Will sat next to Sami in EJ's office looking distastefully at the newspaper spread out before him. "Who knew standing next to three guys was newsworthy," Will commented as he looked at various pictures of himself.

"And why your love life is more important than a corrupt orphanage I will never know," Sami snorted seeing the smaller article below the one about the alleged love problems in her sons life.

"Well they only care about that one since I was there," Will crossed his arms and set his jaw. "Who cares that all those kids were freaked out about police coming in and out? Who cares that the building is old and not taken care of? Oh no I might be adopting a baby. That's obviously news."

Sami put her hand on Will's shoulder, rubbing slightly, "He was a cute baby."

"Really cute," Will slumped against his chair. "And I don't want anything to happen to him."

"Well we won't let that happen," Sami assured Will. "We'll brainstorm some ways to get him and all the other kids adopted."

"I'd like that," Will told her. Looking back at the paper Will rolled his eyes, "What's the press going to do when they find out I'm moving in with Chad?"

"Well if they couldn't figure out you're with Sonny and Paul after that," Sami pointed at a giant picture of Will kissing them both, "Then there's no hope for this town."

"But speaking of you and Chad moving in together," Sami turned in her seat, "Have you given any thought to what you want to do there?"

"Not really," Will shrugged, "It's mostly all taken care of decorating wise. I mean I might want to redo my room since it's pretty much a Chad and Will shrine. Well and Chad needs something done to his room but beyond that I don't know."

"And the basement," Sami asked carefully, "Are you going to leave it empty or figure something out?"

Will frowned, "I don't think I want to go down there. All I'd think about would be, well, you know."

"It might be good for you," Sami suggested, "If you put something fun down there maybe you could change your perception on it."

"OK," Will thought about it briefly, "I guess you're right. I shouldn't be afraid of it my whole life." Rotating so he was facing his mom Will asked, "Can you do that for me?"

"Do what," Sami questioned.

"Figure out what to do with it," Will explained, "I don't know much about decorating and stuff. And you're already getting started on the mansion. If you don't want to you don't have to I just thought-"

"No," Sami cut him off, a wide smile spreading across her face, "I want to. I'm just, I'm kind of shocked you asked me, that's all."

"You're my mom," Will nudged her shoulder, "Who else would I ask to help with my first house?"

EJ, walking into his office and overhearing, put his hands on both their shoulders, "Samantha gets to decorate and I get to look for spyware. It'll be such a normal, happy family occasion." Squeezing their shoulders EJ said, "The meetings about to start."

Sonny walked into Common Grounds a few hours after it opened to check on the inventory. 'And to talk to Lauren about becoming a manager,' Sonny thought as he unzipped his jacket. Seeing all his employees freeze when he came inside and begin nervously running about Sonny narrowed his eyes. 'What the hell?'

Moving towards the counter Sonny asked loudly, "Is everything alright over here?"

"Yes," Laruen, back turned towards Sonny, replied. "Just, um, didn't think you'd be here so soon."

"Right," Sonny said drawing out the word. "What's going on here?"

Making sure everything was taken care of Lauren and the other two employees turned towards Sonny at the same time and shoved a cupcake in his direction him.

Raising his eyebrows Sonny sat down at the counter, "What's this?"

"Well," Lauren fixed her apron, "We know how hard you've been working here and how hard you're going to be working at the new spot. And well," Lauren lifted one shoulder, "We just wanted you to know that you're a great boss and to please don't forget about us."

Smiling at the cupcake Sonny saw someone had written on the plate, "We miss you!"

"That is really sweet," Sonny responded before rolling his eyes at himself and hurrying behind the counter for a group hug. "Out of curiosity though," Sonny asked when they all pulled apart, "Did you make one for Chad?"

"Oh please," Lauren laughed as she headed over to help a customer, "He can't even remember our names. We all know who's really in charge around here."

'And that is why you get to be manager,' Sonny smiled as he picked up his plate and began eating his cupcake while walking to the storage room.

Paul walked into Jesse's office after handing over his signed papers to the university governing board. "Well I took care of it," Paul informed Jesse as he sat down in the chair across from him.

"Good," Jesse looked up from the lineup he was looking at. Tossing it towards Paul Jesse said, "What do you think?"

