"Why exactly am I meeting you at a bank?" Will asked as he pushed Ari's stroller over to his grandma Kate.
"Because," Kate answered, ripping open the ornate bank door and marching inside.
"That's not an answer," Will pointed out, struggling to get the stroller inside.
"You explained to me what happened with your credit card," Kate explained as she paused in the bank's lobby to wait for Will. "I figured I would ensure a situation like that never happens to you again. Especially now that you have your own business to worry about."
"The pub has its own account," Will crouched down to check on a still sleeping Arianna. She was closing in on ten hours.
'Must be going through another growth spurt,' Will decided.
"I know," Kate refrained from rolling her eyes at Will's obliviousness. She noticed a woman heading in their direction. "Sami and I already discussed this."
Walking up to the powerful looking woman before her, Kate stuck out her hand.
"Vanessa DeBois, I presume," Kate greeted.
"Yes, you must be Kate Roberts," Vanessa shook Kate's hand with a strong grip. "Right this way to my office."
"Uh," Will frowned, lips pouting.
"Oh, this is my grandson, Will," Kate jerked her head towards Will. "He's the one interested in a private account."
"No, I'm not," Will replied.
"You are," Kate insisted. "He is," she told Vanessa.
Kate took a step closer towards Will to hiss in his ear.
"You need to think about yourself and your daughter. That's why I think a private savings and checking account is necessary. I'm providing the first deposit. If something were to happen again, I would hate for you to be bereft," Kate scolded.
"I was never bereft," Will mocked slightly. "Is this necessary?"
"Of course," Kate huffed. "You're doing this. Whatever you decide with Sonny, staying together or going your separate ways, you can use this as a contingency plan."
Will made to argue when he saw his grandma's face.
"I don't want you putting your trust in someone that could leave you with nothing, Will," Kate stated. "Maybe you'll never need this money, maybe you will. It would make me feel better if nothing else."
Will thought back to all the times his grandma was left alone after the end of one relationship or another. The terrible things she ended up doing to make money, the men she stayed with to maintain a sense of status. He knew she was only trying to prevent the same from happening to him.
"…Okay," Will agreed.
A half hour later, Will and Kate walked out of the bank together.
"You didn't have to do that, Grandma," Will told her.
"I just want to make sure you have every opportunity at happiness," Kate squeezed Will's arms. "That you don't end up in a dangerous situation."
"Thank you," Will smiled.
"Of course," Kate squeezed Will's arm. In a firm tone, Kate added, " But I think you should consider getting a separation."
"We are separated," Will frowned. "You know I haven't seen him in a few weeks."
"No," Kate patiently explained. "A legal separation."
"What's that?" Will wondered.
"It's similar to a divorce but you're still married," Kate stated. "A court order would mandate how to handle everything. I think it would be helpful while you and Sonny worth things out."
"I-I never thought about it," Will revealed, mind whirling.
"Just consider it," Kate requested. "Now, what are your plans?" Kate questioned conversationally.
"Once Ari wakes up we'll go to the rec center," Will replied. "It's our new thing. You could come with, if you want."
"Tempting," Kate acknowledged. "But I have some work I need to finish."
"Alright," Will nudged her shoulder. "Thank you, again, for thinking of me."
Kate watched as Will turned in the direction of the rec center. As soon as he was out of sight, Kate pulled out her phone and dialed.
"Sami," Kate said into her phone. "We're done at the bank."
"Good," Sami responded. "My plane is about to take off for San Francisco."
"Excellent," Kate nodded. "Call me once it's finished."
Paul, arm finally out of its sling, decided to take the advice of his physical therapist and find a gym. He figured it would not only help regain some strength in his arm but also give him some much needed social interaction. Paul spent almost the entirety of his stay in Salem in isolation. Outside of Will, Paul didn't really have friends.
'Can I really count Will as a friend now anyway?' Paul wondered.
Paul was used to being around teammates, coaches, trainers, or camera crews. For half the year Paul was surrounded by people. For the past few months he'd been almost all alone. It was disconcerting.
First, Paul checked out an overpriced, ritzy gym. It was the type of place he would flock to in San Francisco but it seemed so out of place in Salem. He wanted something smaller, more down to earth. He didn't want to be seen as some impersonal celebrity who thought he was too good for the common masses.
That was why Paul walked into the quaint rec center with a much more relaxed attitude. The place wasn't fancy by any means. It looked several years out of date and full of regular people. That's all Paul wanted now, to be a regular person.
Paul felt tired of being Paul Narita, scandalous, outted baseball star. He felt tired of seeing his face on the cover of trashy magazines. Of all the terrible headlines thrown his way, most of which weren't anywhere close to being true.
Paul was at least grateful that most speculation about Will stopped. Only a few blogs still held onto the belief there was anything there.
'If only,' Paul thought.
