Sorry this took some time to get out, life got in the way. I was sick, blah, then celebrated with one of my best friends because him and his finance can now get married in our home state( yea pa!), then visited my boyfriends family for Memorial Day. Most of this was written on the car ride their and back, and while I was hungover. I reread most of it but any spelling errors, I blame on auto correct on my iPhone.

Monday was going to be a busy day for Will, there was school and work, then Ari's doctor's appointment, and dinner at his moms. The day was definitely going to be hectic and to make matters worse, Will woke up late. He didn't get to bed until the early hours of the morning, having spent most of the night on the phone with Sonny.

"If so then I would be crazy too." Will answered to Sonny.

"I can't believe how fast these feelings for you are hitting me. I don't know what your doing to me but, I have never felt this way about someone so quickly before." Sonny admitted

"Your doing the same to me, but I'm not complaining." Will answered back with a smile on his face.

"Definitely not complaining."

They talked about so much, sports, college, childhoods, Sonny's traveling. Sonny even told Will his coming out story, they really got to know each other on another level. Will was hesitant to tell Sonny about his coming out, it was a really bad time in his life, and he didn't feel it was something that should be said over the phone, and Sonny didn't push. Sonny understood that it's not always such a smooth process for people and assured Will he could tell him when he was ready. Finally after spending four hours on the phone talking, they decided it would be smart to get some
sleep.

"Sweet dreams, Will" Sonny said

"Goodnight Sonny. I lo...I look forward to talking to you soon."

I look forward to talking to you soon? Will groaned to himself. He couldn't believe he almost said those three words to Sonny, but more importantly he couldn't believe how natural it had felt.

Will was rushing to get ready, get Ari dressed and fed and then out the door. Thankfully he was able to get Ari to school and himself to work on time. Unfortunately he didn't have enough time to make coffee at home and he refused to drink what his office considered coffee. About 20 minutes into his work day, the front office secretary showed up at his desk with a coffee cup and a post it note.

"This was left for you"

"Thanks" will said grabbing the cup and reading the note.

thought you might need this after last night. Have a great day. Call me later. Sonny

Will couldn't contain his smile and couldn't wait till later he needed to thank Sonny now.

Thanks for the coffee. You are amazing.-W

So coffee is all it takes for you to call me amazing. I'll keep that in mind.-S

You have no idea. Woke up late was in a rush and didn't have time to make my own, and this office doesn't know what coffee is. They try to pass black sludge off.-W

Eww. Gross. I'm sorry, I feel like it's my fault you were running late. We were up pretty late last night.-S

It was worth it.-W

I'm getting a look from my editor, better get back to work.-W

Don't work too hard. I look forward to talking to you soon ;)-S

Really? Will thought with a laugh.

Around his lunch he received a phone call from Ari's school, they weren't specific just said something happened and he needed to come in. Thankfully he finished his article while working from home last week and was pretty much done with his next assignment and it wasn't due or another two days, so his boss let him take the rest of his day off. When he arrived at the principals office. Ari was sitting with the secretary crying.

"Baby what's wrong?" Will asked bending down in front of her.

"I..." Ari started but was unable to finish between sobs.

"Mr. Horton, I think you should step into my office. Carol can look after Arianna for a few more minutes." Principal Thompson said.

Will was hesitant to leave his daughter when she was clearly upset but wanted to know what was going on, so he followed Principal Thompson.

"What happened?" Will asked as soon as the door closed, not even waiting for the principal to be seated.

"Arianna was in a fight with another student."

"What? Someone attacked my daughter?" Will asked jumping out of his seat.

"Actually Arianna, attacked the other student." Principal Thompson clarified.

"No, that's not right. Arianna would never do anything like that." Will informed shaking his head, pacing back and forth.

"She did, she pushed the other student right out her chair."

"Why would she do that? There had to have been a reason."

"Her class was making an art project for Mother's Day. I'm aware of your lifestyle choices Mr. Horton. I think maybe this upset Arianna."

"My lifestyle choices?" Will asked finally stopping his pacing and looking at the principal

"I think it would be best for Arianna to go home for the rest of the day."

"Are you going to speak with the other child to find out what happened?"

"The other child said she did nothing and Arianna has not mentioned anything."

