Will sat at a table with his mom, EJ and his siblings at the Pub for breakfast. Sonny was opening at Common Grounds and Paul managed to sneak in a Sunday appointment for someone to look at his arm.

"You killed him," Will explained to his mother as he took a drink of his orange juice.

"I did not," Sami rolled her eyes as she cut a plate of pancakes for Sydney. "He's an adult he's in charge of himself."

"Samantha, Darling," EJ patter her hand lightly, "You killed him."

Sami scoffed, "Well he tried to break Will's heart so I broke him. Fair is fair."

Giving his mother an unimpressed look Will replied, "It's a little hard to move forward with them when you keep bringing that up."

"I behaved yesterday didn't I," Sami pointed out, "Besides you're my baby and I'm always going to protect you."

Will sighed loudly but on the inside he was smiling. His stomach was full of a pleasant warm and fuzzy feeling he'd rarely had as a child. Even watching Allie and Johnny fight over the crayons they received with the kid's menus made him ridiculously happy.

"Speaking of your idiotic boyfriend," EJ said after taking a drink of water, "How did last night go?"

"Weird," Will settled on saying. "Really weird."

"What does that mean," Sami crossed her arms, ignoring her own food for the moment. 'No one better have made my son upset or there will be hell to pay.'

"I think his grandpa might have actually liked me," Will frowned looking between his mom and EJ several times.

"Really," EJ put his fork down and leaned back in his seat.

Will nodded, "I met him before, earlier in the day, when I was getting lunch. I thought he was lost so I helped him to the Salem Inn. He thought I was nice."

Sami, frowning a bit herself, "Huh. That is a change of pace isn't it?"

"Of course the one relative that likes me doesn't speak English," Will shrugged before letting out a puff of air. "It figures."

"What about his mom," Sami immediately pressed, "Did you see her?"

"Yeah," Will wrinkled his nose, "Well eventually. Hiro, that's his grandpa, he talked to Paul and Sonny and me all individually and asked us questions. And of course I rambled nervously like an idiot."

EJ nodded understandably acutely aware of that fault.

Will gave him an annoyed look before continuing, "Anyway, he called Tori over and she flipped out when she saw me. They were speaking Japanese and my phone couldn't keep up with them so I don't know what they said. But Paul was arguing with her for a while."

Sami didn't want to admit it but she kind of felt bad for Paul. 'He might be an ass to Will half of the time but he should at least have his mom on his side. His dad would be if Paul ever knew who he was,' Sami thought guiltily remembering when EJ told her about John.

"We left after that," Will finished. "But I saw the way Tori was looking at Paul when we did. She had that look you always get, Mom, when you would disappoint me and not want to admit it."

"Hey," Sami replied, feeling offended, "When have I ever done that…recently?"

Will looked at EJ who was subtly shaking his head, 'Don't even go there,' EJ thought.

"I'm hoping that means she'll come around," Will told them before taking a bite of his breakfast.

"It would be much more convenient if she did," EJ agreed. 'And I wouldn't have to worry about anyone causing Samantha or William problems.'

"Now I just need to get Adrienne to stop hating me again," Will said, "And everything can be normal."

Sami inhaled sharply at that, "I wouldn't count on that. Just when you think you know her she'll turn on you."

"It doesn't even make sense," Will agreed with his mom. "First she hated me then she wanted to coddle me and now she's back to hating me. I don't even know what I did."

"I wouldn't even bother trying to figure it out," EJ advised, "She clearly doesn't know what to think. It would be a waste trying to decipher the way her mind works." Taking another drink EJ practically slammed his glass on the table when he saw someone walking through the door, "And speaking of wastes," he muttered under his breath.

Will turned to look over his shoulder and saw his dad walking inside. Will turned back around and gave his mom and EJ a wide-eyed look. He hadn't seen his father since just before Thanksgiving. He remembered how his father once again believed the worst in him. 'And I had to separate him from EJ,' Will crossed his arms.

Will really hoped that he wouldn't have to deal with his dad at all. 'Not now, when I'm feeling so good about everything. But because I have crap for luck he's walking this way.'

Lucas walked into the Pub shivering slightly at the early morning chill in the air. Unravelling the scarf from around his neck Lucas turned around and caught sight of Sami and EJ. Taking a closer look Lucas saw his daughter and son along with Johnny and Sydney.