As Paul began looking it over he nodded, "I like it."

"Me too," Jesse agreed before leaning back in his chair and smiling.

Paul, pressing his lips together, feeling a bit odd, "Yes?"

"I got an interesting call yesterday," Jesse tried not to laugh, "Some reporter asking me questions about you. Well about if I knew anything about your relationship."

Paul rolled his eyes, "Oh my god is this getting old."

"I can imagine," Jesse teased, "But it's worth it, right?"

"It is," Paul nodded, "I just want the outside bullshit to stop."

Will, seeing Chad coming down the hall towards the boardroom, whistled teasingly, "Look at you all dressed up."

"I know I look hot but please refrain from falling all over yourself," Chad teased, "I just got this dry cleaned."

"I'll try to resist," Will patted his arm.

"Would you two stop it," EJ insisted, turning around to glare at them. "This is an important meeting. You two just take a seat behind me and let me do the talking."

Sami cleared her throat pointedly.

"Or Samantha," EJ conceded. Seeing into the room EJ smirked when he saw Victor and a few other curious businessmen lingering about. 'I can't wait to see that smug expression fall from his face.'

Victor, seeing the time, found a seat around the table, the one he knew would be directly across from EJ. Victor couldn't wait to see EJ's face when the shareholders would begin to discuss selling. 'What will he do with his precious family legacy when I buy it right out from under his nose?'

However, when EJ walked through the door, Victor was unprepared for the extra guests he brought with him. 'Sami Brady? Of course she'd be here but Will and Chad? What is EJ playing at?'

"Good afternoon," EJ addressed the room before taking a seat. "I'd like to make this meeting very brief. There's been much discussion about the future of this company and the direction it will be taking now that my father is no longer with us."

Will fiddled with his tie and his suit jacket uncomfortably. 'What is Victor doing here,' Will's forehead began to crease when he saw him.

Trying not to keep the glee out of his voice EJ continued, "However, not many of you know that in my father's will he left all of his shares in the company to the gentlemen behind me, my brother Chad DiMera and my son William Horton."

Will and Chad looked at each other, 'All of Stefano's shares,' Will thought, 'I didn't know that.'

Victor, beginning to realize where this was going, sat back in his chair keeping his head held high.

"As both are far too young to handle that responsibility," EJ explained, "I as well as Samantha Brady are entrusted to their shares until we all see fit. Now," EJ could hear the rest of the table begin murmuring to themselves. "We already have a new business proposal we'd like the company to take on. And I think it would be best to hear it from those closest at hand. William, Chad, if you will."

Will began to panic a bit, 'What is he talking about? Why are we supposed to even say?' Shooting EJ a nasty look Will stood up along with Chad to stand beside EJ's chair.

"Why don't you explain to them about the plans for the orphanage," EJ suggested with an encouraging smile. Turning to look amongst the rest of the room's occupants EJ smiled at Victor. 'Let's see any of these members decide to sell their shares now after finding out the company is investing in an orphanage.' Listening to William shyly explain what he wanted to do EJ reached over and squeezed Samantha's knee sharing a smile with her.

'Like anyone is going to back down now with the possibility of William or Chad running to the press that likes to follow them so,' EJ thought haughtily as he watched Victor Kiriakis's face get redder and redder.

"So," Gray asked Paul as he followed him outside.

"I'm not telling you anything," Paul complained. "Besides I think you know the answer to that already."

"Well," Gray argued, "I know that you're dating Will and the coffee dude but I also saw Will on a date with someone else. And I did witness that whole showdown thing in the middle of the square so…"

Paul gave Gray a blank look, "Don't you think this is a little inappropriate? I mean you asking me about this?"

Gray shrugged, "It's not any worse than driving your boyfriend around town."

Paul looked up at the sky, 'What did I do to deserve this?'

"Fine," Paul decided with a huff, "You know I'm with Will and Sonny. Chad is the annoying friend that keeps hanging around."

"That's all I wanted to know," Gray replied in a light voice.

"Well it's creepy," Paul insisted as they started walking in different directions on the field.

"You're famous," Gray called back, "If you didn't want people to know about your business you wouldn't keep doing things in public." He laughed when Paul glared at him. 'This is still the coolest thing to be a part of.'

