After he left the therapist's office, all Will wanted was a sense of normalcy. He made Ari a simple dinner and the two cuddled in bed, watching Disney movies all night. It gave Will peace of mind for the first time in a long time. He was able to hold his daughter close and shut out the rest of the world.
Unfortunately, the rest of the world was waiting for Will when he woke up. He needed to check on the pub, figure out the damage the article caused, and go back to the hospital to pick up a new prescription. By the time his impromptu session with Lynn ended, the pharmacy closed.
'God, I need those pills,' Will thought as he ran his hand through his messy hair.
"Alright," Will told Ari as he finished changing her diaper after she woke up. "What should we have for breakfast?"
"Mmmm," Ari tapped her chin, thinking. "Pancake!"
"Pancake or pancakes?" Will asked. "Only one pancake?"
"Noooooo," Ari shook her head several times. "Lots!"
"Oh, okay," Will smiled as he placed her in her high chair. "Some pancakes and a juice coming up."
Knock Knock
"Great," Will sighed as he turned to the door. "That better be someone important."
"Hey," Sami greeted as the door opened. "I brought food."
Sami barged into the apartment arms loaded down with plastic takeout bags from the pub.
"Pancakes for the princess," Sami opened Ari's container, cutting them into Ari-sized pieces.
"Grammy!" Ari cheered, clapping her hands together.
"Thanks, that saves me a potential kitchen disaster," Will said as he closed the front door. "Why are you here so early?"
"What, I can't stop by without having an agenda?" Sami stood up straight with her hands on her hips.
Will cocked one unimpressed eyebrow.
"Oh, fine," Sami rolled her eyes. "I wanted to see how you were doing and talk some more about yesterday."
"I've talked enough," Will commented. "I'd rather we didn't especially in front of my daughter."
"Oh, we're talking," Sami scoffed. "Don't think you're getting out of this."
"Oh, gee, I'm so excited," Will droned.
"Shut up and eat your breakfast," Sami barked.
After breakfast, Ari played with her Lego Duplo set. She enjoyed building castles and towers for her princess toys.
"She's pretty crafty," Sami noted from the table. "She's good at building. Maybe she'll be an architect when she grows up."
"That would be a good career," Will remarked. "Although, technically, we haven't done any actual crafts in a while."
"Why not?" Sami asked.
Will wrapped his hands around his mug of coffee.
"It didn't go over well the last time," Will recalled the way Sonny yelled at him over the mess.
"I see," Sami narrowed her eyes. She had a pretty good feeling why the crafting didn't work so well.
Changing the subject, Sami cleared her throat.
"You, Sonny, and Paul are on the cover of the newspaper," Sami remarked. "I didn't read it but the headline didn't look good."
"Great," Will closed his eyes. "Just what I need."
"You were on the news this morning too," Sami informed Will. "I didn't listen to the whole story. Eric turned it off before I could throw the remote at his TV."
"I'm sure I can guess what they were saying," Will rubbed his eyes.
"You don't need to guess," Sami pursed her lips. "Anyway," Sami said. "What happened yesterday after you ran off?"
"I saw Paul," Will told her. "We talked, well, yelled. Then I told him about John."
"Oh, yeah, that," Sami frowned.
"Speaking of," Will narrowed his eyes at her. "I forgot I'm still mad at you."
"Me?" Sami held her hand against her chest. "I didn't do anything!"
"You blackmailed Paul's mom!" Will pointed out.
"Oh, that? That's nothing," Sami waved her hand. "Besides, I didn't do it in the end. I only considered it. There's a difference."
"How is there a difference?" Will asked.
"You didn't cheat on Sonny," Sami smiled widely. "You only considered it. See? Difference."
Will glared at Sami harshly.
"What?" Sami threw her hands up. "I am not going to apologize for trying to get Paul out of your life. Or Sonny for that matter. They aren't good enough for you and they need to go."
"That isn't your decision," Will responded. "I am so sick and tired of everyone making choices for me."
"You are my son and you have a tendency to let people walk all over you," Sami replied.
"And you don't?" Will countered. "Where do you think I learned all this, Mom?"
"Oh, so it's my fault?" Sami asked.
"No," Will groaned. "It's my fault I'm in this situation. I know that. But you can't force people in or out of my life. You can't blackmail total strangers with information that affects the people you care about."
"Why not?" Sami whined.
"Mom?" Will rolled his eyes. "John having another son is huge. Were you going to keep that from him?"
"Do the math, Will," Sami said, leaning across the table. "How old is Paul and how old is Belle?"
"Uh," Will bit the side of his cheek, concentrating. "Paul's almost 30 and Belle is," Will made a face. "I have no idea."
"Almost 30," Sami responded. "So, why would that be a good idea? Telling my mother John, the alleged love of her life, has another child? That he knocked up another woman around the same time he impregnated her? Oh, all while my mother was married to someone else."
"Uh," Will blinked a few times.
"Exactly," Sami said. "Thank you! I'm glad you understand."
"I didn't say I-," Will started.
"It's going to be a terrible, horrible mess," Sami added. "But now, thanks to you, everyone is going to know. Which means the whole town will know, soon the whole world. That will be another story in the chronicles of Paul Narita and give him another reason to stay."
"Is that so bad?" Will asked. "I mean, you of all people should know what it's like. What it's like to have someone do something to one of your children, try to keep them away from you."
"I understand that," Sami insisted. "It's the you part in all this, Will. Paul's going to turn to you now. Even if you do pick Sonny, Paul is always going to be there."
"As a part of his family," Will said. "Not because of me. And isn't that better? That he has something else besides me tying him here. I just, Paul always told me how much he wished he had known his father. Now, he gets that opportunity."
"Because of you," Sami pointed out. "Because you told him."
"No, he already hired a PI," Will argued. "He would have found out anyway."
"Oh," Sami smiled. "And I suppose he thought of that himself."
"Not exactly, no," Will admitted sheepishly. "But, I-I mean, I saw Tori and John, and then I kept seeing them, and ugh," Will groaned. "You know how hard it is to stay away from a mystery."
