The Hospital

Part 7

Noah was briefly rendered speechless by Reid’s admission. “Wow. Did you just admit there’s a doctor who’s actually more talented in her specialty than you are in yours? She must really be incredible.”

Thankful for Noah’s teasing accusation, the edges of Reid’s mouth curled upward. “If you tell a soul, I’ll be forced to run a series of hideous medical experiments on your brain.”

Leaning against Mark, Noah chuckled. “I have a witness.”

Wrapping an arm around Noah’s shoulders, Mark mock whispered, “He’s my boss, no chance of me talking. Besides I want to keep you safely in one piece.” Mark ended his declaration with an unnecessarily loud peck on the cheek.

Before the banter could continue further, Dr. Walker was announced and immediately ushered in by Reid’s secretary.

After the door to Reid’s office was once again closed, he offered Luke’s surgeon a glass of water or a cup of coffee, both of which she refused.

“Why don’t all of you have a seat. I’m assuming since Dr. Oliver asked you in here, he’s comfortable with my speaking openly in front of you.”

Noah and Mark both looked in Reid’s direction for a final confirmation. Reid nodded. “Dr. Walker, I’ve been waiting an inordinate amount of time. How’s Luke, and when can I see him?”

“Remarkable. Your partner is absolutely remarkable. The surgery was better than textbook and there were no immediate signs of rejection, not that I expected any. If I had thought there was any reason for concern I wouldn’t have done the procedure.”

Sighing, Reid finally took a seat, feeling as if the weight of the world had just been lifted from his shoulders. “So why all the clandestine discussion? I got a sense when you called up here that something was wrong.”

“Reid, I don’t want to jump to any conclusions or make any assumptions that could cause scandal or embarrassment, but I think we should run a DNA test.”

Brow furrowed, Reid wasn’t sure what the nephrologist was talking about.

Speaking from a non-medical standpoint, Noah finally broke the silence. “Doctor, I’m not following you. Is something wrong with Luke? Does he have some hereditary illness that we’ll have to contact the Grimaldi family about? Because Luke hates them. He hates them all, especially his father, Damian. Let’s face it, he never asked Damian about a kidney.”

“That’s just my point.” The doctor paced. “Luke Snyder and Jack Snyder are too close a match to ignore the blood work and chalk it up to mere coincidence.”

Looking directly at Reid, Dr. Walker clasped her hands together. “I’d like to order a blood test on your son, Luke’s younger brother.”

Standing, Reid glared at the doctor he normally admired. “You want to test Ethan? For what?”

“I could be missing something, but if I’m right, I would imagine Luke and his brother will be a 99.9 percent match as siblings.”

“Dr. Walker do you realize what you’re saying? That makes no sense.” Trying to keep his voice steady, Reid turned away. “How could I tell Luke his mother...?” Unable to finish his sentence Reid looked to his friends for support, denial, encouragement, anything.

Mark, still sitting beside Noah, finished Reid’s thought. “How could you tell Luke his mother had an affair with the man she truly loved? Don’t you think he’d be thrilled to know he’s a legitimate Snyder?”

“But after all these years. And what about all his foundation funding and Grimaldi Shipping?” Reid spun around. “And the damn retribution that the Grimaldi clan would no doubt want to take out on Luke and his family for conning them all these years?” Reid was beginning to panic thinking of all the consequences a discovery like this would incur.

Leaving his lover’s side, Noah stood up and rested a hand on Reid’s shoulder. Of all people he seemed the calmest. “Reid, we’ve both learned how crazy Oakdale family history can be. The Snyders, the Walshs, the Hughes. I still have trouble keeping up and I’ve known them longer than you have.”

“So you’re saying it’s completely plausible that Lily Walsh Grimaldi Snyder had an affair with Holden Snyder before they reunited and produced their three youngest children?”

“Why not? I’m sure that even while she was married to Damian, Holden never fell completely off Lily’s radar. When he came home to visit they could have rekindled their romance. Those two could never stay apart for long.”

“And what about Luke and his family? The Grimaldis aren’t known for being good sports when it comes to their money.”

Looking directly at Dr. Walker, Noah asked, the voice of naiveté, yet suddenly willing to challenge a family that nearly took his life. “Is there any reason anyone outside of Luke and the four of us need to know?” Noah took a deep breath. “I mean, of course it needs to be recorded in Luke’s medical file, and in an emergency one of the three of us will always be around.”

“Are you an attorney, young man?” Dr. Walker grinned.

“No, but as a documentary filmmaker I spend a lot of time gathering confidential information from sources who, in many cases, want to remain anonymous. I’ve learned over the past few years that most people have secrets that are beyond belief. This one, if it’s true, might actually be one of the tamer ones.”

Returning to the sofa, Mark and Noah resumed their seats. “I think I’ll make sure to keep you around for a while. You’re a lot trickier and more underhanded than I ever realized.” Mark nudged Noah.

Reid couldn’t believe what he was listening to. His head was spinning. “It sounds to me like Noah’s been taking lessons from the master of deceit himself, Damian. If this is true, can we really keep it a secret?”

Mark chimed in, “Why not, Reid? There’s no reason to endanger anyone, and it’s important for Luke to know, don’t you think?”

“So, Dr. Oliver, will you give me permission to order a simple blood test for Ethan?” Still in her scrubs from the surgery, Dr. Walker awaited Reid’s answer.

Closing his eyes, Reid pinched the bridge of his nose. “Why does he have to be the only other male sibling in the family?”

Speaking from his seat on the sofa, Noah spoke softly. “Reid, if this is true, Luke will be ecstatic. It would be a gift from his parents from the grave. We both know how Luke feels about his Grimaldi heritage.”