"She is too upset to even talk. I don't see how it is right to punish her, when she is clearly upset. Someone upset my daughter!"

"I'm sorry Mr. Horton but without any proof of wrong doing by the other child nothing can be done. Everyone saw Arianna push the girl. Like I said I am aware of your choices, maybe this could have something to do with your daughter acting out."

"Acting out? My daughter has never done anything like this, all her teachers love her."

"A holiday devoted to mothers could be tough for a child in her situation."

"My life style choices, her situation? Are you really trying to say this has something to do with the fact that I'm gay."

"Mr. Horton, I'm not an expert in the field but I think I could understand why a child might have difficulty when their parent decides to be gay."

"Decides?" Will is now so angry he is actually yelling. "I...I cant believe there are people like you still in the world. My daughter is fine, her life is not any less than other children with straight parents! I'm done here. I'm taking my daughter home, and then I will be filing a formal complaint with the school board." Will said turning around and storming out of the office. Someone clearly upset his daughter and she was being punished. He understood she shouldn't have pushed another student but Ari was not like that, something had to happen to cause this and no one seemed too concerned with finding out what. Apparently it was expected of her because he was gay. He was not going to accept that, he couldn't be the reason his daughter was so unhappy and crying right now.

"Sweetheart come on, were going to go." Will said picking up Ari and carrying her out to the parking lot.

"Am I in trouble daddy?" Ari asked, sniffling into Will's shirt.

"I don't know baby. You need to tell me what happened." Will answered rubbing her back.

"I don't want to talk about it." Ari said while burying her face in the crook of his neck.

"How about we go to the pub, get some lunch and we can talk then."

"I guess so."

Twenty minutes later they were at the pub, both eating cheeseburger and fries. Ari stilled hadn't mentioned anything about what happened and Will decided it was time to ease her into talking about it.

"What did you do at school this morning?"

"We did some math, I can add 2+2! Do you know what it is?" Ari asked getting excited.

"Hmmm..that's a hard one. Is it 3?"

"No silly! It's four!" Ari announced

"Wow, your really smart."

"I know" Ari said proudly

"What did you do after math?"

"We had art."

"What were you making?"

"A card for Grammy Sami" All excitement was now gone.

"Wow that sounds fun."

"Yea but..." Ari said looking down at her food.

"But what sweetheart"

"McKenzie said it was stupid, she said we were suppose to make the cards of our mommies. But I don't have a mommy."

"Mother's Day cards are for any type of mother, grandmothers definitely count."

"Yea but McKenzie said my mommy doesn't love me."

"That's not true Arianna. Your mommy loves you very much. She is just sick, she wasn't able to get better, she didn't want to be sick around you." Will said trying his hardest to keep the tears from his eyes.

"But if she loved me why didn't she get better. She could try harder!" Ari yelled running over into Wills lap. "And McKenzie said mean things about you! I pushed her because she shouldn't say those things, you are the bestest daddy!"

"It's ok baby. Some kids parents don't teach them the right things. It's not McKenzie fault she thinks that way. I know she upset you but violence is never the option." Will said his voice wavering, the principal was right, he was part of the reason Ari got upset. He knew being a single gay father was going to be tough, but never wanted it to affect his daughter.

"But daddy..."

"No buts. You never hit, or push someone else." Will warned Ari.

"Do you really think my mommy loves me?"

"I know she does." He said running his hands through her hair. His heart was breaking, no child should have to wonder if their parents love them. He wondered if maybe it was partly his fault, if he could feel for Gabi what he should have felt maybe she wouldn't have left.

Later that evening they had dinner at Sami and EJ's. Will was still blaming himself for what happened early. He couldn't get over the fact that he was the reason Ari was so upset. If he could have given Gabi, the love she deserved his daughter wouldn't be motherless. She wouldn't face discrimination from people for having a gay dad. He can't help but remember a conversation he had with Gabi while she was pregnant. She told him about a guy she has a crush on before she came to Salem, when she finally worked up the courage to tell him she liked him, he told her he was gay. Then Will tells her he's gay. She felt like there was something wrong with her, like she kept turning guys gay. Will politely told her she was ridiculous and he believed he made he realize she couldn't actually turn someone gay. Maybe she didn't though, maybe she felt like she could never be happy, would never be able to find a guy to love, who could actually love her back. When Nick came along, and showed interest in her, she took it, she over looked what he did in the past. Then when he started to become controlling and introducing her to alcohol and drugs she went along with it because she couldn't risk being alone again. Maybe she felt like she had to do everything and anything to keep a guy. His mother must have noticed something was wrong because when they were done with dinner she took him into the family room.