Will smiled awkwardly as the meeting finished and everyone began clearing out. He could feel his heart pounding painfully in his chest. 'I am going to kill EJ. I am going to kill him.' Rounding on EJ Will went to give him a piece of his mind when he saw EJ talking to someone important looking. 'Fine, I can wait.'

Seeing Victor walking out of the door Will bit his lip as he debated his options. Sighing heavily Will dashed after him, "Victor!"

Victor was tempted to continue walking towards the elevator. After the humiliation he just experienced at EJ's hand he wasn't in the mood to deal with anyone. However Victor wasn't one to turn away from an opportunity.

"Will," Victor paused.

"I, um," Will had no idea what to say to Victor now that he was here, "Hi."

Victor gave Will an unimpressed look. 'How EJ or Sonny could think he'd amount to anything is beyond me.'

When Victor continued to stare at him unsettlingly Will licked his lips, "I-I didn't see you yesterday at Sonny's opening."

"Well," Victor shrugged, "I was a bit busy unnecessarily preparing for this meeting. Although I saw how it went when I opened the front page."

"Uh," Will didn't know how to reply to that, "That's kind of not the same thing. But," Will took a deep breath, "Sonny and Paul and I we're all trying to get along with each other's families and I know Sonny would like it if that included you."

"Sonny gets along fine with his family," Victor gave Will a once over. "I'm sure once everything gets settled he'll see that he never should have gotten involved with you or your family. Excuse me."

Will watched Victor slowly walk towards the elevator wondering what in the world he ever did to that man.

"Well," EJ threw his suit jacket on the couch as they all walked into William and Chad's house. "I've got some guys coming to check everything over in about an hour."

Sami, looking around for the first time, nodded, "Well I'm fairly impressed. Will, where's your room?"

"Down the hall," Will pointed it out for her as he turned to EJ. "I'm still mad at you by the way."

"I knew that if anything was going to get them on our side it would be your charming attempts to talk about helping the misfortunate," EJ explained easily as he began pulling on his tie. "It all worked out didn't it?"

"Is that why you agreed to fund the orphanage," Chad demanded looking at EJ harshly, "Because you wanted their sympathy?"

"Of course not," EJ informed them, "I don't want anything to happen to those children either but it did occur to me after that it would be an excellent opportunity."

"Except it's not exactly profitable," Will prompted him, remembering when some of the board members starting firing questions at him and Chad that they couldn't answer.

"That's why we set up a charity event," EJ suggested. "That way we can get the whole town involved and try to get homes for all the children."

"And how do we do that," Chad wondered.

"Well," Will smiled at Chad widely, "I can think of one business that might help us out."

Chad exhaled through his nose, "Yeah I guess Sonny and I can help out."

"I bet I can think of a baseball team that might want to help out too," Will continued.

EJ nodded approvingly, "See you're already learning William. Seize every opportunity presented to you."

Sami, shivering a bit seeing the picture of Will and Chad in his room, decided, 'That definitely needs to go. Now how am I going to make everything comfortable for Will.'

Walking around a bit Sami crossed her arms and tapped her fingers. 'I could use some advice,' Sami thought, 'And it would make Will happy if we all were getting along.' Rolling her eyes Sami grabbed her phone out of her purse to call Adrienne.

Paul listened to Will ramble on the phone with a smile glad to hear he wasn't letting the whole baby situation get to him.

"And I was thinking maybe the team could do some sort of charity game and we could sell tickets and all the proceeds go to the orphanage. And then Common Grounds could provide the snacks and drinks and we could take some of that money too," Will blathered on excitedly, "And then maybe I could convince my Aunt Kayla or maybe Daniel to have the hospital help out and give all the kids a checkup. And everyone can help pitch in with the remodeling and renovating. And maybe your team could take some time every week for your team bonding stuff and go visit the kids and teach them how to play and-"

"Will, breathe," Paul laughed. "This sounds like something you really want to do."

"It is," Will confessed. "And I know everyone is right. That I'm not ready to have a baby but I want to do everything I can to make sure he's given every opportunity I can. For all of them. So will you help?"