"True," Sami acknowledged. "I don't regret what I did, though. I'd blackmail anyone any day of the week if it meant protecting you."
"Mom," Will reached across the table for her hand. "That's sweet and a total load of crap."
Sami gasped, yanking her hand away.
"And just so you know," Will stood up and began clearing the table. "Your blackmailing did the opposite of what it should have. Paul's staying in town. He's not leaving."
Sami huffed while standing up to help.
"I've been out of Salem for a while," Sami excused. "My blackmail skills are rusty."
"Sure, that's it," Will mumbled as he started loading the dishwasher.
"Okay, so we covered the Paul situation," Sami leaned against the refrigerator. "What about Sonny?"
"What about him?" Will haphazardly shoved their plates in the dishwasher. He smiled imagining Sonny's face if he saw. Sonny was anal about the dishwasher, insisting everything had to go in a specific order. Often times, Sonny would go behind Will and switch everything around.
Sometimes Will would make a mess of the dishwasher on purpose. He knew Sonny would get annoyed and do it even when it wasn't his turn.
"Did you talk to him again last night?" Sami asked. "I know I did."
"You did what?" Will stood up and rounded on his mother. "What did you do?"
Will noticed Sonny was unusually docile the night before. Normally, Sonny would argue himself blue in the face for something he wanted. Even when he knew he was wrong, Sonny would fight it until the other person relented. Last night, though, Sonny gave up. He apologized and admitted he was wrong more times than he ever had in their courtship.
If all that was because of Sami's manipulations, Will wasn't going to be happy.
"Nothing," Sami insisted. "I told him how I felt and gave him a few necessary truths."
"Like what, Mom?" Will groaned.
"I told him to stop pressuring you," Sami admitted. "That his getting hurt didn't absolve him of his mistakes."
"That's it?" Will looked at Sami dubiously. "That's all you said?"
"That was the gist of it, yeah," Sami replied.
"Well," Will clasped his hands together and sighed. "You'll be happy to know I'm not getting together with Sonny or Paul. Or, at least, not any time soon."
"Is that so?" Sami stood up straighter.
"I realized I'm not ready to be with anyone," Will confessed. "I need time to get my life together and figure out who I am. I can't do that with Sonny and Paul hovering."
"Wow, I'm shocked," Sami said. "I thought for sure you were going to make some terrible decision that I'd have to talk you out of."
"You're one to talk," Will rolled his eyes.
"I know," Sami professed. "That's why I want you away from both of them. You and I are more alike than we thought. I don't want you to make my mistakes all over again."
"Was being with EJ a mistake?" Will asked, surprised at the turn in their conversation.
"No," Sami answered immediately. "I've never loved or hated someone as much as EJ DiMera. But if I could do things over again I would have taken my time," Sami sighed. "I would have listened to everyone's advice instead of doing what I thought was best for me. I know how much you hated him for a while there."
Will nodded, remembering the days he hated EJ more than anything. How he hated him a little bit towards the end too.
"You hated when I went back to him after he'd hurt me," Sami said. "So, you can understand my reservations here."
"Yeah," Will acknowledged. "I know you can. I just, I never understood before. I never got why you'd go back to someone that hurt you, humiliated you. I thought you were just sad and pathetic, no offense."
Sami rolled her eyes but kept quiet.
"I don't want that to be me," Will confessed. "I don't want to be with Sonny because I think no one else will understand me the way he does. Or because there's no one else."
"There is someone else," Sami pointed out. "Not that I approve of him either."
"That's why I'm taking my time," Will told her. "I don't want to regret or resent anyone if I jump into something so soon. It's just hard," Will lowered his voice. "I loved Sonny so much. I hate being in this position now."
Sami nodded, "You loved Sonny Kiriakis with all you had for years. And he hurt you. Not just with the cheating, either. The things he told you, the way he made you feel, it wasn't right, Will. It was cruel and abusive."
"Sonny wasn't abusive," Will replied, forehead wrinkled.
"Yeah, Will, he was," Sami responded, giving Will no time to argue. "You don't tell the person you love that they're useless. You don't make them feel stupid or go around thinking no one else could ever want them. They don't make you walk on eggshells, waiting for the next thing that'll set them off."
"I didn't, I don't think of it like that," Will insisted.
"But it's the truth," Sami stated. "And that isn't okay. I don't want anyone like that around my son, around my granddaughter. There's a lot at stake here, a lot that you need to take into consideration.
"What did you always complain about when I would go back to EJ or back with your dad?" Sami asked. "You hated how I would only think about myself and not my children. Which," Sami admitted, "I'll admit was awful. But you don't want to make that mistake either."
"I know," Will sighed. "There's just a lot to consider. Ari loves Sonny. I love Sonny."
"Just because you love something doesn't mean it's good for you," Sami said. "Besides, you got hurt because of his family, his uncle. Sonny could have died because Victor thought you hurt him. What if something bad happens again? What will Victor do then? I know I raised you around Stefano and EJ but you don't want the same to happen with Ari. You don't want her around that type of situation."
"I don't," Will replied. "I-god only knows what would have happened if I went with those idiots to Victor. I can't have Ari around any of that. She has to be normal. It was bad enough when you, grandma, and Gabi tried to kill Nick."
"But we didn't in the end," Sami reminded Will.
"Gabi did without you," Will offered. "But you know what I mean. I can't let that be Ari's life."
"So, don't be with Sonny," Sami said simply as if that solved everything.
"But Ari adores Sonny," Will glanced over at his daughter quietly playing with her toys. "If I was with him, we'd be a family again."
"You and Ari are a family no matter what," Sami dismissed. "And she can love Sonny as much as she wants. I know he loves her too. That doesn't mean you have to be with him. That's one of the things I wish I learned a long time ago. You can be a parent on your own. I don't need a man and either do you."
"I know," Will acknowledged. "It would just make things easier."
"For Sonny, yeah," Sami shrugged. "But the rest of your family? We don't want you near him."
"The one time you're all united for anything and it has to be this," Will shook his head in annoyance. "Either way, Mom, I'm not deciding anything for a long time. I'm not gonna go out of my way to avoid Sonny or Paul. But they both know that's off the table for now.
