Out of the Clear Blue Sky, Eplogue
Epilogue
Luke handed Reid the plate of cookies in his hand. He nestled in close to Reid’s side and they watched from the couch as Kenna and Ethan shook all the presents under Emma’s tree. “That one isn’t even yours.” Luke admonished, hoping Lily’s crystal goblets survived their jostling.
“Hey, it was your bright idea to make them wait until after dinner to open their gifts.” Reid kissed Luke’s temple. “That’s too much temptation for a kid to resist.”
“I didn’t make you wait.” Luke waggled his eyebrow and bit his lip coyly.
Reid’s eyes flashed with lust. “No, but you made the mistake of getting dressed. I’m barely able to keep from unwrapping you and opening you up again. Grab that mistletoe above the door, show me to your old room and I’ll kiss that hot, tight hole of yours.”
“Reid!” Luke swatted at Reid’s chest. His eyes darted around the room looking for anyone who might notice his blush. “You know Grandma’s rules.”
“Doctor!” Kenna squealed, forcing her way onto Reid’s lap. “Feel this one.”
Reid held the box, all covered in shiny red foil, up to his ear. He shook it lightly. “Heavy. That’s a good sign.”
“Do you think it’s a puppy?” Kenna’s eyes were big and round and full of hope. “Santa said I was good and I could have a puppy.”
“Unless Santa is going to be the one picking up the turds in the backyard, I don’t see why he has a say in the matter.”
“Reid.” Luke rolled his eyes and handed the package back to Kenna. “Put this back under the tree and see if Grandma Emma needs help setting the table.”
Kenna whined, but Reid whispered in her ear. “The sooner we eat, the sooner you’ll open your presents.”
Without another word, Kenna rushed off into the kitchen. Luke giggled as he heard her yell. “Come on, people. Let’s get this party started.”
“She’s picking up your bad habits.”
Reid shook his head. “She was plenty bad when I met her.”
Luke smiled, kissing Reid’s mouth lightly. He settled back under Reid’s arm and they watched the star at the top of the tree twinkling. “You know why she wants a puppy, don’t you?”
“To annoy me?”
“No.” Luke’s pointy finger jabbed between Reid’s ribs. “She’s lonely.”
“Ah.” Reid nodded knowingly.
Luke waded into a new topic as smoothly and nonchalantly as he could. It didn’t sound as graceful as he had hoped. “You know, I’ve been thinking she needs a sibling.”
“You have, have you?”
“Did you want a brother or sister when you were her age?”
Reid thought about the second grade. His teacher had given all the children a green sheet of paper and told them to write a letter to Santa. Since his parents were the practical sort, Reid knew that Santa didn’t exist, but he wished for a little brother anyway.
“Once.”
“So…” Luke shrugged. “What do you think? I know we’ve been taking it slow and we haven’t really talked about more kids.”
It had taken them almost a year to move in together after Luke sold the house he shared with Knox. They never actually discussed house hunting or both their names on the deed. It was just a step they seemed to take naturally. Luke had been longing for another child and he was hoping they were on the same page this time too.
“Are you saying we should adopt together?”
“Well, I-“
“You know how I feel about paperwork.” Reid shuddered in disgust. “And I’m not very good at being patient.”
Luke’s shoulders fell in defeat. “True, it is a long process.”
“I suppose it’s worth it in the end, though.” A slow grin tugged at Reid’s lips. He winked at Luke.
“Are you serious?”
“I think we should talk more about it, but yeah.” Reid chucked his finger under Luke’s chin, his eyes narrowing again the blinding smile on Luke’s face. “I’m serious.”
Luke wound his arms around Reid’s torso and squeezed. “That is the best present you could give me.”
“Really? The best?”
“Yes, really, Reid.” Luke kissed him chastely. “Thank you.”
The room was quiet again. Only the sound of Reid’s growling stomach broke the silence. Luke marveled at how far they had come. How after a bumpy start this time around, they had made their way back to each other and all the love and happiness they deserved. There was only one thing that could make him any happier. “We might need to talk about something else.”
“What’s that?”
“The whole adoption thing would be easier if we were married.”
Reid’s hand drifted automatically to the platinum band in his pocket. Luke would be so surprised when Reid got on one knee after dinner. He rolled the ring in his fingers. “We’ll talk about it.”