Fic: Coming Home 61/?
Author: PABWECG (aka Patricia)
Title: Coming Home
Genre/Type: Romance
Rating: PG-13 to NC-17
Characters/Pairings: Luke/Reid, Luke/Noah, Lily/Holden, Casey, Katie, Bob, assorted little people, possibly others
Warnings: None really, except some Nuke intimacy
Summary: Luke and Noah moved to L.A. in the Summer of 2009 for Noah to do his last year of school with an internship of sorts (no Mason, no blindness, etc. Everything else in their history has happened). Reid arrived, temporarily, at Memorial in August 2010.
Previous Chapters: 1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ 5/ 6/ 7/ 8/ 9/ 10/ 11/ 12/ 13/ 14/ 15/ 16/ 17/ 18/ 19/ 20/ 21/ 22/ 23/ 24/ 25/ 26/ 27/ 28/ 29/ 30/ 31/ 32/ 33/ 34/ 35/ 36/ 37/ 38/ 39/ 40/ 41/ 42/ 43/ 44/ 45/ 46/ 47/ 48/ 49/ 50/ 51/ 52/ 53/ 54/ 55/ 56/ 57/ 58/ 59/ 60/
Thank you Slayerkitty for being my beta!!!
Ch 61
Mid-May 2010...Katie and Reid's apartment...
“He's not my boyfriend,” Katie said.
“Tell that to Dr. White,” Reid responded.
“We only went out twice,” Katie said. “And I told him no the last time he asked,” she finished.
“I think you may have to be a little more clear with that one,” Reid said.
“I guess so.”
“And no more Rudolf?” Reid asked, mostly just to annoy her.
She gave him a look that said he'd succeeded.
“Seriously,” Reid said. “I hate - I mean really hate to say this - but Hank was right about that guy.”
“Henry,” Katie began. “Doesn't approve of anyone I date.”
Reid laughed. “And I wonder why that is?”
“Stop it,” Katie said. “Henry and I tried the whole dating thing, more than once, and we're happy as friends.”
“Are you sure Hank feels the same?”
“Yes,” Katie answered. “Henry and I are best friends - he just wants someone who's good for me; he wants me to be happy, that's what friends do.”
Reid grunted.
“Oh, don't give me that attitude,” she said. “You can't convince me that you don't need or want friends.”
“When did I...” he began, but she interrupted.
“Maybe when you first came to Oakdale, when you were grouchy all the time, and snapping at everyone...maybe then I would have believed you didn't need friends.”
He opened his mouth to protest, but she barreled on.
“But not now,” she continued. “Imagine your life without Stephen, or me, or Bob.” She gave him a pointed look, daring him. “Tell me you'd be happy with a life like that.”
“You're right, of course,” he conceded. “You, and Stephen, and Bob are indispensable...but Hank?”
She slapped him on the arm. “Stop it.”
“What?” he asked sheepishly.
She glared at him.
“Okay, okay,” he said, hands raised in front of him.
“He's going to be here any minute,” she said. “Promise you'll be nice to him.”
“Nice?” he asked.
“I'm nice to Stephen, your best friend.”
“You're nice to everyone,” he said. “Besides, Stephen's not Hank.”
She exhaled. “You'd better be nice - or at least not mean - or else.”
He appeared mock-scared until she looked exasperated; then he pulled her in for a side-hug. “I promise not to be mean, and to consider, maybe, possibly, being a tiny bit nice, if the circumstances allow,” he said. “How's that?” he finished.
She shook her head with a smile. “It'll have to do.”
The doorbell rang, and Katie's face lit up with a great, big smile. “I love having company,” she said.
“I know you do,” Reid responded.
She turned and left the kitchen, and Reid followed her out into the living room. He heard Henry's voice in the hallway, and tried to find his “nice” smile. The door opened and he saw, not only Henry, but Luke, with Samantha in his arms. He had no trouble finding a genuine smile for those two.
He stood across the room and watched Katie greet Luke and Henry, and then give her full attention to Sammy, who smiled enthusiastically at her Auntie Katie. She picked Sammy up and swung her about, settling her in her arms and walking around the room, showing her the sights and stopping to play reflection games in the large mirror hanging above the mantelpiece. Luke was watching them with a smile, and then he turned that smile towards Reid. Reid breathed in and out, and he saw Luke do the same, and they shared a look. It wasn't a look of longing or desire, but one of contentment, of happiness - great, joyful, contented happiness.
There was another knock at the door. “Do you want me to get that?” Luke asked.
“Yes, please,” Katie responded. Then she went back to making smiley faces with Sammy. Luke smiled once more at Reid, and then Reid walked over to sit down on the floor - Jacob, Katie and Sammy joining him.
Luke opened the door and found Stephen and Kyle there; the two looked so at-home together, and so happy, that any possible, lingering feelings of insecurity Luke had around Reid's relationship with Stephen vanished.
Stephen stepped forward and embraced him. “Hi Luke,” he said. “How are you?”
Luke smiled and nodded. “Good,” he said. “Hi Kyle, come on in. Almost everyone's here.” He stepped back to let them in.
Stephen stepped forward and looked around at the small gathering. “How's it going, Katie?” he asked.
Katie smiled at him. “I'm good, Stephen. How are you?” She left Sammy and Jacob with Reid, and walked over to give him and Kyle each a hug. “Hi Kyle. I'm so glad you both could come.”
“We are, too,” Kyle responded. “Thanks for asking us over.” Kyle walked with Katie back into the living room, said hello to Reid, and then squatted down to greet Sammy and Jacob.
“So, your trip's tomorrow, eh?” Stephen asked Luke, both of them still standing near the front door.
Luke smiled up at him. “Yeah,” he answered.
“Are you ready?”
“I think so, “ Luke answered.
“You two want anything to drink?” Katie asked from across the room. “We've got Diet Coke, Ginger Ale, beer, wine, juice...” she trailed off, and then added, “...water.”
“I can get something,” Luke said. “You don't have to wait on me.”
Katie tilted her head with a smile. “You're our guests,” she said. She waited expectantly until they both gave her their drink preferences, and then she turned to get them. Luke looked once more at Reid on the floor with Sammy and Jacob, and he couldn't help but smile.
“You fly out tomorrow afternoon?” Stephen asked.
Luke smiled once more at his little girl and turned his attention back to Stephen. “Yeah. Three O' Clock fight. Reid's driving me to O'Hare after lunch.” His hands were in his pockets and he was rocking nervously between his heels and the balls of his feet. “We're meeting Noah at the diner beforehand...he's taking Sammy for the night...well, for a lot of nights...” He bit his upper lip and rocked onto the balls of his feet once more.
“Are you nervous about how things will go for Sammy while you're gone?”
Luke's right hand came out of its pocket, and he waved away the thought, as if it was a ridiculous one. “Nah,” he said. “Why would I be?”
