"Bye, baby girl," Will waved as Ari walked off with his father. They finished off their session at the rec center early so Lucas came by the apartment.

Will wasn't in the mood for a workout today. His brain was too jittery, jumping from one train of thought to another. Even his medication didn't seem to help. He briefly contemplated taking an extra dose before his mind moved to a new thought.

Sonny, Paul, Paul, Sonny, Will's mind reeled. Make a decision. Do something, anything.

Ring Ring

Welcoming the distraction, Will answered without looking at his screen.

"Hello?" Will asked.

"Will," Paul licked his lips. "Hi, um, I wasn't sure if you'd answer."

"To be honest," Will said bluntly, "I didn't look to see who it was."

"…Right," Paul responded with a sigh. "Okay then, well, I went down to town hall like you said yesterday."

"Did you find your dad?" Will wondered, curiosity getting the better of him.

"No," Paul answered. He recalled the time he spent in the town hall.

Paul never appreciated how antiquated Salem was until that visit. The town of Salem, Illinois hadn't bothered to upload any of their records online. Everything was stored in the basement of the town hall. It took a lot of searching and digging through the dust to find the records he needed.

"I didn't find any record of him," Paul admitted. "I found my mom, though. She lived here, in Salem, for at least a year. I don't know if she stayed here the entire year or if she traveled or what. So, she lied."

"Are you gonna talk to her about it?" Will pressed. "Or find things out on your own."

"How would I find things out?" Paul wondered.

"Hire a private investigator or something," Will suggested. "Trust me. There are hundreds of them in this town."

"Is this really my life, now?" Paul asked out loud. "Hiring private investigators to find my father. Discovering my mother lied to me."

"Suspect that she lied to you," Will reminded Paul. "She only lied about being in Salem. There could be plenty of innocent explanations for that. But you won't know unless you ask her."

"Yeah," Paul knew Will was right.

"It's scary and weird," Will said. "You don't have to use a PI, though. It's up to you. Although I would be curious. I am curious. But it's your choice."

"Right, thanks," Paul responded. "You don't know how much I appreciate this, Will."

"Oh, yeah, I'm sure," Will snorted inelegantly. "I'm the one making you think your mom's a big, fat liar."

"It's not that," Paul's gentle, velvety voice urged. "After everything you're still here. It means a lot."

Will didn't think Paul knew what his own words and tone suggested. Even Will, so trapped in his blurred thoughts, understood loud and clear.

"I, um, I just want to help," Will mumbled. "Don't read much more into."

"Will," Paul closed his eyes, hand pressing his phone tightly to his ear. "I-,"

Knock Knock Knock

"That's um, that's my door," Will interrupted. "I have to go."

Will hung up before Paul could react.

Thankful for the interruption, Will pushed off the couch. He nearly tripped over Ari's scattered toys before answering the door.

"Oh, hi, T," Will greeted with a wide sweep of his arm, gesturing him inside. "What's up?"

"Hey," T nodded. "Where's my little nugget?"

T sidestepped a few blocks and books to make it to the sofa. He plopped down, right at home.

"My dad just took her to Sonny," Will answered. "I'm actually a little glad she's gone. I can't seem to focus today. I'll get her later and she can entertain the crowd at the pub when I go to work."

"Wow," T remarked blandly. "What a wild Valentine's Day."

"It's Valentine's Day?" Will's brows furrowed, nose crinkled. "Huh, I must have lost track of time."

"You've been busy lately," T turned so one knee was on the sofa, facing Will. "What are you planning on doing today, though?"

"What do you mean?" Will wondered, head tilted to the side.

"Seriously, dude?" T looked at Will with a blank stare.

Will gazed back, blue eyes wide and lost.

"Gah," T shook his head. "It's Valentine's. You know the most romantic holiday of the year."

"…Okay," Will shrugged half-heartedly.

"And you're estranged from your husband. The husband that's working to get you back. The husband you don't know if you want anymore," T articulated, hands waving about wildly. "Wouldn't this be the perfect day to, oh, I don't know, make a decision."

"A decision?" Will repeated, looking around the apartment.

"Yeah," T urged. "Everyone's waiting but you gotta know now. I mean, if you haven't decided by now I'd say that's a choice in and of itself."

"What do you mean?" Will shifted awkwardly.

