Touch My Heart - Chapter 9
A/N - Well, I'm sorry for the small chapter! This is all we could come up with before Christmas. We are all very busy but I hope this is good enough until the new year and I promise you a good long chapter! Once again, I would like to thank Amber, Jen and Christina for Co-writing and Beta for this story! Love you ladies! - Roxy
(Alex's POV)
"Dad, do you think that Jackson is gonna like the gift we got him?", I asked my dad as I entered the front door of our home and placed my bags on the bench in the entry way. Joey followed behind.
"I'm sure he's gonna love it, Alex. He might need a few lessons on how to work it, but I'm sure you'll be able to help him out with that, won't you son?", My dad asked as he took off his jacket and hung it on the coat rack near the bench.
"I'll do it!", Joey quickly offered.
"If that's alright with Alex then I see no problem with that", my dad pointed out and waited for my answer.
"Of course, Joey. You can teach Jack how to use it."
"Great! Can't wait!"
"Alright, boys. I have some paper work to finish up before tomorrow and then I'm off to bed", my dad informed us and went towards his office, "I'll be in my office if you need me."
"Okay, dad. See ya later", I said as I watched him leave and turned around to Joey, "I'm so excited! I can't wait to give it to him. I think I'm gonna go give it to him right now", I said as I pulled off my jacket and dropped it on the bench without even taking the time to properly hang it. I grabbed the bag that contained Jackson's gift and went to leave but was quickly pulled back by Joey.
"Alex? I think it might be a good idea to wait until tomorrow to give that to Jackson", Joey said with a smirk.
Usually when Joey smirks, it means one of two things. Either he's up to something, or he trying to get a point across. In this particular scenario, I'm opting for option number two; but what could he be getting at?
"Why?", I asked and gave him my best say-it-now-or-shut-the-fuck-up look.
"Well, as you already know dumb ass, Jackson's on a date with Will."
"Yeah, so?", I asked, "Why should that stop me from giving Jackson his gift?"
"Ah, Alex. Always so clueless", Joey pointed out and continued, "Have you ever thought that maybe Jackson doesn't wanna be interrupted by the likes of you?"
"It never bothered him before? Why should it now?"
"Oh my God! Do I have to paint you a picture?", Joey said, letting out a frustrated sigh, "He's on a date! With Will! They might be, you know, busy?"
"Busy doing what?", I asked before I caught on to what Joey was insinuating "Oh..."
"Ding! Ding! Ding!", Joey said and started laughing, "And we have a winner!"
"Shut up!", I hissed at Joey and suddenly noticed how quiet it was in the house.
"Hey, I was just stating the facts. I know that if I was home alone and on a date, well...I wouldn't want my brother walking in on me while...", Joey tried explaining his motives for not wanting me to go upstairs and interrupt Jackson, but I cut him off before he could say anything further.
"Jackson and Will aren't...he's not...he wouldn't...would he? Oh my God! He would, wouldn't he? Oh God! I can't breathe!", I panicked and took a seat on the bench.
Joey came and took a seat next to me, "Relax, Alex. You need to calm down", Joey said calmly, rubbing circles on my back, "I was just saying."
"Next time, don't", I growled as I looked at my bother with worried eyes, trying desperately to catch my breath.
"Alex..."
"No, don't say it! Please...", I begged, not wanting Joey to state the obvious reason for my little anxiety attack.
"He's growing up, Alex. And you're going to have to get used to it. He's not a little boy anymore..."
Great, he said it. And now, I have to accept it.
"...He's gonna be seventeen in a few months..."
"I know, Joey..."
"Come on", my brother gestured me to follow him, "Let's go check on Jackson - quietly! Wouldn't wanna interrupt a hot make out session now would we?"
"Shut up!"
"Make me!"
"Don't tempt me!"
Joey smiled and headed up the stairs. I followed behind him, trying to keep a safe distance, but half way up the stairs, Joey stopped and turned towards me, "Alex?", he whispered.
"Yeah?", I answered, wondering what Joey was going ask this time around.
"Please don't freak out if Jackson and Will are making out. He's happy for once, and I would like it to stay that way. Comprende mi hermano?"
"Yes!"
"Prométeme!"
"Why are you speaking Spanish?"
"Because I want to, now stop avoiding the question", Joey implied and waited for me to answer.
"Alright, I promise. But if they're naked in there, then I'm not accountable for my actions, comprende?"
"Muy Claro!"
We continued up the stairs until we reached Jackson's room where we stopped and listened to see if we heard anything.