Stephen nodded.
Luke went on. “She has Reid and Katie, my parents and Noah - her real father (Stephen raised an eyebrow at that) - and you and Kyle,” Luke continued, holding a hand out in Stephen's direction. “She'll be fine,” he finished.
“She will,” Stephen agreed.
Katie brought them their drinks with a smile, and then walked over to speak with Henry.
Luke looked at Reid's best friend, a man he had come to really like and respect. “Do you really think so?” he asked.
“Absolutely,” Stephen stated.
“Right. She'll be surrounded by people who love her,” Luke said. Stephen nodded calmly. “She won't even miss me,” trying to convince himself that the child he loved would never shed a tear.
“I wouldn't go that far,” Stephen said. “You're her father, Luke.”
“Oh God,” Luke cried softly. “Maybe I shouldn't have let her get so attached to me. Maybe I shouldn't even go on this trip.”
Stephen laid a hand on his arm. “Luke, she'll miss you because she loves you, and because she's attached to you. That's healthy. Babies are supposed to become attached to their parents.” Luke nodded and Stephen continued. “But I meant it when I said she'd be fine.”
“Yeah?” Luke asked.
“Yeah,” Stephen answered. “Babies also need parents who take care of their own needs, and it sounds like this writing retreat will be rejuvenating for you. You're excited for it, aren't you?”
Luke's eyes lit up. “So excited,” he said. “But only if Sammy's going to be okay.”
“She will be, Luke,” Stephen said. “She'll miss you, and she'll even cry some probably, but then she'll see that there is still a lot of love around her, and she'll be fine.”
Luke inhaled, took a sip of his Ginger Ale, and nodded, feeling much better about it.
There came another knock on the door, and Katie and Reid weren't nearby. “That'll be Casey,” he said to Stephen “Katie, I'll get it,” he called out. He opened the door and there was his best friend. “Hey, Casey,” he said, pulling him inside and giving him a hug. “How are you?” he asked. “Where's Traci?”
Casey smiled. “I'm good. Hi Stephen.”
Stephen returned the greeting.
“Traci's away,” he said to Luke.
“Again?” Luke asked.
“Yeah, well...I knew she was a travel nut when we got together.”
“Where's she off to this time?” Luke asked. He liked Traci, and he liked the effect she had on Casey, who'd never seemed happier; but he knew her absence was always hard on his best friend.
“South America...like, all over,” Casey answered. “Can you believe it? I'm so jealous.”
“Wow, that sounds amazing. For how long?” Luke asked.
“Six months,” Casey answered. “That's one of the reasons I didn't go with her. Can't afford to take another semester off.”
“She's a student, too. How come she can take all this time off?”
“Her folks are paying for school, and they're okay with it.”
Luke nodded. “Wait, you said that was one of the reasons you didn't go with her. What's the other reason?”
Casey hesitated. “Well, remember that open relationship thing I was telling you about?”
Luke's eyes widened. “Oh,” he said. “You mean...”
"Yeah," Casey said, nodding, not looking too happy. “A few of the guys she's been seeing, off and on, for a few years now...well, they're in Brazil, Chile...all over the continent.”
“And they...these guys...they knows she sees other guys?” Luke asked, and Casey nodded. “How many guys does she see?”
Casey shrugged. “Who knows,” he said. “The things is she only sees each of these guys for a few weeks every few years...none of them are serious.”
“I don't think I could do that,” Luke said.
“Which?” Casey asked. “What she's doing or what I'm doing?”
Luke raised his eyebrows at Casey sagely. “Either.”
“Well, I'm fine, really,” Casey said. “Like I said before, I knew what I was getting myself into.”
“If you say so,” Luke responded.
“What?” Casey said. “It means I'm free to play the field, too.” Luke could tell that Casey was trying to play it all cool, but could see that it kind of bothered him.
“But, you don't want to play the field, do you?” Luke asked.
“I don't know,” Casey answered. “There are a lot of beautiful women in this world. And I'm young.” He winked at Luke.
“Yeah, but Traci's kinda special, isn't she?”
“Of course,” Casey answered.
“I mean, she might be the one, right?” Luke clarified.
“Um...” Casey hesitated. “I don't know...maybe...yes,” he said at last. “But I need to accept her for who she is, right?”
“Sure, “ Luke agreed. “But it doesn't mean you don't get a say in the relationship,” Luke went on. “Figure out what you really need, and want, and tell her.”
Casey nodded, considering. “Enough about me,” he said, putting an arm around Luke's shoulder. “You leave for Maine tomorrow, right?”
Luke nodded.
“That's so awesome. You excited?”
“Very,” Luke said with a smile, but then he looked over at Sammy - who was still on the floor with Jacob, Kyle, and Reid - and his worries returned. “I hope you're okay while I'm gone,” he said softly. Realizing he'd spoken aloud, he turned to Casey with an apologetic grin.
“You worried about how she'll do while you're gone?” Casey asked. “She looks really happy and secure with Reid?”
Luke nodded. “She is,” he said. “He's like a father to her,” he added. And then after a moment, “He is a father to her, Casey.”
Casey nodded. “And Noah?”
Luke sighed. “He's getting there.” Casey waited for more, and Luke went on. “When he came back to town, he thought Sammy would bring us back together, and then he...”
“Then he took off,” Casey interjected. “As usual.”
Luke nodded. “But he came back, and he admitted that he'd screwed up...and we talked about why he'd panicked and run...and since then...” Luke paused.
“Since then?” Casey prompted.
“Well since then Noah's been different...more mature,” Luke began. “He's finally accepted that he and I are really over...and he seems more ready for fatherhood.”
“He's already a father, Luke,” Casey said.
“I know,” Luke said. “But something's shifted for him...when he was gone, he had sort of an emotional...not a breakdown, really...he just finally processed some painful stuff from his childhood, and now when we're with Sammy, I see more confidence in his parenting, and more affection and trust from Sammy.” Luke nodded to himself before adding, “I'm seeing a lot of what drew me to him in the first place.”
Casey's eyes widened. “You're not going down that road again.”
“Oh, God no,” Luke said, looking into Casey's eyes. “God no,” he repeated. “No, I mean I can see a glimmer of hope, that Noah and I might be able to parent Sammy together.”
Casey laughed. “Together,” he said.
“No, not together together,” he said. He hit Casey on the arm. “Geez, what's gotten into you?”
“Sorry,” Casey said. “No, I know you're happy with Reid. It just always makes me uncomfortable when you start letting that jerk into your life.”
“Like it or not - unless me or Noah forfeits our parental rights - Sammy ties us together,” Luke said. “But as parents...maybe friends, maybe...but that's it.”
“Noah was toxic for you, Luke.”
“I know he was - I do think he's matured a lot lately - and so have I,” Luke said. “He could never walk all over me like he used to...but I don't think he would, Casey. He's stepping up. He's becoming a pretty good father.”
