I Do Again

Chapter 4
 

As the wedding day approached, Luke seemed determined to keep up a hectic pace. Reid remained quietly concerned as his partner ran from work, to the farm, to his parents’ home on a regular basis.

On the days when Reid was aware this was the plan, he tried to arrange to stay late at work to avoid having to witness the insanity.

It was usually quieter at Memorial during the late-night hours, and he didn’t have to deal with Chris as he went about his administrative duties. Having the position of Chief of Staff was a huge responsibility. Reid loved running not only the neuro wing, but the entire hospital. His one regret was having to share the supreme title with Dr. Hughes, Junior. Chris was a good pediatrician, but Reid was never comfortable leaving any major decisions solely to his counterpart. He wasn’t sure he’d ever completely trust him again after the fiasco with Chris’ heart disease.

Staying late at the hospital when Chris left to play house with Katie and Jacob was Reid’s time to be the one and only commander and chief. He thoroughly enjoyed it.

Reid had been walking the halls and glancing through some important staffing reports when his cell phone chimed. Checking the caller ID, he immediately picked it up. “Hey, hot stuff. I hope this is an x-rated call. I can arrange to be all alone in my great big office chair.”

Chuckling, Reid could practically hear the smile spread across Luke’s face. “It’s only got that rating if you consider food orgasmic.”

“Now that’s a question worth debating. What do you have in mind?”

“If you’re not too busy I’d love it if you’d join me at Al’s.”

Reid stared at the paperwork he was taking back to his office to review. It was nothing he couldn’t handle brilliantly and quickly the next morning. “Sure. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

“Uhm, Reid--” Luke’s voice trailed off and he could picture him biting his lip.

“Now that I’ve agreed, what’s the catch?”

“We’ll be having dinner with my brother and sisters.”

“Why?”

“My parents are--”

“You don’t have to tell me. They stressed themselves out so much planning the event of the year, they’re fighting and needed time alone.”

“You really are a genius.”

“Thanks for the compliment. Although well-deserved, it unfortunately has more to do with the fact that Lily and Holden are completely predictable.”

“Grandmother is in town.”

“Ah, the catalyst. It’s all quite clear now.”

“Will you still join us for dinner? You know how much the kids like being with us.”

“I said I’ll be there. Besides, this wedding is only a few days away. All the family obligations will be over soon.”

“I love you, Reid.”

“Just order me a huge double decker sandwich with everything on it.”

“No need. We’re just going to get something to drink while we wait for you, but for coming I won’t give you a hard time if you order a triple decker sandwich and stuff your face.”

Right before he disconnected, Reid grinned. Luke showed his love in so many ways. “You know I love you too.”

“Yes, I do.”

“We’ve already said our I do’s, let’s get your parents through it for what I hope will be the last time.”

“Me too. See you soon.”

The two disconnected and Reid entered his office, tugged off his lab coat, tossed it on his sofa, and walked out. He was actually looking forward to the welcome distraction of spending time with Luke’s younger siblings. They were always good for a few moments of amusement.

 

*~*~*~*~*
 

Al’s Diner was busier than usual. Reid knew it couldn’t be because of Hank’s charm, so he guessed it had more to do with too many kids on summer vacation and too many parents not knowing what the hell to do with them. Case in point, Luke ending up playing nanny for the millionth time. Reid sometimes wondered if Lily and Holden appreciated Luke as much as they should. Then he remembered watching Luke’s face light up when his mother asked him to walk her down the aisle. Maybe they did see just how much his partner did to make his parents happy.

He spotted the booth with the four siblings. They seemed to all be in the midst of some important discussion. But since Luke was the only adult at the table, Reid couldn’t imagine it was anything too significant he’d be walking in on -- at least not until he got close enough to hear Faith.

“Mom and Dad never get it right. I don’t know why they’re bothering with all this ridiculous fanfare. They should just run off to Vegas and get married. It’ll make it much easier and cleaner when they get divorced again in a year or so.” Reid smirked. Faith was obviously as much a cynic as himself.

Natalie piped up, “No way. Dad and Mom are really in love. I’m sure they’ve got it right this time.”

“What do you know? You’re such a child.”

Luke had the calm awareness to stop the cat fight before it started. “Hey, you two. We all want our parents to stay married for good this time. Faith, would it kill you to just hope for the best this time?”