All Paul wanted now was to find himself, the real him. Paul didn't have baseball and he wasn't willfully hiding in the closet anymore. He wasn't in the bay area, no longer surrounded by the familiar sights and scents of his childhood.
'I don't really know anyone,' Paul realized. 'I can start over again. Find out who I want to be as a person.'
As Paul walked up to the front desk inside the rec center, he couldn't help himself from thinking, 'I can learn how to be the type of man Will deserves.'
"This is the aquatic center," the manager of the rec center told Paul as she took him on a personalized tour. "It's indoors but honestly that doesn't help the temperature much."
"I always liked ice baths," Paul shrugged. "I'm sure I'd use the pool after a good workout."
The woman smiled gratefully. She was awfully nervous that someone as famous as Paul Narita wanted to get involved with the rec center. She knew they weren't as updated as other facilities in town. She hoped that he would see the benefit to their little endeavor. Having someone like Paul Narita could really boost interest in the rec center.
"This way," the woman gestured. "We have a whole set of rooms just for children. Every morning we offer a different class."
Paul followed along, interested. He didn't know that many children personally. But he had a place like this in his childhood. He would go to the local YMCA and play t-ball for hours. He knew how important places like this were for kids.
"Oh, I think we're nearing the end of the lesson," the woman said as she quietly opened the door to the room.
Paul smiled seeing the tiny little bodies trying to follow along to the instructors dance moves. It only took him a few moments to spot a familiar head of blonde hair, little limbs just a half step behind the beat.
Paul watched Arianna dance. He couldn't hold in his grin. Throughout all this, Paul didn't even realize how much he missed that little girl. She managed to wiggle her way into his heart so easily. There was something about her impish smile and wide eyes that made her so easy to love.
Once the music ended, the observers applauded loudly. Paul stood near the back of the room as the woman guiding him excused herself to speak with the instructor. Paul watched as Ari jogged forward and leapt into Will's arms.
'Oh, god,' Paul didn't even notice Will. He was so captivated by Ari.
Paul and Will hadn't spoke face-to-face in so long. As far as Paul knew, Will didn't want to talk to him ever again.
Panicking momentarily, Paul worried that his presence would make Will uncomfortable. That was the last thing he wanted. Paul didn't want to make Will's life any harder or cause him any undue stress. Not now, not after the pain he already caused.
Just as Paul made to leave the room, Ari escaped Will's hold and barreled towards Paul.
"Woah," Paul said, surprised.
"Hi!" Ari chirped, grinning up at Paul as she hugged his shins.
Paul couldn't help but grin back. However, he refrained from hugging Ari in return. Instead, he looked up to guage Will's reaction.
Will, lips pressed together, walked up to Paul. His eyes darted all over the room, refusing eye contact. Paul figured it had to be a good sign Will didn't rip Ari away from him at least.
"Hi," Will reluctantly stated after a few uncomfortable moments of silence.
"I dance," Ari jumped up and down in excitement.
"I saw," Paul smiled. "You were really good."
Ari let go of Paul to wiggle and shimmy about in demonstration.
"What are you doing here?" Will asked, crossing his arms over his stomach.
"I was, well, um, I didn't know you'd be here," Paul's words tangled, Will's presence flummoxing him.
Will tilted his head. He didn't look convinced.
Paul licked his lips, giving into his urge to stare at Will, drink him in.
'God, he looks good,' Paul decided. He didn't know if it was absence making his heart grow fonder.
'Or does Will actually look hotter?' Paul wondered.
Focusing, Paul tried again.
"I've been trying to find a gym," Paul admitted. "The woman showing me around the place brought us here. I didn't know you'd be here. I promise."
Paul hoped Will could see and hear how sincere he was.
Will's response surprised Paul.
"What happened to your arm?" Will asked. He looked just as shocked by the question as Paul did.
"What?" Paul frowned.
Will closed his eyes briefly before sighing.
"I saw your arm in a sling. And your fingers all wrapped up," Will confessed, shifting nervously. "What happened to them?"
"Oh," Paul blinked a few times. "I, um, I punched a hole in my wall. Banged myself up pretty good."
When Will's eyes widened dramatically, Paul rushed to reassure him.
"I fixed the wall," Paul hurried out. "You don't need to worry about it."
"I wasn't worried about the wall," Will responded in a low voice. "Is, um, is it better now?"
"Yeah," Paul confirmed, shoving his hands in his front pockets. "My PT cleared me for exercise. So, here I am."
"Right," Will nodded. He still wouldn't look at Paul's face. "It's a good place. Everyone's really nice."
The two stood in painfully awkward silence. Will refusing to look at Paul. Paul's eyes trapped on Will. Ari twirling and hopping nearby.
Paul could tell Will wasn't ready for this. He wasn't ready to see Paul, interact with him.
"Look, you don't have to worry about seeing me here," Paul promised. "I can just go somewhere else. Or I'll just make sure I come when you're at the pub."
