THAT SPECIAL TOUCH - Chapter 5
THAT SPECIAL TOUCH - 5
Title: That Special Touch
Written By: shadownyc
Timeline: Autumn 2015
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Some angst
Beta: None at this time
Summary: Sonny returns home with a sadness he can't imagine; can anything help?
“Ari, having you with me is the best. It still hurts so much thinking I might have left this world and abandoned you. You’re my angel. I just hope I can go home with you when you and Grandma Marlena head back to Salem in three days.” Sonny wasn’t sure if he should feel guilty for eavesdropping at the bedroom door. It broke his heart to think they might not be able to return with Ariana and Marlena. It broke his heart even more to think he had voluntarily abandoned Ari when he left for Paris.
Although he knew chastising himself over and over wouldn’t solve anything, Sonny couldn’t help blaming himself for contributing to Will being unprotected when he was attacked. He imagined Will must have felt the same way when Sonny was attacked almost ten months earlier.
“Are they okay in there?” Sonny nearly jumped when Marlena walked up behind him and whispered in his ear. “I’m sorry if I startled you.”
Sonny walked away from the bedroom door with Marlena so he could talk with her candidly. “It’s okay. I probably shouldn’t have been listening during Will’s quiet time with Ari.”
“You’re worried about him. It’s understandable.” Sonny appreciated how supportive and nonjudgemental Marlena continued to be.
“He’s getting frustrated because he still hasn’t remembered what happened to him.”
“Sonny, I’ve told Will, and I’ll tell you, this isn’t like the movies. Hypnotherapy can take time. Sometimes memories come back quickly, sometimes they don’t. Depending on the degree of the trauma there are times memories never return and there are times unexpected triggers will set the memories flooding back.”
“Marlena, have you told Will he may never regain his memory of the attack?” Sonny didn’t want Will to lose all hope so soon in the process.
“No, but I will if we don’t make any progress soon. I wouldn’t keep any of my patients in the dark and I certainly wouldn’t want to mislead my grandson.”
Sonny nodded. “I know. I love him so much and don’t want him to suffer anymore disappointments or pain.”
“I guess if we can say anything good came out of all this, it’s that you and Will are finally back the way you should be.”
“We’ll probably be better once the stress of the attempted murder can finally be put behind us and we can return to Salem.”
“I’m sure you’re right.” Marlena smiled.
Will and Ari walked into the living room. “Let me guess; you two weren’t talk about the sunset over Sacre Coeur.”
“Will.” Sonny tilted his head.
“It’s okay, Sonny. I know I’m too impatient.”
Marlena looked at Will. “You’re trying too hard and putting too much pressure on yourself.”
“I know, but I can’t help it. I want to recover my memories so badly. I want to be with my daughter, return to Gabi, let Mom know she still has four kids who are all alive.” Will sat on the sofa and bent in half, covering his face with his hands.
Sonny sat next to Will and cautiously placed his arm around him, drawing him close, hoping to comfort the husband he was so grateful to still have in his life.
“Will, why don’t we let Sonny feed Ariana and get her ready for bed.” Marlena sat on the chair adjacent to the sofa. Ari walked over to Will.
“Daddy.” She held her arms out to Will.
“Daddy is going to have an important talk with Grandma Marlena. Can I give you dinner, sweetheart?”
“Daddy Sonny.” Ari held her arms out to Sonny. He picked her up and held her close, kissing the top of her head.
“I love you so much, Ari. Let’s go get you some dinner.” Sonny walked over to the kitchenette area. While he didn’t interrupt, Sonny listened carefully as Marlena began another session with Will.
Each therapy session began with Will leaning back on the sofa and closing his eyes. Marlena would speak softly and slowly, confirming Will was relaxed. Marlena would guide Will to think of something he did remember from the day of his attempted murder. On this occasion she took another approach.
“Will, I want you to completely relax.”
Sonny glanced at Will as he cut up a piece of chicken for Ariana. Will’s eyes were closed and Sonny could see him breathing more evenly.
Marlena continued her quiet instructions to Will. “I want you to think of something that makes you happy. Imagine the most beautiful experience.”
A smile spread across Will’s face. It was so broad Sonny could see it from the other side of the main room of their large suite.
