Headaches
Chapter 12
Reid crawled into bed, rested his head on Luke’s pillow, closed his eyes, and pressed the heels of his hands to his temples. He had teamed with Mark for two emergency surgeries, each one lasting over four hours, and was completely exhausted.
Creeping in as quietly as possible, Reid could sense Luke was about to turn off the nursery monitor.
“Don’t bother. The screaming is already making my head explode.”
“But if they wake up the babies it’ll be like Surround Sound and then you’ll really have one hell of a headache.”
“Everyone thought it would be our kids who would drive me crazy. Instead it’s turning out to be everyone who doesn’t live here. Only in Oakdale.”
“I’m in Oakdale.”
Reid opened one eye and glanced at Luke. “You’re the exception to every rule. As far as the rest of the town is concerned, the babies and Ethan are easy to deal with compared to our family and friends.”
“Yeah, who’d have thought we’d be hosting another war in our living room.”
“At least this time we don’t have to referee. We’ll leave that to their unfortunate partners.”
“If they can survive this, all four of them may have a chance.”
“Luke, I just want to know why, after a long day at the hospital, I have to come home to divorce court in my living room?”
Biting his lip, Luke looked down at his hands. “Well, of all things, both Jason and Aaron suggested to Casey and Allison that I’d be a good person to talk to when trying to decide whether they were being rational or absurd in their divorce demands.”
“So, in other words, rather than put themselves out on a limb and be honest with each other in front of a paid mediator, they want you to do the dirty work.” Reid pinched the bridge of his nose. “Why am I not surprised?”
Shrugging his shoulders, Luke curled up next to Reid, sharing the pillow. He stroked Reid’s hair and kissed him gently on the lips.
“Maybe you should’ve been a psychiatrist or psychologist. Everyone uses you for those natural skills you have anyway.”
“Reid.” Luke huffed.
“What? I’m just thinking out loud. Your friends and family could spend thousands on what you do for all of them for free.” Turning to face Luke, Reid ghosted his fingers over Luke’s cheek. “By the way, who’s winning?”
“After round three I left the room, but it seems like even my brother admits Casey shouldn’t be asked to pay anything in the divorce settlement now that Aaron’s securely moved in with Allison and they’re both working. I think he may actually stay put this time.”
“Do you really, or is that Luke Snyder, little brother, wishing his big brother wouldn’t run away again?” Reid continued to tenderly cup Luke’s cheek. “Remember, you have a family of your own; you don’t need your unreliable older sibling to hold your hand when you’re in trouble -- that’s what I’m here for.”
“You’re so much more than someone I can count on to hold my hand when things get tough, but it’s good to know I’ll never need to look hard to find a person to take care of me or the kids.” Luke leaned into Reid’s caresses and closed his eyes. “I love knowing I have my own family. Luke Oliver-Snyder doesn’t have to rely on his big brother when he has an amazing husband to meet his every need.”
“I’m glad to hear you know that, Luke.”
“I do, Reid. I really do.”
The loud bang of a door slamming reverberated through the house. Both Reid and Luke sat up in bed and stared at the intercom, wondering if one, or both, of the babies would wake up.
“Those two can sleep through anything. They’ll make great residents, and then interns, someday.” Reid smiled.
“I guess I’d better start dressing them in those Harvard T-shirts you bought them the week after they were born. We wouldn’t want them to think small.” Luke chuckled.
Sitting up, Reid got off the bed. “Glad you see it my way.” Offering Luke his hand, Reid helped him up as well. “We should probably go see if anyone is left standing after the battle.”
Nodding, Luke took Reid’s hand and the two made their way into the hallway. Before they reached the stairwell, Ethan popped his head out of his room. “Can Andy and I close the door now, Luke? I want to play guitar with Andy accompanying on the keyboard.”
Reid snorted. “Yeah, I’m sure that’s what you want to play.”
“Reid!” Luke swatted Reid on the shoulder and then turned toward his younger brother. “You know the rules; you and Andy can play with the door open.”
“But what about waking the babies?” Ethan grinned.
“Reid and I will deal with Bobby and Miri if they wake up. They’re two months old and can sleep through anything, especially with the crazy white noise machine Katie gave us.”
“So the door has to stay open?”
“Yes, Ethan.” Reid rolled his eyes. “You heard Luke. The door stays open.”
After leaving behind a disappointed Ethan, Reid and Luke entered their living room to find Jason and Casey making out on the sofa.
Reid ran his hand through his hair. “Maybe we’re setting boundaries for the wrong couple in our house. When did we become Kissing Central?”
Obviously hearing Reid and Luke’s less than quiet entrance into the room, Casey and Jason broke apart.
“Sorry about that, doctor.” Jason rolled his swollen lips inward. “I guess Casey and I were just relieved to get through another casualty free battle with Allison.”
“It sure didn’t sound like that from our vantage point.”
“Reid!”
“What, Luke? Casey and Allison could have raised the dead. I’m sure Allison’s baby will come out screaming give me some earplugs, you’re giving me a headache.”
Snickering, Luke pressed his lips tenderly against Reid’s. “That reminds me, I’ll get you some aspirin. You do look like you’ve had a long day.”
Nodding, Reid kissed Luke back. “And I came home to this.” Reid gestured all around him, his hand stilling in Casey’s direction.
“Hey, doc, didn’t anyone ever tell you, being married to Luke comes with all sorts of other responsibilities, like all the people he does things for?” Jason wrapped his arm around Casey. “Speaking of which, did Luke tell you about Noah and Mark?”
“Luke tells me everything.”
“Then you know Noah finally agreed to check out surrogacy. He and Mark are entering the baby-biz too. Guess you’ll have more friends asking for advice, and needing attention, from your husband. He really does give a shit-load of time and attention to his friends.”
“I did have a sense of that, Mr. Hughes, but I thought he and I would be able to keep all of you out of our house.” Reid smirked. “I guess there are some things even I can’t control.”
“Aw, come on, doc. You love us all.” Casey’s smile spread across his face.
“I love Luke, more than even he can probably comprehend. All the headaches that come along with loving him are worth it, even when they do disturb my quiet home.”
Wrapping his arms around Reid from behind, Luke held a glass of water in one hand and two aspirin in the other. He leaned in and whispered into Reid’s ear. “I love you too, no matter what happens in our lives, or the lives of our kids, I love you more than anything in the world.”
Downing the pills followed by a gulp of water, Reid then turned around, resting his forehead against Luke’s. “Good to know Mr. Oliver-Snyder, most definitely good to know.”
[The End - for now]