I Do Again

Chapter 6
 

Lily and Holden’s wedding went off without a hitch... well, almost no bumps, if Parker and Faith’s behavior could be ignored, that is. First the kids were caught practically sucking each other’s faces off, the next thing everyone knew they were having an argument that rivaled the best of them in Oakdale. Those two definitely had a rocky road ahead. No sooner had they finished arguing about everything from Parker’s passivity to Faith’s immaturity, the couple, in the blink of an eye, were back to holding hands and kissing each other at every opportunity. It surprised Reid that Faith made it down the aisle, as her mother’s maid of honor, without stopping for a lip lock on the way.

Taking his place next to Jack, at Holden’s side, Reid watched as Ethan made his way down the aisle with the rings, giving one to Jack and one to Reid before taking his seat. Finally, a single violin announced the entrance of the bride alongside the most handsome man in the room. Although Reid knew he theoretically should be focused on Lily, he couldn’t take his eyes off Luke. He was beautiful, dressed in a suit that fitted perfectly and wearing a smile that outshone the sun.

The ceremony was simple and tasteful and fortunately only lasted about ten minutes. Reid was concerned his stomach would start growling. He was ready for the reception.

Reid Oliver didn’t dance. However, Reid also didn’t do relationships or family gatherings, although because of Luke Snyder all those pre-conceived notions of his life had been shot to hell, so why not another one. Knowing the romantic nature of his partner, and shocked by his inability to resist the mood of the day, Reid decided to beat Luke to the punch and surprise him in the process. It might even lead to an extra reward after they got the kid into bed later that night.

Spotting Luke talking with Bob and Kim, probably comparing notes on what it’s like living with a Chief of Staff, Reid interrupted. “Mr. Snyder, I notice you haven’t been on the dance floor all afternoon. Care to join me, or do I need to find a stand-in as my partner?”

Placing the glass of sparkling cider he was holding on a nearby table, Luke grinned at Reid. He turned back to Dr. Hughes, Senior, ever the king of etiquette. “You’ll have to excuse me. I seem to have an offer I can’t refuse.”

Winking at Luke, Kim gently touched his hand. “Enjoy your dance. Maybe it’ll give my husband some ideas on how to treat his escort.”

It was strange to see Bob blush, but he silently held out his hand to his wife and the two couples walked to the rented dance floor, set in a spot with a clear view of the pond.

Reid was relieved to find the music played was primarily slow and could be categorized as pure love songs. It was far easier to sway with Luke in his arms than try to actually figure out how to dance. His gay gene didn’t include the party-boy component and he could barely walk into a night club, let alone impress anyone with his rhythm.

Holding Reid close, Luke pressed their cheeks together. “Thank you for asking me to dance.”

“I didn’t want anyone else to beat me to my prize.”

“I’m your prize?” Reid could feel Luke’s broadening smile against his cheek.

“Always.”

“I love you, Reid.”

“I do too.” Reid sighed involuntarily and then forced himself to say what had been on his mind for weeks, during the final preparations for the event du jour. “You know I would do it, if it were legal.”

Feeling Luke freeze in his arms, Reid held him even closer, before stepping back to gaze into Luke’s eyes.

“Are you okay?”

“Did you say what I think you said? I don’t want to get this wrong or make an assumption that isn’t exactly accurate.”

Reid rolled his lips inward. He could understand Luke’s reaction to his attempt at being romantic and honest at the same time. Reid had avoided all discussion about he and Luke and an actual marriage, using the fact that the law didn’t allow it as an excuse, but he knew how his partner felt.

“Luke, we both know the commitment ceremony we had last year was the result of a series of compromises on your part. I whittled it down to a third the size you wanted and made it far less of an event than you had hoped for. My cynicism overwhelmed my thinking and I let you down.”

“I loved our ceremony. It was all about us and it was beautiful.”

“I know all that, but I also know you made lemonade out of the lemons I left you with. There weren’t many options open to you to allow you to make it a grand and memorable Oakdale moment because I wouldn’t agree to any of that.”