"You know I will," Paul smiled into the phone, "But I have to ask the team and Jesse and the other coaches too. But I think they'll say yes."

"Good," Will grinned, "I thought I was going to have to find your minions and order them around."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Paul rolled his eyes. "I'll be over when I'm done here."

"OK," Will knew Paul wasn't supposed to be talking to him while at work and hoped he wouldn't get in trouble. "Love you!"

Watching some of the workers EJ hired tearing into his nice new walls Will frowned as he went to find Chad. Will could hear EJ bossing everyone around in the background. Looking all around the house Will almost wasn't surprised when he found Chad sitting in what was going to be his room, holding a baby bunny to his chest.

"Hey," Will said softly, sitting on the floor next to Chad, leaning against the crib.

"Hey," Chad replied putting his head down so Will wouldn't see the tears in his eyes. "I think we should take all this stuff to the orphanage."

"That's a good idea," Will agreed with a small smile. "Paul said he was going to talk to the team about my idea."

"I don't see why they wouldn't do it," Chad nodded. Looking around the room Chad asked, "Have you ever wondered what it would have been like? You know if everything went according to my father's plan?"

"I try not to," Will said quietly. "Do you?"

"Every now and again," Chad admitted. "I think about what would have happened to you. If you would have been the same. If I would have been the same. What would have happened to him," Chad gestured toward the crib. "Now that we've met him I can see it. I can picture him in here and I don't know why."

Will moved closer to Chad and took his hand in a loose grip, "I don't know about anything else but I know we wouldn't have let anything happen to him. Just like we aren't going to now. We'll do whatever we can to make sure he finds a home."

"None of this would have happened if it wasn't for me," Chad confessed in a low voice, "If I would have kept out of your relationship the article and the picture Zach found never would have happened. I almost ruined your life and now this baby's."

"That wasn't your fault," Will promised Chad. "You know I forgave you for that a long time ago."

'I just don't know if I've forgiven myself,' Chad mused. Chad put his head on Will's shoulder as the two continued to discuss their plans for the orphanage.

Sami, showing Adrienne the house as they left Justin to stand around with EJ, paused outside the door to Chad's future room.

Listening to Will and Chad talk, confused as to why they were in a room outfitted for a baby, Adrienne didn't know what to think. She wasn't quite sure that she believed what everyone told her at the park. 'It seems a little too convenient that Chad was faking the whole thing. And now they're moving in together and being seen at an orphanage? And this room?'

Sami put her hand on Adrienne's elbow not wanting to interrupt Will and Chad. Moving the two of them back downstairs Sami tried to figure out how to explain this. 'There really isn't anything to say but the truth is there?'

"Sami," Adrienne wanted to keep an open mind but she wasn't sure she could, "What?"

Sami walked over to EJ, who was conversing with Justin amiably, "EJ, I think we need to discuss a few things with Adrienne and Justin. Really discuss things."

EJ crossed his arms. He wasn't entirely sure that was such a good idea. But seeing the determined expression on Samantha's face he knew this was going to be a losing battle. "You need to ask William first," EJ reminded Samantha. "You don't want this blowing up in our faces."

"William," EJ knocked on the door startling both William and Chad. "We'd like you two to come downstairs."

Sonny, after leaving an elated Lauren in charge, returned to the second shop. He knew Chad was going to be busy today but he was already feeling the stress of having two locations. 'And I still don't even know how we really got the second one.'

Sonny knew that it had to have been either his Uncle Vic or EJ. 'Uncle Vic would want to help me further along my business. EJ would want to do the same for Chad. Uncle Vic said something once about still caring about me even if I was upset with him. EJ was weird and smug when Will was telling him about the new location.'

'And they'd both find a means to get the other couple out of the business and out of town,' Sonny reminded himself. 'But which one did it?'

'I can't see EJ doing anything that would be helpful for me,' Sonny walked inside the door to the coffee house, glad to see it was busy without the added reporters, 'But would Uncle Vic really do something like that?'

"Sonny," a voice nearby said.

'Speaking of,' Sonny thought as he saw his uncle sitting at a table all alone. "Uncle Vic," Sonny nodded at him before going over. He wasn't entirely certain how to act around him now. 'How do I even find out if he did something?'

