumbled. "Um, thanks for coming."

"Thanks for being so good to my son," Tori responded.

Paul, Will, and Ari waited until Tori was out of sight before deciding to leave.

Ari stood between Will and Paul on the way to the car. She swung their hands back and forth.

"Now we alone," Ari declared.

"Yep," Paul nodded. "The condo will be so quiet."

"It'll be relaxing," Will countered.

"This mean go home?" Ari questioned. "Toys miss me."

"I guess we'll have to go home, yeah," Will realized.

"…Maybe I'll go with you," Paul decided. "I might get lonely."

Will buckled Ari into her car seat. Once she situated, Will got into the driver's seat.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" Paul faced Will.

"We didn't even have to visit the hospital," Will remarked. "It must be some kind of record."

Author's note:

There's some sort of problem with the reviews. I get email notifications but I can't respond. So, whenever it gets fixed I will be sure to reply!

Next chapter is their big NYE date.

Thanks for reading!