Touch My Heart - Chapter 16

A/N: Hey guys! I'm very happy to bring you a new chapter of Touch My heart this evening. This chapter might not be what you guys are expecting. The focus of this chapter is on Will's relationship with his father. You will see Will struggle with his emotions towards the fact that his father doesn't approve of his relationship with Sonny. You will also see some Will/Marlena and or course, our main couple Will/Sonny. This chapter is needed in order for our story to make sense, so I'm sorry that it's not all sappy and smutty. But rest assure, that the next chapter will have a few surprise. Or should I say, "Will has a few surprises for Sonny before Prom? Please review and comment and let us know what you think. This chapter is brought to you by Christina Phillips and myself. Once again, thanks for reading and loving Touch My Heart just as much as we do. - Roxy

(Will's POV)

I'm sitting at my desk in my room, when I hear my phone "ding," signalling that there was a new text message awaiting for me.

I sigh deeply; I have to finish jotting down ideas for my term paper, that is if I want to graduate.

I knew the text message wasn't from Sonny, because I told him earlier that I desperately needed to work on my paper if he wanted me to come over to his house this evening, and I also knew that Sonny understood the importance of this assignment and would never doing anything to compromise my studies.

I laid my pencil down on the desk and grabbed my phone; turning it over, I saw that it was my dad had sent me the text message. For a fleeting moment, I debated whether or not I should read it, or simply delete the message completely. However, my curiosity got the best of me and I open the message.

Dad:
Will! I know that Prom is coming up soon, so I would like to take you out to dinner. How does tonight around 6 sound?

I'm not sure that I want to see him at the moment. Not after the way he treated Sonny the last time we spoke. I sigh again, he IS my dad and I do want some kind of a relationship with him, so I replied with an agreement to meet.

I stood up, and looked at the clock. It was that already 5:35. "So much for taking a shower", I thought to myself. I hurried to change my sweater and jeans, ran my fingers through my hair a couple of times and head out the door to meet my dad at the café.

It only took me around 10 minutes to get to the café, but I did take a small scenic route around the pond. I'm not totally sure if it's because I am trying to put off seeing him, or if I'm just trying to calm myself down. But 20 minutes later, I have somehow managed to arrive at the café.

I opened the heavy glass door to the café and scanned the tables to see if my dad was already there, and he was. He had chosen a table in the far corner of the café, well away from the other customers. I wondered silently if this was because he was expecting a fight or a heated conversation; but I shook the thought away quickly and headed towards the table.

"Will!" He shouted excitedly as he stood up to greet me, opening his arms for a hug. How awkward was all I could think as I stepped into his embrace.

"Hi dad." I squeeze out, slowly and mechanically wrapping my arms around his middle.

"What's up?" I asked as I took a seat and picked up the menu.

"Nothing, I just wanted a dinner with you, and hear about your plans for prom." He said, clapping his hands together.

I looked at him, I mean, I really looked at him, trying to figure out what his angle was. He leaned his elbows on the table and rested his head in his left hand and his right arm laid haphazardly across the table.

I cocked my head to the side, "You mean, you want to know if I'm going with Sonny?" I clarified.

"Son, I was just wanting to have a civil conversation for once. And yes, I did want to know who exactly you were taking. But I suppose that could wait, if you're not ready to tell me."

I let out a sigh as I pinch the bridge of my nose. I needed to stay calm; if he's willing to make an effort then so should I.

"Okay dad, if you really want to know, I will tell you." I took a deep breath before realizing that I was nervous about talking to my dad about this particular subject. "I'm taking Sonny Kiriakis to the prom. We've been dating for about two months now, but I've watched him for about four."

"Sonny Kiriakis?" Dad questioned. I furrowed my brow, then it hit me. He goes by "Jackson," he wouldn't know him as "Sonny."

"Jackson. I call him "Sonny" as a nickname. It kind of caught on, and now that's what he likes to go by."

