"Will?" Sonny asked again. "What were you doing up there?"
"I was just, um," Will looked over his shoulder and up the staircase. The staircase that led to Paul's apartment. The apartment Will and Ari just left.
"Daddy!" Ari cheered, wobbling down the last few steps.
"There's my little girl," Sonny kneeled down to give Ari a large hug.
Ari babbled excitedly, telling Sonny all about her morning at the pub.
Sonny nodded, oohing and ahhing at the appropriate spots. The only upside to his separation with Will was the increased time spent with Ari. Before, Sonny would have understood less than half of what Ari said. Now, he could understand nearly all Ari's jumbled words and phrases.
"It sounds like you had a good morning with Daddy," Sonny said. He glanced up to see Will's nervous expression.
Sonny kissed the top of Ari's head before standing up straight. Sonny realized he couldn't come barging into Will's life demanding answers. That was the opposite of what he wanted their relationship to become.
"You know what," Sonny took a deep, calming breath. "You don't have to tell me anything, Will."
"I don't?" Will's eyebrows wrinkled, looking at Sonny suspiciously. "But I was with-,"
"We have a lot of work to do," Sonny cut Will off with an understanding smile. "Together and apart. And it's never going to work if neither of us can trust the other. I know the type of man you are, Will. Besides, you don't have to justify anything to me."
Sonny took a step closer. Ari wound her arms around his leg, holding him tightly.
With one hand on the back of Ari's head, Sonny looked straight into Will's eyes.
"I love you," Sonny said. "I know you don't believe me right now but I do. I love your flaws, laugh, smile, tears, mistakes, errors, nagging, and lies. Despite everything, I just want to be with you again. That's all I want, no matter how long it takes."
Will didn't know what to say.
"I'm going to be here, waiting for you, every day," Sonny stated. "I'm willing to do anything you need me to do, Will. But I'm not going away. I love you. Tomorrow is Valentine's Day," Sonny reminded Will. "I'm hoping you'll remember everything we've gone through and know that I've loved you in each and every moment."
With Will still speechless, heart beating out of his chest, Sonny lifted Ari into his arms.
"Alright, princess, tell Daddy bye," Sonny requested.
Ari leaned over and smacked a sloppy wet kiss on Will's cheek.
"Bye, bye, Daddy," Ari waved enthusiastically.
"I love you," Sonny repeated. He daringly pressed a swift kiss to the apple of Will's cheek. "We'll see you in a little while."
Will stood alone in the hallway; hand on his cheek for a long time after they departed.
"Why did Will ask you that?" Paul turned to stare at his mother after shutting the door after Will and Ari left. "About if Salem changed?"
"I have no idea, son," Tori dismissed, eager to change the subject. "Now, why don't you show me this rec center of yours?"
"Will wouldn't lie, though," Paul couldn't be derailed from his train of thought. "Why would you mention being in Salem?"
"I didn't," Tori denied. "He must have misunderstood. I never spoke to him yesterday anyway."
Paul didn't look too convinced.
"Why would he bring up my father?" Paul wondered out loud.
"You know what," Tori interrupted, gathering her purse and moving towards the door. "I'm feeling quite jet lagged. I think I might go to my hotel for a quick rest."
"Oh, right," Paul snapped out of his inner musings. "Yeah, that would probably be best. I need to make a trip to the bank anyway."
"Right, good," Tori nodded. You'll be far away from Will Horton.
"You can call me after you rest a little," Paul told his mother, needing to distract himself from his thoughts.
Will tried to concentrate on his paperwork but it was impossible. All he could think about was Sonny.
Sonny's eyes when he told Will he loved him. Sonny's face when he told Will he wasn't giving up. The feel of Sonny's lips against his cheek.
Whenever Will would try to put Sonny out of his mind he'd think about Paul and the likelihood of Tori's lies.
It was driving Will crazy. He didn't want to care about either of them right now. He didn't want to think about them at all. He just wanted to stop it all.
Lynn, the psychiatrist, urged Will to decide once and for all what and who he wanted. It was proving nearly unmanageable, though. Will hated that he was in this situation. He should never have needed to choose. Will was married to the one and only man he had ever loved. Will thought he already made his choice.
Everything since their wedding though has been one mess after another. Nick's murder, Will's false confession. Gabi going away for God only knows how long. Sonny getting Will a job and lying about it. Everything with Sami and EJ, everything falling apart.
We didn't even last a year, Will realized. It took less than a year for Sonny to realize what a mistake he made. For him to replace me with the man he always wanted.
When it came down to it, that was why Will couldn't make a decision and stick to it. Before, Will knew Sonny loved him. Now, now Will believed Sonny always loved Paul. Sonny could tell Will over and over again that he loved him but a part of Will would always doubt it.
As for Paul, Will had no idea how he felt about him. If Will thought of Paul exclusively as the man his husband cheated with it was a no-brainer. Will never wanted to be around the man his husband threw him away for. Unfortunately, Paul was more than that to Will.
Paul was a friend, a confidant. He helped Will stay afloat when Sonny cast him out to sea. That's why it all hurt so much. Will trusted Paul, relied on him, only to find out all along Paul had a hand in the disillusion of Will's marriage.
Sonny was going to leave me for Paul, Will knew. He was going to leave me and Ari like we meant nothing. Paul would have let him.
It's what made everything so hard for Will. Sonny and Paul turned Will's life into his childhood, put Will into his mother's shoes. They put Arianna in this situation, potentially pulled between parents.