“But you're happy with Reid,” Casey said.
Luke looked at Casey calmly and curiously. “Yeah, I am,” he said. “I'm more than happy, Case. He's the one.” A smile crept over his face.
Casey nodded. “Good,” he said.
“Why's this so important to you?” Luke asked. “Is this about Traci? Wondering how she feels?”
Casey met his gaze. “I don't think so,” he said. “I mean, sure...I wonder, and hope, she feels the way I do, but...but no, this is about you,” Casey said emphatically. “You're my best friend, Man...and I hated seeing the way Noah treated you when you were together...and even when you were broken up...and now he's back, and I just...I don't wanna see him hurt you again.”
Luke pulled him in for a hug. “You're a good friend, Case...the best friend I could ever ask for. He pat his shoulder and looked him in the eye. Then he turned them both so they were facing the spot where he knew he'd find Reid and Sammy. Reid had Sammy's hands wrapped around his thumbs, and she was walking in front of him, towards Kyle and Jacob, all smiles. “That's my family, Casey,” he said, and he looked Casey in the eye. “That beautiful little girl, and that incredible man...that's my future...and I have never, ever dreamed of being this happy.” Somehow Reid sensed Luke's eyes on him, and looked up to share the moment of watching their little girl taking these assisted steps. Reid swung Sammy up into his arms and pointed at Luke, saying, “Wave to Daddy.”
“Come on,” Luke said to Casey. “Let's go see them.”
They walked onto the center of the living room and Luke scooped her into his arms. “Did you just walk? Did you, Sweetie?” She wrapped her arms around his neck, and Reid put an arm around his waist. “She's so amazing,” Luke said to Reid.
“So is her Daddy,” Reid responded, kissing him briefly.
Luke looked at Casey, smiling with gratitude for his abiding friendship.
Casey smiled back, assured by the love and maturity he saw in Luke and Reid's relationship
“Reid, could you help me in the kitchen, please?” Katie called out.
“Yes, Dear,” Reid responded, before giving Luke another quick kiss and heading in Katie's direction.
When he got to the kitchen, he rubbed his hands together and asked, “Where are we at?”
“The lasagna's done, so we're almost ready to put it all on the table,” she answered. “The garlic bread needs to go into the oven for a few minutes. Can you chop the cucumber and tomato for the salad?”
“Yup,” he answered, moving as he did so, to find just the right knife for the job.
“Your little girl is just so sweet,” she said, catching Reid's eye. “I know I've told you that before, but she's getting to know me better, Reid, and I love it...her smile...” she sighed. “It makes me melt.”
Reid was rather quiet. “How's it goin'?” she asked. “I mean, now that Noah's back in her life...and in Luke's life.”
Reid gave her a look at the mention of Luke and Noah.
“I know you don't like to talk about Noah, but he is Sammy's legal father, and he and Luke have been spending more time together because of her, so you can't pretend this hasn't affected you at all. I know you better than that, Reid.”
After a moment he spoke. “What's there to say?” he asked rhetorically. “I hate the arrogant, cowardly bastard - you know it, Luke knows it; Hell, even Noah knows it.” She opened her mouth, but continued. “And I hate that he's spending time around my family.”
Katie smiled knowingly to herself at Reid's use of the word 'family.'
“But like you said,” Reid went on. “he's Sammy's legal father and so, for now, we're stuck with him.”
“Luke says Noah has changed since he went away.” Reid looked doubtful and she went on. “That he's matured.”
Reid exhaled. “I suppose he might have.”
“He's not pursuing Luke anymore,” she gave as an example.
“Not that it would do him any good,” Reid responded.
“Your ego's still intact, I see,” she said with a laugh.
Reid lifted his paring knife and waved it in her general direction. “It's not ego, it's fact; Luke and I love each other, and we're happy.”
“He's your family,” Katie said.
He met her gaze and looked at her a moment, and then nodded. “Yeah. He's my family.”
“And Sammy?” she asked.
“Yes,” he said, but then he half-shook, half-nodded his head. “I hope she is...I want her to be.” He met her eyes again. “I love her, I'm just...” He shook his head. “I hate having all this unsettled.”
“Would you rather Noah simply claimed her and took her to California? Then it would be settled.”
He put the knife down and stared at her. “No. Of course I don't want that.” He took a big breath and let it out. “I don't only want it settled. I want her to be ours - mine and Luke's - our little girl.”
“And if Noah doesn't want to give her up?” Katie asked.
Reid's brow furrowed in intense concentration. “We won't give her up. Luke can't, I know it. And I don't want to...for Luke, and for myself...and for Sammy.”
“Even if that means sharing her with Noah...years of interacting with Noah?”
His nostrils flared with his inhalation. “I hate the idea, but yes.”
She smiled at him.
“What?” he asked.
She was still smiling. “When I met you, you didn't do boyfriends...relationships...and now look at you. A family.” She smiled once more and put an arm around him.
His eyes widened and he shook his head slightly, still rather amazed himself at how his life had changed since coming to this one-horse town.
“Shall we bring the food out to the table?” she asked.
He clapped his hands together. “Let's do this.”
Forty-five minutes later...
“That is so not true,” Casey protested, to the roars of laughter around the table, Luke trying not to spit his drink out, holding back tears.
He put an arm around his best friend. “Sorry, Case,” he said lovingly. “But it's true and you know it.”
Casey shrugged and elbowed Luke in the ribs playfully. “Okay, maybe...a little bit true.”
Luke laughed. “A little bit. Ha! Okay, I'll give you that,”
There was silence for a bit, everyone catching their breath, smiles around the table. A timer in the kitchen brought Katie up out of her chair. Just then a child's cry was heard from Jacob's room, where he and Sammy were both sleeping. Oh, Reid..can you...” Katie began, her voice carrying from the kitchen.
“Yup, I got him,” he interrupted as he rose to rescue Jacob before his cries could wake Sammy as well. Too late - Luke heard her familiar cry. He wasn't surprised since she hadn't been asleep that long and this wasn't her usual sleep environment. He rose to go comfort his daughter.
“I guess we woke Jacob with our raucous laughter,” Henry said. “He's usually a pretty sound sleeper.”
“He'll probably go back to sleep fairly quickly,” Stephen chimed in.
“Yeah,” Henry agreed. “That he will.”
Reid came out into the living room carrying the toddler, rocking him side to side the way he often did with Sammy nowadays, “God, he's big,” he said quietly, just as Katie was coming out of the kitchen with dessert.
“Hey,” she said, mock-offended. “He's perfect.”
Reid raised his eyebrows, trying to appear innocent.
“I'm sure what Reid meant to say ,” Stephen interjected. “Is that he's used to holding Sammy, who's so much younger.”
“Yes,” Reid said. “That's exactly what I meant.”