"Don't," Will looked up at the ceiling. "You don't need to rearrange your life to please me. I-I'm going to see you, sooner or later. Thank you for suggesting it but don't do that. I can't have your decisions, your life, based on me, okay. I don't want that."
"Right," Paul nodded once, swallowing. "Right."
"My dad's going to be here in a few minutes," Will said.
"…Okay," Paul replied. He didn't know what that had to do with anything.
"I have to meet him in the lobby," Will continued. "Ari, let's go."
Will adjusted Ari's diaper/dance bag and held out his hand.
Ari hugged Paul's legs one last time, beaming up at him. Afterwards, she grabbed Will's hand and twirled out the door.
Sonny ran his hands through his hair and puffed out a loud breath of air, turning on his side to burrow further into his pillow.
'How do I do this?' Sonny closed his eyes and groaned. 'How do I show Will how different I am?'
Sonny certainly felt different. He didn't know how to categorize what he felt but something inside of him changed. He felt a little less cocky, a little less condescending.
'Humbled,' Sonny settled on, 'That's what I feel.'
Sonny didn't realize it until he spent so long without Will, until he had so much time to think. It gave Sonny time to reevaluate himself, dig deep into his uglier sides. The sides he liked to pretend didn't exist.
'But I am judgmental. I spent so long thinking about how much better my life was than Will's. That I was the greatest influence in Will's life. I wasn't any better than my mom. I thought Will should be lucky to be with me.'
'I talked down to him. I thought I knew so much better than he did. Why would I do that to someone I love?'
Sonny wanted to take the easy way out and blame it on his upbringing. He was practically told he could do no wrong since birth. Being a Kiriakis, it gave him entitlement, set him at a higher place, above all the other regular folk.
'People like Will.'
Sonny knew that wasn't it though. Despite what his family thought, they were not infallible. His uncle Victor alone dealt with just as much deception and scandal as anyone else in this town.
'No one remembers that though,' Sonny thought. 'Victor's done awful things but no one treats him the way they treat Sami, the way they treat Will. What makes Uncle Vic so special? What makes me think I'm so much better?'
'My parents have done awful things to each other and to others over the years. But no one ever calls them out on it, looks down on them. No one looks at me like I'm a monster because my father has two biological sons from two different women. Why?'
It would be easy to blame his upbringing, his family. That wasn't the whole story though. Sonny has a mind of his own.
'All the times I would get upset at Mom for judging Will,' Sonny realized. 'And I would do the same thing. I thought I was so much smarter, so much better because I never shot anyone, got anyone pregnant. Because my parents weren't Sami and Lucas. I thought I was better, knew better than Will. I thought I could teach him; morph him into exactly what I wanted.'
'But I can't. Will isn't the one that needs to change. I am.'
Sonny came to Salem, his heat still in pieces from leaving Paul. Traveling, it helped. It made the nights and days a little less lonely. Climbing mountains, understanding new cultures. It distracted Sonny from what he truly wanted- someone to take Paul's place in his heart.
Sonny had friends, made friends. It wasn't the same though. It wasn't anything close to what Sonny had with Paul.
'I still loved Paul when I left. I left because I loved him and I could no longer share him with the rest of the world. I wanted to be with someone as out and as proud as I was. I wanted to be the only one they thought of, their highest priority.'
'Then I met Will,' Sonny fondly recalled the moment. 'From that first moment I knew how loyal he was. He didn't even know me and he stood up for Chad, thinking I was stealing his girlfriend. Will was so hot, so sweet.'
Sonny wanted Will from the moment he met him. It took a while for Sonny to realize Will wasn't just a far off crush. Will was almost certainly a sure thing, once Will figured himself out.
Sonny could admit now that his intentions with Will weren't entirely honorable. He didn't help him come out, wasn't there for Will just because they were friends. Sonny did hope to get a boyfriend out of it.
'Maybe I rushed Will a little, pushed him to be true to himself,' Sonny admitted. 'But for the most part I wanted him to be okay. I wanted Will to be happy after so many years of hating himself.'
Now, Sonny knew a part of him wanted Will to come out for the same reason he wanted Paul to before that. So that they could make Sonny happy. The situation with Will often reminded Sonny of Paul and his struggle.
'Only Paul knew he was gay and actively hid in his self-made closet. Will didn't know, not for a long time.'
So many things about helping Will come out made Sonny think of Paul. Only, now Sonny had the opportunity to get everything he ever wanted. He could finally get the guy. A guy that would devote everything to Sonny, that was loyal to a fault, who would never hurt Sonny.
Only, that didn't happen. Will did hurt Sonny. The result of that hurt produced a child, something that Will would devote himself to over Sonny. Deep down that's what hurt Sonny more. Will lying about knowing the paternity of the baby he could overcome. He knew Will lying was a misguided attempt at protecting Sonny. He knew that Will was talked into it by Gabi and by Nick. That was where Will's loyalty got him in trouble.