Looking down at her glass of soda, Faith nodded. “Okay. I’ll give them one more shot at getting this right.”

The corners of Reid’s mouth curled upward as he watched Ethan tug on Luke’s shirt.

“What is it, buddy?”

“What about you and Reid?”

Tilting his head, Luke smiled at his younger brother. “What about us?”

“Are you and Reid gonna get a divorce too? Everyone else in the family does.”

Reid was taken aback by the kid’s awareness of his crazy family’s dynamic. While most first graders were stressing about who would play first base in their kickball games, Ethan Snyder was concerned about the expectations for permanent relationships. Reid figured he could get Luke off the hook and make his presence known all at once. “I heard your question, kid.”

Smiling, Luke looked into Reid’s eyes. “Good to see you. If I’d known the topic of conversation would turn in this direction, I wouldn’t have asked you to come.”

Reid nudged Luke over and gave him a quick peck on the lips. “Ethan, I’m pretty sure I can give you an accurate response to your very intelligent question.”

Grinning, sans one front tooth, Ethan looked wide-eyed at Reid. “So, when are you two gonna divorce?”

“Luke and I are the exception to every rule. That’s what happens when a brilliant surgeon and a savvy business man and philanthropist tie the knot. It’s permanent.”

“Huh?” Ethan scratched the top of his mop of shaggy hair.

Cupping Reid’s cheek, Luke rewarded him with a slightly deeper kiss. “Eth, what Reid’s saying is we will never get divorced. We’re in it for good.”

“But what about fights? Don’t you guys fight?”

Taking back the floor from Luke, Reid looked directly at Ethan. “Listen carefully, kid. Your brother and I sometimes have arguments. No two people can, or should, agree on everything. It’s not honest or healthy. The difference is, we fight it out. Sometimes we ultimately agree on whose idea is right and whose is wrong, sometimes we don’t. But either way, we just deal with whatever the hell compromise we have to in order to get past the problem or decision that has to be dealt with.”

“Cool. So that means you’re always gonna be my brother-in-law.” Ethan sat back in his seat with a grin on his face.

Glaring at Luke, Reid mouthed, “Brother-in-law?”

Looking sheepish, Luke shrugged. “Are you mad?”

Thinking about it for a moment, Reid realized this was about as close to real in-laws as he was ever bound to get. Since they were Luke’s family, they were his too. If the kid wanted an appropriate label, the one he’d assigned fit. “Yes, kiddo, I’ll always be your brother-in-law.”

Taking one more sip of her soda, Faith stared at Reid. “You really do love my big brother, don’t you?”

“You didn’t think I did?”

“Luke trusts too easily. I worry about him.”

“You, Ms. Snyder, are extremely judgmental. Not always a bad trait, by the way. However, to make it crystal clear before we even order, so I don’t get indigestion, Luke and I are committed to one another and that’s for life. I don’t do anything half-way, and I’m not about to start with him. If the word love is the best descriptive for the emotions I feel toward Luke, then so be it. I love Luke and have no intention of ever letting anyone get in the way of continuing to love him, ever.”

Natalie giggled. “I like how you say stuff. It sounds all clinical, but what you’re really saying is you’ll love him forever and ever.”

Rolling his eyes, Reid was relieved to see the waiter. “It’s about time you got here.”

Everyone ordered their food. Reid noticed Natalie was still staring at him as she slowly sipped her chocolate milk. “Anything I can do for you, little lady?”

She shook her head, but Faith chimed in, “She’s just drawing imaginary hearts in her head that say Luke and Reid forever together.”

Luke snickered as Reid glared at him. “I hope you like the food better than the company.”

Reaching up, Reid held Luke’s cheeks in his hand and drew him in for a toe-curling kiss. When they broke apart, Reid raised an eyebrow. “No food could top spending time with you.”

Grinning, Luke kissed Reid again, eliciting an “Oh my God,” from Faith, an, “Ew,” from Ethan, and a blissful sigh from Natalie.

None of it deterred Reid. He was completely focused on Luke and his words. “I love you too, Reid. Forever together with little hearts drawn around our names.”

“I think I can handle that.”

Reid sat back with his arm around Luke as his younger sisters-in-law and brother-in-law started jabbering about all the cakes and desserts that would be at the wedding and whether Parker would dance with Faith in front of the whole family.

[TBC]

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