“Reid, I know who you are and I understand what you can and can’t handle. It’s okay.” Luke laced his left hand with Reid’s. “Wearing these tells me all I need to know about how you feel about me, and it’s a sign for everyone else who sees us with them.”

“You deserve more.” Reid took a deep breath. “I can’t predict the future, but if same sex marriage is ever legalized where we live, I think we should do it -- bigger and better than all your parents’ weddings put together.”

Pressing his lips to Reid’s, Luke threaded his fingers in his hair. The kiss seemed to go on forever. Reid could feel it from his head to his toes and in another area somewhere in between, hoping it wasn’t getting too obvious. When they finally broke apart, Luke brushed his hand over Reid’s cheek. “I’m so happy we’re together. Whether we ever get the chance to marry or not, you mean everything to me.”

“You’re stuck with me too, Luke.”

“I’m glad.”

As the music continued, Reid embraced Luke and the two continued to sway like teenagers on the dance floor, oblivious to the stares of those around them. They certainly forgot whose wedding it was... until their bubble burst.

A little hand started tugging on Reid’s jacket. “Hey, everyone’s leaving and I gotta go home with you.”

Reid glared at Luke. “This is your mother and father’s fault. Just when I was ready to take you home and heat things up, the toothless wonder arrives to thwart our fun.”

“I promise to get him to bed on time.”

“With all the cake he’s eaten? We’ll be lucky if he falls asleep by tomorrow.”

“You’re a doctor. You know he’ll crash in about an hour.”

Reid smirked, tousling Ethan’s hair. “I guess I can wait an hour. I have plans for you, Mr. Snyder.”

“I’m sure they’re not nearly as exciting as my plans for you, Dr. Oliver.”

Raising an eyebrow, Reid chuckled. “You are definitely not the same young man I had to court almost three years ago.”

“Aren’t you lucky I’m not.” Luke winked.

“I am lucky. Yes, indeed, very lucky.”

“Well, let’s get him home so we can both get lucky.”

“The sooner the better.”

Ethan tugged at Reid’s suit jacket again. “Reid, will you read me a bedtime story? Maybe a really exciting one so I can stay up late!” Ethan’s sugar rush had him jumping up and down.

Luke stared at his hyperactive brother, speechless for a moment, but Reid offered a one sided grin.

“No problem kid. I have just the story to excite your mind.”

“Yay! What’s it called?”

“It’s a story I’ve been reading in a special magazine put out by the AMA.”

“Huh?” Ethan scratched his head. “What’s the story in the magazine that’s so cool?”

Reid’s grin widened and Luke bit his lip to keep from laughing. “It’s called, Analysis of the Rear Occipital Lobe -- it’s a real page turner.” Reid whispered into Luke’s ear, “Get the sheets warmed up as soon as he’s in his pajamas. I give him five minutes at best.”

Squeezing Reid’s hand, Luke snickered. “I’m not sure he’ll make it to five -- I hope he doesn’t.”

“We are perfect together.” Reid snorted.

“You know it, Dr. Oliver.”

“I know everything, Mr. Snyder.”

The two led Ethan to the spot where Lily and Holden were bidding their guests a fond and thankful good-bye. It was time to send the happy couple off on their honeymoon of a lifetime.

After Luke placed Ethan’s suitcase in the trunk, they all got into the car and Reid began the drive toward their apartment. Ethan was in the back seat humming the wedding march.

Luke was smiling, listening to Ethan hum, when his iPhone buzzed, alerting him to a text message.

“Who’s texting you? Is your mom giving us more Ethan instructions?”

“Shit!”

“Luke, we have a child in the vehicle. If you must say that, whisper.” Reid smiled.

“It’s from Damian.”

“Ahhh, bad-dad got hold of phone access in the big house. What does he want?”

“I don’t know. It just says, I was made aware your mother re-married Holden.”

“That’s it?”

“Yeah. No question, no nothing. I’m not answering it.”

“Good. That’s what delete buttons were made for. To remove unwanted nuisances.”

The three reached Luke and Reid’s apartment a few minutes later, ready to begin their temporary living arrangement.

[TBC]

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