"I'm saying that if you don't know after over a month without Sonny," T pointed out. "You're never going to know."

"It's not that simple," Will argued.

"It could be," T shot back. "Either you miss Sonny or you don't."

"It goes beyond missing him, T," Will groaned.

"Does it?" T shrugged. "Or is it that simple?"

"Nothing about this is simple," Will stated. "I know that he's frustrated. I get that. But I don't know what else to do. I'm trying to get my life together and-,"

"You're getting your life together without Sonny," T interrupted. "That says something."

"It says I don't trust him," Will crossed his arms. "And I don't."

"Well, you won't know if you can trust him again unless you give him a chance," T offered. "No one is saying you have to completely go back to the way things are. Haven't you been listening to Sonny? He wants to start over."

"How can I start over when I know everything that happened?" Will countered. "It's easy enough for him to want a do-over. He's the one that screwed up."

"Okay, yeah, he did," T agreed. "He royally screwed up. But you aren't exactly innocent."

Will sat up straighter, eyes narrowing.

"I'm not saying any of this to piss you off," T held up his hands harmlessly. "But you have to admit you've done some shady things too."

Will locked his jaw and looked away.

"You didn't tell Sonny about working with Paul," T listed. "You put yourself into a position where you got too close to Paul. You didn't even tell Sonny about gaining ownership of the pub. Or even that Paul lives above it. I mean, what if it were the other way around?"

Will leaned the side of his head against the back of the couch, listening.

"What if Sonny made a new friend, a friend that clearly wanted more? And Sonny didn't tell you. Sonny didn't tell you this friend invested in his club, or hell, lived there? If Sonny made you leave your home, wouldn't talk to you for weeks? If Sonny couldn't decide if he wanted you or someone else?" T questioned.

"I don't have to wonder what I would do if Sonny couldn't decide if he wanted me or someone else," Will glared. "I already know because he showed me."

"That's now what I meant," T explained.

"I get that it's difficult for Sonny but I did choose him," Will clarified. "Paul came on to me and I told him no. I figured out that trying something new wasn't worth losing my family. I was honest with Sonny. I told him what happened and you know what he told me?"

"Yes," T lowered his head. "I do. But you have to put yourself in Sonny's shoes."

"I don't have to do anything," Will challenged. "In fact, that's the best part about this. I don't have anyone bossing me around, telling me what I'm doing wrong."

"So, cut Sonny lose," T said. "If you can't forgive him and you can't get past this, get rid of Sonny."

"I-," Will opened and closed his mouth. "I-I don't, I haven't- why can't anyone let me do this in my own time?"

"We are, Will," T insisted. "But you don't seem to be making a decision at all. You're trapped in a loop, caught between the same decisions. I just want to break you free."

"I don't know, yet," Will clarified. "Sonny and Paul-,"

"Paul?" T sat up, alert. "What does he have to do with anything?"

"Well," Will laced his fingers together, interested in his cuticles. "I just, I found something out and I thought I should help him."

"You've been spending time with Paul?" T stared at Will incredulously.

"And Sonny!" Will interjected.

"Sonny's initiated it," T shook his head. "Have you willingly been around Paul?"

"…I guess," Will answered. "But it's not like that."

"Yeah, dude. It is," T sighed.

Silence percolated the quiet, quaint apartment. Will picked at his nails, wanting to hide from the truth.

"What would you feel," T broke the silence. "If you found out Sonny was hanging out with Paul? Angry, hurt, pissed, everything?"

"I wouldn't like it," Will reluctantly admitted. He understood where T was taking the conversation.

"Then you can see why Sonny would be uncomfortable with you being around Paul?" T pressed. "I know you didn't sleep with him and you didn't exactly cheat. But it looks bad."

"I don't want to hurt Sonny," Will confessed. "That isn't my intention."

"All I'm saying is if Sonny was around Paul you would flip and you know it," T reiterated. "It's the same for Sonny. I mean, Paul slept with your husband, a lot. He is one of the reasons your marriage is falling apart. And you're hanging around him? It doesn't add up, dude."

"I," Will pressed his lips together, looking at his hands. "I didn't think about it that way."

"Ignoring the crap with Sonny," T scooted closer. "Paul went after you, Will. He wanted you to leave your husband for him or at least cheat on him. You know how it looks, how Sonny is going to take this when he finds out. If he finds out," T amended.