Reid hated that Noah had become the voice of reason, but his argument was undeniable. Luke hated his connection to the Grimaldi family, but he also loved the work their money was able to afford him. He’d been wanting to turn the shipping business over to another corporation making bids on it for over a year. Luke could then roll the money from the sale into the foundation as well.

It would be easy enough to explain the blood test to Ethan. A confirmation that he was healthy while a visiting physician was in town. No one else would have to know anything; but was it even possible to keep a secret like that in a place like Oakdale, a town that seemed to consider gossip its life-blood?

This was the most insane no-win situation Reid could imagine.

Before he could change his mind, Reid pulled out his cell phone and called his mother. “It’s me. Please bring Ethan up. Tell him Luke is fine but I need to see him right now.” Closing the phone and returning it to his pocket, Reid took in all the people in his office. He knew he could trust them all. Looking directly at Dr. Walker he stood firm. “I want to be with Luke when he gets the results, no matter what they are.”

“I understand, Dr. Oliver. It shouldn’t take too long since we can put a rush on them at the hospital lab. When the results arrive, I’ll have them placed on your desk in a sealed envelope. It’ll be your decision as to when to share the results with Luke.”

“Good. Now once I speak with Ethan, I want to see my partner.”

“You know he’ll still be sleeping.”

“Do you think that matters?” Reid sighed. “I’m the goddamn Chief of Staff. I can sit with whichever patient I want, whether he’s still in recovery or not.”

Dr. Walker grinned. “Understood, Doctor. I’m sure Luke will be happier to open his eyes to you instead of one of the nurses in the recovery room.”

“I’m glad we understand each other -- about everything.” Reid scanned the room, pausing to glare at each person. “This conversation never leaves this room. You’ll learn of the results after Luke and I do, but no one else will ever hear of them. I have no intention of tangling with the Grimaldi family and risking Luke’s life or anyone else’s in his family, for a stack of dirty money.”

Getting nods of agreement, Reid’s door burst open before another word could be said. Ethan practically ran him down, giving him a huge bear hug.

“Grandma Miriam said Luke’s gonna be okay.”

“I think he’ll be just fine, but it’s going to take a few weeks for him to recuperate. He won’t be doing much but hanging around the house for a while.”

“That’s all he does anyway.” Ethan rolled his eyes. “Well, that, and he goes to work, and he’s been writing some stuff on his computer. But besides that all he does is sit around.”

It was amazing to see how Ethan viewed his brother’s non-stop schedule. Reid actually laughed. “Listen, kid, you have to do something for me. Dr. Walker wants to make sure you’re healthy so she ordered a blood test. The lab tech is going to be here in just a minute to draw some blood from your arm.”

“No way. I hate those needles. I’m fine.” Ethan crossed his arms over his chest. Reid glanced at his mother whose eyes narrowed. She wasn’t a fool but thankfully, she remained silent.

“Do it for me, son. I need to know you’re okay, especially after all the drama surrounding Luke’s illness. It’ll help me rest easier.”

Looking directly at Reid, Ethan nodded. “Okay. I’ll do it for you. But Luke owes me big-time for making you so nervous you want to check me out too.”

“Yeah, well, we can pay you back soon.”

“I expect a lot of new downloads approved for my iPod.”

Rubbing Ethan’s back, Reid breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m sure that can be arranged.”

“Good.”

After the blood was drawn, Ethan rolled down his sleeve.

“Listen, let’s not worry the family. We’ll just keep this blood test to ourselves.” Reid hoped Ethan would keep this to himself.

“Don’t panic. I won’t let on that Dr. Reid Oliver is a big worrier.” Smiling, Reid patted Ethan on the shoulder.

“Thanks for keeping my cover. Why don’t you and Grandma Miriam go give the family the good news about Luke?”

“You mean I get to tell them all? Cool!”

As they walked out, Miriam whispered in Reid’s ear as she passed him. “I know it’s more than what you’re telling him. Is everything alright?”

Surprised by his mother’s sensitivity, Reid squeezed her shoulder. “Everything is more than fine.”

“That’s all I needed to hear, Reid.”

“Now I’m going to see Luke so all of you get out of my office.”

As Reid ushered Dr. Walker out, with Noah and Mark close behind he heard Noah quietly chuckle. “You know, Mark, I tried my best to get Luke to drop him years ago. I was angry and jealous. But I think Luke was right.”

“How so?”

“He and I weren’t meant to be together, he and Reid are.”

“And you and me, Noah?”

“Let’s just say, I think I understand how Luke felt when he knew Reid was the one for him.”

“Come on. It’s time for you to move into our home.”

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Luke’s successful surgery.”

“You know there is still the obstacle of organ rejection.” Mark’s cautionary words hit Reid as he was avoiding thinking about that reality.

“He won’t reject his new kidney. I’m sure of it.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I just know.”

Somehow Reid found comfort in Noah’s unshakeable confidence, which would normally have disturbed him, but today was different.

He took less than two minutes to reach the recovery room and was met by the supervising nurse. “I think he’ll be coming around soon, Dr. Oliver.”

Rolling his lips inward, Reid took the seat next to Luke’s gurney. Taking Luke’s hand in his, Reid closed his eyes. “I love you, Luke. It’s time to wake up.” Reid took a deep breath. “It wasn’t just for show earlier. I know I’m your husband and you’re mine. It’s just hard for me to say it; but you must know I’d do or say anything for you.”

Feeling a gentle squeeze to his hand in response, Reid opened his eyes to have them met by Luke’s. “I know.”

[TBC]
 

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