"I'll figure things out once I'm in a better place," Will finished. "Right now, I'm focusing on Ari and me."
"Good," Sami nodded. "I'm proud of you. It's better to wait anyway. That way you'll know for sure."
"It feels weird," Will picked up his coffee mug from the table and took a swig. "Not having to choose anything, not having any pressure. I like it."
"Mmm hmm," Sami nodded, watching the way Will's fingers drummed against his mug unconsciously. "I think you need to lay off the caffeine, though."
"It's not that," Will said. "But, it does remind me of something. Fancy a trip to the pharmacy?"
Paul, baseball cap and sunglasses in place, walked through the hospital's parking garage. Luckily, he was able to dodge the press that were waiting outside the Brady Pub and at the front of the hospital.
I really need to get on that publicist, Paul realized, hands shoved into his hoodie pockets. What do I pay that woman for?
I'm way too early, Paul realized as he checked his watch.
Tori arranged a meeting with John for that morning. Paul needed to get his shoulder checked over and figured it would be easier if everyone met in the cafeteria afterward. So far, John didn't know Paul would be there. The meeting would be a surprise in more than one way.
Realizing he had some time to spare, Paul went up to the hospital cafeteria. He ordered a coffee and found an empty table. His foot bounced up and down, checking his watch again. He frowned for a moment before getting up and moving spots.
That spot's too drafty, Paul thought as he sat down in a new table. He leaned his arms on the tabletop before wincing. This one is too sticky.
Paul moved from table to table finding a fault with each one.
I need to go for a walk or something, Paul decided. I'm too nervous just standing here.
Paul, coffee in hand, moved around the hospital. He walked by the pediatric ward and smiled fondly at the newborns on display. He saw a nice little garden in the middle of the hospital where patients could go to unwind and heal.
After almost twenty minutes of wandering, Paul found himself in a familiar waiting room.
How did I get here? Paul wondered. He didn't consciously walk that path. Well, here I am.
Paul deliberated for a moment, nails drumming against his coffee cup.
Do I want to do this? Paul thought. Ugh, Paul rolled his eyes. Yes.
With a deep breath, Paul walked to Sonny's hospital room and knocked on the door.
"It's open," Sonny answered.
Despite the early hour, Sonny was already awake. He had trouble sleeping the night before. Even with the drugs pumping in his system, Sonny didn't find much rest. He spent the whole night contemplating exactly what he needed to do to heal. Not only what he needed to heal physically either. Sonny knew there was so much he had to do to become a better man, father, and husband.
When Paul walked into his room, Sonny barely glanced at him before going back to ruminating.
"Um, hey," Paul clutched his coffee cup close to his chest.
"…Hi," Sonny said after a time. He hadn't seen Paul, truly seen him, since that day in Sonny and Will's apartment. Not since Sonny and Paul yelled and screamed at the other, treating Will like a toy to be fought over.
God, how has so much changed in so little time? Sonny wondered. How has everything gotten worse?
"How, um, how are you?" Paul asked to break the stifling silence.
"Healing," Sonny said. "Doctor said everything looks good and there aren't any signs of infection."
"Good," Paul nodded. "That's good."
"Is it?" Sonny questioned quietly.
"Yes," Paul answered right away. "You and I might not get along right now but I don't want you dead. I couldn't see you bleeding out and not do anything."
"Right," Sonny remembered what Rafe said when he came to talk to Sonny yesterday. "You, um, you gave me CPR, held my wound."
"Yeah," Paul acknowledged. "Will was freaking out and I wasn't. It's no big deal."
"It was," Sonny argued. He knew he wouldn't be alive without Paul's quick thinking. "So, you know, thank you."
"You're welcome," Paul replied.
"What are you doing here?" Sonny asked after a few strained moments.
"I don't know, to be honest," Paul sighed. "I have an appointment to check my arm. I showed up too early and started wandering. I ended up here."
"Right," Sonny nodded, looking away. "Well, you'll be happy to know Will isn't taking me back."
"That doesn't make me happy," Paul revealed.
"Thought you'd be gloating," Sonny mumbled.
"Believe it or not but I'd rather Will just be happy," Paul pointed out. "That's all I want."
"That's all I want too," Sonny defended. "Even if it is with you," Sonny spat out the last word.
"Gee, thanks," Paul rolled his eyes.
"Oh, like you don't feel the same way?" Sonny huffed, crossing his arms and making a pained face.
"I would completely support Will if I knew you were who made him happy," Paul shrugged, crossing his arms as well. "But, it's obvious that isn't the case."
"He didn't choose you either," Sonny narrowed his eyes.
"He wanted to," Paul argued. "He was going to until your dumbass got stabbed."
"I only got stabbed because I was trying to protect Will," Sonny threw his hands up. "Something you sure as hell didn't do."
"I protected Will just fine," Paul sneered. "Actually, since I ended up saving you and taking care of Will I'd say I was the one that knew what he was doing."
"You know what?" Sonny made to sit up straighter before grunting and lying down again in frustration.
"Would you stop it?" Paul requested. "God, this is why we're in this mess to begin with, okay? You and I not dealing with our problems."
"How are we supposed to deal with this, huh? What's to even deal?" Sonny said. "You are in love with my husband. How am I supposed to be okay with that?"
Paul, arms crossed, turned his head away from Sonny to stare at the wall.
"Do you think it's fun being in love with someone that's married?" Paul questioned. "Especially someone in this town? Where I don't know anyone and everywhere I go people look at me like I'm some sort of monster? If I could change the way I feel I would."
"Am I supposed to feel sorry for you?" Sonny wondered.
"No," Paul rolled his eyes. "I'm just saying this isn't what I wanted out of life. I didn't want to be chasing after a married man, involved in all this."
"Two married men," Sonny said. "You went after me first."
"And that was a mistake," Paul replied. "You know that. I didn't even know Will was married when I met him. And I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry that I caused all these problems and ruined your life. You have no idea how much I regret hurting Will, hurting Ari. I didn't mean for any of this to happen."
Sonny groaned, covering his face with his hands.
