In-Laws

Part 12

After adjusting their boutonnieres, Reid and Luke met their little wedding party in the hotel lobby and quickly got into the limo waiting in front of the building.

While everyone was making small talk, Reid noticed Luke staring out the window.  “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

The rest of their entourage quieted.

“Something’s on your mind.  We passed the I’m fine stage at least four years ago.  Care to share?”  Reid was getting concerned.  He couldn’t imagine what was preoccupying Luke’s thoughts.  He’d been happy about the news of Noah’s return to Oakdale, not to mention his break up with Kevin. 

“It’s foolish... childish really.”

“That’s okay, you’re closer to childhood than I am and we have a child in the car.  Spill.”  Reid automatically laced his fingers with Luke’s.

Looking into Reid’s eyes, Luke wore a sweet, half-smile.  “It’s just that the weather was supposed to be miserable today.”

“And instead the sun’s shining and there’s a light breeze.  I’m not seeing the problem here.” 

Luke furrowed his brow.  “We’re finally taking the only step left we have as a same-sex couple, and I want it to be as special as possible.”  He huffed.  “I know you already think I’m a hopeless romantic, but do you think the judge might be willing to take this outside as opposed to it seeming more like a business transaction, or worse laying down a verdict, in his chambers?”

The group remained silent until Kevin spoke up.  “I work for a politician.  They like to keep things like this simple; get them done with quickly and move on to the bigger and more critical issues of the day.  Why don’t you just let the guy lead you through the vows and be done with it?”

Reid glared at the unexpected guest.  “Clam up, party boy.”

“Excuse me.”

“You heard me.  I know exactly who you are and how you impacted Luke’s life.  You’re in this car with us because he’s got more class in one lock of his hair than you’ve ever had in your pathetic life.”  Reid glanced in Noah’s direction.  “Sorry, Noah.  He can’t get away with any crap today.”

Noah shrugged, remaining silent.

“Hey, you don’t have the right to say that to me.  You weren’t even there when Luke and I hung out together.”

“You mean got plastered together, don’t you... or later on when you harassed him for being gay.  Now isn’t that a laugh!”  Before Kevin could answer, Reid held up his hand and Noah squeezed Kevin’s knee.  “But we’re not going there right now.  Today is about me marrying this incredible person and if he wants a wedding on the front lawn, or anywhere else in particular, it’ll happen.”  Reid turned toward Miriam.  “Isn’t that right, Mother?”

Miriam Oliver clearly took the not-so-subtle hint, pulled her cell phone from her elegant clutch purse, and began to make a call.  “Hello, Ray.”

...

“Yes, we’re on our way.”

...

“I know.  We’re looking forward to it also.”

...

“My son and his fiancé--”  Reid coughed and his eyes widened hearing the term his mother used, but his surprise turned to peace and calm when he saw the light return to Luke’s eyes.   “As I was about to say, Ray, my son and his intended would like to get married outside since the weather has taken a pleasant turn.”

...

“Oh, that would be lovely.  Thank you, my dear.  We’ll be there shortly.”  Reid’s mother snapped her phone shut and placed it back in her bag.

Luke stared at Miriam, squeezing Reid’s hand the entire time.

“Well, boys, it seems there’s a lovely gazebo behind the courthouse.  Apparently you aren’t the first to make this request.  Ray’s interns will go outside and make sure it’s in top condition for your ceremony.  We’re to meet them there.”

The beautiful smile that crossed Luke’s face was all Reid needed to see.  “Thank you, Mother.  You’ve made returning to Boston one of the better experiences in my life.”

Miriam nodded and patted her son’s knee.  “It’s worked out quite nicely for me as well.”

Reid turned his attention back to Kevin.  “Never underestimate the power of a Snyder or an Oliver.  If you challenge one of us, you challenge all of us, and you’ll be way out of your league.  I’d remember that if I were you.”

It was clear to everyone Reid was not referring solely to wedding arrangements.  Kevin wisely remained silent and just nodded. 

When they arrived, everyone quickly got out of the limo.  The driver would wait in the parking area with the limo to whisk the group to a special luncheon at a restaurant overlooking Boston Harbor.  Reid’s mother had made the arrangements the day before, as part of her adventures with her new grandson, Ethan.

Leading the group toward the rear of the courthouse, Reid quickly spotted the gazebo.  There were two young women sitting in it, both of whom rose when they saw the wedding party approach.  “You must be Dr. Oliver.  I saw your picture in the newspaper this morning.”

Reid laughed.  “You read the Society section?”

“I read everything that mentions Judge Parker’s name, and he was listed as officiating at your wedding.  It’s part of my job.  In fact the newspaper sends me all the articles for pre-approval -- this one had a rush on it.”

Luke put his arm around Reid’s waist.  “Is the judge on his way?”

“My colleague just paged him.  He should be here--”  Her voice trailed off as Judge Parker stepped through the group.

“I see we’re all here.  Let’s assemble for this joyous occasion.  It’s one of the duties my wife likes me participating in as I go home happy at the end of the day.”

While Reid wasn’t particularly impressed with Judge Parker, the happiness in Luke’s face was all he needed.  His lover was more alive and his smile brighter than he could imagine to be possible.  It still amazed Reid that Luke wanted him as much as he wanted Luke.  They may have started out as adversaries, but nothing could be farther from the truth now.

The judge spoke.  “I’d like the grooms directly in front of me please.”  He looked directly at Reid.  “Dr. Oliver, I know your mother is with you, but do you have a best man in your wedding party?”

Without missing a beat, Reid declared, “That would be my son, Ethan.”

Jumping nearly a foot off the ground and punching his fist in the air, Ethan yelled, “Yeah!” and took his place at Reid’s side.