A cruel part of Will enjoyed that Gabi was stuck in prison. Will didn't have to worry any longer about custody battles or visitation rights. Ari was all his. Yes, he took Ari to visit her mother but it was on Will's terms. He tried his best to make the visits weekly for both their sakes but Will relished Ari living in a stable, loving environment. Even with Ari's young age, Will hated the position his family was in now.
It made everything so hard for Will to handle. He didn't want to be a single father. He didn't want to be such a failure.
Lynn kept pressuring Will, wanting him to decide once and for all what to do. Will tried but it was so difficult. On the surface, Will should hate Paul. A part of Will even did. He tried to keep Paul out of his life. He stayed away for weeks.
Then the rec center happened, Will thought. Tori came to town and I overheard whatever secret she was talking about. I try to stay away but things keep happening.
Will didn't want to be that person, the type that strung two men along. He hoped he did everything he could to let Sonny and Paul both know they needed to keep their distance. Before that, though, before Will found out it was Paul Sonny slept with, things had been different.
I let myself get too close to Paul when I knew what he wanted, Will thought. I kissed Paul even. I was going to go away with him. If I had gone to California something might have happened, would have happened. I might have cheated too.
Will didn't want to be that person and he didn't want to be with that type of person either. He didn't want to be with someone that cheated on him. He didn't want to be with anyone that encouraged someone to cheat either.
I'm married. I shouldn't care about Paul at all especially after what he did to me and with Sonny. But how can I stop caring when it still hurts?
It's what made things so painful to be around Sonny. A part of Will yearned to hear the sweet words Sonny declared earlier. He longed for Sonny to wrap him in his arms, forget everything ever happened, at least for a few moments. But Will couldn't.
They seemed so connected to Will's pain, Sonny and Paul. He couldn't forgive one without thinking of the other. Will wasn't under any illusions about his own involvement in the situation. He knew he hurt Sonny by leaving to LA. He didn't put enough effort into calling Sonny, communicating. When he came back, Will didn't stand up for himself and didn't talk to Sonny about the way he was treating Will. Will knew he was a lot to deal with at times.
It didn't excuse Sonny's behavior. Will just knew he wasn't entirely innocent in everything. He got too close to Paul when things in his relationship got tough.
And I still don't know what I'm doing, Will closed his eyes. I'm making all the wrong decisions.
Will also didn't want to be like Sonny and Paul. He didn't want to make a hasty decision and doubt it years later. He didn't want to choose Sonny only to see Paul a few years down the line and jump his bones. He didn't want to break things off with Sonny only to keep him in the back of his mind and heart. That wouldn't be fair to anyone.
The whole situation made Will's head throb.
I can't concentrate on anything, Will closed his eyes, rubbing his temples. I need to get out of here, clear my head.
Sonny sat down on a swing, pulling Ari into his lap. He pumped his legs back and forth, getting them higher and higher. He loved hearing Ari's high pitched giggle sounding in his ear.
Not for the first time, Sonny wondered how he went so long without this. How he worked harder, longer when Will and Ari returned to hide his guilt. How he neglected his relationship with them both.
That's not gonna happen again, Sonny promised My family is going to be my number one priority.
"Hold on, Ari," Sonny dug his phone out of his pocket. It took a bit of finagling but he was able to hold his phone straight out while swinging.
"Are you having fun?" Sonny asked the camera.
"Yeesss!" Ari hissed, head thrown back against Sonny, a smile spread across her face.
"Should we go higher?" Sonny questioned, laughing too.
"Higher!" Ari goaded. "Higher, Daddy!"
Sonny pumped his legs harder and faster until they were as high as they could go. Ari's delighted laughter ringing in his ear.
He knew it was a bit manipulative sending the video to Will but that wasn't his intention. He wanted Will to see how much Ari and Sonny loved each other. How their life would be if Will took him back.
Sonny would make sure Ari was the center of their lives and their love. He would give Will the stability he craved, the certainty. Sonny could be the type of husband and father Will and Ari deserved.
I'll get Will to fall in love with me again anyway that I can.
Will hit the punching bag in front of him several times, jabbing left then right until every muscle ached. When he could no longer stand the pain, Will stopped, panting.
Will used his teeth to rip off one of his gloves and then the other. He tossed them to the ground before wiping his face with a towel.
Working out always calmed Will down. The extra oxygen to his brain focused his thoughts, made everything clearer.
I have to decide if there's ever going to be a time where I can forgive Sonny, Will knew. He found his water bottle and squeezed it into his mouth.
I can't get back together with Sonny just because he's my husband. I can't put myself in that situation if I'm going to hold it against Sonny for the rest of our lives. It wouldn't be fair to either of us.
And Paul? Will shook his head. God only knows what I'll do about him.
Will didn't plan on seeking Paul out again, not if he could help it. He knew he should continue to distance himself from Paul, keep things strictly professional. Will just wasn't that good at doing what he was told especially when it came to his emotions.
Will headed into the locker room. He quickly rinsed off in a shower and threw on his work clothes. He needed to get back to the pub and finish his paperwork.
While walking, Will watched the video of Sonny and Ari over and over. He loved watching and hearing Ari's obvious joy. The smile on Sonny's face, his laughter made Will's heart hurt. Sonny confused Will more than he already was.
Refocusing, Will put his phone away. He couldn't think about this anymore.