'Will was supposed to be loyal to me above everyone else,' Sonny closed his eyes.
It wasn't the lying that hurt Sonny, although it contributed. It was the idea that Sonny's perfectly cultivated life was about to be ruined. He worked so hard to coax Will into acceptance. He worked against so many obstacles to get Will to date him. Sonny finally had everything he wanted from Paul in the form of one sweet, insecure blonde. A baby would take all that away, force Sonny into a life he wasn't ready for.
'I wanted Will for myself. I didn't want to share. I didn't want that responsibility, not yet. I wasn't ready to settle down that way.'
A horrible, jealous part of Sonny resent that tiny little baby so much. That tiny little life that was growing inside of Gabi represented everything that Sonny wasn't ready for.
'That was when I knew how much I loved Will. How I knew I was over Paul, over the past. That Valentine's Day, when I overheard that Gabi was in the hospital, I didn't even have to think. I knew where I needed to be.'
Sonny never once regretted that decision. He loved Arianna more than he thought was humanly possible. She wasn't a burden and there was no reason to feel jealous. Ari was an extension of Will, his flesh and blood. It was impossible not to love her.
That was when Sonny stopped comparing Will to Paul, stopped living in the past. Will was no longer the breath of fresh air, someone that was so different from Paul yet close enough to be safe.
'I wanted Will. I wanted Ari. Nothing was going to stop me from having them.'
Sonny fought with himself for so long about why he cheated. Why he spent so long in that hotel room with Paul. It wasn't because he didn't love Will. It wasn't because he himself was an awful person either.
'With Will and Ari gone,' Sonny knew. 'It reminded me of before. When Will's lies caught up to him. When Will put everyone else ahead of me. When his loyalty was tested and I was no longer at the top of the list.'
Sonny knew it was wrong. It didn't make the situation any better for himself.
'I told Will to go to LA even though I didn't want him there,' Sonny recalled. 'I encouraged him. It was unfair of me resent him for going.'
Sonny was alone, hurting. Missing his husband that had little contact with him when Paul Narita strolled back into his life.
After getting back together that Valentine's Day with Will, Sonny hardly thought of Paul. From time to time he did. He kept that baseball after all. He did everything he could to disassociate himself with the San Francisco Giants despite Will's love of the team.
'I locked the part of my heart that Paul owned away. I didn't think about him. I didn't fantasize or imagine what our lives could have been like. I didn't. Not until suddenly he was there, in Salem, right in front of me. Then it was like time had stood still. I was kissing him before I could even breathe.'
'I went to that hotel room because I wanted to. I knew what was going to happen. I wanted things to go back to what they were. I wanted the secrecy, the passion. I wanted to go back to a time when Paul was the biggest problem I had.'
Being with Paul physically was nice. It was more than satisfying. But emotionally it left much to be desired.
'Paul's touch was off. He touched me in ways I enjoyed years ago. He didn't touch me in ways Will did, in ways Will taught me to enjoy. Everything with Paul was old but new at the same time. It was easy being with Paul. Everything was always easy, unlike being with Will.'
Sonny realized he didn't want easy. He didn't want simple. He wanted complicated. He wanted frustration and hardship. He wanted a challenge.
'I want Will.'
Sonny kept Paul in his heart even when he knew he shouldn't. He did a lot of things he knew he shouldn't. He judged. He hurt. He alienated.
'But I can accept it now. I can see it now. I know what I did. I know why. I know how to fix it.'
Sonny, all those years ago, realized he wanted Will and wanted Ari on Valentine's Day.
'Now, I'm going to make sure Will feels the same way this Valentine's Day.'
"That just about wraps up our tour," Paul's guide said, holding her hands behind her back. "Do you have any questions for me?"
"Actually," Paul responded. "I saw you had a baseball diamond out there. Is anyone using that?"
"Not really," the woman admitted. "It used to be really popular but we've had coaches come and go. It's volunteered work and not that many people are interested. Most end up working with the high school or little leagues. We're in a different demographic. Our kids usually have single parents or lower finances. They can't really afford to play."
"You haven't had much luck keeping coaches?" Paul wrinkled his brows.
"Yeah," the woman confirmed. "We don't have teams. There aren't competitions. It's strictly fun and informative. About a decade ago we had different age levels scheduled for different days. But with the economy and everything volunteers have been down."
"Do you still have the equipment?" Paul wondered, thinking.
"Locked up in a shed in the back," the woman nodded. "We have kids asking to use it all the time but we can't allow it without supervision."
"Huh," Paul murmured.
"We've seen so much progress from a lot of the kiddos that grew up with us here," the woman sighed wistfully. "Actually, there's one now."
The woman pointed towards the weight room just a few feet away from Paul. There, in all his blonde sweat-soaked glory was Will.