"No, moaning. That's a good sign", Joey pointed out and I slapped him across the head for saying such a thing, "What? I was just..."
"Saying? You never know when to shut up do you, Jo?"
"Wow! Horton must really be rubbing off on you lately. Using a nick name? Never thought I would see the day that Alex Kiriakis would call me Jo."
"So? That doesn't mean that he's rubbing off on me."
"Well, technically, he's probably rubbing off our brother right now. Rubbing his hands all over Jackson's body, whispering dirty stuff in his ear. Oh Jack, you're so hot. I just wanna...", Joey said, wrapping his own arms around his body and pretending to be making out with himself.
Once again, I slapped him, "Knock it off!"
Joey laughed, "You're blushing", he said pointing his finger to the flush on my cheeks.
"Am not!", I said, pushing his hand away from my face, "Now, should we just open the door and check up on him or should we knock first?"
"I don't know, Sherlock. You tell me?"
"Okay, well...I guess we should just peek inside", I said as I nervously turned the door knob, afraid of what we might find on the other side.
The door slowly opened...
As it turns out, I had nothing to fear.
"Well, well. Isn't this a sight for sore eyes", Joey whispered to me as we watched Jackson sleeping comfortably in Will's arms.
I let out a sigh of relief and turned my head over slightly towards Joey, "Jackson's really growing up, isn't he?"
"He sure is. Come on. Let them sleep", Joey said as he left the room and headed back down stairs.
"I'll be there in a minute", I whispered softly to Joey, trying not to make a sound to wake up Jackson and Will.
I stood there for a few minutes watching Jackson asleep next to Will with his face buried in the crook of Will's neck, and their fingers intertwined perfectly together. Will's arms were wrapped completely around Jackson's body, and they were both smiling as if no one else in the world existed besides themselves.
Suddenly, Jackson started stirring. So I took a step back and closed the door, leaving a small crack so I could see what was happening inside the room. I watched closely as Will wrapped both his arms around Jackson's body and pulled him tight to him. Jackson immediately eased into Will embrace, rested his head against Will's chest, wrapped his own around the other boy's sleeping body and cuddled in closer. Will, smiled and placed a kiss on Jackson's forehead as quickly fell back asleep. I couldn't help but smile.
"Sleep tight", I whispered as I closed the door completely and went down stairs to find Joey.
(Sonny's POV)
I slowly come into consciousness and the feeling of the warm body next to mine made me smile. The memories from early came to mind and my smile became wider, I couldn't believe we finally kissed. That was the best moment in his life so far.
After a few more moments of being in Will's embrace I slowly move out of his arms and get my sketch pad and charcoal. I have the urge to draw Will while he was sleeping because he was so beautiful while he sleeps. Once I have everything I get back on the bed carefully until I am sitting in front of Will's sleeping form.
I situated the stuff around me until everything was set up where I needed it. I grabbed the hardest charcoal first so that I could sketch out Will's form so that I knew where everything was at.
As time went on the drawing came to life more and more. When I was done with one charcoal pencil I went on to the next one until I reached the last and softest one. Each level of softness helped me to create each shadow as how it's suppose to look. I would scribble in the shadow area and then I would take my finger and rub it to smooth it out.
By the time I was done my hands were practically all black. I carefully set the drawing aside and put all my supplies away before I went into the bathroom to wash my hands. I walk back into the bedroom, put the drawing in a safe spot and then climbed into bed with Will. I slid my body over until I was flush against his side from my toes to my shoulder.
Leaning on my elbow I looked at Will's face, studying this features again. I just couldn't get enough of looking at him. I smiled as I leaned forward and whispered, "I am so happy that you accidentally touched me that day in the office. All the things that I have been able to do since you came into my life wouldn't have happened if you were that with me."
I filled in the last few inches and softly kissed his cheek.
Once I pull away I snuggle into his side and comfortable rest my head against his chest as unconsciousness started to take over.
(Will's POV)
I was beginning to come in to consciousness, beginning to feel the things around me. I feel warmth, I feel safe, I feel the sun beating down on my face, then I feel something hard and muscular tucked tightly into my left side. I start to sit up, but I'm pinned down by the weight of something. I turn my head to see what was beside of me and all of last night came flooding back. I was in bed with Jack! Oh my gosh how did I end up spending the night with him? OH MY GOD I spent the night in bed with Jack! I panic. Was he ok? Did this ruin our fresh relationship? He certainly wasn't ready for this. How could I be so stupid? I slowly extricate myself from his body when I realize his eyes are open and are staring into my soul.
