THANKSGIVING

Chapter 4

Luke and Reid sat side by side next to Ethan’s bed in the pediatric ICU. Luke had his arm around Reid who, having Luke’s promise to remain awake and to wake him should Ethan stir, had finally agreed to rest.

With Reid’s head resting on his shoulder, Luke ghosted his fingers up and down his husband’s arm. Poor Reid spent so much time having to cope with the men he loved being hospitalized. It had only been a few months since Luke’s transplant and while things couldn’t have gone better, until it was over it had been obvious Reid was tortured by what-ifs throughout the ordeal.

After gently kissing the top of Reid’s head and nuzzling his cheek against the soft waves, Luke stared at Ethan. He reached out and took the boy’s hand in his, careful not to jostle the IV line.

“You’re really scaring me, Eth. This isn’t funny. If I wasn’t so worried about you, I’d be angry about how careless you were last night.” Luke lifted the hand and kissed two of his brother’s knuckles. “I would never try to be this affectionate with you if you were awake. It’s not something you’re comfortable with, but that’s okay, neither is Reid. He doesn’t mind PDAs, but he’s not into over-the-top displays of emotion. I guess I’m the emotional one in the family. Must be the Walsh in me. Mom sure had a flare for the dramatic, so does Grandmother.

“Listen, buddy, you need to wake up. And then you need to be okay. You’re important to so many people. I’m sure most of them will be here soon. It wouldn’t surprise me if Katie called Grandma last night, as well as Faith.” Luke took a deep breath. “They won’t want to see you like this. You really should open your eyes, otherwise they’ll freak out, especially Natalie. According to Grandma, she can’t cope if she doesn’t have the right color eye shadow to go with whatever top she’s wearing.” Luke smiled, remembering the shock of seeing his youngest sister finally looking more like a woman than a girl.

“Uncle Noah was here too. He’s probably still here with Dr. Mark, in his office.” Sighing, Luke continued. “I know you get a kick out of all the family weddings. I wouldn’t be surprised if Noah and Mark supply one for us pretty soon. Unfortunately, you won’t be the best man in that one, but I bet you’ll be an usher. You know, Ethan, I never told you this because you were too young to understand, but when Noah left for LA I never dreamed he and I would become real friends again, but I’m glad we did. There are just some people you need in your life, and I guess he’s one of those I need, but not more than you and Reid.

“Ethan, there’s something I need to tell you -- brother to brother. Please wake up. It’ll be an incredible surprise. I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I do.” Luke brushed his fingertips against Ethan’s cheek. “It’s okay to wake up. Reid and I are here for you. Don’t be afraid.”

Luke continued to gaze at his little brother until Mark walked in with a nurse and two orderlies. Reid started and sat up, wiping the sleep from his eyes. “What are you doing here? Is something wrong?”

“Good morning to you too, Reid. I’m working.” Mark placed his stethoscope in his ears and began to examine the sleeping boy.

“Well, don’t keep us in the dark.”

“Reid, you know as much as I do.”

“Actually, Mark, when all is said and done, I probably know more.”

Mark huffed. “Touché. I’m transferring him to the neuro wing to do a complete scan. If everything is as I expect, I’ll remove the drain while he’s there and then send him onto the pediatric unit.”

“Not ICU?” Luke squeezed Reid’s hand.

“I reserve ICU for critical patients only. My guess is, with the swelling down, the drain removed, and the anesthesia wearing off, Ethan will recover much better in a happier, more pleasant atmosphere.”

Reid glared at Mark. “When did you become such an expert on kids?”

Patting Reid on the back, Mark chuckled. “I actually like kids. I have a sense of what they do and don’t like.”

“What do you think Mr. Mayer will think of that? Is there a chance we may have a little Dr. Jenkins running around Memorial at some point?”

“Noah and I have talked about kids.”

“And?”

“Dr. Oliver, I’ve never known you to be a gossip.”

“It’s a great distraction, and this hospital seems to be the center for more news than WOAK.”

“I’ll tell Katie and Noah you said that. They can move the camera crews here.”

“So you and Noah...” Reid smirked.

“You and Luke make excellent role models. Leave it at that, Reid. Noah should be the only one I talk to about this.”

“Well said, Dr. Jenkins.”

When the orderlies began to move the bed out of the room, Reid and Luke followed.

“Dr. Oliver, I have to ask you not to come in with me when we get to the surgical suite.”

“I know, but Luke and I intend to stay as close as we can.”

Nodding, Mark followed at Ethan’s side as he was wheeled out of ICU.

Luke, still holding Reid’s hand, tightened his grip. “Does all this mean he’s on the mend?”

“This means that thanks to the amazing neuro wing that I run, and you substantially financed, we’ll know very quickly how Ethan is doing.”

“And confirm he’s on the mend?”

“Yes, he’d better be.”

“Reid, I thought of something crazy when you dozed off.”

Luke and Reid continued to follow Ethan as they whispered to one another. The hallway was extremely quiet as it was still early morning. “What was today’s crazy thought of the day?”

Nudging Reid, Luke smiled. “I realized that if Ethan had needed blood, I might be a good match.”

Reid huffed. “Of course you must know, with all the meds in your system, you’re not a viable donor... not to mention you’re gay.”

“Stupid, bullshit laws. I can’t believe you couldn’t give blood because you love a man instead of a woman. You’re healthier than anyone I know.”

“I couldn’t agree more, Mr. Snyder.”

They arrived at the neurology wing and tried to relax in the specially designed family waiting area.

“This really was a good idea. Many families have commented on how helpful the room and its warm atmosphere have been over the past few years.”

“I may not be a doctor, but I know emotional needs.”

Nodding, Reid and Luke sat together on a small sofa. Reid turned to Luke and cupped his chin, kissing him tenderly. Resting their foreheads together, Reid briefly closed his eyes. “I’m not particularly comfortable with all the emotional stuff, but I want you to always remember you and Ethan are everything to me. Without either one of you, I’d--”

Luke pressed a finger to Reid’s lips to quiet him. “Shhh. Ethan will be fine, and I intend to pester you for many decades to come.”

The two kissed once again before they sat back against the plush sofa cushions and turned on the television to watch the WOAK morning news, hoping to find some distraction while they were forced to wait on the outside once again.

[TBC]
 

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