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SERENDIPITY - CHAPTER TWELVE
“Dr. Oliver, do you have a moment?”
“What’s up Dr. Hughes? I don’t remember doing anything today to make the nurses cry, so who is complaining now?”
“No complaints today…yet. I was wondering, you’ve been here for two weeks now, how are you liking our fair city?”
“Look at you, calling this pit-stop a city. You do have a sense of humor.”
“I understand Noah Mayer’s surgery is coming up?” Bob was learning how to ignore the majority of Dr. Oliver’s rude comments.
“His operation is scheduled for tomorrow. I got the reports back from his latest tests and am quite happy with the progress he’s made. I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to restore his sight.”
“Good. Also, Reid have you given any thought to my proposal?”
“Oh what? About the neuro wing you want to build? Dr. Hughes, I’ve told you, I already have an awesome facility and competent staff in Dallas. Why would I want to start over in this little backwoods village?”
“Dr. Oliver, you would be able to build it to all your specifications. You’d have complete autonomy and the authority to hire every staff member. We want it to be the best neurosurgical facility in the country and I believe that with you at the helm, we could do just that.”
“I don’t come cheap and neither would the staff I’d want. Cutting edge equipment is expensive.” Why am I even contemplating this? I don’t want to live here. To see Luke get back together with Noah time and again? No.
“Good thing we have a donor with deep pockets who wants to see this wing built.”
“Donor?” I really don’t want to know the answer, do I?
“Luke Snyder. The board wanted to expand the hospital. We had narrowed the decision to a few specialties to choose from but it was Luke’s idea for a new neurosurgical unit. His foundation is covering the majority of the costs. He’s been quite hands-on with this project, raising more funds and getting extra backers.”
“When did he decide to do this? Did he think that if he had a custom-built neuro facility, he’d find a competent doctor to fix his boyfriend?”
“Actually, he presented his idea to the rest of the board last August.”
“Oh. Did he ever give a reason for wanting to build a neuro unit?”
“No he didn’t. I thought that he would have been all for the peds unit, considering his past, but no, he insisted that the new wing specialize in neurosurgery. He basically told the rest of the board that if they wanted his money, they would build what he wanted or he’d take his funds elsewhere.”
*******
Reid hadn’t seen Luke since his first day in town. He’d had two appointments with Noah and thankfully Luke’s name never came up. So imagine his surprise upon walking into his temporary office to find Luke sitting in front of the desk.
Luke is wearing a black blazer that emphasized his blonde hair. The top couple of buttons of his white dress shirt were undone, revealing a hint of chest hair. Reid took a deep breath to steady himself.
“Mr. Snyder. What brings you by? You know I can’t talk about your boyfriend’s case.” Hands clenched in the pockets of his white lab coat, Reid leans against the front of the desk.
“Dr. Oliver, I’m not here about Noah. Bob asked me to stop by and speak with you about the new wing we’re building.”
“Ahh yes the new neurosurgical unit. Every time I see that man he brings it up. I’m beginning to wonder if it’s his only topic of conversation.”
“He really wants to hire you to run it.”
“That’s what he tells me.”
“So, are you going to take the position?” Luke asked hesitantly.
“I haven’t decided yet. Does it matter to you?” Reid responded coolly.
“No. You can do whatever you want. You always do.” Luke stands to leave. “This is a waste of time.”
“Mr. Snyder, why are you here?”
“Why do you do that? I have a name and I know that you know it.”
“Maybe I just don’t want to use it.”
“God, do you always have to be such an ass?”
“That’s just who I am.”
“You’re lying. I know you. Yeah you can be a jerk but you’ve never been this cold and cruel before. Do you really hate me so much?”
“I’ve never hated you Luke.” Reid spoke softly and took a single step towards Luke. Staring into Luke’s sad eyes, there was a longing in those brown depths that Reid could not deny, he reached out to caress his cheek.
“Reid.” Luke whispered, almost a plea. His lips trembled. He walked into Reid’s arms, wrapping his own around Reid’s waist. Their lips met slowly, tentatively, neither wanting to scare the other away. One of Reid’s hands made it’s way into Luke’s hair, pulling on the soft strands, urging him closer. Luke hugged him tighter, needing more contact. Reid gently nipped at Luke’s lower lip asking for entrance. Their tongues slowly rediscovered each other. Holding and kissing each other felt right, natural, like this was exactly where they belonged. Lost in each other. They could have continued for hours.
Surprisingly, they heard knocking and were able to separate before the door opened.
“Hey Reid.” Katie spoke as she entered the room. “Oh, Luke?”
“Hi Katie.”
“How are you? I didn’t know you knew Reid.”
“Uh yeah…we were just discussing the new neuro wing my foundation is helping build.” Luke ran his hand through his hair, not daring to look at Reid.
“Great! Kim told me that Bob is trying to get Reid to stay and run the thing.”
‘Uh, how do you know each other?”
“We’re friends. Reid is living with me while he’s in town.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, it’s nice having a man around the house again. Makes me feel a little safer knowing I’m not all alone.”
“That’s good.” Luke hesitated. “Well, I should be going. Let you two…yeah.”
“I didn’t mean to interrupt, if you need to continue, I can come back.”
“No that’s ok, I need to go.”
Katie hugged Luke. “Okay, well don’t be a stranger. You should come over for a visit.”
“Goodbye Katie.” He said before finally looking at Reid and nodding. “Dr. Oliver.”
“Mr. Snyder.”
Reid watched as Luke walked out of the office. He turned to see Katie staring at him.