"Morning", Jack says and smiles his amazing smile, that one that makes me go weak in the knees.
"Good morning Jack", I say shakily, still unsure if I have screwed things up or not.
"Did you sleep well?", I ask as I wipe a small whisp of hair away from his eyes.
I slap myself subconsciously, how can my hands move on their own accord like this? Jack nodded his head "yes," and I sighed inwardly. I rolled over to face him, "Jack, are you ok with me sleeping over last night?" I asked awkwardly and waited for Jack's answer.
He furred his eye brows as if he didn't understand. I took a deep breath, "We haven't officially been dating Jack. Are you comfortable that we fell asleep last night holding each other?"
I'm not sure what answer I'm looking for, but I hope to God that it's starts with a "y" and ends with an "s".
Jack smiled, "Yes", was all he said.
I let out the breath that I didn't know I was holding and gave a small smile, "So, we're okay?", I asked, hesitantly.
Jack nodded his head and I don't think I have been happier in my life, "Okay, Jack, you're my boyfriend, right?", I begin.
Jack nods again, so I continue, "You know that I really like you. I care for you a lot Jack, I want you to know that."
Jack sits up and motions for me to slide back. I do, so that I'm sitting upright, my back is flat against the headboard. Jack, slowly, moves towards me and snuggled his nose into the crook of my neck, while hugging his arms around me tightly. I smile. My hand slowly snakes up and starts playing in his hair. It's like it has a mind of its own. Jack lets out a little sigh and I lean in to kiss his forehead, "You have no idea what you do to me Jack", I said and kiss his eye brow, "You make me weak inside", and then I kiss the tip of his nose which he crinkled it up and laughs quietly, "You make me happy Jack, like no one ever has" I said as I cupped his chin, pulling his eyes level with mine, "No one, Jack, no one has ever made me this happy before."
I lean in and give him a slow, chaste kiss. When it's over, I rest my forehead on his, my hand still cupping his chin, "I want you to know that Jack. I want you to be my boyfriend. Do you want to be my boyfriend too?"
Jack sat up and looked at me quizzically, "Do you know what that means Jack?"
He didn't move, he looked at me as if he wasn't sure of what to do. He then cocked his head to the left, and I chuckled. He reminded me of that beautiful little Beagle puppy with HUGE chocolate eyes, trying to understand what a stranger was trying to say. I love this about Jack. He's so pure and innocent. The two things I hope he never loses. He shook his head, "Okay, Jack. A boyfriend is different from a friend that's a boy. A boyfriend is someone who you like more than friends, like we do. A boyfriend is also a very special person, the only person that you want to kiss, or hold hands with, or sit with at lunch. Your brothers don't count as boyfriends because they're your family, so you wanting to kiss them and spend time with them is different", I paused and sat up, and rested my hand on Jack's thigh.
"My light?", Jack asked.
"Yes, Jack, you are my light at the end of the tunnel. My day when things are dark as night, Jack", I said and put my right hand at the crook of his neck.
I slid closer to him and rested my forehead onto his, as I slowly slid my hand to the back of his neck, "Yes", Jack said and smiled.
I smiled as big as I think possible, "Yes? Yes, you'll be my boyfriend?", I said again just to make sure I heard him right.
"Yes", Jack repeated.
"Jack, I'm going to kiss you now, and it may be a long kiss. I may want to rest my hand on your chest, and I may want to kiss your neck. Are you okay with that Jack?", I whispered ruggedly.
I was having to hold back because right now, what I wanted to do was take him then and there, but he wasn't ready for that, I know.
"Yes, Will. Kiss me", Jack said, and I complied.
After a few minutes of soft kissing, I heard a rustle outside of the door. I smiled, "Jack, looks like your brothers are checking up on us. What do you say we get up and go have breakfast? I think they would like to know what happened last night, and know that you're okay."
Jack turned red with embarrassment, "Okay", He said as he hid his head in his hands.
I grabbed his wrists, and pulled his hands away from his beautiful face, "Hey, I'm here Jack. I'll help you talk to them, okay?"
Jack nodded, and I couldn't help but to think that this was the beginning of something special. I started to get out of bed, when Jack grabbed my arm to stop me. I cupped his cheek and said, "Don't worry, Jack, I'm right here."
Jack shook his head and said, "Wait."
I said and looked at him, "I love when you speak, you have a beautiful voice."
I give him a small kiss on his nose and he giggles, "Wait", he says again, and gets up and walks over to his dresser.