"What's wrong?" Sami asked looking at him in concern.

"I just have some stuff on my mind. I'm fine mom."

"William Horton, don't you lie to me. You are not fine, you barely touched your food, and have spoken about 10 words in the last two hours. Tell me what's bothering you."

"Ari got in a fight at school today."

"What?"

"She's fine now. She was really upset tough and it's my fault."

"Your fault?"

"I make her life harder mom. If I were straight she would have it so much easier."

"How would that make her life easier?"

"Because then maybe Gabi would have stayed. She would have a real family."

"Gabi leaving had nothing to do with you. She left because she is a crack whore who would rather be with a murderer then raise her own daughter."

"MOM!"

"It's true. You know how I feel about Gabi, and now you're blaming yourself for her leaving. You are doing everything you can to provide for Ari. She is a happy, and healthy young lady. She may get upset from time to time and act out. It's normal every child does it, weather they have both parents, one parent, straight or gay, it's still going to happen."

"I understand that, but she is going to face discrimination over having a gay father, when it's not something she can control. I don't want my daughter to have to go through that."

"Will, there are a lot of ignorant people in the world. Sure Ari may experience some of that ignorance because your gay, but she could also experience it because she's a women, because she some Hispanic in her. Unfortunately there are so many things that can cause discrimination." Will just stared at his mother he knew what she was saying was true, but he couldn't get rid of the guilt he was feeling. "How about you let Ari sleep here tonight. You could have a nice quiet night at home, sometimes parents need a break."

"It's a school night."

"I could take her in the morning, it's only across the street from Sydney's school. Plus I have a few new outfits I bought for her she can wear one of them tomorrow."

"Thanks for the offer mom, but I don't think..."

"Ari, how would you like to sleep over tonight?" Sami called to Ari as she left Will and walked into the room where the kids were playing.

"Mom!" Will yelled following her.

"Yes! That is awesome!" Ari said jumping up and down in her seat on the couch.

"Do you want to tell her no?" Sami whispered leaning into Will's side.

So that night Will was left alone with his thoughts. He still couldn't stop blaming himself for Ari being upset. He knew what his mother said was true but for some reason he couldn't make it change the way he was feeling. Ari was upset because she didn't have a mother and since he was gay she never would, so ultimately it was his fault. He knew he didn't choose to be gay and couldn't change it but wished there was something that could make it easier. If only he tried harder with Gabi. If he was able to convince her to change, to stay. He knew it was her and Nick's choice to leave but maybe he could have done more. He was siting at home drinking by himself, not something he would normally do but he needed to escape for a while. He was getting a good buzz going on when his doorbell rang. He wasn't expecting anyone, no one ever just showed up. He was confused when he opened the door to find Abby there.

"What are you doing here?" Will asked leaving the door open as he walked back over to his seat on the couch.

"Your mom called. She didn't explain what was going on but said you could use a friend."

"What I could actually use is another beer." Will said shaking his empty bottle back and forth. "Let's go out."

"I don't think you need anymore beer Will. What's wrong? Talk to me." Abby asked sitting on the couch next to him.

"I don't want to talk right now. I just want to get away for a little. Please Abby." Will begged.

"I don't know Will."

"Please Abby. Let's go out. We had so much fun last time. I barely ever just get to let go. I need this."

"You could escape tonight, but whatever is bothering you will be there tomorrow."

"So let's deal with it tomorrow and just pretend it doesn't exist tonight."

"I don't think this is a good idea."

"Well I don't think it's a good idea that you stay then." Will said getting up and walking to the door.

"I don't think you should be alone though. I'm going to go against my better judgment here and take you out, but tomorrow you need to tell me what's bothering you."

"I will. I promise."

"Ok were do you want to go? TBD?"