Then, there it was. There was the reaction I was expecting when I told him who it was. His fists tightened as he dropped his hands by his side. His lips pursed together and his eyes turned black. I saw the anger and frustration come from every fiber of his being. He radiated shame and embarrassment.

"You mean the special kid?" He slatted out suddenly. "That kid? The mute?" My dad gritted through his teeth.

I needed to stay calm, otherwise I'd pummel him for what he's just called the man who I was in love with.

"Yes dad, he IS special. He's special to me because I'm in love with him. Yes, THAT kid. THAT kid has my heart and my soul. He has me wrapped around his little finger. And he's NOT mute. He actually talks to me, and his family. He's very smart even though he's AUTISTIC, not "special" as you like to put it."

I sat back in my seat and crossed my arms; waiting for the fight to continue.

In the next few seconds, something changed in his face. He didn't accept it, but he didn't totally shoot it down. He was just indifferent. I think that's what made me more angry; the fact that he just didn't care.

"You know what dad? I think this was a bad idea." I said as I stood up and threw my napkin down on to the table. "You didn't want to find out about my prom plans. You just wanted to see if I was STILL gay. Guess what dad? I AM." I took a calming breath, "And I ALWAYS WILL BE."

"Will! Sit down! Lower your voice, you're embarrassing yourself." My dad said surprisingly calm.

"You mean, I'm embarrassing you." I retorted, still refusing to sit down.

"If you must know, yes, you're slightly embarrassing me." My dad gritted through his teeth, this time a little venom behind those words.

"Great. Nice to know I'm an embarrassment." I said turning on my heels and leaving the café and my dad behind.

I started running.

I'm not sure if I was running from him, or if I was running from his words. I felt the cold air rush through my hair and I slowly started to calm myself down. I love the feeling of the wind through my hair. It somehow feels as good as when Sonny ran his fingers through it. He calms me.

Finally, after what felt like an hour of running, I have managed to find myself in my favorite place, the park.

I stopped and sat down on the nearest park bench and tried to catch my breath. I pulled my phone out of my jacket and decided to send Sonny a quick text asking if he would like to go to a late dinner with me.

I needed Sonny now more than ever.

- Sonny! Hi my love! Would you be interested in going to dinner with me tonight? As in a date?

Sonny replied within seconds of my text message.

- Yes! When?

I smiled to myself. He's so cute when he's excited. I could just imagine him doing a little dance reading those words, and I instantly felt better. I went back to my phone, and continued typing.

- How about 7:30? I need to run home first then I'll head over to pick you up. That okay?

- I can't wait!

- I love you, my Sonny.

- I love you 2, my Will.

I chuckled when I saw Sonny's message. His Will...

I slipped my phone back inside my jacket pocket and stood up to go home to see if my grandma Marlena was there. I felt the need to talk to someone other that Sonny about my issues with my father, and if there's one person in this world that can help me deal with this, it's her. She has this calming way, and anytime that I'm either sad or upset, she always makes me feel better.

"Grandma?" I called out. I walked slowly into the living room, "Grandma?" I call a little louder.

"Will! I'm in here!" I heard her calling from what I believe is her office. She appears from the hallway and every emotion that I was trying to suppress came bubbling up to the surface the moment I saw her. I began to sob as I fell to my knees in the living room.

"He's embarrassed of me grandma! He's ashamed that I'm gay and I didn't think it would hurt as bad as it does." I choked out around my uncontrollable sobs.

"Who is honey?" She said as she magically appeared beside of me. I felt her hand massaging circles on my back and I slowly started to calm down. She's patiently waited for me to explain what was wrong, but the words are failing me at the moment. She somehow sensed this and wraped her amazingly warm arms around my shoulders and pulled me into her lap. Her hand began making lazy circles in my hair and I close my eyes at the sensation.

"Dad." I said, still not able to find a stable sounding voice.

"Love, take a deep breath and tell me what happened. I'm sure you've misunderstood?" She said, waiting for the full story.

I tried to calm my breathing and to stop the tears from falling down my cheeks.