He turns back to me and awkwardly smiles, like he's unsure of himself. He pulls out his art notebook and slowly walks back to the bed. He is holding it very tightly, like he's afraid of what's inside of it. I reach out for the notebook, but I don't touch it. I know this is personal for Jack, and he needs to do this on his own terms. He takes a shaky breath, and gives me the notebook. I smile, "Thank you, Jack. May I open it?", I asked.
Jack nods his head and quietly sits down on the bed beside of me. He leans his head on my shoulder and I bring a hand up to rub his face, "It's okay, Jack. I'm sure I will love it", I said as I slowly opened the notebook.
On the first page is a picture of me that Jack must have drawn in the middle of the night. He had taken his time on this picture, I could tell by all the beautiful details he had added to it. My breath hitched, I have never seen anything so beautiful in my life, "Jack", I breathed out, "You did this?"
Jack dug his face deeper into my shoulder and nodded his head, "I did it last night", he said quietly.
I sat the picture down and faced him, "It is the most beautiful thing that I have ever seen Jack. I love it. And I... I love you, Jack", I said and kissed him again, only with everything I had in me, "I love you so much, Jack."
Jack was taken back by the words as first. He smiled and turned over facing the other way as if he didn't want me to see his beautiful eyes. I reached over and pulled him back towards me, feeling like a dumb ass for being so straight forward with him. Maybe telling him I loved him was too much for him to handle right now, "Jack, I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking straight. I should have waited for the perfect moment...I...", I tried explaining, babbling I should say, and Jack somehow found that rather amusing and started to giggle, "So you think this is funny?", I said and laughed along with him.
Jack nodded, "Will...I...Love...You."
"You do?", I asked and the giggles quickly disappeared, "You really love me?"
"Yes, Will. I love you", Jack said and started blushing furiously.
"You have no idea how happy that makes me, Son", I said and pulled him in for a kiss, "I...", I said and kissed him slowly on the lips, "Love", I said as I pulled away from his lips and placed an open mouthed kiss on the crock of his neck, slowly sucking at the tender skin beneath my lips, causing Jack to moan softly and then I finished with the, "You", and placed a final kiss on his ear lobe, where I breathed it all out one last time to make sure he understood just how much I really loved him, "I love you, my sunshine."
"I love you, Will", he said and I could see by the look in his eyes the he meant every single word.
"Come on love, let's go eat breakfast and talk with your brothers", I kissed him on his eyes, "Thank you Jack. Thank you for the picture, and thank you for believing in me", I smiled with small tears starting to form in my eyes.
No only was I happy for the picture that Jack drew me, I was also happy that Jack loved me. Me...The real me...
Jack frowned and watched as the tears started running down both sides of my face, "I'm not sad, Jack. Happy tears Jack, I'm just so happy."
Jack wiped away a stray tear that had began to fall, "Happy tears", he repeated, his voice was a little shaky.
I looked into his eyes and realized he was welling up too. I kissed his tears away and stood up. I extended my hand, hoping Jack would take it, and he did. I led him to the door and we prepared ourselves, mentally, to face his family to share Jack's wonderful news, "Oh and Jack?", I asked as we headed out the door, "While we're at it, we might as well tell them that we're boyfriends, don't you think?"
Jack stopped and looked like he was about to faint, "Will...Are you sure about this?"
"Yes, babe. I want your family to know that you're my boyfriend. I don't wanna hide this from them. I might not be ready to tell the whole world about us just yet, but I am ready to take the first step and tell them just how much I care about you and how much I love you. But only if you're okay with that. I don't wanna make things awkward for you in any way."
Jack smiled, "Okay. Will. You can tell my dad and my brothers about us."
"Yes!", I scream out of excitement, "So, now I'll be able to do this anytime I want without having to worry about whose gonna be walking in on us", I said and kiss Jack hard on the lips.
Jack hummed, "Ah, Will...I think maybe we should go back down stairs before I change my mind", Jack pointed out and I couldn't help but laughed at Jack's openness.
"I think that's a great idea, babe. Let's go..."
(Alex's POV)
"So, it's taking them a while to come down", I pointed out and looked over a Joey who was smiling, "What you smiling at?"
"It's nothing. I'm just happy that's all", Joey said and continued to fiddle around the kitchen.
"Oh come on! Tell me what's gotten you in such a great mood", I asked and Joey smiled again.
"Do you really wanna know?"
"Yeah, I really wanna know."
"Well, when you came down stairs after listening in to Jackson's door. I heard Will say something to Jack."
"What did he say?", I curiously asked and waited for Joey to tell me, "Come on! Spill it!"