"I know," Sonny responded. "I know. I know deep down that you aren't that type of guy. It's just a little hard to separate that right now. You went after my husband even after you found out he was with me. You did it and you didn't care how that would affect anyone else."
"I know that," Paul stated. "I regret hurting Will and you, everyone. But this isn't my entire fault. You didn't have to sleep with me back then. In fact," Paul pointed out. "You're the one that came to me. You came to my apartment and you're the one that stayed all weekend. You're the one that lied to Will about it, kept lying. You made the choice to cheat and lie and take out all your pain and frustration on Will, not me."
"You think I don't know that?" Sonny fired back. "I have never regretted anything as much as going to your hotel. I don't know what the hell I was thinking that being with you would be better than Will. And I am going to do whatever it takes to make myself better, to fix the mistakes I made. I lost Will. Maybe not forever but for now and that is the worst punishment I could ever endure. So, trust me, I know."
"I was so close to everything I ever wanted with Will," Paul said. "And I blew it. I saw how hard it crushed Will, what you did and I lied to him anyway. Kept the truth from him, manipulated him, I'm not much better than you."
"I had everything and I ruined it," Sonny rubbed his lips together. "I guess neither of us are good enough for him."
"No, he deserves someone that won't lie or cheat, tear him down," Paul agreed. "Someone that won't end up hurting him. He deserves so much better."
"I guess we finally agree on something," Sonny responded.
"Yeah," Paul nodded. After a few seconds, Paul added, "Look, I'm sorry I came to town and ruined your life. That wasn't my intention at all. Maybe when I first saw you, I thought about getting that old life back. But, after we worked through that, and I met Will, I promise that I didn't plan to ruin everything for anyone. So, I'm sorry."
"Thank you," Sonny replied. "And I'm sorry I didn't take your feelings for Will seriously before. I thought you were just attracted to him. I wanted that to be it. I didn't want there to be more. Because if you were in love with Will, he'd fall for you too. I didn't think I'd win."
"Yeah, well," Paul rubbed his sore shoulder. "I was hoping for that too, to be honest. I guess neither of us are going to get what we want."
"Guess not," Sonny sighed.
"So, I suppose this is it," Paul commented. "Good luck with your recovery and all that."
"You too," Sonny nodded. "Are you sticking around here or leaving or what?"
"Um," Paul thought of the meeting he had later. The meeting with John, his father. "I think I'll be around."
"Right," Sonny said. "See you around then."
Knock Knock
"D'ddy'Snny!" a tiny little voice squeaked as she ran into the room and jumped on Sonny's bed.
"Hey," Sonny settled Ari on his good side. "What are you doing here, little miss?"
"See Daddy!" Ari chirped, throwing her head on Sonny's chest.
"I, um, thought you'd like to see each other," Will said slowly as he walked into the room. He looked between Sonny and Paul in confusion. "Unless we're interrupting."
Will folded his arms around his middle and swallowed. Seeing Sonny and Paul together surprised him for some reason. Will couldn't think of any reason why they would be together especially this early in the morning.
Why are they here? Why are they together?
Will took a step back, mind instantly going to the worst possible scenario. Ready for them to tell him everything was a giant joke. That the last few weeks, few months were all some cruel, horrible joke at Will's expense. Ready for them to laugh in his face. Of course, they would never want Will. No one would want Will. He was useless and stupid and ugly and-
"Hey," Paul took a step closer to Will, putting his hand on Will's forearm. "You okay?"
Will jumped, "Jeez! Don't do that."
"I didn't do anything?" Paul said making it sound like a question.
"Will," Sonny frowned, stroking Ari's hair.
"Sorry," Will sighed. "I, um, lost in thought." Will closed his eyes and shook his head. "I needed to go to the pharmacy and I know you and Ari would want to see each other."
"Thanks," Sonny smiled.
Ari popped up and started rambling on, talking faster than Sonny could comprehend.
"I have an appointment for my shoulder," Paul explained to Will. "I was early and came up here to apologize."
"And," Sonny interjected once Ari calmed down, "I told him I was sorry I didn't take his feelings for you seriously."
"Oh," a strange look washed over Will's face. "I see."
"We're not okay," Paul added. "But we're not gonna go out of our way to get in the others way."
"Amicable," Sonny agreed.
"Oh," Will repeated blankly.
Sonny and Paul both smiled fondly.
Will watched, feeling uncomfortable under their stares.
"Um, I sent my mom to drop off my prescription," Will pointed his thumb behind him. "Do you mind if I leave Ari with you for a while?" Will asked already knowing the answer.
"Of course," Sonny smiled, inwardly smiling in relief. He knew Will wouldn't keep Ari from him over the course of their continued separation. It was a relief all the same.
"Good," Will nodded. "I'll be back then. Um, do you feel better today?"
"A little bit," Sonny admitted. He squeezed Ari tight. "She helps, though."
"Good, I'm glad," Will smiled briefly before leaving.
"I've gotta go too," Paul said. He wiggled his fingers at Ari and smiled when she enthusiastically waved back. He nodded at Sonny and left.
Will and Paul walked to the elevator in silence. After Will pushed the button he said, "How did it go with your mom?"
"Oh, it went," Paul responded. "I had to pry it out of her but we got there."
"So, John is your father?" Will glanced at Paul out of the corner of his eye.
"Yeah, he is," Paul exhaled louder. "He doesn't know it yet but it's true."
"Wow," Will whispered. "Um, congratulations I guess?"
"Thanks," Paul nodded. "I'm actually nervous as hell about it."
"I would be too," Will said. "I was too young to re-meet my father when that whole scandal came out. But I've met a lot of step-dads. You just gotta be yourself and, um, I don't know. You're kind of the dream son so, I'm sure he'll love you right away."
"Dream son?" Paul asked.
"You know, successful and handsome," Will shrugged, looking distinctly awkward. "The whole package and what not."
"Right," Paul mumbled as the elevator doors opened.
Paul ran the sweaty palms of his hands over his jeans. Even if he had already met John Black, this was different. Before, John was a nuisance sticking his nose in Paul's business. But now? Now, Paul would be introduced to his father. His living, breathing father.
