New Addition

Chapter 14

Reid stood in the corner eating his second sandwich as the extended Snyder clan, the entire Hughes family, along with a wide array of assorted friends, hovered over Luke and the babies.  The little rugrats were really kind of easy on the eyes, and when they weren’t screaming like Banshees at two o’clock in the morning, they could be pretty damn great to have around.

In the far corner, closest to the kitchen, Reid noticed Casey and Allison.  They seemed to be talking peacefully so he didn’t approach them, or Aaron, to ask why Allison crashed the private celebration. 

“You’re joking!  How dare you ask for one damn penny!” 

All eyes turned toward Casey.  His eyes were wide and he slapped his hand over his mouth.  “Sorry, everyone.  I didn’t realize how loud I’d gotten.”

Grabbing Allison’s sleeve, he guided her through the doorway leading to the kitchen, clearly unaware Reid was keeping a watchful eye.  No one was going to ruin this day for Luke if Reid could help it.  On his way toward the kitchen, Reid planted a kiss on each baby’s forehead and then one on Luke’s lips.  He squeezed Ethan’s shoulder.  “I need more mustard.  Be back in a minute.”

Once he entered the kitchen, Reid didn’t need to press a stethoscope to the door to hear the discordant sounds emanating from the porch. 

“I’m not giving you any money for that gremlin you’re carrying.  You want money, talk to the kid’s father; he’s right inside.”

“But you’re still my husband.  You should be helping to support me, and that includes helping to pay the rent.”

“Is that what you think?  Well, fortunately, not only am I a lawyer, but so is Tom.  Not much chance of you selling that theory to either of us.  You’re just lucky I don’t want to throw you out of the apartment.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I could just as easily live there as you, but I’m perfectly happy staying with my parents until--”

“Until when?  Until you move in with the new doctor in your life?”  Allison’s voice took on a nasty tone.  “Did you get so jealous of Luke and Noah that you had to go and find a doctor of your own, or were you just drunk enough not to care whether it was a man or a woman?”

“Considering you’re halfway to having Aaron’s spawn, I’d be careful where you throw accusations.”

“You know how sorry I am about this.”

“You’re so sorry about your actions that you never even considered what they might to do me, or us.  You just went ahead and screwed around behind my back -- without protection!”

“It’s not like it was planned!”

“You’re about to become a fucking doctor yourself.  You know the risks.  Any idea how painful it is to be getting tested, and having to repeat the process two more times, to make sure my soon-to-be ex-wife didn’t infect me with something!”

Reid lowered his head.  He’d known Casey would have to be tested, but hearing the pain in his voice associated with such betrayal, and its inevitable fallout, got to him more than Reid expected it would.  He and Luke hadn’t needed to invest in condoms in years, and he was grateful for the trust and love they had built between them.

“At least Jason understands, and is willing to wait for both of us to be ready for something more.  And believe me, sex with him is far more exciting and spontaneous than it’s been with you for years!”

Ouch.  Young Mr. Hughes can sling them when he’s pissed off.

“Now get the hell out of here before you ruin the celebration for Luke, Reid, and the rest of the family.”

“I notice Luke didn’t pick you to be a godfather.  I thought you and he were lifelong friends.  You were trumped by Noah.  Is that why you’re trying out the gay thing, to get Luke’s attention again?”

Zing.  The soon-to-be next Dr. Stewart could also hit where it hurts, but Reid didn’t like the direction the conversation was heading.

“I’m living with my mother.  How could Luke and Reid ask me to support a kid if something should happen to them?  And when did you become so mean-spirited and petty?  I genuinely care about Jason; and if you plan to stay in Oakdale you’d better get used to seeing us together.”

Jason and Aaron both entered the kitchen.  It didn’t take Reid’s genius to figure out they’d both realized how long their other halves had been absent.

“You can’t possibly care about Jason that much.  He’s only been in your life a few weeks.”

“It may take you and Aaron decades to figure out what you really want, but once I finally found him, I knew.”

“Knew what?”  After no response from Casey, Allison spoke louder.  “Knew what, Casey?  What did you know about Jason?”

“I know.”  Casey chuckled.

“What’s so funny?”

“I love him.  Shit!  I really love him in a way I never felt with you or anyone else.  Sorry, Ally.”

Jason’s eyes widened and Reid nearly dropped the mustard jar he had grabbed from the refrigerator to make his journey into the kitchen look legitimate.  What was it about Luke and his friends?  The first time they ever really declared their love they weren’t with the right person.  He snorted, but it went unnoticed as Jason, with Aaron close behind, opened the door to the porch, both men moving out to join Casey and Allison.

“Ally, let’s go back to your apartment.  We have a lot to talk about.”  Reid was pleased to finally hear some wise words from Luke’s wayward brother.

After the porch door banged shut, Reid quietly moved toward the living room, but not before he heard more than he bargained for. 

“I love you too, Casey.  I know it’s only been a few weeks, but I know I love you too.”

“I’m sorry you had to hear it that way.”

“It doesn’t matter.  I heard enough to know what happened.”

“Jason, you asked me if I wanted to move into your place a couple of weeks ago.  We both know this is crazy, and happening way too fast, but I’m sick of waiting for the right amount of time to do what makes me, us, happy.  Is the offer still open?”

Reid heard the undeniable sound of jingling of keys.

“Here.  I’ve been hoping you’d bring it up again.  I’ve been waiting to give these to you.  I made copies of my apartment keys right after the first week we started dating.  I told you I knew.”

Hearing no further words, Reid glanced out the kitchen window.  Casey and Jason were holding each other in a tight embrace, their lips locked with no hope of separation, even surgically.  Yep, another one of his doctors bit the dust.

Taking the mustard with him, Reid returned to the living room to find Lucinda burping Bobby and Miriam burping Miri.  He hoped plenty of pictures had been taken because Reid was convinced it was a sight that wouldn’t be repeated again.

Katie moved next to Reid and put her arm around him.  She whispered into his ear.  “So when are you going to find out which baby is yours and which one is Luke’s?”

“Never, if we can help it.”

Katie nodded and rested her head on Reid’s shoulder.

Reid scanned the room; his eyes resting on Ethan, then the babies, and finally on Luke. 

“They’re all mine, and I’m never letting any of them go.”

[The End for now]

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