"I see everything is working out here," Victor looked about the room. "I was very proud of you when your father told me you were expanding."

"You were," Sonny didn't know if he was supposed to be suspicious of his uncle or not.

"I know how hard you've worked," Victor confirmed, "And I have to admit I was skeptical that you could do it by yourself without any of my help. But here you are," Victor held up his hand to gesture around the room.

"Thanks," Sonny said simply feeling oddly touched. 'Maybe it wasn't Uncle Vic after all.'

"Now I must get home," Victor told Sonny as he stood up and put on his coat, "I'm glad that everything is working out for you. And by the way," Victor pointed his head at someone in the corner, "I'm fairly certain that person is an undercover reporter."

"Great," Sonny rolled his eyes as he stood up as well, "Well hopefully when they see Will isn't here they'll leave."

Grimacing slightly Victor shook his head, "I saw Will earlier. I'm fairly certain EJ has him much too busy to be visiting you."

"What does that mean," Sonny asked flatly. "I already told you if you keep on talking about Will like this I'll-"

"Nothing like that," Victor cut off Sonny, "I saw Will at the business meeting I was at earlier. I thought it was a bit strange that EJ had him addressing the board that's all. I didn't think Will was even prepared EJ just shoved him into the spotlight. I wasn't even sure what to make of the conversation I had with EJ after either. Something about making sure William's boyfriends were distracted." As Victor finished his drink he patted Sonny on the back, "Reporters, new business skills, all those rumors," Victor smiled grimly, "It's a good thing you've got this expansion to focus on or I'm afraid you might get just a tad too frustrated."

As Victor walked out the door he thought to himself, 'And my plan will still work perfectly as long as I can keep your suspicions off me and focused on EJ.'

"I'm sorry I haven't gotten to spend much time with you while you've been here," Paul told his grandfather as he drove them to Will and Chad's house.

"It's fine," Hiro assured his grandson. "I've enjoyed walking around the town and seeing where you are settling down."

"But still," Paul felt a bit guilty, "I don't get to see you that often."

"Well maybe you will now," Hiro teased, "After seeing Will and Sonny's mother's I'm sure sooner or later you'll be kicked out momentarily in need of a place to stay."

"I don't think I'll need to go to a different country," Paul smiled, "But yeah I'm sure one of these days it'll happen. They've got pretty dramatic genes don't they?"

"It's a good thing you love them," Hiro laughed, "Or there would be no hope."

Sonny walked into Will and Chad's house and paused when he saw all of their families inside, even Johnny, Allie and Sydney were seen eating a snack in the kitchen. 'What did I miss,' Sonny thought as he walked towards his boyfriends.

"Hey," Sonny sat down on a free seat next to Will. "What's going on?"

Will nibbled on his bottom lip, "We've been thinking about talking to your parents and Hiro. You know, about everything."

"Everything," Sonny repeated a bit surprised. "Are you sure you want to do that? Is it safe to do that?"

"As long as no one outside of this house finds out," EJ declared. The workers he hired were long gone. Whatever surprises Stefano might have left behind weren't here.

Paul, who was whispering translations in his grandfather's ear, as it was much easier with this many people, looked at Sonny, "I think it would clear up a lot of confusion." 'And get your mother off our damn back.'

"Right," Sonny nodded. He glanced at EJ out of the corner of his eye still uncertain how to feel about the conversation he had with his uncle. "If everyone thinks it's a good idea I guess we should do it."

Chad, still feeling a bit withdrawn, nodded in agreement.

Turning to look at his mom and dad Sonny pleaded, "But you can't tell anyone especially Uncle Vic."

"We won't," Justin answered. "And I'll make sure your mother doesn't."

Adrienne, frowning slightly, agreed, "We won't tell anyone."

Hiro, speaking through Paul, said, "I won't say anything either."

"OK then," EJ clapped his hands together. Turning to see William nodding at him EJ began, wanting Hiro to really understand everything, "I suppose it all began when I received a call from Samantha one night."

Almost 45 minutes later Adrienne, Justin and Hiro were staring between Will, Sonny, Paul and Chad practically in disbelief.

"All of that was happening," Adrienne choked out, "And we didn't even know it?"