Will took his time walking back to the pub. He enjoyed the crisp, fresh air. It had been a long time since he had time to enjoy the little things at all. Lately, Will had been so busy he would bustle from one place to another with little time between. He also didn't want to be out in public. Too many inquisitive eyes and noisy citizens for Will's liking. He wanted to heal in peace.
The only trouble with wanting peace in Salem was no matter how hard you tried, especially if you were Will Horton, you'd stumble upon something you didn't want to hear.
Will turned a corner near the pub when he spotted Tori Narita with John Black, again.
Walk away, Will. Just walk away.
Will shifted from foot to foot trying to decide. Against his better judgment, Will took a step closer. He was out of sight yet still close enough to eavesdrop.
"I've been fine," Tori told John in a quiet tone.
"And he's never bothered you, has he?" John pressed. "We worked hard to get you out of his clutches."
"No, he's never contacted me," Tori pushed her purse over her shoulder, clutching it like a lifeline. "I didn't realize Paul picked Salem for his surgery or I would have intervened."
"I haven't met Paul," John said. "But if he's anything like you I'm sure he's a wonderful person."
"I'm beginning to think he might be too much like me," Tori sighed deeply.
"Are you staying for long?" John questioned. "I would like to catch up."
"I'm afraid I might need to extend my trip," Tori said. "But I think it would be best if you kept your distance."
"I see," John stood up straighter. "I thought enough time had passed for us to talk."
"It's in the past," Tori shook her head. "I'd like to keep it that way."
A pained expression crossed John's face as Tori left, walking in the opposite direction as Will.
Will's mind reeled.
Who had Tori in her clutches? Why was she in Salem?
Before he could help himself, Will stepped forward and called John's name.
"John!" Will put on a fake smile. "Long time no see."
"Will," John said after a moment. His smile looked just as disingenuous. "It's been a long time, you're right."
"I've been busy," Will put his hands in the back of his jean pockets. He rocked on the edge of his heels and nodded.
"You should call your grandma," John requested. "She misses you something fierce."
"I'll have to do that, yeah," Will lied. He had no intention of mending fences with Marlena at the moment. He wasn't in the business of caving any longer.
"So," Will cleared his throat. "Who was that?" Will gestured with his head towards the direction Tori walked.
"Sorry?" John tilted his head, eyebrows together. "I don't know what you're talking about, son."
"Oh, it looked like you knew her," Will commented. He hoped his acting skills would hold up against John's scrutiny.
"No, just a lost tourist," John dismissed. He turned his head, staring in Tori's direction.
Will didn't remark on the expression on John's face.
"Well," John shook his head, clearing it. "I need to get going. Lots of work to do at the station."
"Right," Will nodded. "Say hi to my grandpa for me."
"Sure thing, kid," John teasingly ruffled Will's hair and walked away.
Will took the long route back to the pub, mind burning with questions.
"Hey, Will," Adam greeted with his usual charming smile as he wrapped his apron around his slim waist.
"Hey," Will parroted back, elbow leaning against the bar.
"You alright?" Adam questioned. "Your foreheads doing that thing."
"My forehead?" Will glanced at Adam.
"Yeah, that wrinkly thing," Adam demonstrated on his own face. "You do that when you think."
"Why do you know that?" Will tilted his head, bemused.
"Uh," Adam looked away, "No reason."
"Okay," Will gave him a lopsided smile. "I am pretty confused about something, actually."
"Really? Shoot," Adam nudged in close to Will behind the bar.
"I have this friend," Will explained. "He told me his dad died before he was born. Only, I overheard his mom today saying some pretty weird things."
"Alright," Adam nodded, shoulders brushing against Will's. "So, you're thinking his dad's alive or something?"
"I don't know," Will shook his head. "That's sort of the problem. It all sounded suspicious, though. Should I tell him?"
Will turned to look at Adam's face.
"Uh," Adam blinked a few times, staring into Will's eyes. "If it was me? I'd want to know. No offense or anything but you know what that's like, right? Finding out your dad isn't really your dad."
"You're right," Will licked his lips. "I was really young but I can still remember things. If it happened when I was this old, I wouldn't know what to do."
"Me either," Adam agreed as he bit his lip, anxious. "But, uh, there's kind of something I should tell you. You see your grandma was in yesterday and well-,"
"Which grandma?" Will queried. He hadn't spoken to Marlena since their unfortunate run-in at the hospital.
"Kate," Adam supplied. "But, well, you see," Adam felt nervous.
Will isn't going to like this, Adam realized with a growing sense of unease.
"What?" Will wondered, turning to stare at the fumbling teenage boy.
"She sort of asked me to do something," Adam revealed "So, I did. Well, some of my friends and I did."
"Okay," Will pursed his lips, thinking. "What?"
"Well," Adam played with the strings on his apron, shifting his weight around.
"What?" Will was getting a bad feeling. "What did she convince you to do?"
"She told us to go to TBD and…" Adam smiled painfully.
"Oh, god," Will groaned. "What did you do?"
"It was kind of fun at the time," Adam rushed to explain. "But you know hindsight and now that my adrenaline leveled off well, it was stupid."
"Adam?" Will stood up straighter, crossing his arms. He hoped he looked as intimidating as he felt.
"I don't wanna say," Adam whined. "You're gonna get mad and fire me."
"I'm not gonna fire you," Will rolled his eyes. "Stronger men than you have fallen prey to my grandma's evil schemes. I am disappointed, though."
