Chapter Text
Ring of Silver – Chapter 3 (Secret... What Secret?)
Will wasn’t entirely sure on how the conversation came up at work with Maggie. But it wasn’t like he didn’t know that she was inquisitive by nature. For the most part he could ignore all the questions she had about his supposed wife. Somehow he was still able to keep most of the information from her. But the topic turned to his wedding, which he didn’t know why she had been thinking of it to start with. Was it because she had never been married? That she just wanted to know and was curious. Or maybe she was psychic and had managed to pick up on his reminiscing? It was hard to say.
"Did your dad even go to the wedding?" Maggie wanted to know. She already knew that Will wasn't on speaking terms with Jay. Which still floored her to this day. It just didn't make any sense and him not liking who he married?
Will had been entering some information into the tablet in front of him before glancing up.
"Huh?"
"Your dad? Did he go to the wedding?" Maggie repeated.
"He organized it." Will told her. "Well, the renewal of vows as he couldn't make it to New York but that was a courthouse wedding and we ended up having a proper ceremony here in Chicago."
“You didn’t have a proper wedding?!” Maggie was shocked.
Will’s scrunched his eyebrows in annoyance, “of course we did. It’s why we did it in Chicago for the renewal. But we wanted it as just us when I was living in New York. Some people just want to want it to be small and not so big ordeal.”
It was clear that the surprise made Maggie speechless.
Will didn’t see the big deal over it. It was by no means a big wedding but all the people he was friends with was there. That was if you didn’t include his brother, Jay.
“What did her wedding dress look like? Do you have pictures?” Maggie asked after she got over his slight shock.
Of course Will had pictures but that didn’t mean he was going to show anyone them.
"Will you just quit with the wife thing interrogation! I don't have a wife!" Will finally blurted. He was sick and tired of hearing, wife this and wife that! He was gay damn it! Even if he wasn't out at work, he hated hearing his husband being mislabelled.
"Will, you literally are wearing a wedding band on your left hand. Or do you just happen to wear that for the sake of it?"
"Just because I'm married doesn’t mean I have a wife." He scowled to himself before paling as he realized what he had just admitted to. Somehow forgetting he had said it twice, not just once. It was only that Maggie noticed the second time. "You didn't hear that."
"Oh, I think I did hear that." Maggie raised an eyebrow. "You kept that quiet, when do we get to meet your husband?"
Will shook his head, "I'm not talking about this." He was already starting to curse himself. It was the exact thing that happened with Reese, words had slipped out then too. When he couldn't take them back.
Maggie was the last person he really wanted to tell. She got too nosy sometimes. There was a reason why he kept work and his personal life separate. First she harasses him about his 'wife' and now that he's let it slip that he's married to a man she won't let that go either. It was honestly stressing him out a lot. He briefly wondered if this could classed as office place harassment? The only good part of right now was she wasn't reacting like Jay had.
"But Will—" Thankfully before Maggie could continue, they had an emergency patient.
He was immediately dragged away to hear the radio going off that wasn't too far away from Maggie.
It was a young woman that was currently 34 weeks pregnant and had been involved in an automobile accident. She had been flown in by a helicopter and it just so happened that Will was close enough to overhear the radio traffic. Her name was Cheryl Martin.
“Sorry, Maggie, you heard that, got a patient incoming,” Will commented, not looking apologetic. He hurried away, making sure that he had been one of the first to meet with the helicopter before being met with other doctors.
The patient was being occupied with her father, but it looked like he only suffered minor injuries.
Will ordered to have a CBC, type and screen, KB and coags after learning that her lugs were wet. Though at least the baby was doing fine for the moment. It wasn’t until the x-ray that they discovered her left hemothorax. He made the incision himself to insert the tube to get the blood out of her chest. That was before the order to get a CT scan.
That was when Will paged Connor after the scan was done.
“Looks like a rupture of the aorta, a pseudoaneurysm,” Connor confirmed, his eyes never strayed from the screen that was in front of him. It was everything Will already knew but it wasn’t bad to have another pair of eyes. Especially if they were to fix it, they needed a surgeon.
“I’m feeling there’s a but there, Connor,” Will interrupted.
Connor grinned despite the situation, “you would be correct. It’s currently leaking. She needs to go to the Cath lab to fix it.”
Will had to resist rolling his eyes when Natalie protested against the patient going to the Cath Lab because of the minimum radiation and the potential harm it could cause to the unborn child. He could understand the worry but there was a reason why precautions were in place and would be taken.
"Dr. Manning," Connor cut off. "I get you have concerns for the baby here. But you seem to have forgotten that not only do I have concerns for the child but the mother as well. Something that you should have as well as a doctor. Now, if you will excuse me. I need to check with her father." Seeing that Natalie didn’t have anything to say, he turned and left. He needed to get the patient ready.
It wasn’t until Connor had left that Natalie turned onto Will.
"How could you let him talk to me like that, Will?" She turned on him as soon as Connor and the patient were gone.
"What? like a fellow doctor?" Will shot back.