Will sighed, biting his lip.

"If you want to be with Paul, fine," T said. "You're my best friend. I'd support you. But own up to it. You aren't the type of guy to string anyone along let alone two guys. Sonny hurt you, yeah. But in respect of your past, your marriage, you should be honest with him."

"I don't want to be with Paul. But I can't seem to stay away," Will meekly replied. "I don't know if I want to be with Sonny either. It's confusing for me."

"Then talk to me about it," T begged. "Tell me what's going on in that blonde little head of yours."

"Sonny more than hurt me, okay?" Will said into his lap. "It wasn't just the cheating although that's a big part of it."

"What's it about then?" T wondered.

"Sonny, he made me feel like I wasn't worth anything," Will disclosed. "Like I was this worthless, ugly, terrible thing that he deigned to be with. I'd burn dinner and he'd yell at me. Ari and I would make him something and he'd fume about there being a mess. If the apartment wasn't perfectly clean he'd blame me. He didn't want me at the pub. If I asked business questions it was because I was stupid. Nothing I did was ever right.

"He'd harp on me about not making enough money," Will recalled. "And it was because he was busy running up our credit card without telling me. He lied to me from the moment I came home from LA. He changed our insurance and lied about not being able to use it at the hospital. I can't even figure that one out."

T hadn't heard most of this. He knew things were bad. Sonny and Will alluded to the majority of their problems but didn't go into detail. Knowing everything made it worse.

What the hell was Sonny thinking? T shook his head.

"He didn't want you at the hospital?" T finally asked. "Maybe he thought you'd run into Paul or something."

"I guess," Will leaned against the couch again, despondent. He loathed thinking about everything that happened. He was much happier ignoring it all.

"What else did Sonny lie to you about?" T demanded.

"I saw these bruises on his body, hickeys," Will's cheeks heated up. "He convinced me I made them. I should have listened to my instincts. So, yeah, he slept with me marked up by Paul."

"Gross," T's face scrunched together.

"If he disrespected me that much what else could he do?" Will asked rhetorically. "He lied to me. He treated me like crap. When it all came out he wouldn't even tell me the truth then, not really. He told me partial truths and did everything to make himself look better.

"All that was happening and there was Paul. Paul, he-he never made me feel like I was less. He was so genuinely interested in me and my life and-," Will puffed out a loud breath. "He saw I was upset and he got me to talking. Everything Sonny told me Paul was there dismissing. When I first found out Sonny cheated, Paul was so kind. Finding out he was the one, that he knew and lied too, it was too much. I couldn't handle that.

"I know that I had a crush on Paul," Will confessed. "I idolized him before all this and there was this big celebrity who saw something in me. It was hard not to feel flattered. He was everything Sonny wasn't when I needed him to be. It's hard to reconcile it all. Sonny should have been my happy ending. Now, I don't even know if our beginning was real or fiction."

"Do you truly think your entire relationship was a lie?" T wondered looking at Will with a curious expression.

"Maybe not all of it," Will shrugged. "But a big part of it. Everything about us changes because of Paul."

"How?" T pressed. "You knew Sonny had exes."

"Yeah, exes," Will implored. "Not a man that Sonny loved so much he asked to marry. Sonny told me after he graduated high school he traveled around the world. That he had been on every single continent. How was that when he spent a year shacked up with Paul?"

Will was building up steam, releasing all the pent over frustration he suppressed.

"Sonny didn't leave Paul because he fell out of love," Will shook his head. "He left because Paul wouldn't come out of the closet. When Sonny came to Salem he met me and there I was a sad, lost little boy waiting for Sonny to rescue me. I was nothing more than Sonny's second chance. He failed with Paul but he wouldn't with me. The entire time I was with Sonny a giant part of Sonny was still with Paul. I don't know how I'm supposed to get over that."

"But you aren't Paul," T stated the obvious. "I'm sure Sonny saw you for you."

"Or maybe he saw Paul's opposite," Will shrugged, burrowing his hands under his armpits. "Did he fixate on me because I'm me or because I'm the opposite of Paul? All the guys I've known Sonny to be attracted to are brunettes. I've got stupid blonde hair. Paul and Brian are gorgeous. They could be models and then there's me."

Will could feel the confidence in him leak out. There was a tiny pinprick hole inside of him that oh so slowly deflated.