"He said that he loved him. Will loves Jackson and I think they kissed", Joey said as he picked up the box of cereal and filled up his bowl.
"They what?", I said and lifted myself off the chair in a panic and ended up spilling half my orange juice over the table, "Shit!"
Joey laughed, "You heard me the first time, Alex", Joey said and tossed me a roll of paper towels to clean up the mess, "You know you need to calm down about this?"
"I know, Joey. It's just...My little brother is dating and kissing and...Will Horton...Oh My God!"
"Yes, Alex. Our brother is dating Will Horton, Mr. popularity, and yes, there are going to be kissing. You better get use to it, because from what I see from here, I think it's safe to say that they are boyfriends now", Joey said and pointed in direction of the hallway where Will and Jackson we're just about to walk in.
(Will's POV)
We walked down stairs together hand in hand, and his grip got tighter and tighter as we got closer to the bottom. I knew that he was very nervous about telling his family that he decided to speak yesterday. For me it was a moment in time that I will never, ever forget. It's so unbelievable because Jack hasn't
spoken to anyone since he was a child. But for some incredible reason for which I cannot even begin to express my gratitude, Jack decided to speak to me. Me. Messed up, troublemaking Will. Me. The guy who finally felt at home for the first time when I was with Jack.
I don't want Jack to feel like he has to do this. That last thing I ever wanted was to pressure him into telling his family, especially if he's not ready. But this sudden urge to talk, to express himself with words, to give me the wonderful gift of hearing his gentle, raspy voice say my name, it was the most
amazing thing ever. And no matter how badly I wanted him to share this with his family, the decision was up to Jack. I'll stand by him regardless of what he decides.
I glanced over at him and realized how nervous he was about telling them, so I stopped us in the hallway just before the kitchen.,"You're gonna do fine my sunshine", I whispered so the others wouldn't hear, "I'll be right there with you."
Jack squeezed my hand tightly, "Will...I...I'm not sure about this", he admitted hesitantly and took a step back.
"Are you afraid of what they are going to say when they find out?", I questioned, hoping that wasn't the case. "I'm sure they will be so excited and happy about this news, my sunshine."
Jack didn't answer me; he just stood there looking lost and confused. Then suddenly I felt the same way. Jack's been speaking to me on a regular basis and now this painful silence was making me very uneasy. Why wasn't he talking to me anymore? Did I do something wrong? Did I pressure too much...even
though I tried so hard not too? Please don't let Jack slip back into his shell and hide away the beautiful voice I've grown to seek comfort in over the course of just one night. Now that I've heard him, now that my heart has heard him, I couldn't bear to have only silence again.
"Jack? Please answer me?", I pleaded with him to say something to reassure me. I swallowed hard and my heart started to beat faster from fear, "Sunshine?", I felt tears spring to my eyes. Last night was magical and now this felt so hard.
Jack just looked at me, compelling me with his eyes to understand how he felt. He was trying to make me understand that this wasn't as easy for him as it was for me.
Then it hit me, and I quickly brushed away my tears. I'd gotten so caught up with everything that's been happening the last few days, my new relationship with Jack, him speaking to me, the shit with my dad, that I overlooked the fact that Jack still has autism. He spoke to me because he chose to. And Jack's the one who chooses when and to whom he wants to speak, not the other way around.
"Jack, I'm so sorry...", And I was so terribly, terribly sorry. I felt like an ass.
Jack took a step forward and cupped both sides of my face and smiled. He understood and he forgave me.
I placed my hands over his and leaned in, placing a soft peck on his lips, "I kinda forgot about, you know? Your autism. I just got so wrapped up in how wonderful I felt...that I messed up. I feel so stupid, Jack", I admitted and buried my face in the crook of his neck.
Jack wrapped his arms tightly around me and whispered softly while running his hand up and down my back, "It's alright, Will."
I pulled away and looked into his eyes, "No, Jack. It's not alright. I got selfish. This is who you are, it is part of what makes you so special to me, and I shouldn't have to keep reminding myself. You know that I care about you just the way you are. I don't want to change you or what we have, you know?"
Jack nodded his head, "I know, but Will?"
"Yes, Jack?"
"No matter how bad it gets sometimes, I just want you to know that deep inside, I'm still me and I love you, even if I can't always tell you."
"Oh, Jack. I love you so much and I know you love me even if you can't tell me, cause I feel it", I said and wrapped my arm around my "Boyfriends" waist, "Now, let's go tell them the good news."
Jackson smiled together we both walked into the kitchen together.
To Be Continued...OXO