"She said it was for you!" Adam defended. "She saw the way," Adam sighed and looked at his feet. "She saw the way I looked when I talk about you and knew I'd do it."
It took Will several long, awkward moments to comprehend.
Oh boy, Will thought, taking a step back.
"I see," Will said in a low voice. "I thought, well I mean, I didn't think."
"I'm pretty obvious, dude," Adam defended, shoulders hunched forward. "Everyone can tell."
"Right," Will winced.
"When I figured out I'd be working for you," Adam confessed. "It was like a dream come true. After that night at The Spot…" Adam trailed off. "But you never remembered me. I guess that was stupid too."
"Night at the-?" Will's eyes widened, cheeks burning in embarrassment. "Yeah, I um, I thought I knew you from somewhere but I couldn't remember where."
Will's mind flashed to the barrage of dance partners he had that night he went to The Spot with T. Now that he had a frame of reference Will remembered Adam clearly.
Oh god, I danced with my underage employee in a club when we were both drunk and shirtless. I'm going to jail.
Adam inhaled deeply, shoulders and chest deflating in humiliation.
"I get that I'm young and stuff," Adam grumbled. "But I thought we were getting along."
"We do get along," Will said, "It's just, you know, weird."
"Because of my age?" Adam questioned, unintentionally pouting.
"Well, there's that," Will nodded. "But, um, besides it being illegal it's also a little immoral. I'm your boss. You're in high school. I have a daughter and I'm technically still married."
"You don't act like your married," Adam argued.
"Look, there are lots of reasons for this to be a bad idea," Will said gently. He didn't want to completely crush the kid. He was nice and a lot of his behavior made more sense knowing the truth.
"Right," Adam sighed. "I know that logically. But in here," Adam put his hand on his chest, "It's different."
"You're great, Adam. You deserve to be with someone that can actually be with you in all ways," Will stated. "I mean, from what I remember at The Spot you have nothing to worry about, nothing. Oh, wait, that sounds bad. Forget I said anything. Although," Will frowned. "I feel compelled to tell you to stop going there."
Adam huffed out a laugh.
"You gonna get all parental on me now?" Adam smiled.
"I might have to, yeah," Will smiled back. "I can't have you hanging around a bunch of pervs. You're my best employee."
"Thanks," Adam bit his lip. "So, I still have a job?"
"What, like I'm gonna fire you because of a crush?" Will shook his head. "I don't think so."
"What about with your grandma and stuff?" Adam wondered. "I mean, I don't think I left any evidence but the police might-,"
"Woah, woah," Will interrupted. "Police?"
"Yeah," Adam sheepishly smiled, hands in his apron pocket. "Uh, about that…"
"Will!" T shouted, rushing behind the bar at TBD. "What are you doing here?"
T clapped Will on the back and laughed.
"Wait, did Sonny's cockamamie plan work?" T guessed with a grin. He noticed the group of teenage boys skulking behind Will, each with their heads downturned and their faces long. "Uh, did you get a harem without telling me?"
"No," Will answered firmly, smiling pulling at the corner of his lips. "Are Sonny or Chad here?"
"Yeah," T nodded. "Chad was in the office with Theresa. I'm pretty sure Sonny walked in on them when he took Ari in for a nap."
"Gross," Will's nose wrinkled together.
"The Chad part, yeah," T grinned. "But your cousin…"
T lifted his eyebrows up and down in rapid succession causing Will to punch him in the arm.
"Seriously," Sonny ranted in a quiet whisper. Ari was fast asleep on the desk chair. "This is a place of business. My daughter could have seen you. And now, I have to get a new desk."
Theresa, legs crossed, foot swinging back and forth, stared at Sonny, completely uninterested.
"I locked the door," Chad shrugged.
"That does not excuse-," Sonny fired back.
"Yo," T lightly knocked on the door. He swung the door open to reveal Will and the gaggle of boys behind him.
"Will," Sonny breathed, instantly forgetting what he was raging about.
Theresa's eyebrows lifted in interested.
"Taking your mom's advice a little too literally there, Will?" Theresa quipped, eyeing the teenagers up and down.
"No," Will denied as they all crammed into the small space.
Will looked to Adam and his friends.
"Well?" Will goaded.
"Ugh," Adam sucked it up. "We're the ones that ruined your vodka."
"Come again?" Chad asked.
"Last night," Adam explained. He kept his eyes on Will's friend and far away from Will's husband. "Some of us distracted the workers while the rest snuck in the supply room."
"Why?" T wondered.
Will intervened before Adam could answer. He didn't need everyone to know Adam's business.
At least not before I talk to my grandma, Will decided. And, most likely, my mother too knowing them.
"A misguided attempt at getting back at the competition," Will answered. "And what else boys?"
One of Adam's friends chimed in from the back.
"We'll make sure we pay back what we ruined," he promised.
"And?" Will continued.
"We promise not to come back," another friend supplied.
"What about the other stuff?" Sonny asked. "Were you guys behind that?"
"What other stuff?" Adam tilted his head, lost.
"I'm guessing not if you don't know," Chad responded. "Well, that's one mystery solved. Hopefully, the other's will get taken care of too."
"I'm assuming you won't press any charges," Will stated. "Since everything's resolved now."
"No, that won't be necessary," Sonny reassured Will with a warm smile.
The side of Will's mouth quirked up automatically.
Sonny didn't care about getting the money from the teenagers. He didn't care about their product being ruined or even the A they spray painted on the box. Will personally came to TBD to make things right. That was worth much more than any loss of product.