Lucas wasn't sure if he was ready to talk to Will yet. He'd been doing a lot of thinking and talking with Adrienne. She was helping him get his thoughts together and decide if he could be the dad Will needed him to be. Practically sick seeing his son and his daughter and his ex-wife with EJ Lucas took a deep breath and walked over.

"Lucas," Sami greeted first lifting her eyebrows and giving him an icy glare. She thought for the longest time that she and Lucas were repairing their friendship. That after everything they had done to each other they would be able to put it aside for their children. But finding out the horrible things Lucas thought about Will, the things he said to Will and about Will, Sami wasn't feeling too friendly towards Lucas these days. 'And he's never around with Allie either. At least they both have EJ to rely on.'

"Sami," Lucas nodded at her, hands in his pockets. Barely sparing a glance at EJ Lucas smiled widely at Allie who immediately was out of her seat clutching Lucas's neck tightly.

Lucas chatted with Allie quietly for a few moments. He knew that he hadn't been spending enough time with her lately. Knew that he had been lax with his parental duties to both his children but Lucas wanted to be better. He had to be better.

Listening to Allie excitedly talk to their dad made Will smile softly at her. When he found out his mother was pregnant with the twins at first all Will hoped for was for them to be happy. He didn't want his brother and sister to grow up the way he did. Shucked between parents and homes and thrown across oceans when things were rough. 'Of course finding out the twins have two different dad's pretty much made that fear impossible.'

EJ continued eating his breakfast pretending that Lucas wasn't there. However he kept a watchful eye on William as well as Allie. He didn't trust Lucas around either of them. 'If it was up to me they'd never see Lucas again,' EJ told himself.

"Will," Lucas said quietly, once Allie went back to eating her breakfast and coloring with Johnny, "Um, can we talk?"

Will started crinkling the napkin across his lap nervously. He knew that he should talk to his dad. That he couldn't just leave things the way they were but he also wasn't sure he was prepared for this. Prepared for another disappointment. Looking towards his mom and EJ Will wondered what he should do.

Sami pursed her lips but said, "Go ahead. We'll be right here waiting for you the whole time.

EJ looked into William's eyes and gave him a brief smile.

Will put his napkin on the table and stood up following his dad to a table on the other side of the Pub. 'OK, here we go.'

Watching William walk away EJ wiped his mouth with his napkin before telling Samantha, "I'll be right back. There's something I need to take care of."

Sami, shooting EJ a curious look, kissed him briefly before saying, "Which you'll be telling me about when you get back."

"Of course," EJ kissed the tops of all three children's heads before grabbing his coat and walking outside heading for the Salem Inn.

Sonny rubbed his hands across his apron front walking over to the counter and saying, "Hi, what can I get you?"

"Are you Sonny," a middle aged woman asked him in a quiet voice.

"Yes," Sonny looked her and the gentleman with her over. He wasn't suspicious by nature but with everything that had been happening lately he was learning to be.

"Hi," the woman stuck her hand out, "We're actually the owners of the coffee shop you're buying."

"Oh," Sonny replied, "Oh, I'm sorry. Yes, I'm Sonny," Sonny shook her hand, "It's nice to meet you."

"We just wanted to come by," the man told Sonny, voice getting a little choked up, "And meet you, make sure you're going to take care of the old place for us."

"That's the plan," Sonny grinned at them while nodding. "Can I get you anything or?"

"Oh no," the woman waved her hand, "We're actually on our way out of town. We just wanted to meet at least one of the people taking over our place. Well your place now."

"Chad and I are really excited about this," Sonny admitted, "And thank you for giving us the opportunity. I can't believe how everything worked out."

The woman gave Sonny a careful look, "I know what you mean."

Sonny tilted his head slightly and blinked at her a little bit wondering what that meant. "What made you decide to sell us the place anyway? It sounds like you're really going to miss it," Sonny asked curiously.

The man pressed his lips together, "We had a bit of persuasion." Checking his watch the man said, "We should get going. It was nice to meet you."

"Yeah it was nice to meet you too," Sonny said quietly watching them walk away feeling a bit concerned when he saw the woman dapping at the corners of her eyes.

'What the hell is that all about,' Sonny shook his head, getting a bad feeling, before grabbing a rag and a tray to clear off some table tops.

EJ, after a few moments arguing with the concierge, stood outside Tori Norita's hotel room. 'William said no more interfering but I'm not threatening I'm merely suggesting.'