"Yeah," Sonny responded to his mother seeing just how upset she was getting. 'Maybe if you were a little closer to the situation you wouldn't have been thinking the worst about Will.'

'I was trying to tear them apart because everything I saw was all in my head,' Adrienne thought desolately. 'I tried to take Sonny away from them when they were going through all those horrible things.'

'I thought Chad was trying to hurt Will when he was protecting him,' Adrienne shook her head. 'What is wrong with me?'

"It's OK," Will shrugged seeing how Adrienne was about to cry. "You didn't know."

"I should have," Adrienne wiped her eyes. "I should have figured things out instead of making everything worse."

"Yes you should have," Sami stated, seeing everyone looking at her she crossed her arms, "Well she should have. If I can refrain from making a mess of things anyone can."

Adrienne, hanging back as everyone moved towards the kitchen, said, "Will can I talk to you?"

"Uh, sure," Will waved off Sonny and Paul's concern and stood in front of Adrienne nervously.

"Will," Adrienne held her breath as she tried to figure out what to say, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I doubted you in the beginning and that I continued to misjudge you."

Will shrugged lightly, eyes looking around the room, "It's OK. I understand. It was a weird situation."

"But still," Adrienne felt her voice catching in her throat, "I think I knew deep down that you weren't like that but I just, I was so concerned about Sonny, I let that take over."

"Well," Will told her, "I forgive you. Just please don't do that again. I don't think Sonny could handle it. Or my mom for that matter. You're the only real friend she's ever had."

"I won't," Adrienne nodded.

Will, feeling a bit playful, patted her arm, "But just so you know your fears weren't entirely unfounded."

"What do you mean," Adrienne wasn't following.

"I did have a crush on Chad," Will grinned at her, "And we did sleep in the same bed a while ago. Nice chatting with you."

Will walked towards the bathroom leaving a shell-shocked Adrienne Kiriakis staring after him.

Justin pulled Sonny aside as everyone gathered for the takeout they ordered. "Sonny," Justin said in a quiet voice, "I want an honest answer here. Do I need to worry about you having any more legal troubles?"

"Dad," Sonny furrowed his eyebrows.

"I'm serious, Sonny," Justin insisted, "I would like a heads up about these things."

"No, Dad," Sonny shook his head, "The thing with T was the only one and all of the evidence is gone."

"And you won't do anything like that again," Justin questioned looking his son up and down.

"I-I know that I won't kill anyone," Sonny confessed, "But I don't know how far I'd be willing to go if I had to. But whatever I did I would never do it without talking to Paul or Will first."

"Well you better figure that out," Justin suggested, "Because I don't think anyone wants to deal with the repercussions if something like that ever happened again." Before Sonny could walk away Justin grabbed his arm, "And what about being around EJ?"

"What about that," Sonny wondered not understanding the question.

"Did he pressure you into thinking like this," Justin questioned, "Did he influence you? Did Will?" Holding up his hand when Sonny opened his mouth, "Before you get mad you know that I like Will and I respect EJ. I just want to make sure that you know what you're getting into."

"I know, Dad," Sonny assured his father. "I know exactly what being with Will means." Looking over to see EJ holding Sydney as he fixed her a plate Sonny decided, "And I know who EJ is."

'It must have been Uncle Vic,' Sonny thought, 'I know it's Uncle Vic.'

Will, coming out of the bathroom nearby, couldn't help but overhear Sonny talking with Justin. Leaning against the wall out of sight Will looked up at the ceiling, 'Paul told his mother about me, told his grandfather. And Sonny isn't going to do anything like that again. He said he would talk to me first, talk to both of us.'

Walking back into the kitchen seeing and hearing everyone laughing and talking Will bit his lip, 'I think I can trust them with everything after all.'

Author's note:

Do I know anything about businesses and shareholders and the like? Absolutely not. Was EJ a bit unethical using the orphanage as a way to guilt people into keeping their shares? Yes. Was it effective? Yes it was.

And even though Will decided to be with Sonny and Paul they haven't really talked about the problems they had leading up to the break like Paul keeping Will a secret and Sonny's involvement with T's death. So that will be happening soon.

Thanks for reading!

Up next: Will and Chad move in while Will decides it's time to get his friends together with Sonny and Paul's.