As everyone filed out of the office, Will bent down to check on Ari.
"Thank you," Sonny told Will. "For coming down here."
"I needed to make sure everything worked out," Will shrugged.
"I appreciate it," Sonny replied. He touched Will's hand to gain his attention. "And everything I told you earlier is true. I do love you, Will. I want us to start over again."
"I know you do," Will whispered.
"It doesn't matter how long it takes," Sonny lifted Will's hand and kissed the back of it. "You're worth the wait."
Will exhaled shakily, heart beating out of his chest.
"I'd like a few more hours with Ari if that's alright," Sonny requested.
"Of course," Will nodded.
"If you boys want a way to pay TBD back," Will held out the aprons. "Get to working."
Adam's friends grumbled and whined good-naturedly. They were grateful they wouldn't have to involve the police and that Will promised not to tell their parents. But still, they didn't want to spend their time in the pub working even if it wasn't long-term.
Will watched as Adam showed them all the ropes and ordered them about. With a keen interest, Will noticed one quiet boy couldn't keep his eyes off of Adam even when Adam wasn't looking back.
Hmm, Will thought. I told Adam he'd find a better fit. Guess I was right after all.
While watching his new band of minions disperse, Will turned to go into his office. He pulled out his phone to call up Grandma Kate and demand some answers when he bumped into Paul.
"Oh, sorry," Will said looking up and seeing Paul.
During the past hour, Will forgot all about the strange scene he happened upon with Tori and John.
"It's alright," Paul responded.
"Actually," Will glanced at his open office door. "There's something I need to tell you about. Come in here."
Paul followed Will into the office. He hadn't stepped foot in the place in a while. He smiled seeing all Ari's artwork on the wall.
"I like the new décor," Paul commented.
"Yeah," Will nervously rubbed his hands against his thigh as he sat down in his desk chair.
"What did you need to tell me about?" Paul felt nervous. He feared each moment he saw Will was when he'd kick Paul out of his life entirely.
"Well, you see, it's about your mom," Will confessed.
"My mom?" Paul glanced at Will, surprised.
"Well, I overheard some things and I got a little, well, a lot concerned," Will admitted. "I wasn't sure if I should tell you or if you would be mad. But then I thought about if it was me and I'd want to know. I mean, I don't know anything, not really, but, well-,"
"Will," Paul cut off. "Why don't you tell me what you don't know?"
"Last night, when I was leaving the pub," Will told Paul, playing with his fingers. "I heard your mom talking to someone in the back hallway. It all seemed real secretive. She said she hadn't been in Salem in 29 years."
"What?" Paul's face pinched. "She told me today that she'd never been here."
"It's just what I overheard," Will said. "But earlier she seemed pretty huffy when I asked her in your apartment. But I know what I heard last night. A little over an hour ago, she was talking to the same person. They were talking about it taking a lot of work to get her away from someone. That she never would have let you come here if she knew."
"I've never heard any of this," Paul said. "She never- I don't know who she would be talking to at all."
Will didn't know if he should tell Paul his suspicions or not.
"She was specific when she said she hadn't been to Salem in 29 years," Will expressed. "And I started thinking about how you're almost 29. So, doing the math…"
It took Paul a few seconds to understand.
"You think that she met my father here?" Paul asked.
"It makes sense," Will lifted one shoulder. "You don't know much about your dad. Your mom seems pretty secretive about the topic. Maybe they met here."
Paul slumped back into his chair.
"I could be wrong," Will rushed to offer. "It might not be anything. I'm generally a suspicious person."
"Why would she lie about being here?" Paul wondered. "What would she have to gain?"
"I don't know if it helps," Will awkwardly replied, looking over at Paul. "But the man she was talking to both times? His name is John Black."
"What do you know about him?" Paul pressed.
"He's mostly a good guy," Will said. "I kind of used to call him Grandpa when I was younger. He's been with my grandma Marlena most of my life. Or with my Grandma Kate. Or-,"
"But how would he know my mother?" Paul interjected.
"Right, uh, well," Will thought. "He was involved in a lot of dangerous things."
"Dangerous how?" Paul asked.
"Well, he was involved in this agency that goes on a lot of missions," Will didn't know how to explain. "He has a lot of enemies. The way your mom and John were talking about protecting her, my mind went to one place."
"What?" Paul looked up at Will. He was so out of his element here.
"…Stefano DiMera," Will responded. "He would definitely be someone your mom would need protection from."
"DiMera?" Paul repeated. "That's your mom's last name, isn't it?"
"It is," Will confirmed. "Stefano was EJ's father. Stefano's behind almost every horrible event in this town. He's crazy rich and crazy powerful. Sometimes he has his good moments but most of the time he's awful."
"I don't understand how my mother could have anything to do with this," Paul reiterated. "She's never been involved in anything dangerous. She's never lied before."
"It could be an accident," Will consoled. "Or she could be completely innocent and this is all my overactive imagination."
"She lied," Paul shook his head. "She's never done that before."
"Who exactly is your father?" Will asked. "Because you said Narita was your grandfather's name," Will recalled. "So, your parents couldn't have been married."
"No," Paul replied. "They weren't married. I know that. She said my father was an American that she met when she was working."
"That could have been in Salem, right?" Will asked. "That sounds innocent enough."
"I guess," Paul realized. "She never told me many details. She said it was too painful but that I reminded her of him a lot."
"I see," Will pressed his lips together.