"Will! She can carry that baby to term! Everyone knows that Connor Rhodes likes to think he’s right when he’s not!" Natalie protested.
"Nat, I know you recently had your own baby. But this is a different situation, and you know it. You're letting your personal opinions affect your judgment. And Connor is the surgeon and so it is his call to make. And you don't work in OB or surgery. Your work in Emergency Medicine, same as me! So, maybe you came back from your leave too soon?"
With that, he got back to work, leaving her speechless behind him.
Will hadn't been lying when he went to go check on the father. He knew he had recently gone through surgery, one that Connor had assisted in. He had already no pulse once but seemed to be doing well for the moment. The last thing was for their over patient to be so worked up over her father when she needed to be focusing on herself and her baby.
There wasn't any surprise that while nobody was requiring any new emergencies, he slipped back to where Connor was. Prepping for the Cath Lab.
"What did she say this time?" Connor didn't even look back.
"What makes you think that she did?" Will shot back.
"This is the woman that thinks she's right and always had to have the last word. Want to try that again?"
Will rolled his eyes, knowing that Connor couldn't see that. Even if he was right.
"Same routine. That I'm sure she would prefer to have the scalpel in her hand. And yet... she isn't the surgeon making the call. You are."
"Is that a compliment I hear?" Connor turned to face him.
"Is that your ego I hear?" Will smirked.
"I'll show you my ego later, love."
"Ignoring that... But you'll be happy to know that your surgery for Ray Martin went well. And OB is standing by as precaution," Will reminded him.
As if the surgeon would ever forget his own words. But a reminder and confirmation had never hurt anybody yet.
“Now, I believe you had some lives to save,” Will grinned at him.
"Of course, I will."
It wasn’t until after the success of the placement of the stent that Will found Connor again. They did have to perform an emergency C-Section, but the patient and her newborn daughter were doing fine.
Though Will didn’t realize that he was talking way too fast for Connor to understand after he found him.
Connor ruffled his eyebrows together, "what are you trying to say, Will?"
Will's face tinted pink, not realizing how fast he was talking. No wonder Connor didn't understand a word.
"Maggie knows I'm married!" Will blurted out.
Connor chuckled at that, "Will... she's known that since Reese slipped that out. That's not news for us. Remember, she thinks you got the wife."
Will's blush got darker, "I know that. Uhhh... I mean she knows that I didn't marry a woman."
"Seeing that you aren't completely freaking out of me, her reaction wasn't bad."
Will glared at him, "I did not freak out."
Connor smirked, "Whatever you say dear. And let her guess then. She doesn't need to know who it is."
“You’re not shocked or even worried about that she may figure out that it’s you?” Will questioned.
“Not at all. Because I for one am married to a very attractive and fiery red head. Not to mention one who is a genius when it comes to medicine,” Connor grinned at him.
Will rolled his eyes at that, like it wasn’t the first time he ever heard it.
"No, listen to me Will." Connor held his face in his hands, forcing Will to look at him. "I'm not ashamed for it to known that I am your husband, Will. I love you and would shout it from the rooftop if you would let me. Sure, my dad might cause a bit of an issue but nothing we couldn't deal with."
"I'm not ashamed of you." Was the first thing out of Will's mouth in response before he continued. "But, you're right. Whatever happens, we'll work through it. Together."
"Together." Connor echoed before stepping back. "Now, go check on our patients."
Will was a bit surprised when he went to see how Ray and Cheryl were doing and saw a familiar face.
“Kelly? I didn’t hear anything about an emergency with the Fire Department,” Will said to him. Unaware of the heads turning in his direction.
“Responded to call and one of my guys got too close to a bullet,” Kelly turned to Will.
"Kelly, did you know that Will was married?" Maggie suddenly asked.
Will groaned at that, of course she would try to ask someone that knew him longer than her.
Kelly shrugged before grinning at Will, "still attached to the hip, I see? Now, what would you have done if you didn't listen to me?"
"Would have had a life of quiet for one," Will shot back with a grin. "And he’s good, thanks for asking. But for your ego, yes, I will agree that you were right." The last part, Will had retorted dryly. “But I’m sure that you didn’t stop by the ED to chat.”
"Hey, speaking of your other half. I heard that he was the one that dealt with Hermann when he first came in."
"Hermann is just fine, thought it was police that was supposed to deal with bullets, not Firefighters," Will raised an eyebrow at him.
"Accidents happen," Kelly shrugged. "Do you know where Connor is, so I can get a more in-depth update than 'fine'?"
"I do but you'll talk to him when he finds you. Not before, remember? And don't complain if he tells you the same thing. You may be the Chief, but Hermann is still the patient."
"Fine." Kelly was totally pouting but he would hit Will if he pointed that out.
Will rolled his eyes before smirking, "don't let the nurses grill you too badly."
He didn’t really intend to find Connor until the end of his shift, he had already told him the surgery had gone fine. That had been that morning, granted he hadn’t exactly known who the patient was at the time. The bullet had been a through and through, he had to stop the bleeding. He had seen Atwater that morning, which was much better than seeing Jay. But he had been long gone since he had been dealing with their pregnant patient at the time.
