The Movie

Chapter 12

After completing another satisfactory meeting with his department chiefs, Reid sat behind his desk, silently scanning his office. It had the usual accoutrements hanging on the walls, most of which had been placed there by Luke, diplomas, certificates, awards, and family photos. Those were the pieces he’d never thought would be his most prized displays, yet they were his pride... and joy, if he was completely honest with himself.

Luke and Ethan had become the most important people in his life. Hell, they’d become his life, and if Luke wanted to add to the mix by somehow having a baby join their family, Reid was okay with that too. He just wished Luke would say something about the talk they’d had.

It was obvious he was thinking about it, but Luke hadn’t actually brought up the concept of having another kid in their lives for almost two weeks -- since their first conversation over dinner. Luke usually plowed boldly forward, but as he matured he truly took the time to think important matters over, and this was clearly one of the most important decisions he could make.

Looking at another picture hanging on the wall, Reid walked over to the family portrait taken at Lily and Holden’s wedding. He’d thought about removing it shortly after his in-laws had been killed, but Luke wouldn’t hear of it, claiming it would be worse to see them disappear than keep them in a place of honor where all could see them. The interesting thing was they didn’t have too many pictures of Luke’s parents in their home, but Reid figured it had more to do with Luke’s pain than anything else.

“Hey, I bet you’re the hottest doctor on staff at this hospital. How about showing an eager young nurse the best way to get on your good side.” Reid blinked, having not heard the door to his office open.

“You can’t possibly be a nurse at Memorial, I would have certainly come across you before.” Reid smirked.

Luke laughed out loud. “I thought my line was cheesy, but that one definitely takes the cake.”

“I never claimed to be an English major.” Reid stood up and approached Luke. “However, cheesy or not, would it surprise you to know I was just thinking about you?”

“Evil thoughts?” Luke grinned.

“Not this time, although I’m easily distracted if you’d care to take your offer a bit further.”

“Anytime, Dr. Oliver, but since it’s midday I think your staff may get a bit too curious about all the sounds coming from in here.”

Disappointed, Reid shrugged his shoulders. “You’re probably right; I guess you’ll have to come back after work. This room hasn’t seen nearly enough action of true value lately.”

“I’d be happy to oblige.” Luke wrapped his arms around Reid’s neck and pressed their lips together.

Carefully guiding them to the sofa, Reid continued kissing Luke, pushing his tongue past his young partner’s lips. The two continued enjoying a few delicious moments together when Reid’s intercom buzzed.

“Dr. Oliver, Dr. Jenkins requested a neuro consult with you in the neuro wing’s pre-op room.”

“Damn,” Reid whispered. “Just when the day was taking a turn for the better. Wait until he wants some private time with his new spouse, I’ll make sure to pay him back.”

“Dr. Oliver, did you hear me?” His assistant called through the intercom again, awaiting a response.

“Tell Dr. Jenkins I’ll be there in less than five minutes.” He walked over to the intercom, turning it off before his assistant could say anymore.

“I had a feeling we’d get interrupted.” Luke stood up and held Reid’s hand.

“Good thing we didn’t let this go too far.”

“I’ll make sure to remember where we left off when I come back later. Ethan has a guitar lesson and after that is spending the weekend at the farm with Natalie and Grandma.”

“You know that just leaves the two of us at home alone.”

Luke nodded, a smile extending from ear to ear.

“Any plans in particular you’d like to explore?” Reid raised an eyebrow.

“After a fabulous dinner at the Lakeview, I’d like to explore a few spaces we’ve had to bypass with my brother in the house.”

“Sounds like you have your priorities, and our plans, set for optimum enjoyment. A great meal, and amazing sex.”

“Your two favorite sports.”

Reid chuckled. “I bet we won’t see either of those at the next Olympic Games. Too bad, I’d be sure to get a Gold Medal in both events.”

Luke’s voice took a more serious tone as he held Reid’s hand. “I also know you’ve been watching me, waiting to see how I feel about your offer from a couple of weeks ago. I have an answer; but since you’re in demand right now, it’ll have to wait until dinner tonight.”

“Anything I should be concerned about?”

“Not one. Just know that I love you no matter what I say.”

“I see.”

“I doubt it, but you’ll find out soon enough.” Luke gave Reid a quick peck on the lips and left.

Reid was curious and concerned about what Luke’s thoughts had led him to decide. The strange thing was, he wasn’t sure if Luke would say he wanted a child, or that he didn’t want one.

 

*~*~*~*~*
 

Having received a text a couple of hours earlier suggesting they meet at the Lakeview, Reid walked in to find himself escorted to one of the more exclusive dining rooms. He was glad he wore a suit to work otherwise he’d be given one of the ridiculous jackets they kept in the back for customers who didn’t know the dress code of the elite space in the hotel; probably the most elite dining establishment in all of Oakdale -- not hard to achieve.