"Even without their looks, I'm nothing compared to them. Brian wanted to be a doctor. Paul's a baseball star. Here I am, a failed writer and a wannabe business owner. I have nothing to offer Sonny," Will curled his knees towards his chest.

"That is such a load of crap," T hissed. "You're awesome. You have tons of good qualities. I don't know why you're always dogging your looks. You're hot, dude," T stated. "I mean, no homo and all that," T flashed Will a teasing look. "But I'd totally date you if you were a chick."

"Gee, thanks," Will mumbled.

"Considering the size of your pecs," T observed. "I'm sure as a chick you'd have massive-,"

"Thank you," Will glared up at T, horrified.

Smiling triumphantly, T lifted his eyebrows up several times until Will ducked his head, holding in a laugh.

"Okay," T said once Will smiled at him. "Let's say you're right. That your relationship isn't what you thought. Does that discount all the other things Sonny did for you?"

"What do you mean?" Will licked his lips, resting his chin on his knees.

"Well," T listed. "Sonny put up with his mother hounding him all the time about you. If he just wanted to use someone to forget about Paul wouldn't he go for someone easier? Not to mention he stuck by your side through all your baby mama drama and your bastard cousin. He loves Ari more than anything."

Will bit the side of his cheek.

"He got his dad to help your mom and you," T recalled. "He supported you, Ari and even Gabi after Ari was born. Hell, he delivered your baby. He nursed you back to health after you were shot."

Robotically, more so by muscle memory than anything, Will rubbed against the puckered, scarred skin on his torso. A phantom spasm of pain burst through the wound.

"And yeah that Brian guy was hot or whatever," T rolled his eyes. "But Sonny still wanted you. He could have been with Brian, washed his hands of you. He didn't. He chose you over Brian. And yeah, it took a lot longer, but Sonny chose you over Paul."

Will ducked his head again.

"I think most of all, though," T encouraged. "Paul said no to Sonny's proposal and Sonny walked away. Packed up and left. Sonny asked you to marry him and you said no. Sonny stayed. He waited for you Will. He waited for you to come out. He waited for you to figure out how you felt about him. Waited for you to figure out what to do with your baby and your life. Waited for you to marry him. And now-now, he's still waiting, Will. He's always going to wait for you."

Will closed his eyes tight, staving off an onslaught of tears.

"Now," T inhaled deeply, needing to prepare himself. "You need to figure out how you feel about Paul."

Will shook his head.

"I don't want to be like Sonny and Paul," Will divulged.

"Uh," T waited for a few beats. "You lost me."

"They, it's been years," Will attempted. "And they didn't know. It took them…doing what they did to figure it out. I don't want that to be me."

"Oh," T nodded after a few moments of trying to decipher Will's words. "You don't want to have any what-ifs or regrets."

"I can't just make a decision," Will stated. "Only to have the other option hanging over my head. I don't want to make a hasty choice either because I'm being pressured. I might regret it and hurt everyone and I don't want that. I don't want to hurt anyone and everyone is going to be upset. Someone is going to hate me and I can't-I don't want that. But I don't want to be my parents. I don't want to cycle through partners and living for someone else's love. I just want to be me."

T blinked several times, needing time to process Will's chaotic thoughts.

"Right, I get that, I think," T admitted. "But you aren't really going to know one way or another. Maybe you'll make a mistake and regret your choice. Maybe you won't. It's a gamble. In life, there are no guarantees, Will."

"I know," Will muttered under his breath.

"Look," T adjusted in his seat. "We just need to get real for a few minutes here," at Will's incredulous look T amended, "Even more real."

Will nodded, waiting on T.

"Sonny is your husband and your first real love," T stated. "He was there for you through a lot of crap. Neither of us knows if he was disingenuous about that time or not. That's something you'll have to figure out. You married Sonny, wanted to be with him for the rest of your life. He also cheated on you. He kept another dude in his heart and mind during your relationship. He lied to you and treated you like crap.

"And Paul?" T continued. "Paul met you and wanted in your pants. You unintentionally got close to him, came to rely on him. He also fucked your husband. Several times. When he figured out who you were, he lied to you to cover his own ass. Neither of us knows if he was going to tell you the truth or not.

"Now," T finished, "You're left torn between them. Your cheating husband and the man he cheated on you with. You need to either pick one or neither of them, Will."