Slowly, I explained to her what happened back at school when my dad met Sonny and how it made me feel to know that my dad didn't approve of him. Then we talked about what happened at the café. I could tell she was trying to stay neutral, although I could see the sadness in her eyes.

I finished my story and finally. I'm able to lift my head from her lap and sat up on my accord. I still can't bring myself to look her in the eyes, fearing she might feel the same way about Sonny as my dad does.

"Will, what your father did was hurtful to you, I understand that. I don't think that time will help the situation. You need to show your father how you feel about Sonny. That's the only way he will understand my love."

I took a deep breath, "I don't want Sonny to feel the way that I'm feeling right now. I'm afraid dad will break him if I introduce him as my boyfriend to dad."

"Not possible. No matter what your father says to Sonny, he won't break. He won't break because he has you, and you won't allow him to feel bad about himself. You have protected him since the first day you started helping Alex. And without realizing it, you fell in love with him. There's no one in this world who could hurt him, not as long as you're by his side."

I stopped and thought about her words. "You think so?" I asked.

"I know so." She replied.

I wiped the remained tears from my face and smile. "Thank you grandma. I think I need to go see Sonny now." I declared as I stood up and got ready to leave. "I need to show him how much I love him."

"Call me after so that I know you're okay! And don't forget, we need to finish our Scrabble game." She said with a smile.

I grabbed her in a tight hug, "Thanks grandma. I love you. I'll call you later."

"Love you too Will. Now go get that boy!"

"I'm walking hand in hand with the most amazing man in this world", I thought to myself as I looked into Sonny's chocolate-brown eyes. For thie first time in my life, I feel like I'm complete.

I smile at Sonny who was rubbing circles around the slight puffy roundness that was his previously flat belly.

"Will, I don't think I've ever been so full."

"Me either sunshine, me either." I said as I playfully patted his belly, which brings a beautiful sound to come from Sonny's mouth. I may be in love, but Sonny's laugh is enough to make my legs go to jelly. He can turn me to mush with that one sound.

I motion for Sonny to sit down on the near by bench and I follow slowly behind of him.

"So, how was your dinner?" I asked him as I started twirling his hair between my fingers. I couldn't take my eyes off of his amazingly deep brown pools that were staring right back at me.

"It was great, Will. Thank you so much for inviting me out to dinner with you, but you really didn't have to."

I smiled, "Baby, you never have to thank me for taking you out. I wanted to take you out and to spend some quality time with the man who I love dearly. Spending time with you is the best part of my day, and treating you to dinner is just the beginning of what I have planned out for us tonight."

Sonny blushed, "Wait! There's more?" He sounded surprised.

"Lots more. But before we get into that, I forgot to ask if you wanted any dessert?"

"I don't think I could pack anything else in me."

"Wow! Sonny Kiriakis refuses dessert! Are you sure you're feeling okay?", I playfully teased him and poked his belly. He giggled. I just needed to hear his laugh again. I started to lean in towards him, to kiss his beautiful pink lips when I heard someone clear their throat behind us.

"Ahem!"

Recognition of the owner of that voice hit me straight in the gut. I turn my head slowly from Sonny and look in the direction of the sound. "Dad." I said indifferently.

"Dad?" Sonny questioned.

I slowly stood up to my feet, half in front of Sonny in a protective stance. Dad picked up on the action and relaxed his own stance a little. It felt as if we were
in a stand-off, and who ever spook first, would lose the battle.

Sonny got up from the bench and stood behind me, sliding is right hand into mine and laced our fingers together. But what happened next completely caught me off guard.

Sonny offered his left hand to my dad, who just stares at Sonny's hand as if he would catch some terrible disease if he were to touch it. However, that doesn't stop my amazing boyfriend from formerly introducing himself, "I'm Sonny," he said, refusing to put his hand down.

"We've met." My Dad said, still not taking Sonny's hand in greeting. Dad crossed his arms as if he was trying to intimidate me. But It's not working.

"Don't be rude dad, shake my boyfriend's hand." I said as I took a step forward in front of Sonny. Again, half shading him from my father's view.