Paul tried his best to be respectful and not stare. Really, he did. But he hadn't seen Will in so long. Those few short minutes they spoke earlier only made him miss Will more. Plus, Paul had never seen Will like this. Never in shorts and a tank top, muscles on full display. Paul could imagine what Will looked like due to the tight shirts and form fitting jeans he wore. This, though, this was not fair.
'I'm trying to be good,' Paul thought. 'I'm trying to keep my distance. Why does the universe hate me?'
Paul, trapped in his Will-induced bubble, didn't even realize the woman was still talking.
"Yes, he went on to captain his high school baseball team," she proudly announced. "Now, he's bringing his own daughter here."
"Right," Paul said, hoping it sounded like he was listening.
"Would you like me to introduce you?" the woman asked politely.
"Uh," Paul stared at her strangely.
She clearly did not watch the news.
"I actually already know Will," Paul told her. "But, uh, I was thinking about what you said about needing a baseball coach."
"Oh?" the woman's voice perked up.
"Yeah," Paul licked his lip. "I had an idea."
"Mom," Will rolled his eyes as he unlocked the door to the apartment. He adjusted his hold on his phone and tossed his keys on his desk. "No, I didn't work out for that long."
"Well, sue me for worrying," Sami huffed.
"You don't need to worry about that anymore," Will insisted. He grabbed a notebook out of his gym bag and opened it up. "I'm logging it in my journal now."
"Good," Sami grunted. "At least you listen to your psychiatrist."
"I listen to you plenty," Will argued as he jotted down some numbers in the book. "I just choose to ignore you."
"Ugh," Sami groaned good-naturedly. In a much more composed tone, Sami asked, "How are you doing, really?"
Will sat down on the couch and unlaced his shoes.
"I don't know," Will bit his lower lip. "If I'm moving, if I'm busy, I'm alright. But being home alone," Will looked around the empty apartment. "It's hard."
"Is Ari still out?" Sami questioned.
"Yeah," Will confirmed. "After the rec center, she goes with Sonny."
Sami lifted an eyebrow. She detected a tone she didn't expect when Will said his name.
"You haven't seen him, right?" Sami narrowed her eyes.
"No," Will sighed. "I haven't seen him or talked to him in a long time."
"But you want to, right?" Sami closed her eyes.
"I don't know," Will admitted. "I just, I feel so," Will searched for the right word. "…Lonely."
"That doesn't mean you let him back in your life," Sami pointed out. "Not if you don't trust him or forgive him."
"How am I gonna do that if I never talk to him?" Will wondered. "We're just…stuck."
"If you're lonely, I want you to go out and make some friends," Sami suggested. "You are making such great progress. I don't want you jumping into anything just because you don't want to be alone."
"You're right," Will sighed. "And you know how much I hate saying that."
"I know," Sami chirped.
"Oh," Will recalled the awkward encounter he had earlier. "Um, I saw Paul."
"What?" Sami asked, tone low and dangerous.
"At the rec center," Will explained. "I didn't notice him at first. Actually, Ari did."
"Ari?" Sami sat up straighter in the seat of her car. "What happened?"
"I guess he was getting a tour of the place," Will shrugged. "I don't really know. Ari ran over to him. We talked, kind of."
"How, well, what happened? Are you alright?" Sami wondered.
"I guess," Will answered. "It was uncomfortable and strange and I don't know. It was just weird."
"Weird how?" Sami needed to know, had to know.
"I-I know he hurt me," Will attempted to describe his feelings. "But he looked so sincere and I don't know. It still hurts, thinking about what he did but I don't know."
"Will," Sami pinched the bridge of her nose. "Make some new friends. I am begging you."
"Mom?" Will furrowed his brows.
"You can't go through your days working, spending time with Ari, cleaning or exercising," Sami insisted. "It isn't healthy. You're going to end up giving into something out of pure loneliness. Please, Will, please."
"Okay," Will agreed. "I'll see what I can do."
"Good," Sami responded.
She sat up straighter in her rental call when she noticed a small red car pulling into the driveway in front of her. An Asian woman walked out of the car and up to the condo door, pulling out a set of keys.
'Finally,' Sami thought. She was going stir crazy waiting.
"I have to go, Will. I'll talk to you tomorrow," Sami said.
Before Will could say anything else, Sami hung up.
Pausing for a second, Sami sent a quick text message to her surprisingly capable newest minion.
'That'll be two things taken care of at least,' Sami thought, opening the car door. She straightened her dress, head held high and strutted towards the building and the woman in front of her.
Knock Knock Knock
Will, freshly showered and changed, looked through the peephole in the door before smiling.
"Hi," Will greeted Theresa before plucking Tate from her arms. "Hello, handsome, hello," Will cooed.
Theresa, lips quirked, closed the door behind her.