"I know," Will admitted in a meek tone. "I need to choose."

Paul stared at a picture on his phone. He curled his bare toes against the soft carpet under his feet.

The photo was taken last year on Mother's Day. His team had a double header. Still, the organization invited each player's mother to spend the day. Paul knew it wasn't an ideal situation. His mother preferred intimate settings instead of having a camera shoved in her face. She made due, though. She always did.

My mother did the best she could, Paul thought. She gave me everything I always wanted. She paid for all my equipment growing up, my lessons.

It was difficult imaging his dedicated, loving mother as a liar. If she did keep the truth about Paul's father a secret that's what she would be- a liar.

Why wouldn't she tell me? Paul shook his head, eyes locked on the picture of his mother's loving smile.

Paul knew his mother held a sizeable amount of guilt over Paul's birth. Having a child out of wedlock was looked down upon in traditional Japanese society. Paul's grandfather was as traditional as it came.

Is that why she kept it a secret? Because she was ashamed? Grandfather loves me. He's always accepted me. He never even flinched when I told him I was gay.

Is my father someone embarrassing? Dangerous? Why would she keep this from me? It doesn't make any sense.

Paul closed out of the picture and pulled open an internet browser to find a private investigator. Will was right. He was curious.

His heart panged briefly thinking about Will.

Not now, Paul dismissed. One problem at a time.

Should I do this? Paul thought. He nibbled his lower lip while his finger hovered over the search button.

Before making that decision, Paul scrolled through his contacts and dialed his mother.

"Paul-san," Tori Horita greeted. She searched through the paperwork faxed to her from her work. She didn't anticipate taking this long in Salem. "I am still working. I told you I would call when I was ready for dinner."

"I know," Paul replied. "I had a question, one that can't wait."

"What is it?" Tori asked, only half listening.

It took Paul a few moments to compose his thoughts.

"Who is my father?" Paul questioned directly.

"I-," Tori held her breath. "I've told you before. Your father was a good man but unfortunately never knew about your existence. Not before he was lost to us."

"Lost as in dead?" Paul demanded.

"I-yes, of course," Tori lied. "Why the sudden questions? Is it because of Will Horton? I've told you he's bad news. You don't need him filling your head with nonsense. Of course, I feel grateful for the help he gave you in coming out. That doesn't mean he's entitled to-,"

"Will isn't doing anything," Paul sighed. "Just giving me peace of mind."

Paul closed his eyes, feeling a heavy weight sinking against his shoulders.

"Call me when you're free," Paul told his mother, monotone. "There's something I need to do."

Paul ended the call. This time, he didn't hesitate to find a private investigator.

"Thank you," Sonny called to the delivery man as he closed the mansion door. "Finally," Sonny said as he rushed back to the front room where Arianna was waiting for him.

Ari, happily playing with her Little People castle, didn't even notice Sonny left.

"Alright, princess," Sonny carried his box to Uncle Vic's desk, rummaging for something to open the package. "This is another step for me and Daddy. I think he's going to like it."

Sonny sliced through the box, digging through the protective plastic to find the boxes contents.

The other day, when Ari ordered Sonny to gift Will with his heart, it took a long time for Sonny to realize what that would be. In his more dramatic moments, Sonny considered ripping out his own heart and laying it by Will's feet. He knew that, while symbolic, wasn't what Ari meant. Arianna wanted Sonny to give Will his love. To Sonny, that wasn't enough.

I've given Will my love before, Sonny thought, fingertips sliding over Will's gift. It wasn't enough. It wasn't what Will deserved. Besides, it isn't my love that Will needs.

Sonny recalled the list his mother sent him. Will's personal, private thoughts and fears, each item more terrifying and heartbreaking than the last.

It isn't my love Will needs. It's his own.

"What do you think, Ari?" Sonny held up the present for her to see.

Ari, sparing Sonny a short glance, quipped, "Pretty!"

Sonny wanted Will to love himself as much as he loved others, as much as others loved him. It wasn't like Sonny could force it on Will, though. No one could do that. This was a journey and a path Will needed to walk alone.

I could encourage and support, Sonny knew. But I can't make Will love himself.

Sonny knew his actions in the past few months drastically damaged Will in more than one way. Will lost so much faith in love, in marriage, in happiness. All because of Sonny's actions and choices. As much as Sonny wished he could blame Paul for what happened he couldn't. Paul didn't force Sonny's hand. Nothing was Paul's fault. Sonny made his own choices.