“Did you have the opportunity to think about this ideal experience during the day you were attacked?”
Sonny sat near Ari as she skillfully used her chunky toddler fork to pick up each bite of her dinner and put it in her mouth, frequently pausing to take a sip of milk from her sippy cup. Sonny made sure to direct his chair so he was facing the living room area.
“Sonny’s holding Ari. We’re taking a new family picture. It’s a dream, if he forgives me.”
A pang of guilt hit Sonny hard, once again.
Sonny noticed Will’s breathing begin to come faster. “Sonny, Ari, Sonny, Ari. Can’t leave them without saying goodbye!”
The agitation in Will’s voice was evident. Sonny watched as Will reached for his own shirt collar and gripped tightly.
“Sonny, Ari - don’t want to leave you. I love you both.” Will started to choke. “Please, please!”
“Will, stop.” Marlena’s voice was quiet, yet firm. “Will, you’re safe and with Sonny and Ariana. I’m going to count to three and when I do you’ll wake up and retain all you’ve remembered, and you’ll know you are in a safe place with people who love you.” Marlena leaned close to Will and counted to three.
Will released the grip he had on his collar and his eyes fluttered open. Sonny stepped away from Ari’s highchair as she happily continued slowly eating her dinner.
“Will, honey, it’s Grandma. I’m right here.”
“Oh God!” Tears began streaming down Will’s cheeks. “I thought he was my friend. He said he was but then I found a red necktie.”
Will stood up and ran into Sonny’s arms. Sonny held Will tighter than he thought possible. “I’m here, Will. We’re together.”
“I thought I’d never be with you or Ari again. He was choking me with the tie I found in his trash. He knew I figured it out and he killed me, or at least tried to kill me.”
Sonny wasn’t sure he wanted to know but dared to whisper in Will’s ear. “So it was our supposed best friend, Chad?” He hated to think Chad could actually have done this.
“It’s Ben. He’d just asked me to be his best man a few days before, but when I found the tie and saw how he behaved when I handed it to him, Ben knew I was onto him.”
Will clung to Sonny and Sonny returned the embrace. After a minute, Sonny took a small step back and looked at Marlena. “Is Chad still in jail?”
Marlena nodded. “He was denied bail as a flight risk.”
Sonny watched as Will’s face became pale and his eyes widened. “Abigail! Sonny, Abigail is living with that murdering bastard. We have to warn her.”
Sonny glanced from Will to Marlena, knowing they had to proceed with caution so as not to alarm Abigail and put her and her unborn child in immediate danger. “Listen, Will, Ben loves Abigail. My guess is this was all about wanting to get Chad out of the picture. It’s a sick, twisted plan, but that’s what I’m guessing. I have an idea, if you’re willing to help, Marlena.”
“Of course, Sonny. And then I think we need to contact Lucas and fill him in so he can speak to Rafe and your father. Then they can arrange to take the right person into custody.”
After sharing his idea with Marlena she quickly made the first of her phone calls to Salem.
Will laced his fingers with Sonny’s as the two watched Marlena call Jennifer.
“Hi Jennifer, it’s Marlena.”
…
“Yes, I’m with Ariana and we’re visiting Sonny.”
…
“That’s right. I have a very important request and I need you to agree to do it without asking any questions. Jennifer, you need to tell Abigail you need her at home. You can tell her you’re having unusual migraines or anything that would warrant her staying with you. Do not, I repeat, do not let Ben visit while she’s with you.”
…
“I know it’s a strange request, but will you do as I ask?”
…
“Good. I’ll be home tomorrow and fill you in on everything.” Marlena disconnected and looked at Sonny and Will. “That’s one, now to call Lucas so he can contact Rafe.” Marlena looked toward the kitchenette. “I suggest you boys clean up your daughter and get to packing as much as you can so we can get on the Titan jet as soon as Victor can arrange for it to arrive.”
Nodding, Sonny got on the phone to call Uncle Victor and Will approached Ariana to clean her up, take her out of her highchair, and get her, and her luggage, prepared for the journey home.
*****
Everyone fastened their seatbelts as the Titan jet prepared for take-off. “I’m glad Dad was having coffee with Grandpa Roman and Rafe at the pub, when you called.”
