I Do Again

Chapter 10
 

The funeral for Lily and Holden Snyder was the most somber affair Reid could ever imagine. Everyone in Oakdale seemed to be in attendance but Reid’s attention was focused solely on two people -- his Snyders, Luke and Ethan. He couldn’t quite fathom how he’d gotten so protective of the littlest Snyder so quickly, but Reid only knew that as the kid leaned into him, it was all Reid could do to keep from holding him closer and guiding him onto his lap.

Parenthood had always been the farthest thing from Reid’s mind at any time in his life, yet he hated that arrangements had been made for Ethan to go home with Emma after the burial. The little boy would stay there indefinitely, along with Faith and Natalie.

Looking on, Reid watched as Luke bravely took his place at the lectern to say a few special words of tribute about his parents in his role as the new head of the Oakdale branch of their family. While Aaron and Abigail were both there for the funeral, each would be going home the next day, leaving their four youngest siblings behind. Reid understood the desire to get back to normal, but he just couldn’t imagine what normal would be for any of them.

 

*~*~*~*~*
 

The afternoon at the farm went by in a blur of people all dressed in black. Reid made sure Ethan was allowed to sit in his big brother’s old bedroom where he watched Disney movies. More than once throughout the afternoon, Reid found Luke curled up with the kid. On the third occasion he joined them, and the three watched the Disney version of Cinderella together.

After the film ended Reid pulled Luke just outside the bedroom door. “Tell me, again, why we’re leaving him here? I thought we were supposed to take care of him.”

“It’s not the same anymore and you know it.”

“What’s not the same? I was there the day your mother and father announced how they’d rewritten their wills. Do you really think they were just doing that to buddy-it-up with me?”

“No, of course not. But I also don’t think they expected Ethan to be this young should this situation arise.”

“I see. So while I’m questioning my ability to be a decent parent, you’re confirming that I can’t.”

“No, no!” Luke embraced Reid, gripping the back of his shirt as he held him close. “I just don’t know what’s best.”

Reid returned the tight hug and rested his cheek against Luke’s. “I think we both know we’re not ready to be parents, but there’s one thing I know even more.”

“What’s that?” Luke whispered.

“No one ever thought Lily and Holden would die so young, or that they would grow to trust me enough to be their youngest child’s guardian if the worst should happen.” Luke sniffed and nodded, the two still cheek to cheek. “I also know no one ever thought I’d be willing to make a permanent commitment to you or want to marry you.”

“We had a beautiful ceremony.”

“I know we did, but I think it’s time we let people know in every, and any, way possible that we consider ourselves married.”

Luke stepped back and tilted his head. “Reid?”

“As far as I’m concerned you’re it for me, Luke. We’re as married as we can be, and if Illinois ever legalizes same sex marriage, I intend to make sure we’re the first gays to get ourselves to town hall and make it as legal as possible.”

“Why?”

“Do you really need to ask?”

“Yes, I do. I don’t want you saying things to make me feel better or to redirect my emotions.”

Reid huffed. “When have I ever done anything that wasn’t one hundred percent honest with you?”

“Never.”

“And I don’t plan to start now. Not about this.”

“Are you sure?”

“Without a single doubt, now and for as long as you’ll have me.”

“You’re stuck for at least one to two eternities.”

“I can live with that.” Luke crashed his lips against Reid’s. The two were able to take a few minutes to lose themselves in a blissful moment of happiness.

“Luke?” Ethan came out of the room, having turned off the television.

“Hi, Eth. How are you doing?”

“Why do I have to stay here? Was I bad? I’ll try to be better.”

Squatting in front of Ethan, Reid brushed shaggy bangs off the kid’s forehead. “You’re not staying here. You’re coming home; where you belong.”

“Grandma Emma and Grandmother said I’d be better off living at the farm.”

“You know, kid, I bet they think that’s true. And if you’d asked me the same question three weeks ago, I probably would have agreed.”

“You don’t agree now.”

“No way. You’re coming home with us and we’ll ask Mr. Hughes to join us tomorrow to make sure you can stay with us.”

“How long?”

Raising his head, Reid looked directly into Luke’s eyes. “As long as you’re willing to stay, kiddo. I guess I need more than one Snyder in my life to make it complete.”

Luke kneeled on the floor next to Reid. “I love you more than I could ever imagine loving anyone.”

“Hold that thought for the next sixty or seventy years. That’s at least as long as I plan to love you, if you can handle it.”

“I can handle twice that long.”

“Good.”

[TBC in the Epilogue]

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