“It’s great to see such enthusiasm.  Frequently young people are so apathetic.”

Ethan looked at Judge Parker.  “I’m never pathetic.”

Grinning, the Judge nodded.  “So noted, young man.  I won’t make that error again.”  He turned to Luke.  “Do you have a best man as well?”

Luke looked at Reid, who squeezed his hand in silent agreement.

“Noah?  I hope this isn’t too much to ask.”  Luke bit his lip.

Stepping away from Kevin, Noah stood beside Luke.  “I think it’s finally just about right.”  Glancing toward Reid, Noah rolled his lips inward. 

With Miriam and Kevin standing behind the grooms, the ceremony began.  It was simple and traditional.  Since Reid wasn’t one for flashy words and public speeches unless he was making a medical presentation, the two chose to repeat the typical vows couples have recited for ages. 

After the newlyweds enjoyed their first kiss, which lingered considerably longer than expected, Judge Parker shook their hands.  “I hope you boys appreciate the gift you’ve been given.”

Reid rolled his eyes.  “Thank you, Judge, for marrying us on such short notice.”

The judge laughed.  “You’re welcome, but that wasn’t what I was referring to.  I meant the gift of finding the person you’re meant to spend your life with.  Enjoy the love you share and make the most of it.  Appreciate and respect one another -- along with love, those will take you through whatever life throws in your way.”

Shaking Judge Parker’s hand, Reid glanced from the judge to Luke.  “Thank you, your honor.  I’d venture to guess you’re absolutely right and I do plan to take your advice.”

Still looking at Luke, Reid took pleasure in seeing the rose color rise in his spouse’s cheeks.  “Well, Luke, now you’ve done it.  We’re stuck with each other.  There’s no turning back now.”

“Reid, there was no turning back for me five years ago.”

“No turning back for me, either,” Ethan piped up from the side.  “Did you like the article?  Grandma Miriam and the guy at the Boston Globe helped me write it, but did you like it?  It was my wedding present, along with the food -- I know Reid likes to eat -- and the flowers... they were white because Grandma Miriam said blue was tacky for a groom.”

Reid put a hand on Ethan’s shoulder.  “Slow down, kid.  You’re going to run out of air if you keep talking so fast.”

“Luke talks all the time and he never runs out.”

Snorting, Reid guided Ethan off to the side, leaving Luke to receive hugs from his new mother-in-law, Noah, and even Kevin.  “Listen, Ethan, I want you to know, the article you wrote -- it meant the world to me.”

“So, you’re okay with being my dad now?  I know you were kind of forced into it when my mother and father died.”  Ethan lowered his head.

“Ethan, look at me.”  Reid knew he had to actually talk about how he felt, something still difficult for him despite all the years with Luke.  “I was never forced to adopt you.  It was shocking at the time to learn your parents trusted me enough to give me the rights to take care of you, but the choice to adopt you was mine.  I could have remained a guardian, but becoming your parent meant something to me.”

“Why do you always call me kid?  You never call me your son.  Dad used to say, son, all the time when he spoke to me or Luke.”

Reid spotted a bench a few yards away.  He and Ethan sat down together facing one another.  “Holden was a great father.  The best I’ve ever seen.  I don’t want to try and take his place in your heart and mind by making you call me a name reserved for him and vice versa.”

“I figured you wanted to keep your distance.  You know, just be brothers-in-law.”

“If it makes any difference, I’ve thought of you as my son beginning soon after you moved in with us -- long before I was able to legally adopt you.  The adoption was only a formality to legally protect you, and my right to care for you.”

“I miss my dad.  I never got old enough to call him, Dad.  Do you know I was still calling him Daddy when he died?”

Reid shook his head.  “No, I didn’t know.”

“It’s sometimes hard to remember them.”

“That tends to happen when a parent dies while you’re young.”  Reid thought about how dim the memories of his own father were, yet he still felt the pain of loss, although it was more of a twinge than the paralyzing emptiness it had been when he was a child. 

Reid pinched the bridge of his nose.  He felt Luke’s hand rest on his shoulder, but he continued speaking directly to Ethan.  “I never want to push you beyond what you’re comfortable with.  There’s no way I could ever take Holden’s place in your thoughts, or in your heart, but if you’d like to consider me your dad rather than your brother-in-law, I’d be honored.”

Ethan nodded his head.  “Someone has to be my dad.  I already have two big brothers, and knowing Faith, I’ll have a brother-in-law pretty soon.”  Looking up into Reid’s eyes, Ethan displayed the Snyder smile that captured his heart years earlier.  “I might just call you Dad sometimes... but no matter, I’ll definitely think of you as my new father.”

Reid sat still, unwilling to risk letting his emotions take him over the edge. 

Luke was there, as always, to help him through.  “Eth, you’re one lucky kid.  First you had our dad and now you’ve got Reid.”

“You’re pretty lucky too, Luke.  You got him to marry you.  No divorcing allowed.”

Chuckling, Luke brushed his hand over Ethan’s wavy mop of hair.  “I am lucky; and there’s definitely no divorcing allowed in the Snyder and Oliver home.”

Reid stood up and ghosted his fingers over Luke’s cheek.  “Definitely not allowed.”  He pressed his lips to Luke’s, sealing the deal.

“Ahem, boys.”  Miriam stood several feet away.  “It’s time we head to the restaurant.  We don’t want to lose our reservation.  I arranged for a table overlooking the water.”

Reid gently rested his forehead against Luke’s.  “Visiting my mother didn’t turn out so bad after all.”

Luke winked.  “Nope, not bad at all.”

Grabbing at Reid’s elbow, Ethan tugged the sleeve.  “C’mon, you guys, stop getting all lovey dovey.  I’m starving.”

[TBC]

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