Marlena smiled. “It was lucky. They were going to head over to the police station en masse and tell Justin what was going on and get a warrant for Ben’s arrest as soon as possible while expediting Chad’s release.”
“Grandma, I never had a chance to thank you. Everything happened so fast once I remembered, but none of this could’ve happened without your help.”
“I’m glad I could help, honey. Now let’s get home so you and Ari can resume your life.”
Will bit his lip for a moment. “My life, right.” He turned toward Sonny, who was sitting next to Ariana.
“Will.” Sonny knew it was time to step up and start making up for past choices. “Someone recently pointed out to me that I have a habit of running when things get to be too much. I’m done doing that. We still have some issues to work out, but I know we can do it together.”
Taking a deep breath, Will squared his shoulders. “I don’t want you to feel trapped by guilt or some cockeyed sense of indebtedness. Paul is staying in Salem. I love you with all my heart, Sonny, but I won’t get in your way. Take all the time you want to make your decision.”
Sonny felt a sharp pain seeing how his behavior prior to Will’s attack would have led him to believe he could possibly want anyone but Will. It was time for him to make his feelings known. “I don’t need any time. I’m with my husband who I love more than anyone in the entire world. I can’t imagine spending another day without living with you and Ariana.”
Sonny could see Will was uncertain so Sonny took the opportunity to say the words he should have said at least six months earlier. “I should have said this when you first asked but I was overwhelmed with a feeling of betrayal. I’m not anymore and I don’t want to hurt any of us again. I love the memories of what Paul and I had for one special year, but he will never be more than a former boyfriend or current friend. I’m deeply and eternally in love with the man I married; with you, Will.”
Will drew Sonny in for a long, passionate kiss. The two became lost in one another until they heard Marlena clearing her throat rather loudly. “I think Sonny made himself quite clear, Will. What do you think?”
Smiling, Will looked into Sonny’s eyes. “I’ll never give you reason to doubt me again. I promise.”
“I believe you, and I won’t give you reason to doubt me either.”
“Well, boys, let’s get home, set Salem back on the right track, and keep our families safe.”
[TBC]
Title: That Special Touch
Written By: shadownyc
Timeline: Autumn 2015
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Some angst
Beta: None at this time
Summary: Sonny returns home with a sadness he can't imagine; can anything help?
“Ari, having you with me is the best. It still hurts so much thinking I might have left this world and abandoned you. You’re my angel. I just hope I can go home with you when you and Grandma Marlena head back to Salem in three days.” Sonny wasn’t sure if he should feel guilty for eavesdropping at the bedroom door. It broke his heart to think they might not be able to return with Ariana and Marlena. It broke his heart even more to think he had voluntarily abandoned Ari when he left for Paris.
Although he knew chastising himself over and over wouldn’t solve anything, Sonny couldn’t help blaming himself for contributing to Will being unprotected when he was attacked. He imagined Will must have felt the same way when Sonny was attacked almost ten months earlier.
“Are they okay in there?” Sonny nearly jumped when Marlena walked up behind him and whispered in his ear. “I’m sorry if I startled you.”
Sonny walked away from the bedroom door with Marlena so he could talk with her candidly. “It’s okay. I probably shouldn’t have been listening during Will’s quiet time with Ari.”
“You’re worried about him. It’s understandable.” Sonny appreciated how supportive and nonjudgemental Marlena continued to be.
“He’s getting frustrated because he still hasn’t remembered what happened to him.”
“Sonny, I’ve told Will, and I’ll tell you, this isn’t like the movies. Hypnotherapy can take time. Sometimes memories come back quickly, sometimes they don’t. Depending on the degree of the trauma there are times memories never return and there are times unexpected triggers will set the memories flooding back.”
“Marlena, have you told Will he may never regain his memory of the attack?” Sonny didn’t want Will to lose all hope so soon in the process.
“No, but I will if we don’t make any progress soon. I wouldn’t keep any of my patients in the dark and I certainly wouldn’t want to mislead my grandson.”
Sonny nodded. “I know. I love him so much and don’t want him to suffer anymore disappointments or pain.”
“I guess if we can say anything good came out of all this, it’s that you and Will are finally back the way you should be.”