Taking a moment to decide EJ knocked on the door and waited.

Tori, hearing a knock at the door, rushed to answer it, hoping it was her son. She had been up the whole night talking things over with her father. They talked about what Paul had told each of them about his relationship and everything Tori had heard about Will Horton. She wasn't entirely sure what she believed anymore but she was willing to give Paul another chance to explain.

"Paul," Tori said as she ripped open the door and stopped seeing a tall, handsome man at the door. She recognized him instantly from articles and stories she had seen online about Will.

"Not quite," EJ announced as he put his hand on the door and pushed it open, stepping inside. "I'm sure you know who I am."

"Yes," Tori narrowed her eyes disliking that EJ burst into her room unannounced.

"Then I'm sure you're bright enough to know what I'm here to discuss," EJ faced Tori and stared at her expectantly.

"Will," Tori stated, crossing her arms and glaring back at the man.

"Among other things," EJ quipped. "I'm going to keep this brief. Either you keep your opinion about my son and his mother to yourself or I'm going to tell everyone exactly who Paul's father is."

Tori inhaled loudly, 'No there's no way he knows that. He's bluffing.'

EJ smiled pleasantly and quirked one eyebrow, "Actually it would be rather interesting to see it all play out. John Black and I have never seen eye to eye after all." EJ started walking around the room, looking at the various decorations, appearing as cool and calm as ever.

Tori froze where she was standing, staring blankly off into space.

"It's rather humorous when you think about it," EJ turned back towards Tori, smiling when he saw how distressed she looked, "Did you know John is William's step-grandfather? Which would make Paul William's step-uncle. Hell, my own son is named after John. Imagine all the happy little family reunions everyone will experience."

EJ headed for the door and said simply, "You don't say anything regarding my family ever again and I'll keep my mouth shut. Understood?"

Tori nodded and closed the door after EJ. Leaning against it Tori, clenched her eyes tightly, hands clasped together near her chest.

Paul walked outside of the hospital with his arm in a sling. He knew this was going to freak Sonny and Will out. 'It's just a precaution,' Paul reminded himself. 'Although maybe I can find a way to use this to my advantage with Sami. Huh,' Paul paused his walking, 'Hanging around Will's family is starting to rub off on me.'

Paul contemplated going to Common Grounds when he felt his phone buzzing in his pocket and pulled it out, adjusting to using only one hand. Seeing his mom's name on the screen Paul answered cautiously, "Hello?"

"Paul," Tori said calmly into the phone, "I'd like you to come to my hotel room please."

"OK," Paul didn't know what to make of her tone, it sounded off, "I'll be right there."

Sonny was clearing off the last table when he saw a newspaper opened to the opinion section. Seeing Will and Chad's names Sonny rolled his eyes and started to read.

Getting upset, Sonny sat down at the table and scowled, tossing the paper on his tray. 'Oh so because of their parents Will and Chad have to be together and playing everyone. Sure, right. Why can't people just mind their own business?'

"Something in the newspaper not to your liking," Victor asked as he sat down across from Sonny.

Sonny gave Victor a sharp look, "You know it's not. Actually," Sonny put both his hands against the table, "Why is the newspaper suddenly nothing but the Will Horton Times? I thought you put an end to that."

"Well," Victor shifted in his seat, trying to get comfortable, "I did what I could but you can only hold back the press for so long."

"Really," Sonny sucked his cheeks into his mouth for a second while he regarded his uncle, "Then explain to me why you could handle everything up until I talked to you last week?"

"That's irrelevant," Victor dismissed, "I simply have more important matters to discuss than trying to keep your little play thing out of the paper."

Sonny snarled, "He is not a play thing. He's a person that I happen to be dating. What the hell happened to you caring about Will, huh? What happened to you remembering how he lived with you and him skipping down the halls? What the hell changed?"

"Do not use that tone with me Jackson," Victor replied gruffly, "I do not have to explain my actions to you."

Sonny stared at his uncle, "I don't understand any of this." Sonny ran his fingers through his hair, "First Mom and now you. Oh," Sonny slammed his hands back on the table, "That's it isn't it? My mom talked you into this."

Victor gazed at Sonny coolly without saying a word.

"Didn't she," Sonny demanded.