"I need to find out, though, don't I?" Paul stared into Will's eyes.
"I could be wrong," Will mumbled. "You know how I'm dumb about these things."
"Will," Paul scolded, eyes fierce. "Shut up."
"I think I might know someone that could help," Will offered, ignoring Paul. "Before you do anything extreme."
"Hello?" Marlena Evans answered her cell phone. "Will?"
"Grandma, hi," Will glanced at Paul momentarily.
"Oh, Will," Marlena gushed, nearly dropping her phone in surprise. "It's been so long since we've really talked."
"Yeah," Will stared at his feet. "I've been busy." 'And I'm ignoring you.'
"I know but I've missed you," Marlena stated. "You and our word games."
"I don't know why," Will teased. He had missed his grandma even if she did doubt him "I always beat you."
"That's because you cheat," Marlena dismissed.
"I do not," Will laughed.
"You do and that's alright," Marlena insisted. "Now, do you think we could meet sometime and talk? I miss you so much, Will. I know that-,"
"I have a question about John, actually," Will wasn't sure how to ask.
"Oh," some of the spark in Marlena's voice diminished. "What is it?"
"What was happening in your lives about 29 years ago?" Will questioned.
"Well, that's an oddly specific question," Marlena responded. "Well, let's see, your mother was already wreaking havoc."
"She was doing that in the womb," Will rolled his eyes. "Were you with John then?"
"Not exactly," Marlena revealed. "I was between relationships with your grandfather and John. John was going through a lot with Stefano but I know he was fighting to get back to Salem, to get to me."
"Um," Will caught Paul's eye. He turned his phone on speaker so Paul could listen to Marlena's answer. "Do you know what John was doing during that time?"
"I know most," Marlena confirmed.
"Do you know anyone named Tori Narita?" Will ventured, biting his lip.
"Yes," Marlena's tone changed. She hadn't heard that name in a long time. "Why do you ask?"
"Uh," Will blinked a few times. "I heard her name the other day, from John, I mean. I was curious. I know you two are trying to work things out now and well, I was curious," Will floundered.
"We are," came the stiff reply. "She was a woman working for Stefano. One that John agreed to never see again."
"Right," Will mumbled. "Right, that's what I assumed. But, um, was John in Salem 29 years ago?"
"For a time," Marlena responded. "He was in and out of town; Stefano had him on a short leash."
"Okay," Will glanced at Paul. The two shared a panicked look. "Right, thank you, Grandma. I need to get back to work."
"Sure," Marlena mumbled. "Please, call me again soon. I miss you."
"Okay," Will said before hanging up.
"She was definitely in Salem then," Paul stated after a few moments of silence.
"What could this be about?" Will wondered. "I mean, why would your mom work for Stefano? Why would my grandma not want them around each other?"
"I don't know," Paul put his head in his hands. "I don't know anything."
"It might not mean anything," Will weakly argued. "I mean, working for Stefano isn't something you'd want to put on your resume. Maybe she met your dad, got pregnant and left town."
"She told me his name was Jay Smith," Paul huffed out an ironic laugh. "Do you know how many men have that name?"
"It's pretty common, yeah," Will shrugged. "If he was in Salem, I bet you could go to town hall and look up the census records or something."
"That's a good idea," Paul confirmed while looking at his watch.
Seeing the time, Paul stood up. He didn't want the place to close before he arrived.
"Will," Paul said after taking a step towards the door. "You've lived here almost your whole life. What do you think happened?"
Paul wanted to know something, anything. He trusted Will's judgment. Will knew this situation better than anyone else.
"I have no idea, Paul," Will admitted. "I don't know your mom. I don't want to make you doubt her or anything. You weren't raised in Salem. It's different for you. It's just my experience that these things aren't coincidences."
"Your mom lied about your dad," Paul recalled. "That's why you're doing this, isn't it? Because you know what it's like not because you care."
"I didn't say that," Will acknowledged. "It was hard enough for me to find out my mom lied and I was so young. I just, you told me how much you wished you had your dad. I thought," Will looked down at his lap, messing with his fingers again. "I thought this might be your chance."
"Oh," Paul blinked a few times, traitorous butterflies sweeping through his chest.
My father might be alive. This isn't the time to worry about Will wanting me, Paul scolded himself.
Will realized how it must look. Telling Paul to stay away only to seek him out.
I keep saying one thing and doing another. But I would do this for anyone. If I overheard what I did for anyone else, I would try to help.
It doesn't mean anything, Will thought. It doesn't.
"Thank you for telling me," Paul told Will. "I appreciate it."
"Right," Will huffed. "I made you doubt your mom and your entire existence. You can't want to thank me that much."
"Trust me," Paul gave Will a soft look. "I do."
Sonny held Ari securely in his arms as they meandered down the residential streets of Salem. He was taking the long way to the pub. He wanted to enjoy just a few more minutes with his daughter.
"What do you think about this neighborhood?" Sonny asked Ari conversationally. "Lots of trees, sidewalks, it's close to your future school. What do you think, Ari, should we live here one day?"
Ari made an inquisitive sound while resting her head on Sonny's shoulder.
"We could buy one of these houses," Sonny stopped in front of one house. It had a large tree with a wooden swing attached to it. Sonny could see a treehouse in the backyard, towering over the fence. "Walk you to school every morning, you and Daddy could wash our future car while I mow the grass. Have barbecues in the backyard, invite everyone over. You could chase little Tate around. That sounds good," Sonny sighed.