“We’ll probably be better once the stress of the attempted murder can finally be put behind us and we can return to Salem.”
“I’m sure you’re right.” Marlena smiled.
Will and Ari walked into the living room. “Let me guess; you two weren’t talk about the sunset over Sacre Coeur.”
“Will.” Sonny tilted his head.
“It’s okay, Sonny. I know I’m too impatient.”
Marlena looked at Will. “You’re trying too hard and putting too much pressure on yourself.”
“I know, but I can’t help it. I want to recover my memories so badly. I want to be with my daughter, return to Gabi, let Mom know she still has four kids who are all alive.” Will sat on the sofa and bent in half, covering his face with his hands.
Sonny sat next to Will and cautiously placed his arm around him, drawing him close, hoping to comfort the husband he was so grateful to still have in his life.
“Will, why don’t we let Sonny feed Ariana and get her ready for bed.” Marlena sat on the chair adjacent to the sofa. Ari walked over to Will.
“Daddy.” She held her arms out to Will.
“Daddy is going to have an important talk with Grandma Marlena. Can I give you dinner, sweetheart?”
“Daddy Sonny.” Ari held her arms out to Sonny. He picked her up and held her close, kissing the top of her head.
“I love you so much, Ari. Let’s go get you some dinner.” Sonny walked over to the kitchenette area. While he didn’t interrupt, Sonny listened carefully as Marlena began another session with Will.
Each therapy session began with Will leaning back on the sofa and closing his eyes. Marlena would speak softly and slowly, confirming Will was relaxed. Marlena would guide Will to think of something he did remember from the day of his attempted murder. On this occasion she took another approach.
“Will, I want you to completely relax.”
Sonny glanced at Will as he cut up a piece of chicken for Ariana. Will’s eyes were closed and Sonny could see him breathing more evenly.
Marlena continued her quiet instructions to Will. “I want you to think of something that makes you happy. Imagine the most beautiful experience.”
A smile spread across Will’s face. It was so broad Sonny could see it from the other side of the main room of their large suite.
“Did you have the opportunity to think about this ideal experience during the day you were attacked?”
Sonny sat near Ari as she skillfully used her chunky toddler fork to pick up each bite of her dinner and put it in her mouth, frequently pausing to take a sip of milk from her sippy cup. Sonny made sure to direct his chair so he was facing the living room area.
“Sonny’s holding Ari. We’re taking a new family picture. It’s a dream, if he forgives me.”
A pang of guilt hit Sonny hard, once again.
Sonny noticed Will’s breathing begin to come faster. “Sonny, Ari, Sonny, Ari. Can’t leave them without saying goodbye!”
The agitation in Will’s voice was evident. Sonny watched as Will reached for his own shirt collar and gripped tightly.
“Sonny, Ari - don’t want to leave you. I love you both.” Will started to choke. “Please, please!”
“Will, stop.” Marlena’s voice was quiet, yet firm. “Will, you’re safe and with Sonny and Ariana. I’m going to count to three and when I do you’ll wake up and retain all you’ve remembered, and you’ll know you are in a safe place with people who love you.” Marlena leaned close to Will and counted to three.
Will released the grip he had on his collar and his eyes fluttered open. Sonny stepped away from Ari’s highchair as she happily continued slowly eating her dinner.
“Will, honey, it’s Grandma. I’m right here.”
“Oh God!” Tears began streaming down Will’s cheeks. “I thought he was my friend. He said he was but then I found a red necktie.”
Will stood up and ran into Sonny’s arms. Sonny held Will tighter than he thought possible. “I’m here, Will. We’re together.”
“I thought I’d never be with you or Ari again. He was choking me with the tie I found in his trash. He knew I figured it out and he killed me, or at least tried to kill me.”
Sonny wasn’t sure he wanted to know but dared to whisper in Will’s ear. “So it was our supposed best friend, Chad?” He hated to think Chad could actually have done this.
“It’s Ben. He’d just asked me to be his best man a few days before, but when I found the tie and saw how he behaved when I handed it to him, Ben knew I was onto him.”
Will clung to Sonny and Sonny returned the embrace. After a minute, Sonny took a small step back and looked at Marlena. “Is Chad still in jail?”