"No!" Will yelled. "I don't want to risk running into Sonny tonight."

"Why? I thought you really liked him."

"I do Abby. So much, and I don't want to risk scaring him away."

"I don't think that would happen."

"Please Abby just somewhere else."

"Fine. We can go to JP's then."

"Yes! Sounds good."

They've been a JP for a while now and Will's phone has rung twice, 2 missed calls from Sonny and a text.

Is everything alright? Haven't heard from you tonight. Call me or text me when you can.-S

He felt bad for ignoring him but couldn't even try to talk to him now. He didn't want to load all his problems on Sonny so early in their relationship, if it even was one. They still hadn't said what they were, they've known each other for less then a week. Will didn't want to risk scaring sonny off before anything even started. He just didn't want to think about anything right now, he just wanted to get drunk and dance. So that's what he was doing, he had a drink in hand and was swaying on the dance floor. Abby had left him to go to the bathroom only minutes ago but of course like any bar there was a line out the door for the women's room, so he knew she was going to be gone a while. Suddenly he felt two hands on his hips and a strong tall body pushed up against him from behind. He didn't mind tough he kept dancing without even looking to see who it was. He just kept dancing until the song ended and then moved to walk away and fill his drink, when he felt the hands pull him back. He turned around to find Dante behind him smiling.

"Two days in a row, it must be fate." Dante said leaning into speak in Will's ear.

"I would say more like a small town." Will said back and turned to walk to the bar, but Dante followed him.

"Let me buy you a drink."

"No."

"Come on Will, for old times sake."

"Fine but not because I liked the old times, but because I feel you owe me one for all the shit I put up with."

"Come on it wasn't all bad." Dante said giving him a cocky smile, Will just shook his head and ordered his drink. One drink turned into two, and then two turned into four. Abby had come over at some point, and begged Will to come home with her. She had work in the morning and couldn't stay out late, but Will declined. He was having a good time, it was still early, and he was forgetting what had him so upset in the first place. She tried telling him it was a bad idea being with Dante but Will assured her nothing would happen, they were just talking. He promised he would get a cab, and make sure it took him to his house alone.

"Do you remember that weekend we spent at the Green Mountain Lodge?" Dante asked laughing

"The one where I got drunk off wine colors, and jumped in the pool naked at 4 o'clock in the afternoon?" Will asked

"Yes! I still can't believe you did that!"

"The water looked refreshing and I didn't want to go back to the room for my swim trunks."

"That was a great weekend."

"We were banned to our room."

"At least they didn't kick us out entirely and if I remember correctly we had an amazing time that night." Dante winked at him.

"I don't think we should be talking about." Will said turning away from Dante and towards the bar.

"Come one Will. You know it's true, every time was amazing." Dante said grabbing his hand.

"Dante.." Will started

"So this is why you have ignored me?" Came a familiar voice behind Will, he turned to see Sonny standing there. He looked pissed, and Will could understand why.

"Sonny, I...this...he..." Will stumbled on his words trying to explain the situation.

"Don't" Sonny said, and turned to walk away, Will chased after him and finally caught up outside in the parking lot, he grabbed Sonny's arm and spun him around.

"Wait, please. I could explain." Will begged

"Explain to me why my boyfriend has ignored me all night and I find him at bar with his ex, who was all over you by the way."

"Boyfriend?" Will asked

"Well, yea I mean...that's not the point right now."

"I want that Sonny. I want that so bad. I want to be your boyfriend." Will said.

"You have a funny way of showing it."

"This, it was nothing. I just...I needed a break, and I came here with Abby. Dante just showed up and I don't know why I was hanging out with him. Nothing was going to happen, I hate him Sonny. I was just so upset today."

"Upset about what?" Sonny asked finally moving closer to him and grabbing his hand. "If you were upset why didn't you come to me? Why seek comfort from an ex?"

"It wasn't comfort Sonny. He was getting me drunk, making me forget. I just wanted to forget." Will whispered tears falling from his cheeks.

"Forget what?" Sonny asked pulling him into a hug. "Baby what's wrong?"

"I...I'm a horrible father." Will sobbed into Sonny's shoulder.

Thank you all so much for the reviews, favorites, follows, and private messages. :)