Sonny continued their walk.
"What do you think we should give Daddy for Valentine's Day?" Sonny questioned. "It needs to be from the heart. It needs to show him that I'm serious about this, our family. That I'll never hurt him again."
"Heart," Ari answered, nuzzling Sonny's neck.
"Heart?" Sonny repeated. "I should give Daddy my heart?"
"Heart," Ari confirmed, yawing widely. "Daddy heart."
"Hmm," Sonny rubbed against her back, ideas swirling.
"It looks strange," a voice sounded from the doorway of Will's office.
Will snapped his head up, paperwork spread across his desk.
Ari raced into the room, crawling into Will's lap and opening her own drawer full of art supplies.
"You, in here," Sonny explained, gesturing to the office. "I just never pictured you working somewhere like this."
"Because you don't think I can do it?" Will accused with narrowed eyes.
"No," Sonny denied with a shrug. "Whenever I think of you working, I see you on the couch in your socks, face buried in your laptop."
"Oh," Will mumbled, face red. "Sorry."
"I haven't given you many reasons to trust me," Sonny replied. "Just like I haven't supported you in a long time."
Will helped Ari pull out her markers and a pad of paper.
"I won't do that anymore," Sonny said. "Being without you all these weeks, it's put everything in perspective. I never appreciated your worth before, not the way I should have."
Will tightened his grip on Ari, sharing part of his desk with her.
"I was an idiot to think I could live without you," Sonny declared. "To think about leaving you, what we had. I am an idiot because I love you. I know that I've done so many things to make you doubt me but I do. I love you. You weren't my first love, Will. Even if we never get back together, you'll always be my last love, though."
Sonny turned to leave before stopping, hand on the doorjamb.
"I'll do whatever I have to in order to give you the kind of life you deserve," Sonny promised. "I'll be the type of man you need. I'm going to get you to fall in love with me again even if it kills me."
Will stared at the empty spot Sonny vacated for a long time, mind reeling.
That night, after putting Ari to bed, Will collapsed on the couch. He cuddled a decorative throw pillow against his chest, resting his chin on top of it. Today, like all days was overwhelming. It seemed like anytime Will felt closer to a decision, he would get pulled in another direction.
Will tried to stay away from Paul. He did. But he couldn't this time. Overhearing what he did from Tori and John spiked his curiosity. Although Will ascertained he would have helped anyone. He wasn't helping because it was Paul.
I'm not, Will insisted. I told him my suspicions. It's up to him to figure it all out.
And Sonny, Will sighed, closing his eyes. Sonny confuses me even more.
Will couldn't reconcile the promises Sonny gave him today with his past treatment.
Sonny was so amazing in the beginning. I thought he could do no wrong. But this past year, everything has been so hard. The past few months, he turned into someone else. He threw me away.
And our relationship was never what I thought. I loved him with everything I had and he reserved a place in his heart for Paul. How do I know that won't happen again?How do I know he won't get bored and lonely, leave me behind?
How can I forget what he did, what he said? How can I forgive him?
That was why Will couldn't make a decision and stick to it. He didn't know how to forgive Sonny.
Ring Ring
Eyes still closed, Will groped around the couch for his phone, answering it.
"Hello?" Will asked.
"Hi," Sami said. "How are you feeling?"
"Eh," Will shrugged. "Today was hard."
"What happened?" Sami narrowed her eyes, already on the defense.
"Nothing, really," Will rubbed his face. "Just, trying to figure out everything."
Will thought about opening up to his mom, considered it. But he knew what she would say. She would tell him to stay away from both men. Will didn't want someone telling him what to do. He'd had enough of that. He just wanted someone to sound off of, someone to listen.
Sami Brady DiMera was many things. A good listener was not one of them.
"How are you?" Will changed the subject. "And the kids."
"Oh, we're fine," Sami assured him. "Allie and Johnny's class are putting on a production of Chicken Little. They both have roles."
"That's cute," Will smiled. "You'll have to record it for me. I wish I could see them."
"You know I will," Sami said. "Now, back to you. Anything interesting happen lately?
Like a certain baseball player leaving town, Sami hoped with a sly smile.
"Not much," Will responded. "Well, actually," Will pursed his lips.
"Hmm?" Sami buzzed with excitement.
"What are you and Grandma scheming?" Will demanded.
"What?" Sami's smile slid off her face.
"I know you're up to something," Will continued. "I know Grandma was behind the vodka thing at TBD. Adam already fessed up."
"I told her not to involve that runt," Sami crossed her arms and pouted. "Traitor."
"Mooooom," Will whined. "Why are you doing this?"
"Because," Sami explained in a calm, rational tone. "They need to pay for what they did to you. You should just be lucky EJ isn't alive because if he was they would be-,"
"Wait, wait, wait," Will shook his head. "They?"
"Did I say they?" Sami backtracked.
"Mother," Will groaned in frustration. "Why? Why? Why? Why?"
"Because," Sami insisted. "You don't know what it's like watching your child suffer the way I have. Most of your life," Sami raved. "I made you miserable, me. My choices and decisions hurt you. And to watch you grow up and see them treat you the way they did is enough to make any sane person explode. And we all know I'm not sane."
"I understand and appreciate that," Will conceded. "But you hurting them isn't going to change anything. In fact, if you keep it up with TBD than you'll end up hurting me and Ari. Sonny depends on that money and so does my family. And I'm betting you and grandma didn't even consider that."
