Headaches
Chapter 1
“I can’t believe they’re still screaming. Luke, can’t you make them stop? I spent half the day in surgery and the other half dealing with incompetent interns, a group that included Casey’s former wifey, I really don’t need this”.
Reid curled the pillow around the back of his neck, holding it over his ears, hoping to blot out the wailing. “Please make that noise stop!”
“I’m sorry, Reid, they’ve been going at it for a little over an hour now, and I can’t get through to either one of them.” Luke sat on their bed, one hand stroking Reid’s arm, the other cradling a sleeping Miri in his arms.
“I don’t know how those kids do it. How do they sleep through that?”
“One minute your mother and Grandmother were best friends, the next they were arguing about quality parenting. I haven’t been able to get either of them to back down. They’re both so damn pigheaded.”
“At least Bobby seems to have totally tuned them out, and it didn’t take long to quiet Miri when she woke from their yelling.” Reid let the pillow fall away from his head.
“Can you imagine? Those two fighting over parenting skills.”
“I don’t think the two of them together add up to half a good mother. Now, surprisingly enough, Faith has found her niche in life as a working mother. How the hell did your younger, troubled, drugged out sister turn out so well, and these two privileged characters can’t do anything but wreak havoc.”
Luke snorted. “I think there’s a compliment in there somewhere for Faith, but I don’t have time to look for it now. Let’s put Miri back in her crib and chase those two out the door for good.”
“I’m just glad my mother can leave for Boston whenever Lucinda has the jet fueled and ready to fly. She’s helped us far longer than is necessary.”
“Was she here to help?” Luke snorted. “Sorry, Reid, but I don’t remember seeing her change a single diaper or wake up for a 2:00 AM feeding once. She should have stayed at the Walsh-Dixon mansion and just visited daily, like Grandmother.”
“You didn’t mention her less than welcome status directly to my mother, did you?”
Luke tilted his head. “I’m not crazy. But I have a feeling Grandmother may have intimated that Miriam was more of a burden than a support system. Ever since then the two have been going at it, screaming about everything from throwing around money, to lacking the ability to nurture a child in any way, shape, or form.”
“It almost makes me sorry I decided to leave the interns. I could have stayed with them. At least I’m the only one who gets to raise his voice in that group.”
“Hey!” Luke wore a dramatically artificial pout.
“Present company and children excepted. Sorry. Walking into Lucinda and my mother going at it in the living room definitely didn’t do wonders for the Father Knows Best entrance I was hoping to make.”
“Sorry for the inconvenience, Dad, but this is real life, not 1950’s television.”
“How do we get rid of them?”
“I assume you mean in ways other than relying on my former Grimaldi status.”
“I’m close to trying anything; don’t tempt me.”
“Follow my lead. I have an idea.” Luke gave Reid a tender peck on the lips. “More later. Let’s get this little lady back to her bed.”
“Later has become my favorite time of day.” Reid grinned at Luke.
“Mine too, especially after all three kids are down for the count.”
Reid followed Luke out of the bedroom and into the nursery. After depositing one napping rugrat in her crib and checking on the other, Luke and Reid walked toward the living room.
“Mother, when Luke’s baby-making clan warned of late nights and early morning screaming sessions after the twins were born, I don’t believe they meant from you two.” Reid tried to use his Chief of Staff voice to demonstrate the serious nature of his statement.
“Reid, it’s a matter of propriety. There are certain ways to raise children and it’s critical that you get it right from the start. Lucinda and I are merely discussing the importance of particular priorities for rearing the children.”
“Yes, darlings, I’m trying to explain that some of the strategies for child rearing which may have worked in New England don’t have a place in this part of the country.”
Before Reid could respond to the ridiculous rationalizations from both women for their childish behavior, Luke intervened.
“We appreciate all you’re both contributing to helping us raise the babies, especially during these first few important weeks.”
“Luke, I wasn’t born yesterday.” Lucinda grinned. “What exactly are you trying to say? And don’t beat around the bush.”
“I’m saying, that while we love and respect you both--”
Reid snorted.
Luke glared at him, turned back to the women and continued. “We do love and respect both of you, but we want to do this our way. Everything about how we raise Miri and Bobby will be different because we’re different. We need to give them our version of caring and nurturing from their two fathers.”
“Oh my, darling. You really are becoming quite good at sending out your message with the sweetest spin.”
Miriam looked at Lucinda. “Did my son-in-law just kick me out in the most gracious way imaginable?”