"I see how it is," Theresa mock-complained. "You only want me around for my baby."
"How can you resist these chubby cheeks?" Will held Tate's face out, emphasizing the rounded face.
"Alright," Theresa relented. "I'll give it to you."
"But," Will gestured for Theresa to join him on the couch. "What brings you by?"
"Well," Theresa thought back to the demanding text she received from Sami Brady not a half-hour ago. "Tate and I were alone and I was getting pretty overwhelmed. And you're just about the only one I'd trust to help me."
"Really?" a blinding yet clearly surprised smile spread across Will's face.
Theresa nodded. Sami did mandate Theresa visit Will but the reason still stood. Theresa didn't know what to do with a baby. Will really was the only one she would want telling her what to do. Anne would be of no help. Eve would just try to boss her around. Kayla was too busy. Grandma Caroline didn't need that kind of stress.
'But Will? Will needs some social interaction and he is fantastic with kids,' Theresa knew. 'He's working on parenting kid number four anyway.'
"Well, babies aren't so tough," Will explained. "You just have to get them to trust you and interpret their cries."
"How do you know if they trust you?" Theresa asked, scooting closer.
"Well," Will began, falling into a long-winded conversation.
Theresa nodded and questioned where appropriate. What Will said was useful and she appreciated the advice. Just like she enjoyed seeing Will distracted, watching the stress literally melt right off his face.
Tate, curling against Will's chest, let out a tiny whimper. One whimper turned into two which led straight into a full-on crying session.
"Mommy, you're up," Will handed Tate over.
"Uh," Theresa panicked slightly, holding Tate tighter.
Will watched as Theresa floundered about for a few moments, clearing nervous.
"Relax," Will requested. "Try to figure out what he wants."
"Well," Theresa licked her lips, bouncing Tate up and down. "He hasn't eaten for a while."
"That's a good start," Will approved.
Will observed as Theresa made Tate a bottle, juggling the crying baby, and trying her best to soothe him.
Afterwards, with a full belly, Theresa was able to lull Tate into an easy sleep. Theresa set Tate down gently in Ari's crib and collapsed on the couch.
"See, you can do it," Will lightly smacked her on the arm.
"I don't know how you did that with three siblings. I really don't," Theresa shook her hair out of her face.
"It's not like I did it all," Will shrugged. "Plus, they didn't all live together the whole time."
"No, but they all depended on you," Theresa pointed out. "Sami was telling me how much her kids all love you."
"I guess," Will pressed his lips together. He missed Johnny, Allie, and Sydney so much sometimes it hurt. He wanted them all to live in Salem again.
Seeing Will's face darken again, Theresa changed the subject.
"Chad's going to some meetings in Chicago around Valentine's Day," Theresa announced. "DiMera Enterprises crap, I don't know."
"Okay," Will blinked.
"He asked me to go with him," Theresa revealed. She nervously wrapped the ends of her hair around one finger.
"That's a good thing, right?" Will angled his body to face Theresa.
"It is," Theresa nodded, forehead wrinkled. "But it's weird too."
"What's weird?" Will frowned. "Chad's a good guy. He's hot, young, and rich. I know he loves Tate and he wants you to go away for Valentine's Day. How is any of that weird?"
"It's weird because he wants me to go with him," Theresa sighed, rolling her eyes at herself. "Me, me. I haven't had to lie to him or scheme or manipulate to be with him. He just likes, well, me."
"That should be a good thing," Will gently responded. "That he actually likes you."
"Well, it should but no one's ever done that before," Theresa crossed her arms. "And what if he doesn't like me when I do any of that?"
Theresa was secretly worried if Chad found out she had been helping Sami and Kate he wouldn't want her anymore. Theresa did her best to stay out of anything that hurt Club TBD. Sure, she might have left a few bad reviews on Yelp but that wasn't too bad. Mostly, Theresa was in charge of dealing with Paul. She had plenty of stories from the hospital to dish to trashy magazines.
Theresa still worried Chad wouldn't like that side of her at all. That he'd realize she couldn't turn that part of her off forever.
"Theresa," Will touched her forearm. "When Chad was jealous Abigail was gonna leave him he made everyone believe he was dying from a brain tumor. I think he'll be alright with you not being perfect."
Theresa, lips sticking out, considered it.
"Okay, what if he decides he wants that braindead Barbie again?" Theresa countered. "Then what?"
"I don't know why he would," Will answered. "Abigail is with Ben. He has you. You're both my cousins and frankly I like you better. You're smart and resourceful. You don't resent Chad's family. You're trying to become a better mother. On top of being beautiful and smart, so, I wouldn't worry about Chad not wanting you."
Theresa didn't want to admit she was touched.
"I am a complete catch," Theresa replied. "And it is nice to be with a man that isn't condescending. Or, you know, is an actual man instead of a teenager."
Will huffed out a laugh.