Will, holding a freshly ordered coffee mug in his hand, sat across from his father in uncomfortable silence. He had no idea what to say to his dad after everything. 'God I don't even want to know what he thinks about me and Chad now.'

"Will," Lucas licked his lips, hands folded together, shoulders moving up and down nervously, "I want to apologize."

"What," Will asked completely taken by surprise, almost certain he couldn't have heard right.

"I owe you an apology, several apologies," Lucas admitted, staring at his hands.

Will watched his father's face having no idea how to react.

"First off I want to say that I love you," Lucas told Will, "I've always loved you. Even when I thought you were my nephew I loved you. And I know I haven't been acting like much of a father to you or Allie but I swear I will do better. I'll be better. If you give me the chance."

"O-OK," Will stuttered out completely taken aback.

"And I've been thinking for so long and so hard about everything I've done to you and everything I've told you," Lucas shook his head, "And I can't even believe the things I've done. I don't know what's wrong with me."

"Everything that happened to you," Lucas sighed, "I didn't handle well at all and I made it about me when I should have been thinking about you. When I came back from my business trip it was like I had no idea who you were anymore. I left and you were still figuring yourself out. I came back and you were with Sonny and Paul and everything was out in the open. I just, I completely freaked out."

"I-I've been talking to Adrienne a lot," Lucas confessed. "About this, about you."

'Oh god,' Will's eyes widened, 'Oh god here it comes.'

"And she really made me see how much I love you," Lucas admitted, "How wrong I've been."

'Wait, what,' Will thought uncomprehendingly.

"I've been thinking about everything the wrong way," Lucas looked at Will sadly, "I thought that you being gay was because of something I did wrong. That if I had given you a better home or a better childhood you wouldn't be that way. And god what was I thinking," Lucas berated himself, "What was wrong with me?"

"You told me time and time again that you had always been gay and I never understood," Lucas continued, "But now I do. I know now that there wasn't anything I could have done differently. That you being gay is a part of who you are and it isn't something to be ashamed of."

"Do you," Will leaned closer on the table, "Do you really mean that?"

Lucas took a deep breath and nodded, "I'm starting to see it all yes. I didn't before but now I do."

Will smiled widely, face almost hurting, "Dad, this is, I don't even know how to explain this."

"I'm still not sure about your relationship," Lucas didn't want to burst Will's bubble but he didn't want to keep anymore secrets. "And I don't know how to feel about all the rumors and things. Not that I think anything badly about you," Lucas rushed to assure Will, "I just mean that it's a lot to handle. I don't have any idea how you deal with it."

Will nodded. He didn't think everything was going to suddenly be fixed between them that every bad thought his dad had would be gone. "Well," Will shrugged happily, "They're just rumors. I'm not marrying Chad, obviously. And Sonny and Paul and I are working on making our relationship work."

"Right," Lucas bit his lip and scratched behind his ear, "I'm not going to lie though I do have a lot of concerns about you and EJ."

Will groaned, slumping in his chair, "Why?"

"Because he's a bad influence, Will," Lucas started complaining, voice instantly turning from soft and understanding to scolding. "And I don't want anything to happen to you because of it."

Will laughed loudly, putting his hands underneath his glasses and rubbing his eyes, "You are so far behind in my life it's not even funny."

"What are you talking about," Lucas demanded. "Will!"

"Dad," Will pulled his hands off his face, sitting up straight, "I know that it's hard for you having to deal with the fact that you haven't been the only father figure in my life."

Lucas crossed his arms and gave Will a look.

"That you've dealt with Austin and that Brandon guy and Rafe and EJ," Will listed, "but you need to know that I'm not going to put up with you and EJ arguing."

"Excuse me," Lucas asked a bit surprised by Will's tone.

"I mean it Dad," Will informed him, leaning across the table, looking him in his eyes, "If you want to be a part of my life, any part, you and EJ need to figure out how to get along. Talk it out, hit it out, draw up a custody agreement to split my time, I don't care, just do it."

"Will, you have no idea what you're asking," Lucas shook his head, "EJ is not the type of person you think he is."

"EJ has been there for me through all of this," Will stated confidently, "Yes he makes mistakes and drives me crazy but so does everyone. He has proven to me that I can depend on him. And I know it must hurt to hear but he is like a father to me."

Lucas turned his head away, wanting to cover his ears to drown out Will's voice.