Katie side-eyed him, setting down the dessert and walking to the hutch to gather the plates and forks that had already been laid out.
Another knock came to the door. “Hmm, I wonder who that could be,” Katie said beneath the cries of the two babies.
Casey got up to answer it, seeing how Reid and Katie were both busy. He opened the door to an attractive young woman - about his own age - with long, curly, red hair and freckles.
She smiled at him. “Well, hello there, Handsome.”
“Um...hi?” Casey answered, standing there.
“Aren't you going to let me in?” she asked.
“Um...sure,” he said, stepping aside. “I'm Casey.”
She turned and smiled at him again, and held out her hand, which he took. “I'm Rhona.”
He nodded and repeated her name.
No one else seemed to have noticed her arrival, everyone either calming a crying baby or serving dessert and coffee. Rhona looked around the room, taking everyone in and smiling. Stepping closer to Casey and taking his arm,she pointed towards Stephen, who was talking to Sammy over Luke's shoulder, as Luke bounced her gently. “Is that my brother's new boyfriend?” she asked quietly.
He turned to face her. “What? Who, Luke? Wait, Stephen's your brother?”
She nodded. “His landlady told me he had a new, younger boyfriend - and Stephen told me himself that Kyle was a bit younger, but...well, she was right. Talk about robbing the cradle,” she said. “He's cute though.”
“Um,” Casey began. “No, he's not...”
“Oh my God, “ she whispered.
“What?”
“Is that Reid?” she asked. “That is Reid” Again she whispered. “Oh my God, I haven't seen Reid in years.” She turned towards Casey. “I thought he was gay?”
Casey was trying to process all this. So, this was Stephen's obviously younger sister...and she knows Reid...of course she does...
“Well, they do look like a beautiful, little family, I suppose,” she said, sounding unconvinced.
Casey followed her gaze and understood. Reid was rocking a crying Jacob and Katie was speaking comforting words to him over Reid's shoulder. “Oh, I get it,” he said. “No, Rhona...you've got it all wrong.”
“What?”
“Okay, here goes,” Casey said.”So, the man next to your brother, holding the baby? That's Luke, my best friend.” She looked at him, obviously trying to assess what 'best friend' really meant here. “No, really...we're just friends...best friends...but I'm straight.” She nodded, somewhat convinced. “But he's not Stephen's boyfriend. He's Reid's boyfriend.”
“Oh,” she said quietly, looking between Reid and Luke.
“Stephen's boyfriend is at the table,” he said, pointing to where Kyle and Henry were sitting and talking. “Kyle's the dark-haired, younger one.”
She nodded and looked from young Kyle to her brother. “And the babies?”
“Um, well that's more complicated,” Casey answered. “Reid is holding Jacob - that's Katie's son - Katie's the woman next to him, and they're roommates. Jacob's dad passed away.”
“Oh, I'm so sorry,” Rhona said sincerely.
“Yeah, his name was Brad...and he's actually related to Luke.”
She nodded, trying to place everybody.
“And Luke is holding his daughter, Sammy...well, she's sort of his daughter,” Casey amended. “She's actually Luke's ex's daughter...well, she was Luke's ex's cousin's daughter, but the cousin died a few months ago, so Noah - that's Luke's ex - he came back here to Oakdale, hoping to raise Sammy with Luke, but Luke was with Reid, so...”
Rhona nodded slowly. “It is complicated.” She looked around the room once more. “So, who is Kyle talking to?”
“Oh, that's Henry, Katie's best friend; he's sort of a father to Jacob.”
“Wow, who knew my brother's life could sound so much like a soap opera?” she joked. She turned toward Casey. “And you? Do you have a girlfriend? Boyfriend?” she teased.
“No, yes...I mean, I told you, I'm not gay...but yes, I have a girlfriend...sort of...”
“Sort of...hmm...where is she?” Rhona asked.
“In South America at the moment,” he answered, and then added quickly. “She loves to travel.”
“I see,” Rhona said, smiling. “How long will she be gone?”
“Um...a few months,” he said.
“Really?” she responded. “Good to know.”
Stephen looked up and saw his sister speaking with Casey near the front door. What is she doing here? Why didn't she call to tell me she was coming? Her semester isn't over yet, is it? Worries not withstanding, he smiled to see her, his baby sister. It had been too long - between her college commitments and his work - he'd missed her. His smile faltered somewhat; something about her eyes, something in the falseness of her smile...she was bothered by something. Something important. She was doing a good job hiding it, and most people wouldn't see it, but he did. Again he found himself smiling, and he crossed the room to where she stood.
She saw him coming and smiled at him; then her own smile faltered slightly. They both knew that they couldn't keep any secrets from one another. He knew that she was upset and she could see that he knew. He reached her and he pulled her in for a hug. Her arms went around his back.
“Rhona,” he said.
“Stevie,” she whispered, holding onto him.
They held each other for a few moments.
“It's so good to see you,” he said, pulling back to look at her again.
“You too,” she responded.
“How did you find me here?” he asked.
“Your landlady.”
“Why didn't you call? I could have met you at our place.”
“I don't know,” she said. “I just...I just needed...wanted...to see you.”
Stephen could tell that she was trying not to fall apart, especially in front of strangers, so he didn't question her anymore. “Well, I'm so glad you're here,” he said. “Let me introduce you to a few people.”
“Well, Casey told me who they all were.”
“Yes, but you need to be properly introduced, okay?”
“Okay,” she said with a smile.
Turning to the room, he called out, “Can I have everybody's attention? Hello?” he tried again, to no avail over the noise in the room.
“Yo!” Casey cried. Heads turned their way.
“Thanks, Casey,” Stephen said, while Rhona tried not to laugh. “So, everyone...I'd like you to meet my sister, Rhona.” They smiled at her, and her brother began singling people out. “This is Katie and her son Jacob, that's Luke with his daughter Sammy, you met Casey...and you must remember Reid.”
“I do,” she said.
“Hi Rhona,” Reid said. “You've grown up a lot since I last saw you.”
She laughed. “True.”
“That's Henry, sitting at the table,” Stephen continued. “And this,” he continued, walking with her to the table, “Is Kyle.” He took his hand. “My fiance,” he finished.
“Your fiance?” Katie said excitedly.
“Yes,” Stephen answered.
Kyle stood up and put an arm around his waist. “We were going to announce it over dessert, but this seems the perfect time.” He turned to Rhona. “It's nice to meet you,” he said. “Stephen has talked about you a lot.”
“All good things?” she asked.
“All good things,” he said.
“My big brother and I haven't seen each other a lot in the last few years, but when we talked at Christmas, he mentioned you, and I could tell...I had a feeling about the two of you,” she said with a smile. “I'm very happy for you guys.”
“Thanks, Sis,” Stephen said, putting an arm around her once more. “It's so good to see you.”