My choices hurt Will more than anything else ever has. All that matters now is giving Will back a part of himself that I stole.

Over their few weeks apart, what hurt Sonny the most was the discovery that Will quit writing. Writing was a part of Will. It took so long to coax Will into sharing his writing with anyone. For a long time, Will's writing was private, a part of himself he never let anyone else share.

Sonny recalled the night Will opened up to him about his writing. He'd seen Will before, jotting down notes on his phone or a napkin, whatever was closest. Sonny figured Will needed reminders. He could be so scatter-brained sometimes. That wasn't it at all.

One night Sonny came home from work to find Will, baby Arianna resting on his chest, with his nose buried in his laptop. Will's fingers flew faster than Sonny could process. He assumed Will was working on an essay for school. He was only partially right.

Will was working on something personal. Just a short story that wouldn't leave his head. It took all night of Sonny begging and pleading for Will to let him read it. With Will's cheeks bright red, too embarrassed to look Sonny in the eye, Sonny read. It felt like his entire world changed.

For years, Will wrote, filling journal after journal and stock piling documents on his computers. Sonny never even knew. No one knew. Will had this beautiful talent and he wouldn't let anyone in on it.

I was the first one to know about Will's writing and he's right. I didn't support him the way I should have.

Initially, Sonny did everything he could to encourage Will. Unfortunately, Sonny took it too far. When Sonny got Will the job at True Vista, Sonny's heart was in the right place. Writing made Will happy and if Sonny could assist Will in any way, he would. Will saw it differently. He believed Sonny had no faith in him, in his abilities.

That's when everything went downhill.

I did praise Will's writing, over and over, only to turn against him later. I told him the story on his mom and EJ was great. But as soon as shit hit the fan I let everyone trash him. I didn't stand up for him. He'd turn to me for support and I wouldn't give it. Why didn't I stand up for him?

God, Sonny realized. I still haven't even read his article on Paul. Did anyone read it? No wonder he stopped writing. No one was there for him.

Well, no more, Sonny decided. Will loves writing. It doesn't matter if he writes for anyone else. He should at least write for himself. It must be killing him to stop.

Sonny hoped his gift would encourage Will if nothing else.

In Sonny's hands was a journal. It wasn't extravagant or particularly expensive. It was black and spiral-bound so Will could add pages as he filled them. The cover featured a white anchor and the phrase, "Life's roughest storms prove the strength of our anchors".

"What do you think, Ari?" Sonny asked one last time. "Do you think Daddy will like it?"

"Uh huh," Ari answered before dramatically flinging one princess off her castle's tower.

Sonny put the finishing touch on the box for Will's present, a meticulously placed bow.

"That looks nice," Adrienne stated. She stood behind Sonny and kissed the top of his head.

"It's for Will," Sonny admitted in a shaky voice.

"Do you have plans?" Adrienne wondered with a slight frown. "You never told me."

"Uh, no," Sonny confessed. "I'm hoping that he'll talk to me, though."

Sonny rubbed his hands up and down his knees, releasing a wobbly breath.

"I see," Adrienne nodded, sitting down beside Sonny.

Sonny turned his head and startled.

"Why are you dressed up?" Sonny questioned.

Adrienne pulled at her elegant dress, smoothing out invisible creases.

"I'm going out," Adrienne replied with a nervous smile.

"On a date?" Sonny's eyebrows drooped, lines around his mouth becoming pronounced.

"No," Adrienne spat out a little too quickly to be convincing.

"Mom?" Sonny lifted one brow.

"We're going as friends," Adrienne insisted. "Well, actually," Adrienne thought. "If you want to get some time alone with Will I could take Arianna with me. I'm sure he would love that."

"He?" Sonny repeated loudly. "He who?"

"It's nothing to worry about," Adrienne dismissed. "The hospital is having a charity dance to benefit the pediatric ward. I think Arianna would enjoy going and interacting with some of the other children that'll attend."

"Uh, I'm sure she would," Sonny agreed. "Now, who are you going with?"

"…Lucas," Adrienne stated. "But," she loudly called over Sonny's protests. "I told you we're going as friends. Besides, if we take Ari with us you know Will will be free."

Sonny stared at Adrienne sharply for several seconds before looking away.