He was guided to a table that was larger than he expected. Reid hoped Luke hadn’t invited anyone to join them. They rarely seemed to have time alone and he was looking forward to a night enjoying the company of only one person.

Less than ten seconds after he’d been seated, Luke came up behind Reid and wrapped his arms around his shoulders from the back, kissing his neck and earlobe. “Glad you could make it.”

“I wouldn’t miss a night alone with you for anything.”

“Except maybe a head trauma that only you would be called in to handle.”

“Not tonight. I arranged not to be on call all night.”

“That’s good news. I’m glad you can make arrangements like that because you just might need them in the near future. And in case you were wondering, there is a reason I requested a table for four even though it’s just the two of us.”

“Good to know. I was beginning to think we were having company.”

Taking his seat, Luke assured Reid, “No, no company tonight.”

“What’s with all the brochures spread all over the table, Luke? How did they get here? I’m beginning to sense a guessing game and I’m clearly not catching on. What is all this? I thought we were going to talk about having a kid.”

“The brochures are the reason we have a table for four, so we’d have enough room; and as to how they got here, I arrived a little before you and put them here. I was in the men’s room when you arrived. The brochures are part of us talking about having a kid.

“Reid, I love you for wanting to make sure I get the chance to become a father, but I’m not even thirty and I want to enjoy a little more freedom with my husband. I know we have Ethan, but he’s old enough to stay with Grandma Emma and Natalie, or Katie and Chris, without feeling rejected.”

“Are you saying you don’t want to have any more kids?”

Luke shook his head. “No, I’m not. I’ve been thinking about it a lot since you brought it up. I do want to be a father, but not quite yet. If you’re willing to wait a little longer, I’d rather take advantage of the time we have together and travel. We haven’t had a real vacation -- just the two of us -- since Ethan came into our lives full-time.”

Chuckling, Reid picked up one of the brochures that caught his eye. “Boy, did Katie get this one wrong.”

“She may think she knows me well, but let’s face it, Reid, you’re the person who knows me better than anyone else. I was hoping, if you could arrange to get coverage at the hospital, you and I can take a vacation while the honeymooners are off to Hawaii. When we return it’ll be time to start shooting the movie and Noah has approved my presence on the set. I’d like to be there... for you, for me, and most of all, for my parents.”

“I can’t think of a better time for me to cash in one of the many IOU’s Dr. Hughes needs to pay back.”

“Do you think he’ll agree?”

“He’ll have no choice. Ethan can stay at the farm. He and Natalie can use the time to get reacquainted when she’s between dates.”

“I think I’ll talk to Faith about spending some quality time with them also. She’s been so wrapped up playing wife and mom, she barely sees any of us lately.”

“You do realize we see her at least once a week. That’s a lot for some families.”

“Not the Snyders. We stick together.”

“So I’ve learned over the years.”

“Reid?”

“Yes?”

“Are you okay with this? I mean putting off having a baby for a little while.”

“Not only am I okay with it, but I’m pretty interested in heading overseas. I’m between London and Paris. I’ll let you make the final decision and surprise me. Living with you, I’m getting better at enjoying surprises.” Reid reached across the table and held Luke’s hand. “Sometimes it still amazes me that you actually chose me over--”

“Noah? You and I both know he and I weren’t right for each other.”

“And we also both know we couldn’t keep away from each other even when we wanted to.”

“You know, Dr. Oliver, I thought you were pretty hot from the moment I laid eyes on you.”

“That’s okay, Mr. Snyder, I wanted you the second or third time I laid eyes on you.” Reid brushed his hand over Luke’s cheek. He still looked every bit as young as he did the day they met. “You’re so beautiful,” Reid whispered.

Leaning into the touch, Luke closed his eyes and smiled. “Right back at you, Reid. I love you so much.” Slowly opening his eyes, Luke gazed at Reid and then at the brochures strewn across the table. “So where to? London, Paris, or somewhere else?”

“Let’s think about it and decide after dinner.”

“Ahhh, food. Priorities are priorities.”

“You know it, Luke.” Reid smiled. “Having a husband has turned out to be far better than I could ever have imagined.”

Luke’s blush was the perfect response -- it was a glow Reid never got tired of seeing.

As he looked at his menu, Reid took the opportunity to glance in Luke’s direction. He still had no idea how fate or destiny had brought this amazing man into his life, but Reid was grateful for whatever had caused them to find one another.

While it wouldn’t always be smooth sailing, and he knew emotions would certainly escalate from time to time, especially with the start of filming, Reid was actually content with his life -- a word he never used before Luke came into his world.

[TBC - one more chapter]

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