And with that the others crowded around to congratulate the happy couple before dessert was served and all settled into conversation once more.
next part/
Title: Coming Home
Genre/Type: Romance
Rating: PG-13 to NC-17
Characters/Pairings: Luke/Reid, Luke/Noah, Lily/Holden, Casey, Katie, Bob, assorted little people, possibly others
Warnings: None really, except some Nuke intimacy
Summary: Luke and Noah moved to L.A. in the Summer of 2009 for Noah to do his last year of school with an internship of sorts (no Mason, no blindness, etc. Everything else in their history has happened). Reid arrived, temporarily, at Memorial in August 2010.
Previous Chapters: 1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ 5/ 6/ 7/ 8/ 9/ 10/ 11/ 12/ 13/ 14/ 15/ 16/ 17/ 18/ 19/ 20/ 21/ 22/ 23/ 24/ 25/ 26/ 27/ 28/ 29/ 30/ 31/ 32/ 33/ 34/ 35/ 36/ 37/ 38/ 39/ 40/ 41/ 42/ 43/ 44/ 45/ 46/ 47/ 48/ 49/ 50/ 51/ 52/ 53/ 54/ 55/ 56/ 57/ 58/ 59/ 60/
Thank you Slayerkitty for being my beta!!!
Ch 61
Mid-May 2010...Katie and Reid's apartment...
“He's not my boyfriend,” Katie said.
“Tell that to Dr. White,” Reid responded.
“We only went out twice,” Katie said. “And I told him no the last time he asked,” she finished.
“I think you may have to be a little more clear with that one,” Reid said.
“I guess so.”
“And no more Rudolf?” Reid asked, mostly just to annoy her.
She gave him a look that said he'd succeeded.
“Seriously,” Reid said. “I hate - I mean really hate to say this - but Hank was right about that guy.”
“Henry,” Katie began. “Doesn't approve of anyone I date.”
Reid laughed. “And I wonder why that is?”
“Stop it,” Katie said. “Henry and I tried the whole dating thing, more than once, and we're happy as friends.”
“Are you sure Hank feels the same?”
“Yes,” Katie answered. “Henry and I are best friends - he just wants someone who's good for me; he wants me to be happy, that's what friends do.”
Reid grunted.
“Oh, don't give me that attitude,” she said. “You can't convince me that you don't need or want friends.”
“When did I...” he began, but she interrupted.
“Maybe when you first came to Oakdale, when you were grouchy all the time, and snapping at everyone...maybe then I would have believed you didn't need friends.”
He opened his mouth to protest, but she barreled on.
“But not now,” she continued. “Imagine your life without Stephen, or me, or Bob.” She gave him a pointed look, daring him. “Tell me you'd be happy with a life like that.”
“You're right, of course,” he conceded. “You, and Stephen, and Bob are indispensable...but Hank?”
She slapped him on the arm. “Stop it.”
“What?” he asked sheepishly.
She glared at him.
“Okay, okay,” he said, hands raised in front of him.
“He's going to be here any minute,” she said. “Promise you'll be nice to him.”
“Nice?” he asked.
“I'm nice to Stephen, your best friend.”
“You're nice to everyone,” he said. “Besides, Stephen's not Hank.”
She exhaled. “You'd better be nice - or at least not mean - or else.”
He appeared mock-scared until she looked exasperated; then he pulled her in for a side-hug. “I promise not to be mean, and to consider, maybe, possibly, being a tiny bit nice, if the circumstances allow,” he said. “How's that?” he finished.
She shook her head with a smile. “It'll have to do.”
The doorbell rang, and Katie's face lit up with a great, big smile. “I love having company,” she said.
“I know you do,” Reid responded.
She turned and left the kitchen, and Reid followed her out into the living room. He heard Henry's voice in the hallway, and tried to find his “nice” smile. The door opened and he saw, not only Henry, but Luke, with Samantha in his arms. He had no trouble finding a genuine smile for those two.
He stood across the room and watched Katie greet Luke and Henry, and then give her full attention to Sammy, who smiled enthusiastically at her Auntie Katie. She picked Sammy up and swung her about, settling her in her arms and walking around the room, showing her the sights and stopping to play reflection games in the large mirror hanging above the mantelpiece. Luke was watching them with a smile, and then he turned that smile towards Reid. Reid breathed in and out, and he saw Luke do the same, and they shared a look. It wasn't a look of longing or desire, but one of contentment, of happiness - great, joyful, contented happiness.
There was another knock at the door. “Do you want me to get that?” Luke asked.
“Yes, please,” Katie responded. Then she went back to making smiley faces with Sammy. Luke smiled once more at Reid, and then Reid walked over to sit down on the floor - Jacob, Katie and Sammy joining him.
Luke opened the door and found Stephen and Kyle there; the two looked so at-home together, and so happy, that any possible, lingering feelings of insecurity Luke had around Reid's relationship with Stephen vanished.
Stephen stepped forward and embraced him. “Hi Luke,” he said. “How are you?”
Luke smiled and nodded. “Good,” he said. “Hi Kyle, come on in. Almost everyone's here.” He stepped back to let them in.
Stephen stepped forward and looked around at the small gathering. “How's it going, Katie?” he asked.
Katie smiled at him. “I'm good, Stephen. How are you?” She left Sammy and Jacob with Reid, and walked over to give him and Kyle each a hug. “Hi Kyle. I'm so glad you both could come.”
“We are, too,” Kyle responded. “Thanks for asking us over.” Kyle walked with Katie back into the living room, said hello to Reid, and then squatted down to greet Sammy and Jacob.
“So, your trip's tomorrow, eh?” Stephen asked Luke, both of them still standing near the front door.
Luke smiled up at him. “Yeah,” he answered.
“Are you ready?”
“I think so, “ Luke answered.
“You two want anything to drink?” Katie asked from across the room. “We've got Diet Coke, Ginger Ale, beer, wine, juice...” she trailed off, and then added, “...water.”
“I can get something,” Luke said. “You don't have to wait on me.”
Katie tilted her head with a smile. “You're our guests,” she said. She waited expectantly until they both gave her their drink preferences, and then she turned to get them. Luke looked once more at Reid on the floor with Sammy and Jacob, and he couldn't help but smile.
“You fly out tomorrow afternoon?” Stephen asked.
Luke smiled once more at his little girl and turned his attention back to Stephen. “Yeah. Three O' Clock fight. Reid's driving me to O'Hare after lunch.” His hands were in his pockets and he was rocking nervously between his heels and the balls of his feet. “We're meeting Noah at the diner beforehand...he's taking Sammy for the night...well, for a lot of nights...” He bit his upper lip and rocked onto the balls of his feet once more.
“Are you nervous about how things will go for Sammy while you're gone?”
Luke's right hand came out of its pocket, and he waved away the thought, as if it was a ridiculous one. “Nah,” he said. “Why would I be?”
Stephen nodded.