"And I'm sure he'll do something else to piss me off soon enough," Will shrugged, "But I love him. And I love you. And I'm not going to pick between you or be dragged in some sort of tug of war."

"I work with EJ," Will added, "I spend time with EJ. I would like to be able to have the type of relationship I have with him with you as well. But do not try to turn me away from EJ, got it? Dad?"

"Fine," Lucas rolled his eyes, turning back to face Will, "I will try my best to get along as long as he does his part too."

"Oh I'm certain I will," EJ proclaimed, having been standing beside them for quite some time. Smirking happily EJ put his hand on William's chair, "Just checking on you, William."

"Right," Will gave him a knowing smile. "Sure you were. Well I hope you understood that what I said to Dad goes for you too. No arguing, no plotting, no scheming, understand?"

"Fine," EJ agreed easily. For the first time in a long time everything was beginning to look up. The chaos his father caused was beginning to wind down. EJ was going to ask the woman he loved to marry him with his children by his side. 'And now William won't have to worry about Tori Narita causing him problems.' Compared to everything they went through before Lucas Horton was going to be a breeze.

"Well," Sonny glared at his uncle.

"Fine," Victor conceded. "I have been discussing things with your mother but it's for your own good."

"My own good," Sonny barked, "How is crap like this for my own good?" Sonny lifted up the newspaper and tossed it at his uncle.

Victor smoothed out the paper, giving Sonny a hard glance, "Because things of this nature are exactly what you need to get Will Horton out of your head."

"That's never going to happen," Sonny shook his head, "And no amount of articles or opinion pieces or unnecessary involvement is ever going to change that."

"Do you think things like this are ever going to go away," Victor looked at Sonny sadly. "It doesn't matter what Will Horton ever does he is always going to be followed and watched. Every move he makes is going to be scrutinized. Every man he stands next to on the street, every man he so much as glances at is going to be dissected and torn apart. And working for DiMera Enterprises? Being so close to EJ," Victor leaned back in his chair, "He isn't going to stand a chance."

"Stand a chance at what," Sonny narrowed his eyes.

Victor tried to refrain from rolling his eyes, "A chance at a normal life. But you Sonny, you still have a shot. You could walk away at any time before you're in too deep. Before things get dangerous for you."

Sonny lifted an eyebrow challengingly, "You're a little too late for that. I already told you Uncle Vic. I'm not giving up or on Will. I don't care what comes our way. That's never going to happen."

Sonny stood up, gathering his tray and the rest of the trash off the table, "You and Mom better get that through your heads."

Paul knocked on his mother's door nervously. He had absolutely no idea what to expect, not after last night.

Tori opened the door carefully, double checking it was actually her son this time, "Paul," she greeted.

"Mother," Paul walked inside a bit surprised his grandfather wasn't there.

"What happened to your arm," Tori gasped as she moved towards him, hands hovering over the sling, "Paul?"

"It's nothing," Paul explained with a small smile. "I just overexerted it yesterday moving some things around."

"Paul," Tori felt her eyes tearing up. Closing her eyes tightly Tori took a few deep breaths.

"Mother," Paul asked in a quiet voice. "What's the matter?" Despite all of the differences they had Paul didn't want to see his mother upset.

"Are you happy," Tori whispered, looking up at her son, "Really happy?"

"Yes," Paul nodded, keeping his eyes locked on his mothers, "I've tried to tell you so many times but I am happy. The happiest I've ever been."

"With Sonny and with Will," Tori needed to know. She had to know that Paul was happy. That if she left him here he would at least have that.

"Yes," Paul guaranteed decisively.

"OK," Tori looked down and sighed. "As long as you're happy."

"Do you mean that," Paul almost couldn't believe it. 'After all the mishaps and problems we had please tell me everything is alright.'

"Yes," Tori nodded once, setting her jaw and looking back at Paul's face. "If you say that you're happy I believe you."

"Oh my god," Paul laughed out, using his one arm to squeeze his mother against him tightly, "This is, oh my god."

Tori closed her eyes and rested her head against her son holding him just as tightly as he was holding her. She took her time, soaking up as much of him as she could, knowing she was going to leave Salem and never return.

'As long as he's happy I won't care. Anything to keep my secret safe,' Tori thought as she discreetly wiped away a few tears.

Tori pulled away from Paul, putting a bit of distance between them, "Now, let's call your grandfather and see if he'll meet us for lunch."