"Fine," Sonny grunted. "We're talking about this later on, though."

"Oh, I'm sure we will," Adrienne grumbled under her breath.

"Looking forward to it," Sonny smiled sarcastically.

"Now," Adrienne rolled her eyes while standing up. "I'll gather Ari's things. You figure out how to woo your husband."

Paul tossed the last throw pillow on his couch, finishing the last of his cleaning. It didn't take long to tidy up the studio. That was a plus in the apartment's favor.

When I was in San Fran, Paul thought. I had someone that cleaned my condo for me. I wouldn't have done this myself.

Paul enjoyed it, though. He appreciated getting his hands dirty, accomplishing something even if it was small. That's what life in Salem gave Paul, a sense of appreciation for the little things.

I don't need a fancy car or lots of possessions, Paul realized. I just want to make a difference.

Paul felt like he did make a difference at the rec center. He spoke with several parents thanking him for reinvigorating the baseball program. Before, Paul would throw money at one charity or another. Make an appearance when necessary, get his picture taken. He didn't actually do any work himself. Not like here, in Salem. Here, Paul used his talent to impart knowledge and give as much experience to every child and teenager he could. It felt so much more rewarding than any other situation Paul experienced.

I don't know how Mother expected me to leave now, Paul thought. Especially after what she's done.

Paul's conversation with the private investigator was brief. Oddly brief, in fact. Paul explained who he was and what he wanted. The investigator said it would take no time at all to acquire the information Paul requested.

Paul didn't know if that was a good or bad sign.

Here he was, waiting on the potential news his mother lied to him entire life. Cleaning his simple studio to keep himself distracted. Dreading the moment his mother called expecting to go to dinner.

Paul didn't know how to behave around her now. After what happened with Will, Paul vowed to tell the truth as often as possible. How could he do that to his mother when he was investigating her own past?

And what if I don't like what I find out? Paul thought. What if this changes everything?

Ring Ring Ring

Paul jumped, heart leaping into his throat. He closed his eyes and exhaled before answering his phone.

He expected his mother or the private investigator. Instead, it was Paul's publicist.

"Paul," the woman rattled off in a tight voice. "Turn on the news."

"Why?" Paul asked, searching around for the remote. "What channel?"

"Any channel!" the woman yelled.

Paul aimed his remote at the TV, changing it to the nearest news station.

"Oh, you've got to be fucking kidding me," Paul groaned. "Son of a fucking bitch."

"Paul?" the woman rambled question after question. She hoped to salvage the situation as quickly as possible.

"This cannot be happening," Paul said to himself not listening at all. "I have to go."

"Paul!" the woman shouted. "What am I supposed to do?"

"I don't care," Paul answered, hanging up on her. "I have to find Will before he finds out about this."

"You want to watch Ari all night?" Will sat on the edge of his sofa, hand pressing his phone to his ear. "Are you sure?"

"Of course," Lucas responded. "She's a joy. I can't wait to show her off at the hospital dance. Not to mention, some of the kids from the pediatric ward get to come too. I think she would brighten up their night. Don't you?"

"Oh, I know," Will chuckled proudly. "My baby is charismatic."

"She gets it from you," Lucas pointed out.

"Ha!" Will laughed. "I doubt it. That's all Gabi."

"No, Will, it isn't," Lucas smiled briefly, adjusting his tie in a mirror. His smile drooped slightly, throat drying up. "You'll be okay alone, right?"

Lucas didn't want to fret about Will doing something stupid while alone especially on this holiday.

"Yeah, I'll be fine," Will assured his father. He could hear the worry in his tone. "I'm doing a lot of thinking."

"About what?" Lucas questioned.

"About what I need to do," Will answered with a heavy sigh.

"Then I won't keep you," Lucas decided. Before he hung up, Lucas focused his entire attention on Will. "Whatever you decide, I'll support you. I love you, son."

"I love you too, Dad," Will pressed his lips together, holding in a smile. "And thank you."

As soon as Will hung up, he tossed his phone onto the couch. He slid backward, legs dangling over the arm of the sofa, face buried in his hands.

What do I want?

Will didn't know. That was the whole problem. Will didn't know what to do. He didn't know how to feel about Sonny or Paul. When it came down to it, Will didn't know anything.