"Stop that," Tori urged, placing her hand over Paul's. "There is nothing to worry about."
Tori hoped Paul didn't detect the tremble in her voice.
"I wish we could meet somewhere else," Paul divulged. "I've had enough of this place."
Paul glanced at the drab décor of the hospital with a frown.
"You chose this place, son," Tori reminded him. "He should be here shortly. He's always been punctual."
"Except for the last thirty years," Paul mumbled under his breath, adjusting the strap on his sling.
Paul had a hard time falling asleep the night before. Paul thought he would have fallen to sleep easily since he was so exhausted. After everything with Will and Sonny, discovering the identity of his father, and knowing that his mother lied. Instead, Paul was up most of the night worrying about this moment. The moment he would officially meet his father.
We had such bad first impressions, Paul worried. He thinks I'm trying to ruin Will's marriage. He thinks I'm sort of homewrecking whore. What if he isn't interested in knowing me?
Paul didn't think he could handle his father rejecting him.
Paul wanted someone to talk to besides his mother. He wanted someone by his side for this.
No, Paul cautioned himself. You aren't calling Will. You already spoke to him today, no pushing it. Not to mention, how would John react to Will being here?
Although, Will does have a good relationship with John. Maybe he could diffuse the situation. But what about his grandmother? What is she going to think of me or my mom? I can't drag Will in the middle of this.
The longer Paul waited the longer this seemed like a big mistake.
"You know what, mother," Paul said, voice cracked and shaky. "I don't think this is a good idea. I have you and Grandfather. I don't need anything more."
"Paul," Tori soothed. "Everything will be alright, it has to be."
"I-I need some air," Paul declared, getting up and leaving.
Paul paced back and forth, up and down the hallway outside the cafeteria. He wanted to go for a walk outside but knew there were lingering paparazzi. Instead, he did every breathing technique he could think of and nothing seemed to help.
Nothing bad is going to happen, Paul told himself. You can do this. If it doesn't work out, if he isn't interested in getting to know you, everything will be fine. You have a wonderful mother and the best grandfather in the world. Nothing can take away from that.
Okay, okay, everything is okay. Nothing to worry about. Nothing to see here. It's okay. I'm okay. Definitely okay.
"Paul?" a soft, tentative voice questioned from the side of him.
Paul rounded on the voice, breathing erratic.
"Will?" Paul asked. He glanced over to see Will and his mother. "I thought you were going to the pharmacy."
"Pharmacy is that way," Will pointed down the hall. "My pills aren't ready so Mom and I were gonna get some coffee. Why are you still here?"
"This is where my mother and I are meeting John," Paul divulged. "But I don't know if this is a good idea."
"Why do you say that?" Will wondered. "I thought this opportunity was everything you wanted."
Paul shot Sami a look, not sure how to behave around her.
"Well, it is, but it isn't and now I don't know," Paul confessed.
"That explains why you're freaking out," Sami rolled her eyes.
"I'm not freaking out!" Paul yelled before wincing. "Okay, I'm freaking out."
"Why?" Will wondered.
"I met John already and it didn't go well," Paul confessed. "Actually, it went the opposite of well."
Will's nose wrinkled, trying to remember when Paul and John interacted. His mind was too frazzled then. He couldn't remember anything.
Paul's breathing evened out, relaxing while watching Will's cute little-confused face.
"You were a little out of it," Paul reminded Will. "John told me off for bothering you. Said I was preying on your vulnerability. That's who he thinks I am. That's what he thinks I am. And adding in the news about Sonny and," Paul closed his eyes. "I don't know if I can do this."
Sami watched the two interacting with a keen eye. Watching Paul's open and honest insecurity made Sami uncomfortable. She felt partly responsible for the mess.
"Look," Sami said before Will could. "John is a lot of things but he won't hold that against you."
Paul stared at Sami, amazed she was helping him.
"John's done much worse," Sami continued with a shrug. "He would be a hypocrite to judge you for it when he's done the same. Besides, you're his son and family means a lot to him. I mean, he forgave Brady for the whole Kristen thing."
Paul gazed blankly, uncomprehending.
"Uh," Will interjected. "Brady, I guess he's your brother, was gonna marry John's ex, Kristen. It was a mess. Let's just say it involved a sex tape and a priest and leave it at that."
"…Huh?" Paul blinked.
"Nothing," Will smiled. "But, my mom is right, for once."
"Hey!" Sami argued.
"John is going to love you," Will promised. "There's nothing for you to worry about."
"Are you sure?" Paul questioned, checking his watch.
"Yeah," Will nodded. Noticing Paul's unease, Will offered, "Um, I could go with you if you want?"
"Are you sure?" Paul jumped at the chance. "I don't want things to be weird between us."
"It won't be," Will promised. "This is a family thing anyway. Besides," Will snatched his mother's arm and pulled her close. "My mommy has something she needs to say to everyone, doesn't she?"
Sami crossed her arm and sneered.
"Paul," Tori sighed in relief when he sat back at their table. "There you are, I worried that-oh," Tori paused when she noticed who accompanied her son.
"Mother," Paul gestured to the people joining him. "You know Will and I hear you've met his mother, Sami."
Sami gave Tori a mocking smile and a wiggle of her fingers.
"Paul-san," Tori lowered her voice.
"I ran into them in the hallway," Paul pulled out a chair for Sami to use. "I'd like them to stay."
"Mom?" Will prompted with a glare.
Sami rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Fine, I'm sorry," Sami declared. "I'm sorry I tried to blackmail you and I'm sorry I tried to get you out of town," Sami looked at Tori and Paul. "Happy?" she asked Will.
"That's as good as it's going to get," Will told everyone.
John left Marlena at her office before heading to the cafeteria. He didn't know why Tori Narita wanted to see him after she insisted they keep their distance. For a moment, John considered telling Marlena about Tori being in town. That Tori Narita was in fact related to Paul Narita. For whatever reason, John didn't.
Which was why he found the sight before him in the hospital cafeteria so surprising.
John slowed his walk until he stopped in front of the table housing Tori, Sami, Will, and Paul.
"What's going on here?" John questioned, crossing his arms.