Will sat between his mom and EJ on a bench in the park watching Johnny, Allie and Sydney play with his father in the snow. A part of Will was itching to go out there and play too but his head was feeling a bit fuzzy. 'Seeing as how everything has been going relatively well I don't need to screw up my health,' Will thought to himself.

"Have you given any thought about the rest of your inheritance," Sami asked Will elbowing him in the stomach slightly.

"Not really, no," Will admitted, turning to look at her. "I just, it's overwhelming I guess. What do you think I should do?"

"Set aside enough so that you will be able to retire comfortably," EJ answered immediately. "Invest some, donate some."

"Right," Will nodded before drumming his fingers against his knees. "And what about the shares in the company? Everyone knows I have no clue what to do with that."

"Well," Sami adjusted on her seat so she was facing Will instead of the children, "EJ and I were talking about that."

"Uh oh," Will replied, blinking a few times, "That can't be good."

"Hey," Sami whacked his arm, "We know that you aren't ready to actually be a part of DiMera Enterprises. That you're too young for that responsibility. So EJ and I were thinking that maybe you would like us to deal with all that for you. Just until you're ready for it."

"And what does that mean exactly," Will knew he wasn't an expert on businesses, "What would happen?"

"Nothing much," EJ said, resting his arm behind William, "Just that we would take care of everything for you. If you trust us to look out for your best interests that is."

"Right," Will huffed a bit, "That's kind of a dumb question. You know that I trust you two with anything. But I doubt that's the entire reason you want my shares. So fess up, what's going on here?"

"You're entirely too suspicious," Sami commented, pressing her lips together and giving Will a look.

"Look who raised me," Will fired back.

EJ smiled fondly, "The entire truth is we're beginning to suspect that someone is going to try to buy off a few shareholders and try to take control of the company."

"And by someone you mean Victor," Will assumed. 'God when is that feud gonna end?'

"Precisely," EJ confirmed. "But if you combine my shares, with yours and the ones Chad has already give us, we would have the majority and nothing would be able to get in our way."

"Our way," Will wondered.

"Of course," EJ patted Will's back. "We're all family aren't we? Therefore it's our company. And I certainly wouldn't trust it with anyone but us."

"Right," Will smiled a bit. He always felt something warm inside of his chest when EJ talked about them as a family. 'And it's a real family too, nothing like I've ever had before.'

"So," Sami nudged Will again, "What do you think?"

"Well," Will pretending to have a bit of a hard time deciding. "I just don't know. I mean what if Victor gives me a better offer?"

"Oh please," EJ shoved William lightly, "What can he offer that we can't?"

"Nothing," Will admitted smiling as he watched Allie, Johnny and Sydney gang up on his father, pelting him with snowballs. "Absolutely nothing."

Sonny, leaving Common Grounds, was walking through the square when he heard his name being called. Turning around he grimaced slightly when he saw his mother and father coming his way. 'Great,' he sighed.

"Sonny," Justin smiled widely. "Is everything coming along for your opening day?"

"Yeah," Sonny nodded, "We just have to make sure everything is stocked. Chad and I decided to keep on the employees they had before. Actually it was the weirdest thing. The former owners came into Common Grounds today."

"Oh really," Adrienne asked in a strange voice.

"Yeah," Sonny looked at her questionably, "They really didn't give the impression that they were happy to leave."

"Huh," Justin frowned, "Well maybe everything is hitting them now that they really sold the place."

"Maybe," Sonny watched his mother carefully, seeing her shift on her feet and not look him in the eyes. 'Right.'

"Where are you off to now," Adrienne asked quickly wanting to change the direction of the conversation.

"I'm meeting Will in the park," Sonny put his hands in his pockets and glared at his mother, "He's there with his family and they invited me to join them."

"That was nice of them," Justin said smiling awkwardly. "So, you're really getting along with Sami and EJ after everything?"

"Somehow, yeah," Sonny chuckled, amazed by everything, "It's funny really. Sami and EJ probably have the biggest grounds to hate Paul and me but they try really hard to keep Will happy. As long as we make him happy they're happy. For the most part," Sonny finished with.

"Right," Adrienne looked at the ground, at the once white but now gray snow. "And how is Sami?" Adrienne didn't want to admit that she actually missed having Sami around, missed being her friend.

"Good," Sonny admitted, "Bossy. She's busy redecorating the mansion. She roped Will and Paul into it yesterday."