My dad slowly uncrossed his arms and offers his left hand. "It's customary to offer the right hand Sonny. Maybe Will hasn't explained that to you." He said as he
removed his hand from Sonny's grasp.

"He knows that dad. Maybe he didn't feel you were worth letting go of my hand to take yours." I retorted, which causes Sonny to look at me with a shocked expression.

"Will?" Sonny questioned.

I turn my head and pulled him into my side, my eyes still haven't left my dad's face. I leaned in and give Sonny a reassuring peck on his temple and ran my fingers through his hair.

"I didn't come over here to fight, Will." My dad said softly.

"Obviously you didn't succeed." I breathed out, while my lips still softly rested on Sonny's temple.

"Will?" Sonny whispers. "I haven't felt you this angry before. I'm a little scared of you and your dad right now." Sonny whimpered out.

I wrapped my left arm around Sonny's back and rest it on his side, pulling him closer into my embrace and I gave him another reassuring kiss to his temple; my right hand still fisted in his hair.

"He FEELS you? What does that mean?" My dad quietly asked, watching how gentle I have become with this boy.

"It means that when he's said, I feel it in my heart. When he's happy, I feel it in my heart. When he's angry, I feel it in my heart. I know what emotion he's feeling because I feel them too." Sonny said trying to be brave, but starting to tremble slightly.

My dad's eyes changed a little. Almost like he was trying to accept that I am with Sonny now, but I'm still not getting my hopes up.

"So you're in dependence on my son?" My dad asked.

Sonny looks at me and I could see that he was confused by my dad's question. He whispered softly, "I don't understand the question, Will."

"It's okay, babe." I explained, "He's asking you if you are dependent on me. Meaning, do you need me in order to function. Like a child would need his mother."

"Oh, how rude." Sonny whispers back to me then looked at straight at my father, "No, it means I'm in love with your son."

"Do you know what that word means?" My dad asked.

I took everything that I had in me to not march over to my father and punch him in the face. The last thing I wanted was to scare Sonny again, so I pull him as close as possible to my side and kissed his temple again.

"Of course I know what that word means. I'm Autistic, not stupid." Sonny retorted and looked over at me as if he was looking for my approval. I smiled and placed a soft kiss to his lips in response. I've never been so proud of Sonny in my entire life.

My dad looks at me and then back at Sonny and let out a defeated sigh, "Okay, son. I will talk to you later. I was just wanting to have a civil conversation with you, since our last one ended badly. I hope that you don't think that I don't love you, because I do. I do love you, Will. More than you will ever know."

It took me a second before I could tear my eyes away from Sonny and look at me dad, "I love you too dad, I do. It's just that I don't really like you very much right now. You can't accept that I'm gay, and that's okay. But don't expect me to be around you until you do."

Dad's shoulders dropped a little and he quietly said, "Fair enough. I'll talk to you later."

"Yeah, I'll talk to you later."

Dad walked off, and I turned to Sonny and enveloped him in the biggest hug I could muster up. "I'm so proud of you my sunshine." I whispered into his neck, and place a few feather light kisses to his jaw line.

"I love you Will." He whispered into my hair and kisses my ear lobe.

"I love you too Sonny, always."

"Always." Sonny repeated. And I knew, I knew that he meant that; and he knew that I meant it too.

"You ready to get out of here?"

Sonny shook his head eagerly, "Yes! You said you had lots more planned for us this evening, and I can't wait to find out what it is."

I giggled, "Alright, buddy. Lets get you home and I'll show you."

(Lucas's POV)

I stood behind the trees and focused the interaction between my son and his boyfriend. I watched as Will reached out and pulled Sonny into his arms and hugged him tightly and you could sense that these boys had very strong feels for one another. I smiled at the sight of seeing my son happy for the first time in years. I saw something in Will today that I haven't seen in a very long time. It was a spark. And I'm pretty sure that Sonny's the reason for it.

I might not be ready to accept that my son's gay and that he's in love with another man, but at least for now, I am willing to accept that my son, Will Horton, had a boyfriend.