In-Laws

Part 1

“Miriam is a stupid name for a grandmother.”

“She’s not your grandmother so don’t worry about it.”

“Yes, she is.  You adopted me.  The judge finally said it was a done deal.  That makes her my grandmother.”

Luke slowly shuffled into the kitchen rubbing the sleep from his eyes.  Normally, sleeping in on Sunday morning was a pleasure, but he’d, once again, woken up to find Ethan and Reid going at each other.  It was as if he’d hit rewind or was stuck in a bad version of Groundhog Day.

“You already have two grandmothers.  There’s no need to add another one to the mix.  Between Emma and Lucinda you’ve got the best in the granny department all sown up.”

Ethan tilted his head.  “What do you mean?”

Luke made his way to the coffee pot and filled a large mug.  Coffee was the only vice he had left and he indulged it for all it was worth.  Fortunately, Reid enjoyed a good cup too and made coffee almost as well as he performed brain surgery.  It meant the necessary trips to Java to get his caffeine fix were now far less frequent.

“Look, kid, on the one hand you have Emma.  She bakes, she’s motherly, she gives us care packages, and she somehow makes sure that the ridiculously large farm of hers is maintained so her entire family can enjoy it.  Then you’ve got Lucinda.  She’s...”

Sipping his coffee, Luke couldn’t wait to see how Reid explained Grandmother.

Ethan seemed completely focused on his new dad.  The two had shared a home for three years before the ten-year-old became Reid’s legal son.  During that time it was obvious to Luke that Holden was increasingly becoming a faint memory for the young boy and Reid really was becoming the father figure in his life.  Closing his eyes, Luke bit his lip.  He’d had the best and worst in fathers and they’d ultimately cancelled each other out.  The best was dead and the worst was in prison.  If Lucinda had anything to say about it, Damian would be dead before he breathed free air again.  Luke shivered knowing she probably had the contacts to make it happen.

Looking at the two at the table, both chomping away at bagels loaded with cream cheese, he was pleased they got along so well together.  This all could have been much worse if five years earlier Luke hadn’t recognized Reid for the amazing man he was.

“So, Reid, how would you describe Lucinda’s grandmotherly charms?”  Luke joined the rest of his little family at the table.

“Good morning, dear.”  Reid’s voice dripped with sarcasm.  “I hope you slept well.”

“I did sleep well, especially after that goodnight kiss you gave me.”

“Luke, I’m not stupid.”  Ethan rolled his eyes.  “I’m ten.  I know your dumb code for sex.  Just say it, or are you too chicken?”

Luke spotted Reid grinning.  “Payback’s a bitch, Mr. Snyder.”

Ethan snickered.  “So, Reid, do I get to meet my grandmother in Boston?”

“No.”

“But why?”  Luke detected a tinge of whining in Ethan’s voice but he could certainly understand his brother’s curiosity. 

Reid almost never talked about his childhood, and never spoke about his mother.  When he and Reid moved in together, he never introduced them.  They’d married and Reid insisted she not be invited.  And when the adoption was finally complete, Luke wasn’t even sure if Reid told her he was now a father.

“Listen, Ethan, this is the first time I’m going to meet Reid’s mom.  We don’t know how awkward that might be, so it’s probably wise to save introducing you for a later visit.”

Ethan kicked the edge of the table.  Luckily the fact that he was barefoot restricted the force of the kick, or else mugs and glasses would have been sent flying.  “That’s if he ever gives me the chance.”

Reid piped up, smiling.  “Lucinda’s a terrific grandmother, because she’s set you up to be a rich kid for the rest of your life.”

“I don’t need Grandmother for that.”

Reid's eyes widened as he looked at Ethan.  Luke had a feeling he knew where the savvy boy was going with this.

“Don’t forget, now that I’m living with my wealthy big brother, I’m destined to get everything anyway.  He wouldn’t give anything to Faith -- she’s a total flake, and Natalie only cares about whether her hair is the right style and her shoes match her clothing.  I’m clearly the only logical heir to Luke’s empire.”  Ethan batted his eyes overly dramatically at Luke.  “Right, brother dear?”

“You two are insane.”  Luke stood up to get more coffee.  It was perfect.  Reid really did know his way around a kitchen.  “Reid and I are heading to Boston tomorrow.  We’ll be there for a week.  You’ll be staying with Katie, Chris, and Jacob.  If you keep giving Reid a hard time I’ll arrange for you to stay with all the women at the farm.”

“No way!  Even Aunt Meg and Eliza are there now.  Nat told me.  Too many girls.”  Ethan grimaced as if he’d just sucked on a lemon.  “I’ll shut up for now, but if you like Grandma Miriam, I want to meet her too.”