Luke went on. “She has Reid and Katie, my parents and Noah - her real father (Stephen raised an eyebrow at that) - and you and Kyle,” Luke continued, holding a hand out in Stephen's direction. “She'll be fine,” he finished.
“She will,” Stephen agreed.
Katie brought them their drinks with a smile, and then walked over to speak with Henry.
Luke looked at Reid's best friend, a man he had come to really like and respect. “Do you really think so?” he asked.
“Absolutely,” Stephen stated.
“Right. She'll be surrounded by people who love her,” Luke said. Stephen nodded calmly. “She won't even miss me,” trying to convince himself that the child he loved would never shed a tear.
“I wouldn't go that far,” Stephen said. “You're her father, Luke.”
“Oh God,” Luke cried softly. “Maybe I shouldn't have let her get so attached to me. Maybe I shouldn't even go on this trip.”
Stephen laid a hand on his arm. “Luke, she'll miss you because she loves you, and because she's attached to you. That's healthy. Babies are supposed to become attached to their parents.” Luke nodded and Stephen continued. “But I meant it when I said she'd be fine.”
“Yeah?” Luke asked.
“Yeah,” Stephen answered. “Babies also need parents who take care of their own needs, and it sounds like this writing retreat will be rejuvenating for you. You're excited for it, aren't you?”
Luke's eyes lit up. “So excited,” he said. “But only if Sammy's going to be okay.”
“She will be, Luke,” Stephen said. “She'll miss you, and she'll even cry some probably, but then she'll see that there is still a lot of love around her, and she'll be fine.”
Luke inhaled, took a sip of his Ginger Ale, and nodded, feeling much better about it.
There came another knock on the door, and Katie and Reid weren't nearby. “That'll be Casey,” he said to Stephen “Katie, I'll get it,” he called out. He opened the door and there was his best friend. “Hey, Casey,” he said, pulling him inside and giving him a hug. “How are you?” he asked. “Where's Traci?”
Casey smiled. “I'm good. Hi Stephen.”
Stephen returned the greeting.
“Traci's away,” he said to Luke.
“Again?” Luke asked.
“Yeah, well...I knew she was a travel nut when we got together.”
“Where's she off to this time?” Luke asked. He liked Traci, and he liked the effect she had on Casey, who'd never seemed happier; but he knew her absence was always hard on his best friend.
“South America...like, all over,” Casey answered. “Can you believe it? I'm so jealous.”
“Wow, that sounds amazing. For how long?” Luke asked.
“Six months,” Casey answered. “That's one of the reasons I didn't go with her. Can't afford to take another semester off.”
“She's a student, too. How come she can take all this time off?”
“Her folks are paying for school, and they're okay with it.”
Luke nodded. “Wait, you said that was one of the reasons you didn't go with her. What's the other reason?”
Casey hesitated. “Well, remember that open relationship thing I was telling you about?”
Luke's eyes widened. “Oh,” he said. “You mean...”
"Yeah," Casey said, nodding, not looking too happy. “A few of the guys she's been seeing, off and on, for a few years now...well, they're in Brazil, Chile...all over the continent.”
“And they...these guys...they knows she sees other guys?” Luke asked, and Casey nodded. “How many guys does she see?”
Casey shrugged. “Who knows,” he said. “The things is she only sees each of these guys for a few weeks every few years...none of them are serious.”
“I don't think I could do that,” Luke said.
“Which?” Casey asked. “What she's doing or what I'm doing?”
Luke raised his eyebrows at Casey sagely. “Either.”
“Well, I'm fine, really,” Casey said. “Like I said before, I knew what I was getting myself into.”
“If you say so,” Luke responded.
“What?” Casey said. “It means I'm free to play the field, too.” Luke could tell that Casey was trying to play it all cool, but could see that it kind of bothered him.
“But, you don't want to play the field, do you?” Luke asked.
“I don't know,” Casey answered. “There are a lot of beautiful women in this world. And I'm young.” He winked at Luke.
“Yeah, but Traci's kinda special, isn't she?”
“Of course,” Casey answered.
“I mean, she might be the one, right?” Luke clarified.
“Um...” Casey hesitated. “I don't know...maybe...yes,” he said at last. “But I need to accept her for who she is, right?”
“Sure, “ Luke agreed. “But it doesn't mean you don't get a say in the relationship,” Luke went on. “Figure out what you really need, and want, and tell her.”
Casey nodded, considering. “Enough about me,” he said, putting an arm around Luke's shoulder. “You leave for Maine tomorrow, right?”
Luke nodded.
“That's so awesome. You excited?”
“Very,” Luke said with a smile, but then he looked over at Sammy - who was still on the floor with Jacob, Kyle, and Reid - and his worries returned. “I hope you're okay while I'm gone,” he said softly. Realizing he'd spoken aloud, he turned to Casey with an apologetic grin.
“You worried about how she'll do while you're gone?” Casey asked. “She looks really happy and secure with Reid?”
Luke nodded. “She is,” he said. “He's like a father to her,” he added. And then after a moment, “He is a father to her, Casey.”
Casey nodded. “And Noah?”
Luke sighed. “He's getting there.” Casey waited for more, and Luke went on. “When he came back to town, he thought Sammy would bring us back together, and then he...”
“Then he took off,” Casey interjected. “As usual.”
Luke nodded. “But he came back, and he admitted that he'd screwed up...and we talked about why he'd panicked and run...and since then...” Luke paused.
“Since then?” Casey prompted.
“Well since then Noah's been different...more mature,” Luke began. “He's finally accepted that he and I are really over...and he seems more ready for fatherhood.”
“He's already a father, Luke,” Casey said.
“I know,” Luke said. “But something's shifted for him...when he was gone, he had sort of an emotional...not a breakdown, really...he just finally processed some painful stuff from his childhood, and now when we're with Sammy, I see more confidence in his parenting, and more affection and trust from Sammy.” Luke nodded to himself before adding, “I'm seeing a lot of what drew me to him in the first place.”
Casey's eyes widened. “You're not going down that road again.”
“Oh, God no,” Luke said, looking into Casey's eyes. “God no,” he repeated. “No, I mean I can see a glimmer of hope, that Noah and I might be able to parent Sammy together.”
Casey laughed. “Together,” he said.
“No, not together together,” he said. He hit Casey on the arm. “Geez, what's gotten into you?”
“Sorry,” Casey said. “No, I know you're happy with Reid. It just always makes me uncomfortable when you start letting that jerk into your life.”
“Like it or not - unless me or Noah forfeits our parental rights - Sammy ties us together,” Luke said. “But as parents...maybe friends, maybe...but that's it.”
“Noah was toxic for you, Luke.”
“I know he was - I do think he's matured a lot lately - and so have I,” Luke said. “He could never walk all over me like he used to...but I don't think he would, Casey. He's stepping up. He's becoming a pretty good father.”