"I think as long as you stay relatively sober, you've got nothing to worry about," Will advised.
"Thank you," Theresa finally said after a few moments. "Just so you know," Theresa figured she could be supportive too. "You really are Chad's best friend. He talks about you all the time."
"Oh," Will mumbled, surprised.
"Stefano does too which is kind of unsettling," Theresa frowned. "But he's told me all about your friendship. He really wants to get it back, Will."
Will inhaled a big, deep breath before loudly exhaling.
"I guess I miss him too," Will reluctantly admitted.
"Aw, you'll have to schedule a bro-date," Theresa teased.
"I'll let you watch Ari then," Will warned.
"Speaking of Ari," Theresa said. "Where is she?"
Will's smile drooped slightly.
"She's with Sonny," Will murmured.
"I see," Theresa commented. "Well, for what it's worth, the few times I've seen him when I drop off Tate he looks like crap. He seems a mess without you."
"I don't know how to feel about that," Will admitted.
"I'd say he finally realized you were the best thing he was ever gonna get," Theresa stated. "And he fucked up royally."
Will blinked several times. No one had ever said that about him before. No one ever thought he was the best of anything.
Without warning, Will yanked Theresa into a hug.
Eyes wide, Theresa looked around the room helplessly before patting Will's back. She thought she understood. Theresa knew all about being seen as lesser than your partner.
"Thank you," Will whispered.
"Anytime, kiddo," Theresa promised.
Will pulled away and leapt off the couch.
"Um, I found some of Ari's old clothes the other day," Will rubbed at the back of his head, cheeks warm and eyes low to the ground. "I left all the neutral colored ones out for Tate. I'll just, um, go get them."
Theresa watched as Will practically ran to another room with a smile.
She stood up and stretched her arms over her head. Figuring Sami would want a detailed report of her visit, Theresa began to snoop around.
Theresa didn't find anything for the most part. She respectfully ignored his journal. She wasn't going to stoop to that level just yet. Not now that he was beginning to trust her.
The apartment was a little too clean though. Almost unnaturally clean with a toddler living there. Even Will's desk was spotless and the laptop didn't look like it had been touched in weeks.
Theresa opened a desk drawer. Seeing the pens and highlighters perfectly arranged bothered her for some reason. No one was that neat and organized. It was disconcerting.
Digging around, Theresa found a lone flash drive out of place. It was shoved in the back near a stapler and extra staples.
'Hmm,' Theresa thought, fingering the object. 'Why is this the only thing out of place?'
"Okay," Will called from the other room. "I put them all in a bag for you."
Theresa closed the desk drawer with her hip, flash drive clasped in her hand.
"I mean," Will walked back into the room. "You don't have to take them obviously. These are just the ones that aren't covered in spit-up stains or bows."
"I'll take them," Theresa reassured Will. "I might just leave them at the DiMera Mansion though, just in case."
"I'm sure Brady will be thrilled," Will teased.
Theresa nodded, waiting for Will to get distracted before she could shove the flash drive in her purse. She'd find out what it was later.
A few hours after Theresa and Tate left, Will finished up his daily vacuuming when he heard a knock at the door. He looked through the peephole before answering.
"Adrienne," Will greeted cursory. "And there's my baby girl."
Ari dived out of Adrienne's arms straight for Will.
"Did you have fun?" Will asked, bouncing her around.
"Uh huh," Ari nodded, babbling on.
"Will?" Adrienne asked. "Do you mind if I use your restroom?"
"Go right ahead," Will offered.
Adrienne walked out of the bathroom to find an empty front room. She could hear Will and Ari talking in Ari's room. She assumed they were having a diaper change.
While waiting for Will, Adrienne looked around the apartment. It was almost impeccably clean. She was sad to note all the pictures of their small family were placed away.
Adrienne looked around before spotting a small notebook on the couch. She couldn't help herself from opening it up. She glanced through the middle and thumbed through a few pages before realizing it was a journal of some sort. There were dates and times written, descriptions of exercise and food. With a frown, Adrienne moved to the front of the book and gasped.
Will had written a lengthy list. A list of all his hopes, dreams, fears, and insecurities. Things he wished to change about himself, things he hated about himself. The aspirations he wanted to achieve, how he wanted to live. It was open and raw, painfully honest.
'Oh, Will,' Adrienne covered her mouth with her hand, tears in her eyes.
She couldn't believe some of the things written down, some of the pain swirling through him. She honestly had no idea.
'How many of these fears and insecurities did I feed?' Adrienne wondered. 'I treated him so horribly and look what I did.'
Adrienne looked over her shoulder. She could hear Will and Ari giggling together. Before she could stop herself, Adrienne pulled out her phone. Knowing she had little time left, Adrienne snapped a few pictures of the list and sent them to Sonny.
Adrienne wiped her eyes, shoved her phone away, and closed the notebook.