“I’ll make sure to keep that in mind.”  Luke took half a bagel with nothing on it and bit into it.  “Now put your dishes in the dishwasher, go get dressed, and finish packing.”

Ethan stood up from the table and did as he was told.

“Oh, and Ethan...”

“Yeah?”

“Packing includes clothing, your toothbrush, and your school books -- not just your iTouch, your laptop, and your DVD’s.”

“Fine!”  Ethan stomped off, but Luke knew he wasn’t really angry. 

Directing his attention to Reid, who was savoring every morsel of his second bagel, Luke continued.  “I’m not sure if it’s a case of being anxious to meet your mother.  My guess is he’s more concerned that we may not come back.  This is the farthest we’ve traveled as a couple without him since he moved in with us.”

Reid seemed to try to swallow before he opened his mouth to respond.  “Thank you, Dr. Freud, for that incredibly obvious conclusion.”

“I had a feeling you’d figured it out too.”

“Of course I did.  No one would fight that hard to meet a sixty-five year old woman.  I’m not even sure if it’s a good idea for you to meet her.  Maybe we should cancel for all our sakes.”

“Reid.”  Luke gently brushed his hand over his stubborn lover’s upper arm.  He eventually let his fingers glide to the nape of Reid’s neck and drew him in for a deep, coffee and cream cheese kiss.

“I still don’t know why she invited us after all this time.  I’ve been emailing her for years and now, all of a sudden, she wants to see me.  I haven’t been back in Boston since I moved to Dallas.”

“And she’s never visited you?”

Reid shook his head.

“Did you have a fight when you left Massachusetts?”

“No.”  Reid looked at his plate, took another bite of his bagel, gulped down some coffee, and then continued speaking.  “We were never close.  Certainly not like you and your parents were.”

Luke lowered his head.

“You still miss them, don’t you?”

“Every damn day.  I didn’t realize just how wrapped up we were in each other’s lives until they were gone and never coming back.  At least Mom and Dad were around long enough to get to know and love you.”

“Lily never loved me.  Holden, maybe, but never Lily.”

“You’re wrong.”

Reid sat back in his chair and glared at Luke.  “Your mother couldn’t string three sentences together without sending a dig my way.”

“Maybe she didn’t show it on the surface, but I can guarantee she would never have changed her will to specifically have you as one of Ethan’s guardians if she didn’t completely love and trust you.”

Luke had never expressed his opinion about his mother’s motivation for changing her will until that moment.  He hadn’t thought he’d needed to, but talking about the elusive Miriam Oliver and their imminent visit seemed to bring to the surface a lot of insecurities, something he hadn’t seen in Reid since before they moved in together.

“In that case, Luke, I think your mother liked--” Luke’s eyes narrowed.  “Your mother loved me more than my own mother does.”

“You once told me you were a trained seal and would be pushed until you refused to go on.  I never asked.  Who did most of the pushing?”

Reid stood to refill his coffee cup.  After he did so, he placed the mug next to the pot and gripped the edge of the counter with both hands.  “I was a gifted kid with no siblings.  My dad was dying of cancer because he smoked like a chimney.  My mother was a frustrated college professor, always trying to focus on her next publication to maintain her tenure.  She wanted me to be a grand success so she could enjoy the overflow of the limelight.”

Remaining silent, Luke stood and slowly moved behind Reid.  Wrapping his arms around his waist from behind, Luke slowly peppered little kisses on Reid’s neck, shoulders and cheeks until he turned around.  Lacing his fingers through Luke’s hair, Reid crashed their lips together.

Luke opened his mouth, wanting more.  Reid immediately pressed his tongue inside.  Luke loved the feel of Reid inside him in any way possible.  Their connection was so special and when physical closeness and emotions meshed, it was perfection.  No matter what, Luke relished touching and loving Reid.  It was always the embodiment of passion and desire whenever they were together.

Resting their foreheads against one another’s, Reid closed his eyes.  “I hope you know how much I... love you... and the kid.”

“Yeah, I do.”  Luke whispered.  “I’ll be with you.  Whatever happens, I’ll make sure you’re okay.”

Reid whispered.  His voice was barely audible.  “I know you will.  I’m sometimes amazed how much you’ve taken care of me.  Finding you is the best thing that ever happened to me.”

“Even though you’ve ended up being stuck in Oakhell?”  Luke licked his lips and gently pressed them against Reid’s.

“It’s not so hellish lately.”

“I love you, Reid.”

“Good.”

[TBC]

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