“But you're happy with Reid,” Casey said.
Luke looked at Casey calmly and curiously. “Yeah, I am,” he said. “I'm more than happy, Case. He's the one.” A smile crept over his face.
Casey nodded. “Good,” he said.
“Why's this so important to you?” Luke asked. “Is this about Traci? Wondering how she feels?”
Casey met his gaze. “I don't think so,” he said. “I mean, sure...I wonder, and hope, she feels the way I do, but...but no, this is about you,” Casey said emphatically. “You're my best friend, Man...and I hated seeing the way Noah treated you when you were together...and even when you were broken up...and now he's back, and I just...I don't wanna see him hurt you again.”
Luke pulled him in for a hug. “You're a good friend, Case...the best friend I could ever ask for. He pat his shoulder and looked him in the eye. Then he turned them both so they were facing the spot where he knew he'd find Reid and Sammy. Reid had Sammy's hands wrapped around his thumbs, and she was walking in front of him, towards Kyle and Jacob, all smiles. “That's my family, Casey,” he said, and he looked Casey in the eye. “That beautiful little girl, and that incredible man...that's my future...and I have never, ever dreamed of being this happy.” Somehow Reid sensed Luke's eyes on him, and looked up to share the moment of watching their little girl taking these assisted steps. Reid swung Sammy up into his arms and pointed at Luke, saying, “Wave to Daddy.”
“Come on,” Luke said to Casey. “Let's go see them.”
They walked onto the center of the living room and Luke scooped her into his arms. “Did you just walk? Did you, Sweetie?” She wrapped her arms around his neck, and Reid put an arm around his waist. “She's so amazing,” Luke said to Reid.
“So is her Daddy,” Reid responded, kissing him briefly.
Luke looked at Casey, smiling with gratitude for his abiding friendship.
Casey smiled back, assured by the love and maturity he saw in Luke and Reid's relationship
“Reid, could you help me in the kitchen, please?” Katie called out.
“Yes, Dear,” Reid responded, before giving Luke another quick kiss and heading in Katie's direction.
When he got to the kitchen, he rubbed his hands together and asked, “Where are we at?”
“The lasagna's done, so we're almost ready to put it all on the table,” she answered. “The garlic bread needs to go into the oven for a few minutes. Can you chop the cucumber and tomato for the salad?”
“Yup,” he answered, moving as he did so, to find just the right knife for the job.
“Your little girl is just so sweet,” she said, catching Reid's eye. “I know I've told you that before, but she's getting to know me better, Reid, and I love it...her smile...” she sighed. “It makes me melt.”
Reid was rather quiet. “How's it goin'?” she asked. “I mean, now that Noah's back in her life...and in Luke's life.”
Reid gave her a look at the mention of Luke and Noah.
“I know you don't like to talk about Noah, but he is Sammy's legal father, and he and Luke have been spending more time together because of her, so you can't pretend this hasn't affected you at all. I know you better than that, Reid.”
After a moment he spoke. “What's there to say?” he asked rhetorically. “I hate the arrogant, cowardly bastard - you know it, Luke knows it; Hell, even Noah knows it.” She opened her mouth, but continued. “And I hate that he's spending time around my family.”
Katie smiled knowingly to herself at Reid's use of the word 'family.'
“But like you said,” Reid went on. “he's Sammy's legal father and so, for now, we're stuck with him.”
“Luke says Noah has changed since he went away.” Reid looked doubtful and she went on. “That he's matured.”
Reid exhaled. “I suppose he might have.”
“He's not pursuing Luke anymore,” she gave as an example.
“Not that it would do him any good,” Reid responded.
“Your ego's still intact, I see,” she said with a laugh.
Reid lifted his paring knife and waved it in her general direction. “It's not ego, it's fact; Luke and I love each other, and we're happy.”
“He's your family,” Katie said.
He met her gaze and looked at her a moment, and then nodded. “Yeah. He's my family.”
“And Sammy?” she asked.
“Yes,” he said, but then he half-shook, half-nodded his head. “I hope she is...I want her to be.” He met her eyes again. “I love her, I'm just...” He shook his head. “I hate having all this unsettled.”
“Would you rather Noah simply claimed her and took her to California? Then it would be settled.”
He put the knife down and stared at her. “No. Of course I don't want that.” He took a big breath and let it out. “I don't only want it settled. I want her to be ours - mine and Luke's - our little girl.”
“And if Noah doesn't want to give her up?” Katie asked.
Reid's brow furrowed in intense concentration. “We won't give her up. Luke can't, I know it. And I don't want to...for Luke, and for myself...and for Sammy.”
“Even if that means sharing her with Noah...years of interacting with Noah?”
His nostrils flared with his inhalation. “I hate the idea, but yes.”
She smiled at him.
“What?” he asked.
She was still smiling. “When I met you, you didn't do boyfriends...relationships...and now look at you. A family.” She smiled once more and put an arm around him.
His eyes widened and he shook his head slightly, still rather amazed himself at how his life had changed since coming to this one-horse town.
“Shall we bring the food out to the table?” she asked.
He clapped his hands together. “Let's do this.”
Forty-five minutes later...
“That is so not true,” Casey protested, to the roars of laughter around the table, Luke trying not to spit his drink out, holding back tears.
He put an arm around his best friend. “Sorry, Case,” he said lovingly. “But it's true and you know it.”
Casey shrugged and elbowed Luke in the ribs playfully. “Okay, maybe...a little bit true.”
Luke laughed. “A little bit. Ha! Okay, I'll give you that,”
There was silence for a bit, everyone catching their breath, smiles around the table. A timer in the kitchen brought Katie up out of her chair. Just then a child's cry was heard from Jacob's room, where he and Sammy were both sleeping. Oh, Reid..can you...” Katie began, her voice carrying from the kitchen.
“Yup, I got him,” he interrupted as he rose to rescue Jacob before his cries could wake Sammy as well. Too late - Luke heard her familiar cry. He wasn't surprised since she hadn't been asleep that long and this wasn't her usual sleep environment. He rose to go comfort his daughter.
“I guess we woke Jacob with our raucous laughter,” Henry said. “He's usually a pretty sound sleeper.”
“He'll probably go back to sleep fairly quickly,” Stephen chimed in.
“Yeah,” Henry agreed. “That he will.”
Reid came out into the living room carrying the toddler, rocking him side to side the way he often did with Sammy nowadays, “God, he's big,” he said quietly, just as Katie was coming out of the kitchen with dessert.
“Hey,” she said, mock-offended. “He's perfect.”
Reid raised his eyebrows, trying to appear innocent.
“I'm sure what Reid meant to say ,” Stephen interjected. “Is that he's used to holding Sammy, who's so much younger.”
“Yes,” Reid said. “That's exactly what I meant.”
Katie side-eyed him, setting down the dessert and walking to the hutch to gather the plates and forks that had already been laid out.