He hated what Sonny did to him. But he didn't hate Sonny. Will loved Sonny. But he didn't know if it was in the same way anymore. It felt different. The way Will thought of Sonny was different.

Could I love Sonny again the way I did before? Could we fall in love again, start over?

And then there's Paul, Will groaned, feeling a headache approaching.

Will knew the answer to his Paul problem should be easy. Will should be able to let Paul go, cut off all ties and let that be that. Will knew that was what he should do. It just wasn't that simple. If it was, Will would have done it already.

Every time Will tried to cut off all ties with Paul something came up. Paul coming to the rec center, Will's curiosity over Tori. Will knew, deep down, if he really wanted to stay away from Paul he would. Something inside of Will, something he didn't want to acknowledge, wouldn't let him stay away.

Paul slept with my husband. He's the man that lived in Sonny's heart when it was supposed to be all mine. So, why the hell can't I let him go? This choice should be easy.

They both hurt me. They were both selfish. But I'm not without blame. I drifted away from Sonny. I wouldn't talk to him. I let myself get too close to Paul. I didn't tell him to back off until the last minute. I played them both.

And I'm still doing it, Will realized. I tell them to stay away but I still talk to them. I don't tell Sonny things he deserves. I keep interjecting myself into Paul's life. Why? Why am I doing this?

The answer didn't make Will feel comfortable.

Will wanted Sonny and Paul to hurt as much as they hurt him. He stopped himself from revealing the article he wrote. He buried his anger but it remained.

Now, I'm punishing them, Will realized uncomfortably. I've made everything about me. I haven't considered their feelings or why I'm doing what I'm doing. I said I wouldn't put Ari through something like this but I am. Maybe I'm not as bad as my mom but I'm still playing Sonny and Paul.

Oh, god, Will moped. I suck.

Will sat up, throwing his legs to the floor.

I can say I'm moving on as much as I want but I'm not. T's right. I'm not making any decisions. I'm making things worse the longer I wait.

Will stood up, mind singularly focused. He threw on a jacket and tossed his phone in his pocket.

No more delaying the inevitable, Will decided as he locked the apartment door. I'm making a decision. Right now.

Will didn't know what or who he was deciding upon.

I'll know when I get there. Wherever there is.

Sonny looked at himself in the mirror, pulling his blazer across his middle. He exhaled loudly, giving himself a pep talk.

You can do this. You want to do this, Sonny told himself. Just get the present and go to Will.

"Are you going out?" Victor asked as he ambled down the staircase into the hallway.

Two men followed protectively behind Victor, twins with identical scowls and thick eyebrows. They'd been shadowing Victor for a few weeks now but had yet to be tested.

"Yes," Sonny responded, adjusting his clothes again. He gave the men behind his uncle a strange look. But, over the course of his time at the mansion, Sonny learned not to question his uncle's motives. It led to answers Sonny didn't want to know.

"On a date, I presume," Victor barked. "Hopefully, this means you've smartened up about that idiotic husband of yours."

"No, actually," Sonny turned to glare at his uncle. "I'm planning on going out with Will. And how many times do I have to tell you to stop talking about him like that?"

"Not enough for me to listen," Victor answered.

"You never had a problem with Will before. I have no idea what your deal is now," Sonny stated, crossing his arms.

"He hurt you," Victor shrugged.

"He's done that before," Sonny disagreed. "And I don't know why I keep repeating myself. I'm the one that hurt him."

"Unlikely," Victor grunted. He turned to the men standing behind him. "Am I paying you to stand around?" Victor snarled.

"Sorry, Mr. Kiriakis, sir," one of the men, Anthony Salerno, stepped forward and assisted him into the living room.

Don't pay attention to him, Sonny ordered himself. Tonight is all about you and Will. You can do this. You will do this.

Nothing is going to stop me from getting Will back, Sonny vowed.

"Did he leave yet?" Victor demanded from his perch on the sofa.

"Yes, sir," Angelo Salerno answered.

"Good," Victor cleared his throat. "Bring me Will Horton."

"Sir?" Anthony questioned with a frown.

"It's apparent he cannot make an informed decision by himself. He's wasted enough of my nephew's time. William Horton will come to his senses tonight, no matter what.

"Now, get out," Victor ordered, looking away.

The two men checked their weapons before following Victor's demands. They would acquire Will Horton by any means necessary.

Author's note:

What's going to happen next? Thanks for reading!