"…Not really, no," Sami admitted.
"Please, no more," Will begged. "I just want to move on and I can't especially if you do things that keep dragging me through this."
"That wasn't our intention," Sami promised. "We didn't want to hurt you. I'll talk to Kate about stopping everything at the club. And I'll tell Theresa to stop talking to the press."
"Theresa?" Will frowned before rolling his eyes. "Of course. You know, the more you talk to the press about Paul the longer they stay in town and bother me, right?"
"No, I did not know that," Sami pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Please, no more," Will pleaded. He was beginning to wonder if all the time he spent with Theresa lately was because of the scheming and not because she actually cared.
"Fine," Sami relented. "We'll stop. But not because you told me to," Sami inspected her nails. "Because I wanted to stop."
"Right," Will fondly smiled. "Are the kids still up?"
"Johnny and Allie are," Sami revealed. "Sydney went to sleep before I called you."
"Can I talk to them?" Will requested.
"Of course," Sami said, standing up to find them. "Will?" Sami asked. "You know I only do crazy, stupid things because I love you, right?"
"Yeah, I know," Will answered. "Didn't always before but now I do."
"I just want you to be happy," Sami admitted. "That's all any parent wants."
Will's face lit up when Johnny screamed into the phone, Allie shouting in the background.
Theresa stepped off the elevator and walked towards Kate's office. She accompanied Chad to the DiMera Enterprises office for a late night meeting of his. They were going to leave for their trip to Chicago afterward. Chad worried that she would get bored waiting for him. She insisted she would be fine on her own while he suffered through his meeting.
Theresa knocked on Kate's door before barging inside.
"What was so urgent you had to call me all the way over here?" Theresa demanded, plopping down in the chair across from Kate.
"First of all, I know you were already here with Chad," Kate sniffed. "And second of all, you need to step up your game with Paul," Kate informed Theresa, leveling a cool gaze across her desk.
"Well, I'm sorry," Theresa huffed. "But there are only so many false accusations I can make before they get repetitive."
"Can't you whip up a fake love child or something?" Kate sighed. "He needs to suffer."
"Well," Theresa rolled her eyes. "He lives above Will's place of business and can't be around him. He doesn't have his career anymore. Everyone knows he's gay. Isn't he suffering enough?"
"No, never," Kate urged. "No one hurts my grandson and gets away with it. No one."
"I thought Sami was working on something," Theresa pointed out.
"She is," Kate replied. "But it's Sami. Her plans always go wrong."
"Because yours are so fool-proof," Theresa mumbled under her breath.
"What was that?" Kate narrowed her eyes.
"Nothing," Theresa much preferred speaking with Sami. "Although, can your plot to ruin Sonny not involve my boyfriend?"
"Chad has much more important things to deal with than one tiny little lump of a business," Kate dismissed. "He has an empire to run."
"Well, it's getting a little hard to keep this from him," Theresa admitted. Today was a close enough call as it was. "I don't want him blaming me."
"What is to blame?" Kate hypothetically questioned. "You haven't done anything to the club. Neither you nor I have been near it in weeks. There's nothing to be tied to us."
"Right," Theresa shook her head. She got the impression Kate would leave her to the wolves if it came down to it. Because of that, Theresa decided to keep Will's visit to TBD a secret. Kate was going to have to find that out all on her own.
"All this is about taking care of Will," Kate reminded Theresa. "I know you've been spending time with him. Have you figured anything out that could be useful?"
"Well," Theresa dug around in her purse. "I found something but I'm not sure…" Theresa didn't know if she should show it to Kate or not.
Holding the flash drive she stole from Will in one hand, Theresa deliberated.
Will obviously didn't want anyone to read this, Theresa thought. He kept it hidden away. How upset would Will be if it got out? Would anyone recognize the writing as Will's?
"What is it?" Kate leaned forward.
"I found this at Will's," Theresa reluctantly handed over the flash drive. It wasn't like Sami or Kate would purposely hurt Will.
"What's on it?" Kate turned the device over in her hand, inspecting it.
"Will wrote about what happened. What Sonny and Paul did, I mean," Theresa explained. "It's brutal. Honest, but brutal."
"Huh," Kate pulled over her laptop, attaching the flash drive.
"Clearly, he didn't want anyone reading it," Theresa said. "But I don't know. I think we should send it to Sami. She'll know what to do with it."
"Yes," Kate skimmed the article with a deep frown. "God, Will," Kate sighed. She hated reading about her grandson in such pain especially when she knew who was responsible for it.
Kate opened up her personal email account to send an attachment of the article to Sami. She couldn't risk using her work account.
Knock Knock
"Ms. Roberts?" Kate's assistant called. "Don't forget to send your email about the press release."
"Thank you," Kate nodded.
Kate pulled up the email she compiled earlier in the day. She needed to proof it one more time before sending.
"Press release for what?" Theresa wondered. She didn't quite understand what Kate did for DiMera Enterprises.
"Chad bought Sonix Magazine," Kate informed her. "I need our PR team to make an announcement."
Kate searched through her contacts, needing to send a copy of the email to everyone at Sonix. Kate was so busy chatting with Theresa she didn't realize she accidentally attached the wrong document to the email.
Soon enough, the PR team for DiMera Enterprises would receive information on the newly acquired Sonix Magazine as well as a lofty new, anonymous article all about the true nature of a Paul Narita and Sonny Kiriakis relationship.
Author's note:
Thanks for reading!