His husband could deal with Kelly if he wanted. Those were questions that mostly Connor would have to answer anyway, since he performed the surgery. He just knew that Kelly would probably say some remark that he would probably be living in regret if he hadn't listened to him. The man could be full of himself sometimes. So it was for the best to send him onto Connor to avoid that. He had already made the bloke his best man at his wedding, did he really have to keep rubbing it in that he was right? Maybe the next time he brings it Will would tell him to start a match making agency instead of being a firefighter as it was clearly his true calling. Maybe that would make him shut up.
Don't get him wrong, he had been there when his own brother hadn't been. So, there was a strong friendship between them despite their different professions. He wasn't going to admit that though. Kelly already had enough of a booster when he found out not only had he agreed to go out with Connor at the time, but it had turned into a long-term relationship as well. He would have been an idiot not to ask him when they had the actual wedding in Chicago, as Connor liked to remind him at the time. And if there had been anyone that had known about them, it had been Kelly. And that was before it had come out to Chicago Med on who he was married to.
"Wait, you knew that our Dr. Halstead was married?" He overheard Maggie talking to Kelly after the two of them had left Will to his work.
"Yeah, you could even say that I was instrumental in getting him and his partner together."
He didn’t pay much more attention to that since he had to lecture a medical student about performing any kind of operations without the express consent of a doctor. He doubted this one would last, probably would earn a black mark on his record before he even graduated medical school.
Maybe he should have because he knew eventually that Maggie may figure it out. Maybe months or years, not at the end of the shift. Which meant everyone was there.
So, of course he had to be cornered by her in the staff room while they were getting ready to leave at the end of their shifts.
"Will, you could have just told us. We wouldn't think any less of you," Maggie places a hand on his shoulder.
"Maggie," Connor tried to warn her off.
"Connor, just wait a minute, okay?" Maggie tells him.
Connor didn't look happy about it but nodded.
"Honey, you married Connor and we are happy for you. Some of us just wished you could have trusted us with this. None of us are judging you for who you married. Besides the few that wished we got there first," Maggie grinned at him.
"Maggie, none of this is you. We have had bad reactions before," Connor told her.
"Jay..." Maggie realized. "He said that Jay didn't speak to him anymore. That he didn't approve of who he married... That's why..." Maggie brought her hands to her mouth.
Connor just nodded grimly.
"They haven't spoken in years. Not since... since Will told him," Connor glanced at him. "We just don't want that happening again. It's hard to say how someone will react."
Will hadn't been saying much, just mostly listening to Maggie and Connor talk. He wasn't too thrilled that this is how his secret came out. He still felt beyond exhausted and looked it too. Though, he supposed that the largest part of the secret had already gotten loose earlier. Still he had clung to keeping the identity of his husband a secret, maybe he was in a way trying to protect Connor despite the man not needing it. Still, now that the whole secret was out...he felt off balanced.
"Sorry, Maggie," he muttered.
"Oh, it's not your fault, I totally understand now." She patted his hand softly.
Connor wrapped his arm around his waist, "your family doesn't have to be blood, Will. Sound familiar?"
Will let out a faint grin before pointing out, "yeah but I'm sure they aren't your father either."
"Hey, your dad really supports us, remember the coffee toffee and scotch? One out of two ain't bad." He teased gently.
Will rolled his eyes, "that's because he likes you better."
"Nah, he loves you most really." Connor nudged him with a lifted eyebrow.
Will snorted, "cause I happened to get married first and realized he wasn't as much of an asshole than when I was 18."
"See, he loves you the most." He teased him and then lifted his hand to kiss his ring finger. "But I love you more."
Will shook his head, "he certainly seemed to accept more of me being a doctor now."
Maggie made a small aww sound.
"Maggie, come on, really?" Will gave her a deadpan look.
"What? Married is a good look on you," she defended herself.
"It’s the same look that I’ve had for the past four years." He replied dryly,
Connor snickered, "I think she means that you're more relaxed about it now. You may not have Jay, but you still have everyone here. And not just me because I'm the selfish bastard that got to marry you."
Will pushed his husband away, he could already feel the blush on his face. "Let’s get back to work, patients to see, lives to save." All the while his ears were bright red.
"Does your dad even know you're married?" Doris asked after Maggie had finished her little speech.
"I sent him an email." Connor shrugged.
"Wait what?" Will turned his head so fast he almost got whiplash. "You told your dad in an email?"
"He sent us the fruit basket we got a few weeks ago."
"That was from him?"
“Well, it wasn’t going to be from your dad. I get better gifts from him than my own father. And he hasn’t forgotten you saved his life.”
"Then, why is there only stuff for you?" Will pouted as he recalled the last thing his own dad had sent.
"Your dad loves me the most,” Connor grinned at him. "And maybe he agrees that your taste in beer is disgusting," he teased.
Will rolled his eyes.
There were worst ways to end a shift at work but today wasn’t bad. Considering that now his secret was out. That not only was his married but to another man. To another doctor, a surgeon. To Connor.