The Hospital

Part 1

“I can’t believe Illinois and New York are both dragging their feet on legalizing same sex marriage. What’s the their problem?” Luke slammed his laptop shut and shoved it to the far end of the kitchen counter. “We’ve been married over two years and it’s still not recognized where we live.”

Reid was looking in the refrigerator for something to snack on before dinner. Ethan was spending the last week of his summer vacation in Boston, with his Grandma Miriam, so the two had gotten into the habit of eating dinner a bit later than normal. “Luke, we’re legally married in Massachusetts, and we have every right we possibly can in Illinois, from Powers of Attorney to Domestic Partnership Agreements to Wills.” Reid suddenly stopped his search, losing his appetite. “Why are you suddenly so incensed by a fact we’ve been aware of all along?”

“I’m tired; I think I’ll go to bed.”

“This is the third time in the past couple of weeks you’ve wanted to go to sleep before dinner. The last two times you claimed to have had a tough day at World Wide. What’s tonight’s excuse?”

Luke avoided making eye contact with Reid. “Nothing. I’m just angry. I guess I want to shut down.”

Reid knew when Luke was trying to put one over on him. Being a genius had its advantages at home as well as at work. His mind started racing, trying to find the link between Luke’s exhaustion and his sudden need to be legally married. It struck him like lightning and hurt almost as much. “Damn! How could I have been so blind? I have to call--”

Sighing, Luke walked over to Reid and rubbed his arm. “I already called her. She’ll be here tomorrow.”

“You called my friend at Mass General without telling me?” Reid embraced Luke. He didn’t know what else to do. It was times like this he hated being a brilliant doctor and Chief of Staff. “You’re seeing her at Memorial, aren’t you?”

“Of course, I am.” Luke rested his head against Reid’s chest.

“Then, as Chief of Staff, why wasn’t I informed that a specialist from outside Memorial was being called in?” Reid hated knowing the time had finally come for Luke to need a new kidney. Somehow, he’d convinced himself that his partner would be the exception to every known medical rule regarding renal failure after a decade with a transplanted kidney.

“You weren’t informed because she was in contact with Chris...” Luke looked into Reid’s eyes. “... And so was I.”

“You left me out of the loop on purpose?”

“I didn’t want to worry you sooner than was absolutely necessary.”

Reid brushed his hand over Luke’s cheek. “Which part of that diatribe about in sickness and in health did you forget? I want to know -- need to know -- when you’re not well.”

Leaning into Reid’s touch, Luke closed his eyes. Unable to resist, Reid gently pressed his lips to Luke’s. “I’m going to make sure everything is fine. You know I won’t rest until your new kidney is transplanted and working perfectly in synch with your body.”

“Yes, Reid, I know. So does Chris, and my nephrologist here, as well as the doctor coming to do the actual surgery. I think they’re afraid you’ll kill them all if even one stitch isn’t perfect when this is all over.” Luke huffed.

“Good. They all clearly know me well.” Reid held Luke tighter, wondering how he could have possibly not noticed Luke’s too pale complexion before now. And, having him here in his arms, how the hell had he also missed the fact that he’d apparently lost quite a bit of weight. “How long?”

“Only about three or four weeks. At first I thought I was just exhausted from the business with World Wide’s new acquisitions. When I started losing my appetite I called my local doctor and he put the wheels in motion as soon as I saw him.”

“All this was done behind my back.” Reid furrowed his brow. “I thought I’d been getting better at picking up on the gossip.”

“Well, everyone who was involved was sworn to secrecy.”

“What about your friend Allison? Whenever she tells Casey something, it becomes the lead story on the WOAK evening news.”

“It’s a good thing Casey’s an associate at his dad’s law firm because when it comes to anything that might lead to legal work for either of us, he needs to keep his mouth shut.”

Reid bit his lip. This was the one thing he feared most. If Luke was talking to their attorneys, he had reason to be scared. He needed Luke to feel positive -- positive that he was going to come out of this stronger than ever with a kidney that would last for many years. Modern treatments were improving every day as were the anti-rejection medications.

“Luke, I have no intention of raising Ethan alone. So you can be damn sure there won’t be any need for you to talk to Tom or Casey.”

Luke tenderly kissed Reid along his jawline, ending with a brief peck on his lips. “I’ve got the best doctors working with me, and you making sure no one screws up, but I need to be sure you and Ethan are protected.”

“You don’t ever need to worry about protecting me.” Reid wasn’t sure where Luke was heading with this, but he didn’t like it one bit.

“Reid, you’re brilliant, but you wear blinders where I’m concerned. If you recall when we first met, you called me Richie Rich. Well, I’m even richer now than I was seven and a half years ago.” Luke took a deep breath.

“I don’t want to hear any of this. It’s unnecessary.”

Pulling out of Reid’s embrace, Luke sat up. His brow furrowed as he looked directly into Reid’s eyes. “I hope it’s not necessary but I have to say this.”

Closing his eyes to still the moisture he felt building in the corners, Reid paused to regain control. The last thing he wanted to do was worry Luke any further. Opening his eyes, Reid nodded. “Okay. Say it.”

“If anything should happen to me, you’re my sole heir.”

Reid’s eyes narrowed. “What about Ethan and your sisters?”

“I trust you completely. I know you’ll take care of them.” Luke held Reid’s hand, lacing their fingers together. “Faith and Parker finally got married and they have a toddler to look after. She’s not ready to manage World Wide and I don’t trust her with the Foundation. Natalie and Ethan are still way too young to inherit anything directly. You can put anything you want in trusts for them. Tom will help you... should it come to that.”

“No!” Reid stood up, turning his back on Luke. “It will never come to that. I told you when we were first together that I want it all; I still do. That means a long, occasionally boring, life together. You have to believe you’re going to come out of this healthier than before.”

“I do. But I’ve also learned a lot about taking care of you. For me to go into this, feeling positive, I have to make sure everything’s in order first.” Luke wrapped his arms around Reid from behind.

“When do you get admitted to the hospital?” Reid was trying to keep his voice steady, trying to remain calm for Luke.

“I’ll meet with both of my doctors tomorrow. After that it could be any time. I’m hoping to avoid needing to be attached to a machine so we’re trying to work fast. It may be as soon as tomorrow afternoon that we begin prepping me for the transplant.”

“Okay.” Reid took a deep breath. He could hold it together for Luke -- he had to. “This is your show, but I’m not staying out of it. You’ll have me glued to your side from here on in.”

Luke laughed. “I was hoping you’d say that. I love you and need you by my side.”

“When’s your appointment?”

“Noon tomorrow. I’ll meet you at your office a half hour before.”

“I’ll make sure to squelch any immediate crises before you arrive. Then I won’t let up until you’re one hundred percent healthy -- or as close to it as we can get you.”

“I know.” Luke’s beautiful smile found its way home as he kissed Reid soundly.

“I love you Mr. Snyder, and you owe me many, many more years.”

“My plan is to grow old with you. I don’t intend to change that goal.”

“Good. Let’s go to bed. You look exhausted.”

“Don’t you want dinner? Don’t skip eating on my account.”

“I’m not hungry anymore.” Realizing how true his statement was, Reid shuddered. He couldn’t lose Luke. Without him... No, he wasn’t going there.

[TBC]
 

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