"Oh, I think you know," Sami narrowed her eyes at John.
"Mom," Will lightly smacked her arm.
Tori shot Sami a nasty look before clearing her throat, hands trembling.
"John, there's something I need to tell you," Tori confessed. "Something I should have told you a long time ago."
Tori looked towards Paul, who flashed her a supportive smile.
"When I left Salem, all those years ago, I didn't go alone," Tori said. "I was pregnant."
"Pregnant," John repeated dumbly.
"Yes," Tori nodded. "A few months pregnant. I didn't find out until I arrived back home. By then, it seemed too late."
"What are you saying?" John whispered, realization dawning on him.
"I'm saying that Paul is your son," Tori stated.
Paul froze when John's eyes turned to him, looking at him in a whole new light.
"Wha-but-why would-how, what?" John inelegantly replied, stunned.
"I told him that his father was dead," Tori said, head bowed. "I thought it would be best. I did not mean to cause anyone any pain."
"Why am I just finding out about this?" John pulled out a chair, slumping down. His eyes never left Paul's face.
Will, watching the proceedings, reached over to squeeze Paul's hand. He didn't seem able to look away from John either.
Tori's eyes glanced in Sami's direction.
"Why am I not surprised?" John sighed.
"Oh, so it's my fault?" Sami held her hand to her chest. "I was minding my own business, trying to get your son away from mine, I might add, when I figured it out."
"Private investigator?" John asked knowingly.
"…Yes," Sami acknowledged. "That's hardly the point!"
"You tried to blackmail me," Tori incredulously replied.
"Tried being the key word," Sami pointed out. "Why does everyone forget that? I tried to blackmail you. I didn't get to do it otherwise we wouldn't be here."
"Mom, why?" Will shook his head.
"Let's not forget what's happened here, people," Sami said. "You," Sami pointed at Tori. "Lied for almost thirty years. And you," Sami glared at John, "Does my mother know anything about this, huh? Because I can guarantee she will not be happy. She won't want to hear that you knocked a teenager up at the same time she was pregnant with Belle."
"Excuse me?" a stunned Dr. Marlena Evans asked from beside them.
"Uh," Sami turned to face her mother. "Mom! What are you doing here?"
"My appointment cancelled so I was getting coffee," Marlena mumbled in a small voice. "What did you just say? What are you talking about?"
Spotting Tori Narita, Marlena narrowed her eyes.
"Doc," John held up his hands innocently.
"You," Marlena accused. "What is-?"
Marlena spotted Paul sitting next to Will. Her eyes went back and forth between Tori, Paul, and John, everything coming into place.
Marlena gasped, slowly backing away.
"Mom!" Sami sprang up after her. "Mom!"
Will watched as his mom and John chased down his distraught grandmother. Tori reluctantly joined them.
"Maybe we should intervene," Will suggested to Paul. His grandma looked dangerously close to snapping.
"Yeah," Paul stood up as well. "This can't be good."
"Hey!" Paul ran over to the crowd when he spotted his mother nose-to-nose with Marlena. "Knock it off!"
Paul shoved his way between the two of them, gently.
"Stop it!" Paul requested. "You're in a hospital for god's sake."
"You-you-ugh," Marlena growled at Paul.
"I didn't do anything," Paul maintained.
"Exactly," John agreed. Unconsciously, he stepped closer to Paul, putting his hand on Paul's shoulder.
Paul's eyes widened, smiling softly.
Tori's lips quirked up as well.
Marlena groaned as Sami winced.
"Doc," John refocused. "Just, let's hear Tori out."
"Why?" Marlena questioned, furious.
"I'm sure it was a difficult time for her," John reasoned. "There must be a perfectly good explanation for what happened. And if he is my son," John squeezed Paul's shoulder, "I'd like to get to know him better."
"A difficult time for her?" Marlena repeated with narrowed eyes.
"It must have been hard, having to raise a child on your own," John continued, oblivious to how much worse he was making the situation. "Having to hide and lie, especially when she was so young and innocent."
"Oh my god, you idiot," Sami pinched the bridge of her nose.
Even Tori and Paul looked at John in disbelief.
"Have you ever just wanted to grab someone by their throat and strangle them," Marlena said in Sami's direction before glaring at John, "But you don't because you're in a hospital with resuscitating equipment!"
"What did I say?" John asked.
"Stay away from me," Marlena hissed at John, rushing off.
"Doc! Doc come back," John made to follow her until Sami pushed against his chest.
"Give her space," Sami requested. "Young and innocent? My god are you stupid."
Sami grabbed her purse and hurried to catch up with her mother.
"That could have gone worse," Will offered. He wasn't sure if he should stay in place or run to his grandmother.
"Sadly, I don't doubt that," Paul commented.
Figuring Paul and John might want to be alone, Will said, "I should go after them."
"Will," Paul smiled at him. "Thanks for being here."
"No problem," Will gave Paul a half smile. "Sorry about my grandma's reaction."
"I'm starting to think as long as I'm in Salem there's going to be one blonde or another causing havoc," Paul teased.
"Probably," Will agreed with a laugh. "Um, good luck. Why don't you call me later and tell me what happens?"
"Yeah?" Paul lifted his eyebrows.
"Yeah," Will nodded. "Friends, right?"
"Friends," Paul grinned as Will and Ari walked away.
It wasn't what Paul wanted, settling for friendship with Will. But it was better than nothing. It set the foundation for something new, something better.
Paul and John sat across from each other in the cafeteria. Tori, sensing their need to be alone, excused herself to call her father. She had a lot of explaining to do there.
"So," John said awkwardly.
"So," Paul repeated, licking his lips.
"This is a little hard to take in," John admitted, gazing over Paul's features.
"Tell me about it," Paul remarked. "I grew up believing my father was dead."
"I had no idea you existed at all," John said, tightening the hold on his coffee cup.
Paul and John both inhaled at the same time, exhaling loudly. Realizing what they did, they both chuckled, breaking the stale air surrounding them.
"I read the article Will wrote about you," John confessed.
Paul shifted in discomfort; afraid John meant the anonymous article.