“Not only that, dear, he told us to mind our own business in the same sentence.”
“I thought that’s what I heard.”
Luke took a step back, biting his lip as he bumped into Reid. Reid wrapped his arms around his spouse and rested his chin on his shoulder, turning just enough to give him a gentle peck on the cheek. “Everything he said goes double for me, but in far less appropriate language. Be glad he’s the one in charge of this conversation.”
Turning in Reid’s arms, Luke smiled, then pressed his lips to Reid’s. “Thank you. Sometimes you know just the right thing to say.”
“I thought it might help.” Reid rested his forehead against Luke’s for a moment. He then moved away from Luke, taking a step closer to the older women. “Lucinda, it’s time for you to return your time and attention to John and your businesses, in whichever priority order you choose.”
“Mother, Lucinda has left your departure on her private jet open-ended. I say it’s time to take her up on that generous offer. I’m sure PFLAG of Boston, your other commitments to your students, and the faculty at the university are all missing you desperately.”
“Well, I have been away from home for quite some time.” Miriam held Reid’s hand in hers. “It’s been lovely sharing this time with you, even if I don’t always agree with your choices on how to raise children.”
“Thank you, Mother. I do believe there was a compliment in there somewhere.”
“Oh, there were several.” Miriam gave Reid a quick kiss on the cheek. “I love you and Luke, as well as my three grandchildren. I know I don’t say things like that often, but I want you to know it’s true.”
Reid nodded, suddenly feeling tongue-tied.
“Luke, make sure you call me all the time and email me lots of pictures and videos of all three of my angels.”
“I’ll do that, but I’ll make sure Ethan doesn’t know you called him an angel. He’s getting to the age where he doesn’t appreciate the warmth and affection as much as he used to.”
Miriam hugged and kissed Luke. “I’m glad my son found you, or rather you found him. You’ve made both our lives complete in so many ways.”
“He makes my life complete too.” Luke’s cheeks reddened.
“Lucinda, get her out of here before she has us all in tears.”
“Of course, Reid. We wouldn’t want to see you, what is it Luke told me you call it, ah yes, we wouldn’t want to see you leaking.” Lucinda winked at Reid.
Luke started chuckling. “Thank you, Grandmother.”
The women took their leave. When the door closed behind them, both men heaved a huge sigh of relief as a complete, and blissful, silence settled over their home.
Luke wrapped his arms around Reid’s neck, lacing his fingers in his hair. Reid leaned into the touch then pressed their lips together.
“Do you think we’ll be able to get used to the peace and quiet now that your mother is returning to Boston?”
“Luke, we have two infants and a teenage boy in this house. Do you expect peace and quiet? If so, you really are a male version of Pollyanna.”
“I love you, Reid. And I love our life, whether it’s noisy or quiet, as long as it’s with you.”
“There’s no problem there, Mr. Oliver-Snyder. I’m not going anywhere.”
The two kissed again, more hungrily, sharing both their taste and their need for one another.
“Reid, upstairs.”
Reid nodded.
As they approached the stairs the phone rang. “Ethan’s not home; we have to answer.”
“Damn.” Reid reluctantly parted from Luke and grabbed the phone. “Yes!”
“Hi.”
“Ethan, what’s up?”
“Can I stay at the farm tonight? A few friends and I want to hang out at the pond and then go inside and listen to some music.”
Reid looked at Luke. “The kid wants to hang out at the farm overnight.”
“All the more time for us.” Luke smiled from ear to ear.
“My thoughts exactly.”
“Sure, kiddo. Have fun and listen to your grandmother.”
“No problem.” Ethan disconnected before Reid could say anything else.
“Reid, I’m beginning to wonder why Ethan’s been so easy-going since the babies arrived.”
“He’s a great kid. Why borrow trouble?”
“I don’t know, Reid, I keep thinking we’re missing something.”
“You’re such a worrier. Come on, let me help you take your mind off your worries before the rugrats wake up and want to be fed.” Reid cupped Luke’s cheek, glad to see he could still wipe the concern from his face with just a touch.
“Right.” Luke sighed, leaning into Reid’s touch. “Let’s enjoy some of the peace and quiet we just orchestrated.”
Lacing their fingers, Luke and Reid walked into their bedroom and closed the door, hoping they would have the time to truly enjoy being alone before the babies woke.
As he slowly unbuttoned Luke’s shirt, Reid briefly recalled Luke’s concern about Ethan. The view of his husband’s beautiful chest washed away all worrisome thoughts.
[TBC]