Marlena nodded. “He was denied bail as a flight risk.”
Sonny watched as Will’s face became pale and his eyes widened. “Abigail! Sonny, Abigail is living with that murdering bastard. We have to warn her.”
Sonny glanced from Will to Marlena, knowing they had to proceed with caution so as not to alarm Abigail and put her and her unborn child in immediate danger. “Listen, Will, Ben loves Abigail. My guess is this was all about wanting to get Chad out of the picture. It’s a sick, twisted plan, but that’s what I’m guessing. I have an idea, if you’re willing to help, Marlena.”
“Of course, Sonny. And then I think we need to contact Lucas and fill him in so he can speak to Rafe and your father. Then they can arrange to take the right person into custody.”
After sharing his idea with Marlena she quickly made the first of her phone calls to Salem.
Will laced his fingers with Sonny’s as the two watched Marlena call Jennifer.
“Hi Jennifer, it’s Marlena.”
…
“Yes, I’m with Ariana and we’re visiting Sonny.”
…
“That’s right. I have a very important request and I need you to agree to do it without asking any questions. Jennifer, you need to tell Abigail you need her at home. You can tell her you’re having unusual migraines or anything that would warrant her staying with you. Do not, I repeat, do not let Ben visit while she’s with you.”
…
“I know it’s a strange request, but will you do as I ask?”
…
“Good. I’ll be home tomorrow and fill you in on everything.” Marlena disconnected and looked at Sonny and Will. “That’s one, now to call Lucas so he can contact Rafe.” Marlena looked toward the kitchenette. “I suggest you boys clean up your daughter and get to packing as much as you can so we can get on the Titan jet as soon as Victor can arrange for it to arrive.”
Nodding, Sonny got on the phone to call Uncle Victor and Will approached Ariana to clean her up, take her out of her highchair, and get her, and her luggage, prepared for the journey home.
*****
Everyone fastened their seatbelts as the Titan jet prepared for take-off. “I’m glad Dad was having coffee with Grandpa Roman and Rafe at the pub, when you called.”
Marlena smiled. “It was lucky. They were going to head over to the police station en masse and tell Justin what was going on and get a warrant for Ben’s arrest as soon as possible while expediting Chad’s release.”
“Grandma, I never had a chance to thank you. Everything happened so fast once I remembered, but none of this could’ve happened without your help.”
“I’m glad I could help, honey. Now let’s get home so you and Ari can resume your life.”
Will bit his lip for a moment. “My life, right.” He turned toward Sonny, who was sitting next to Ariana.
“Will.” Sonny knew it was time to step up and start making up for past choices. “Someone recently pointed out to me that I have a habit of running when things get to be too much. I’m done doing that. We still have some issues to work out, but I know we can do it together.”
Taking a deep breath, Will squared his shoulders. “I don’t want you to feel trapped by guilt or some cockeyed sense of indebtedness. Paul is staying in Salem. I love you with all my heart, Sonny, but I won’t get in your way. Take all the time you want to make your decision.”
Sonny felt a sharp pain seeing how his behavior prior to Will’s attack would have led him to believe he could possibly want anyone but Will. It was time for him to make his feelings known. “I don’t need any time. I’m with my husband who I love more than anyone in the entire world. I can’t imagine spending another day without living with you and Ariana.”
Sonny could see Will was uncertain so Sonny took the opportunity to say the words he should have said at least six months earlier. “I should have said this when you first asked but I was overwhelmed with a feeling of betrayal. I’m not anymore and I don’t want to hurt any of us again. I love the memories of what Paul and I had for one special year, but he will never be more than a former boyfriend or current friend. I’m deeply and eternally in love with the man I married; with you, Will.”
Will drew Sonny in for a long, passionate kiss. The two became lost in one another until they heard Marlena clearing her throat rather loudly. “I think Sonny made himself quite clear, Will. What do you think?”
Smiling, Will looked into Sonny’s eyes. “I’ll never give you reason to doubt me again. I promise.”
“I believe you, and I won’t give you reason to doubt me either.”
“Well, boys, let’s get home, set Salem back on the right track, and keep our families safe.”
[TBC]