"I remember what it said, about how you wished you had a real father," John continued, oblivious to Paul's sigh of relief. "I, um, it's so strange to think of you as my son."
"Why do you say that?" Paul asked, assuming John wouldn't want someone like him as a son.
"Because you're Paul Narita!" John exclaimed. "Will and I used to watch you on TV together. You're famous."
"I'm not that famous," Paul bashfully responded.
"There are photographers outside this building. I'm guessing they're for you," John insisted. "It's strange, that's all."
"Oh," Paul nodded.
"Not to mention," John took a swallow of his coffee. "I did berate you the other night for going after Will."
"Yeah," Paul made a face. "Not my best moment. But, um, I'd just like to reiterate that I wasn't trying to take advantage of Will. I just wanted to be there for him."
"Okay," John said. "I can understand that. I shouldn't have stuck my nose where it didn't belong. I was just worried about the kid."
"I can appreciate that," Paul admitted. "He's a lot to worry about."
"Yeah," John agreed. "Although, I heard you took charge of the situation at the park, that you gave Sonny CPR."
"Well, yeah," Paul shrugged. "We might have our differences but I didn't want him to die."
"Baseball player and a hero," John remarked. "Sounds like I hit the jackpot in children."
"I don't know about that," Paul chuckled.
Paul smiled, leaning against the tabletop, and closer to his father.
"Thank you," Paul said bashfully to John.
No, Paul's mind corrected. My father.
"It's not that bad," Sami consoled Marlena. "He loves you, doesn't he?"
"That is not the point," Marlena said, wiping her face. "Do you know how many years I've known that man, loved that man? I can probably count on one hand the years we've been happy and together. I keep convincing myself John is who I'm meant to be with and yet things like this keep happening."
Will shifted awkwardly on the edge of the couch in Marlena's office. It had been a long, long time since he had a proper conversation with his grandma. He didn't think the next time it would involve watching her fall apart.
"There is always going to be some woman from his past coming back to ruin everything," Marlena realized. "Each and every time I delude myself into thinking it's all over, that he wants to be with me. And yet, it still happens. We're never going to be happy. We're never going to settle down. There will always be someone or something keeping John away from a stable life."
"Well," Sami rubbed up and down Marlena's upper arm. She trailed off, having nothing else to say.
"And you," Marlena turned to address Will. "I was so awful to you and you must know exactly how I feel."
Will paused for a moment, mouth opening and closing like a fish. He considered it.
Do I know? That's what essentially happens in my life. When I was younger a new man would waltz into mom's life, stealing away her time and energy, a new scheme. When I was with Mia, Chad came to town and I was nothing after that. And now Sonny and Paul, Will sighed. Could I deal with that for decades from the same man? Watching him with someone else, waiting for him to choose me? Only for years later, it all repeats itself again. How does Grandma handle it?
"I'm so sorry, Will," Marlena threw her arms around Will and squeezed. "I saw the article and you were right. I don't know why I didn't believe you because you were right. Sonny hurt you and I was saying all those horrible things. I'm an awful grandmother."
"No, you're not," Will hugged back. "You're just like everyone else in town. It's easier to make me the bad guy."
"No, it's not," Marlena promised. "It's my fault, my mistake. Everyone else's mistake too. How could I not see how much you were hurting? How could I not see you needed help, not judgments? I was so wrong, Will. Never, ever let me get away with that again. Do you understand? Never."
"I promise," Will whispered, closing his eyes. He didn't realize how painful these past weeks had been without his grandma's love and guidance.
Sami, smiling softly, cleared her throat. "What are you going to do about John? Or Tori? Or Paul?"
"It's not Paul's fault," Will interrupted. "He didn't know. Honest, Grandma, he didn't. Actually, I think everything coming out now is my fault. Mine and Mom's."
"Your mother I believe," Marlena patted Sami's hand when she squawked in indignation. "But you?"
"I saw John and Tori meeting in private so I eavesdropped," Will said. "I asked her about it the next day and she denied it. You know I can't stop from interfering sometimes. I told Paul and I pushed for the truth. Then I pushed Mom for what she knew and it all came out. I'm sorry, Grandma. I didn't think about how this would hurt you."
"It's not you I'm mad at," Marlena responded. "Or even your mother, for once."
"Hey!" Sami complained.
"It's John and that woman," Marlena crossed her arms and legs and huffed. "He assured me that nothing ever happened between them. I knew it had to be a lie. She hung on his every word."
"Um, Grandma," Will bit his lip and chewed. "How is it that Belle and Paul are the same age?"
"Oh," Marlena slumped in her seat. "I guess I can't judge John too harshly when I was still married to your grandfather. I wish I could, though. I wish I could."
"This changes everything, doesn't it?" Sami frowned. "Paul existing, that is."
Unable to help himself, Will snarked, "Not so fun is it having Paul come waltzing into your life and ruining everything, huh?"
Marlena and Sami both puffed out a short laugh.
"Now," Marlena said once she calmed down a bit. "Can we talk about that?"
Marlena pointed to the prescription bag in Will's lap.
"What?" Will shifted nervously. "It's nothing."
"Will, sweetie," Marlena took his hand and squeezed. "I know. I saw the pamphlets when we ran into each other. I know, sweetheart."
"No, no you don't," Will's eyes widened. "You don't know anything. It's nothing. It was a mistake."
"What was a mistake?" Sami asked, lost. "What are we not talking about?"
"Will, it's okay," Marlena said. "You don't need to worry."
"It's nothing," Will stood up, bag clinging to his chest. "It's nothing. I don't have anything."
"Will?" Sami questioned, eyes narrowed in concern.
"I don't have-hey! Stop it!" Will screeched when Sami ripped the bag out of his arms. "No!"
Sami ripped open the white pharmacy bag and yanked out two bottles. She couldn't pronounce the names. She didn't know what they were for or why her son would have them. Or why he wouldn't tell her about them?
"Mom," Sami shoved the bottles at Marlena. "What is this?"
Marlena read the labels and answered, "An anti-psychotic and a high dose of anti-anxiety medication."
"Anti-psychotic?" Sami repeated. "Why would Will need-?"