Another knock came to the door. “Hmm, I wonder who that could be,” Katie said beneath the cries of the two babies.
Casey got up to answer it, seeing how Reid and Katie were both busy. He opened the door to an attractive young woman - about his own age - with long, curly, red hair and freckles.
She smiled at him. “Well, hello there, Handsome.”
“Um...hi?” Casey answered, standing there.
“Aren't you going to let me in?” she asked.
“Um...sure,” he said, stepping aside. “I'm Casey.”
She turned and smiled at him again, and held out her hand, which he took. “I'm Rhona.”
He nodded and repeated her name.
No one else seemed to have noticed her arrival, everyone either calming a crying baby or serving dessert and coffee. Rhona looked around the room, taking everyone in and smiling. Stepping closer to Casey and taking his arm,she pointed towards Stephen, who was talking to Sammy over Luke's shoulder, as Luke bounced her gently. “Is that my brother's new boyfriend?” she asked quietly.
He turned to face her. “What? Who, Luke? Wait, Stephen's your brother?”
She nodded. “His landlady told me he had a new, younger boyfriend - and Stephen told me himself that Kyle was a bit younger, but...well, she was right. Talk about robbing the cradle,” she said. “He's cute though.”
“Um,” Casey began. “No, he's not...”
“Oh my God, “ she whispered.
“What?”
“Is that Reid?” she asked. “That is Reid” Again she whispered. “Oh my God, I haven't seen Reid in years.” She turned towards Casey. “I thought he was gay?”
Casey was trying to process all this. So, this was Stephen's obviously younger sister...and she knows Reid...of course she does...
“Well, they do look like a beautiful, little family, I suppose,” she said, sounding unconvinced.
Casey followed her gaze and understood. Reid was rocking a crying Jacob and Katie was speaking comforting words to him over Reid's shoulder. “Oh, I get it,” he said. “No, Rhona...you've got it all wrong.”
“What?”
“Okay, here goes,” Casey said.”So, the man next to your brother, holding the baby? That's Luke, my best friend.” She looked at him, obviously trying to assess what 'best friend' really meant here. “No, really...we're just friends...best friends...but I'm straight.” She nodded, somewhat convinced. “But he's not Stephen's boyfriend. He's Reid's boyfriend.”
“Oh,” she said quietly, looking between Reid and Luke.
“Stephen's boyfriend is at the table,” he said, pointing to where Kyle and Henry were sitting and talking. “Kyle's the dark-haired, younger one.”
She nodded and looked from young Kyle to her brother. “And the babies?”
“Um, well that's more complicated,” Casey answered. “Reid is holding Jacob - that's Katie's son - Katie's the woman next to him, and they're roommates. Jacob's dad passed away.”
“Oh, I'm so sorry,” Rhona said sincerely.
“Yeah, his name was Brad...and he's actually related to Luke.”
She nodded, trying to place everybody.
“And Luke is holding his daughter, Sammy...well, she's sort of his daughter,” Casey amended. “She's actually Luke's ex's daughter...well, she was Luke's ex's cousin's daughter, but the cousin died a few months ago, so Noah - that's Luke's ex - he came back here to Oakdale, hoping to raise Sammy with Luke, but Luke was with Reid, so...”
Rhona nodded slowly. “It is complicated.” She looked around the room once more. “So, who is Kyle talking to?”
“Oh, that's Henry, Katie's best friend; he's sort of a father to Jacob.”
“Wow, who knew my brother's life could sound so much like a soap opera?” she joked. She turned toward Casey. “And you? Do you have a girlfriend? Boyfriend?” she teased.
“No, yes...I mean, I told you, I'm not gay...but yes, I have a girlfriend...sort of...”
“Sort of...hmm...where is she?” Rhona asked.
“In South America at the moment,” he answered, and then added quickly. “She loves to travel.”
“I see,” Rhona said, smiling. “How long will she be gone?”
“Um...a few months,” he said.
“Really?” she responded. “Good to know.”
Stephen looked up and saw his sister speaking with Casey near the front door. What is she doing here? Why didn't she call to tell me she was coming? Her semester isn't over yet, is it? Worries not withstanding, he smiled to see her, his baby sister. It had been too long - between her college commitments and his work - he'd missed her. His smile faltered somewhat; something about her eyes, something in the falseness of her smile...she was bothered by something. Something important. She was doing a good job hiding it, and most people wouldn't see it, but he did. Again he found himself smiling, and he crossed the room to where she stood.
She saw him coming and smiled at him; then her own smile faltered slightly. They both knew that they couldn't keep any secrets from one another. He knew that she was upset and she could see that he knew. He reached her and he pulled her in for a hug. Her arms went around his back.
“Rhona,” he said.
“Stevie,” she whispered, holding onto him.
They held each other for a few moments.
“It's so good to see you,” he said, pulling back to look at her again.
“You too,” she responded.
“How did you find me here?” he asked.
“Your landlady.”
“Why didn't you call? I could have met you at our place.”
“I don't know,” she said. “I just...I just needed...wanted...to see you.”
Stephen could tell that she was trying not to fall apart, especially in front of strangers, so he didn't question her anymore. “Well, I'm so glad you're here,” he said. “Let me introduce you to a few people.”
“Well, Casey told me who they all were.”
“Yes, but you need to be properly introduced, okay?”
“Okay,” she said with a smile.
Turning to the room, he called out, “Can I have everybody's attention? Hello?” he tried again, to no avail over the noise in the room.
“Yo!” Casey cried. Heads turned their way.
“Thanks, Casey,” Stephen said, while Rhona tried not to laugh. “So, everyone...I'd like you to meet my sister, Rhona.” They smiled at her, and her brother began singling people out. “This is Katie and her son Jacob, that's Luke with his daughter Sammy, you met Casey...and you must remember Reid.”
“I do,” she said.
“Hi Rhona,” Reid said. “You've grown up a lot since I last saw you.”
She laughed. “True.”
“That's Henry, sitting at the table,” Stephen continued. “And this,” he continued, walking with her to the table, “Is Kyle.” He took his hand. “My fiance,” he finished.
“Your fiance?” Katie said excitedly.
“Yes,” Stephen answered.
Kyle stood up and put an arm around his waist. “We were going to announce it over dessert, but this seems the perfect time.” He turned to Rhona. “It's nice to meet you,” he said. “Stephen has talked about you a lot.”
“All good things?” she asked.
“All good things,” he said.
“My big brother and I haven't seen each other a lot in the last few years, but when we talked at Christmas, he mentioned you, and I could tell...I had a feeling about the two of you,” she said with a smile. “I'm very happy for you guys.”
“Thanks, Sis,” Stephen said, putting an arm around her once more. “It's so good to see you.”
And with that the others crowded around to congratulate the happy couple before dessert was served and all settled into conversation once more.
next part/