When Will and Ari returned, Adrienne put a smile on her face.
Before Will could say anything, Adrienne yanked him into a bone-crushing hug.
Will, eyebrows raised, didn't know what was happening. He simply closed his eyes and held on.
Sonny picked up the few toys Ari left scattered around the mansion's front room. All day long, Sonny kept his mind focused on getting his family back. Spending a few hours with Ari were fantastic but not enough. Sonny needed more. He needed Will, Ari, everything.
He brainstormed ways to show Will that he was different. That Sonny wouldn't screw up this time, that Will could trust him. He knew Will needed time. He needed to see that Sonny wasn't going away. That Sonny wouldn't leave just because he didn't get what he wanted right away.
'I have to put in the work,' Sonny thought. 'I have to show Will he's worth it.'
"When exactly is that husband of yours going to put an end to his hissy fit?" Victor questioned as he walked into the front room.
"He isn't throwing a fit," Sonny rolled his eyes. "I hurt him. He needs time."
"What he needs is to get over himself," Victor amended.
"No," Sonny glared at his uncle. "I need to get over myself. That's the problem."
Before either could answer, Sonny's phone beeped loudly several times.
Sonny opened up the messages from his mom with a frown. It took several moments to understand what he was looking at.
"And I think I know exactly how to fix things," Sonny declared, ideas whirling in his head.
"Goodnight, princess," Will whispered, kissing the top of Ari's head.
Will watched his sleeping daughter for a long time. He memorized the way her hair lay against her face, the curve of her nose and the sweep of her lashes.
Will didn't know it was possible to love anyone as much as he loved his daughter. Nothing came close to it. Will would put Ari above anyone else in the entire world. He would do anything he could to keep her happy and healthy.
'God, I hope she doesn't take after me,' Will thought.
After closing Ari's door, Will moved into his sad, lonely bedroom. Hidden under the bed was the plastic bag he brought home from his last therapy appointment. He shoved the bag under there so no one would see it, himself included.
'Is this genetic?' Will wondered. He would hate for Ari to have to deal with the same problems he did.
Not that Will would admit he had any form of bipolar disorder. He didn't care how Lynn tried to break it to him, he wasn't crazy. At the same time though, Will couldn't deny some of what Lynn said made sense.
'I do feel like nothing could get in my way sometimes. Like I'm unstoppable. And other times I can barely move. But isn't that normal? Doesn't everyone feel that way?'
Reluctantly, Will sat on the bed and pulled out a few pamphlets. It wouldn't hurt to learn more about bipolar two, not that he had it. He was just appeasing Lynn before his next appointment, that's all.
Will moved into the bathroom, getting ready for bed. After putting his toothbrush away, Will looked down at his left hand and frowned.
His wedding ring sat in its rightful place. Will was certain he would have quite the tan line if he took it off. So far though, so far Will couldn't take it off. It was a step he wasn't prepared to take.
Will twisted and pulled on the ring as he got under the covers and into bed. Ever since Grandma Kate mentioned a legal separation Will couldn't stop thinking about it. Would Will need to get legal documentation on their separation? If they did stay apart forever, would they split their assets? Would Ari receive child support even if she wasn't Sonny's biological daughter? Was it one step closer towards divorce?
Will wasn't ready to consider that. Maybe it was naïve of him but Will refused to consider divorce, not yet.
Looking at his ring, Will recalled the moment Sonny slid the ring on his finger. How complete he felt, how loved. The ring represented Sonny's unending love. That Sonny's love, like the ring, had no beginning and no end.
'What a load of crap' Will snorted. 'Our relationship began and ended because of Paul. If he had told Sonny yes than none of this would have happened.'
It made Will wonder though. He knew almost nothing about Sonny and Paul's relationship. He knew even less about the marriage proposal and subsequent breakup. All Will really knew was that it happened and they were over.
'Did Sonny love Paul so much he wanted to marry him? Was it like with me, did something happen to make Sonny realize he had to marry him? Did Sonny plan it out? Give a speech? What did he say? How did Paul react? Did Paul want to say yes? Does he regret it?'
'Was there a ring?' Will brushed his fingers over the engraving Sonny added. 'Was it this ring?'
Will inhaled sharply, heart pounding so hard his chest ached.
'Is this my ring or does it belong to Pau? Everything else I thought was only mine turned out to be his. Everything Sonny gave me was really Paul's. Would Sonny be so cruel as to give me a ring meant for someone else?'
Will couldn't bare that. He couldn't stomach the thought that Paul's presence touched every single aspect of his marriage.
'There has to be something that's just mine that was only for me.'
Will shakily ripped the ring off his finger. He didn't trust it anymore, didn't believe in it.
Like everything else, the ring was nothing more than a symbol of Will being an afterthought.
Author's note:
Thanks for reading!
Happy Mother's Day for any mother's out there as well.