Will crossed his arms, folding in on himself.
"Because I'm bipolar, alright!?" Will shouted with tears in his eyes. "Are you happy, now? I'm crazy and depressed and I had to change pills because they weren't doing a damn thing to help me."
Sami's mouth hung open useless for a few moments. Closing it shut with a snap, a determined look crossed Sami's face as she gathered Will into her arms.
"You're my son," Sami whispered, fingers curling in the hair at the base of Will's neck. "Of course, you're crazy. That doesn't change anything. You're my baby and I love you and I will destroy anyone that ever makes you feel differently. It doesn't matter. I think you're perfect."
Will let out a strangled cry of relief.
"Exactly," Marlena patted against Will's back. "You're so brave, Will, for getting help on your own. For getting help when those closest to you couldn't see what you needed. There's nothing to be ashamed of at all."
"To be honest," Sami sniffed away a few tears of her own. "I'm probably like you. I'm just not as strong as you to get help and find out."
"Yeah?" Will asked, clinging onto their words.
"Will," Sami sighed. "I tried to sell my sister as a child. I shot EJ in the head. Kate, Gabi, and I rolled Nick's body into a river. To cope with stress, I created a male alter-ego. I thought Johnny was dead and my reaction was to sleep with EJ. Does that sound like the actions of a normal, sane human being? No."
Will laughed despite the circumstances.
"You've always been the best thing I've ever done," Sami reminded Will. "No stupid diagnosis or bottle of pills is going to change that."
"Does anyone else know?" Marlena questioned as she grabbed a box of tissues from her desk.
"Just T," Will confessed, blowing his nose with the tissue. "He was nice about it all."
"I always liked that boy," Sami declared.
"You only liked him because he was always drooling over you when we were in high school," Will rolled his eyes.
"And his father too," Sami pointed out. "Besides, they were the only family that gave you a chance without any qualms."
"They send Ari a Christmas present every year," Will said. "They're so nice and normal. It's a little unsettling."
"What does that say about us?" Marlena asked. "A normal family seems strange and unusual."
"Well, Mom," Sami threw her arm around Marlena's waist. "If Will got his crazy from me, where do you think I got my crazy?"
A few hours later, Will knocked on the door to Sonny's room. The first thing he noticed was Ari fast asleep against Sonny's side. Sonny was napping with her.
Will leaned against the doorjamb and smiled widely at the sight.
So consumed with his admiration, Will didn't notice the other person in the room.
"Will," Justin Kiriakis acknowledged from beside Sonny's bed.
"Oh," Will jumped, "Justin, hi."
Will lowered his eyes, unsure as to how Justin would respond to him.
If he's anything like Victor… Will thought with a frown.
"Did you just get here?" Will asked politely.
"Yes," Justin nodded, moving closer. "Fresh off the jet. I came as fast as I could."
"Right," Will said.
"I read the article," Justin declared not wanting to beat around the bush. "Your article."
Will lifted his head to look at Justin's face.
"I know it was yours," Justin said off-handedly. "I recognized it. I have to admit, you're quite a persuasive author. By the end, I was ready to throttle my son for what he did to you. I never realized how talented you were."
"Thank you?" Will asked, head tilted.
"I know that the past weeks, hell months, have been awful," Justin said. "And Sonny told me everything, everything, Will. I know that he hurt you in ways I can't imagine. Just like I know he loves you in ways you can't imagine."
Justin shoved his hands in his pockets and looked over his shoulder at Sonny and Ari.
"I love my son," Justin stated, turning back to look at Will. "All my sons, including you, Will."
Will's eyes widened. He wasn't expecting that.
"I know Sonny needs a lot of help for what he did," Justin admitted. "And I'm more than willing to help him get it. I just want you to know that I hope everything works out for the best. Even if, in the end, you don't end up with Sonny, you and Arianna are always going to be members of our family."
"I-I don't know what to say," Will whispered.
"You don't have to say anything," Justin shrugged. "You almost went to jail for my son once. You're still here," Justin indicated the hospital room, "Despite what he did. You don't have to tell me anything. I already know."
Will swallowed and nodded.
"Now, I'm going to get us some coffee," Justin said, heading for the door. "You stay here."
Justin walked out the door before poking his head back in, "Oh and Will? I wouldn't worry about my uncle anymore. He won't be bothering anyone for a long time."
As Justin left, Will sat down in the chair closest to Sonny. He watched over Ari, seeing her tiny chest rise and fall in time with Sonny's.
This was what Will always imagined his life would be. Not the hospital or the wounds, but Sonny and Ari together. Once Will reconciled that he would be a father, when he saw that ultrasound and the life forming inside of Gabi, Will was hooked. After getting back together with Sonny the first time, Will wanted this so badly. He wanted Ari and Sonny both, wanted his own family.
And I had it. I had it and it went to hell. Everything is a mess. I'm a mess. Sonny's a mess. Nothing is how it should be.
Will rolled his neck in a circle, cracking it, when he spotted a plastic evidence bag. The plastic evidence bag filled with the journal covered in Sonny's blood.
Rafe must have forgotten to pick it up, Will realized as he stood up to get it. Next to the bag was a pad of blank paper and a pen.
Will didn't know who left it there and frankly, he didn't care. Grabbing the pen and paper, Will sat back down and yanked off the pen's cap with his teeth.
Without thinking about it, without planning anything, Will began to write. As the words came tumbling out, mind working faster than his fingers could move, suddenly, Will understood.
Sonny was warm and safe. He was happiness and stability. He was good things like warm coffee on a cold day. Or Ari letting him sleep in instead of waking up early. Or the feeling of biting into a warm, ooey, gooey brownie. Sonny was security and familiarity.
Paul, though, was hard and soft at the same time. He was danger and excitement, The thrill of jumping into something without knowing where he'll land. Paul was trying a new cuisine or reading a book without knowing the synopsis. He was confidence and nonchalance
Sonny was Will's love, his sunshine on a rainy day. Paul was a challenge, desire, lust and want and sometimes a tenderness that could almost be love.
Author's note:
We're so close to the end! It's a bittersweet feeling.
Thanks for reading!