"That sounds like her," Adrienne smiled slightly.

Sonny rolled his eyes and groaned, "Ugh just come with me already. You and Sami can make up or roll around in the snow or whatever. This is just ridiculous."

Sonny snatched his mother's hand and started dragging her with him towards the only section of the park Will was willing to be in.

"What do you mean you're leaving tonight," Paul questioned his mother as he slumped down onto the bed next to his grandfather.

"I've been away from work for too long," Tori explained easily, trying not to look at Paul's face as she packed her suitcase. "I need to get back."

"But," Paul started to say, "We just figured everything out. I wanted you to spend some time with Will and Sonny and me. Maybe get to know their families."

"I wish I could," Tori thought back to what EJ said about John being in Will's life, 'I am never going to be around his family.' "But I need to be back at work tomorrow," Tori said.

Hiro watched his daughter flitting about her room and knew there was something bothering her. He was proud of his daughter finally seeing what was right in front of her face. He had spent half the night and the early morning hours trying to get her to understand that her son was happy here. Happy and in love.

Hiro wasn't quite convinced that Tori was happy for Paul or that she even approved of his relationship. Hiro was certain Tori would not make any more trouble for her son at the very least.

"OK," Paul hunched his shoulders a bit. He realized after spending the day at the DiMera mansion that he wished he had that type of familial relationship. That he could be as close with his mom as Will is with Sami. That he had a father that would be as protective as EJ. Paul was extremely grateful to have his grandfather and his mother but he couldn't help feeling envious. And now he knew he wasn't going to get that.

Tori zipped up her suitcase and turned to face Paul. Standing in front of him Tori put her hand on his face, lifting it upwards, "I'm sorry that we didn't get to spend much time together this trip. I'm sorry that I caused you so much pain. But it's only because I love you more than anything. I want nothing but the best for you."

"I do have the best," Paul whispered, reaching up to hold her delicate fingers against his cheek.

"Maybe one day the three of you could come to San Francisco," Tori suggested, smile strained. "And visit."

"I'd like that," Paul nodded smiling widely. He looked down again before admitting quietly, "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too," Tori swallowed heavily, feeling tears spring to her eyes once again.

Paul and Hiro walked around Salem with no real direction in mind. Tori had waved off Paul's request to take her to the airport and insisted that a cab was fine.

"Are you alright," Hiro asked Paul quietly after giving him a few moments to reflect.

"I think so," Paul confessed, kicking a bit of the snow out of his way, "I just, I wish she could have stayed longer. Really gotten to see my life in Salem and the people in it."

"Well why don't you show me," Hiro suggested putting his hand on Paul's shoulder.

Paul felt his phone vibrate in his pocket and pulled it out, reading over the message quickly before telling his grandfather, "How would you like to take a walk in the park?"

Will put his phone back in his jacket pocket once he was finished reading Paul's and Sonny's messages, 'OK now to prepare Mom so she doesn't kill anyone.'

"So," Will said, trying to sound casual, "You know how earlier in the week Mom kind of beat a few people up?"

"Yeah," Sami nodded laughing slightly at the experience.

"Well, Sonny is bringing Adrienne and Justin with him and you're gonna work everything out, OK? OK," Will rushed out quickly sliding closer to EJ so his mother wouldn't be able to hit him.

"Oh no," EJ pushed William off of his lap, "This is one problem you're dealing with by yourself."

"Traitor," Will hissed at EJ.

"Will," Sami whined. "I don't want to work out anything. I refuse to get along with anyone that treats you or talks to you like that."

"Can't you just talk to her," Will tried, "I don't want all of my in-laws to hate me. The only one that even slightly likes me can't speak English. What does that say about me?"

"That you're dating morons," EJ supplied lifting his hand and waving when the children were screaming his name.

"Please," Will put his hands together, sliding his glasses down his nose a bit so he could work his eyes on his mom. "Please, Mommy, please."

"Stop looking at me," Sami ordered getting off of the bench and running to EJ side, hiding behind him.

"Please," Will stuck his lower lip out, "Please Mommy."

EJ moved out of the way laughing loudly.

"Ugh," Sami groaned, "Fine. I'll play nice. But I reserve the right to hit her whenever I feel like it."

Author's note:

The whole family is getting together. It will either be really good or really bad.

Thanks for reading!