“What?”
“You have a thing for Luke.” She just grinned at him.
“Wha-? No I don’t,
“What were the two of you doing in here before I walked in?”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh yeah? You couldn’t stop staring at him from the moment I walked in. You even stared as he left. You think I didn’t notice that he was too nervous to look at you? And I also noticed that his hair was messed up, as if someone, I wonder who, had been running his hands through it.”
“His hair is always messy.”
“Oh? You’ve noticed his hair?”
“That proves nothing. What are you doing here anyway?” Reid attempted to change the subject.
“Oh, don’t think I’m going to forget this. I stopped by to see if you wanted to have lunch with me. We could take a walk over to Al’s if you’re free.”
“Yeah, lunch sounds good.”
“Good. It will give us time to talk about you and Luke.”
“Katie.” Reid glared at her. “Let it go. There is no me and Luke.”
“But you want there to be.”
“Forget it, I’m not hungry.” Reid walked out of his own office, leaving Katie grinning.
*******
Reid made his way to the hospital roof. He walked to the edge and stared out at the small town, not seeing any of it. He kept thinking about the embarrassment on Luke’s face as he had stepped out of Reid’s arms.
Reid can’t believe that he kissed Luke. God, it felt so good. Nothing had changed. All those feelings for Luke were still there. Damn. Luke had a boyfriend. Reid had never been one to cheat on a partner nor had he ever been the other man before. He hated it. He could just imagine how guilty Luke would feel for having kissed Reid while in a relationship with Noah. Reid never wanted Luke to feel guilt about anything they did together. He would just have to avoid Luke from here on out.
He would operate on Noah tomorrow. Noah will be in a medically induced coma for a few days to help his brain heal from the surgery. When he wakes and hopefully can see again, see Luke again, Reid will speak with Bob about letting him leave Oakdale. Yeah, he needed to leave immediately. No brand-new-state-of-the-art neurosurgical dream for him. No Luke. Luke made his choice when he didn’t call Reid and returned to Noah. He couldn’t stay here and watch Luke and Noah together. It hurt losing Luke before, he just couldn’t put himself through that kind of pain again.
*******
Luke sat on his sofa, hugging a pillow to his chest. He wished that he were hugging Reid. They had kissed and Luke hadn’t wanted to stop. If Katie hadn’t walked in, who knows how long they would have continued kissing. Would they have stopped before things went further? Doubtful. Luke knew he wouldn’t have said no to anything Reid may have wanted. There was just something about Reid that drew him in, he was unable to resist him. He didn’t want to resist, he wanted to experience everything with Reid.
Reid who was going to operate on Noah. Noah- Luke hadn’t thought about him in days. Luke had tried to fight for their relationship. It’s hard when you’re the only one willing to fight to save something that you both should want. Luke had to let go. Yes, it had hurt to walk away, but not as much as he had expected. Finally accepting that he and Noah were over, was almost a relief. He would miss Noah, but he couldn’t live his life waiting for Noah to decide that he wanted him back. He needed to live his own life.
Luke had once again immersed himself in work this last week. He hadn’t allowed himself to think about Reid. The only reason he went to see him today, was that Bob had called, asking him to speak with Reid. Bob hoped that Luke would be able to help convince Reid to take the position and help them build the neuro wing. He hoped that Reid would accept the job offer. He wanted Reid to stay in town. He wanted the chance to work side by side with Reid to build the new wing. Fate had brought Reid back into his life, this time Luke wanted to keep him.
*******
“Hello?”
“Luke…um hi.”
“Noah. What’s up?”
“Um I don’t know if you knew but my surgery is tomorrow. Ally said that she would be there but…I know I have no right to ask…but…could you…”
“Noah, it’s okay, I’ll be there.”
“Thanks Luke. It’s just that Ally, you and your family are the only people I have.”
“Don’t worry about it Noah. We may not be together, but I hope we’re still friends.”
“Yeah, of course. Thanks Luke.”
*******
Reid walked into Noah’s room. Noah was chatting with a nurse, Reid couldn’t remember her name. Luke was sitting, silently, on the bed near Noah’s feet.
“Hello Noah. Mr. Snyder.”
“Hey Dr. Oliver.” Noah was the only one to reply.
“How are you feeling? Nervous?”
“Not at all. I’m ready to see again.”
“Any last minute questions about the surgery?”
“Can’t think of any.”
“Good. Soon someone will be coming to get you ready. Next time I see you, we’ll be in the operating room.”
“Excellent. Oh…Dr. Oliver, I heard a rumor that you might be staying in town and running the new neuro wing.” Noah asked.
Luke looked at Reid, biting his lip. He appeared nervous about Reid’s answer.
“You shouldn’t believe everything you hear. I have a job in Dallas.” Reid said before he walked out of the room.
Luke felt as if he’d been slapped. Reid wasn’t taking the job. He was leaving. Again. He didn’t want Luke.
*******
Three days later, Luke is sitting by Noah’s bedside when Dr. Oliver enters the room.
“Sorry to interrupt, I need to check my patient.” Dr. Oliver reads the chart in his hands, proceeds to take Noah’s pulse. He then watches the monitors and makes some notations on the paperwork.
“How is he?”
“Good. We’ll be bringing him out of the coma slowly overnight. By this time tomorrow he should be awake and able to see.”
“That’s good.” Luke said distractedly. It was hard to concentrate on anything else when Reid was around.
“I’ll be out of your way now.”
“Reid…wait.“ Luke grasps his arm as he’s about to open the door.
“What do you want from me Luke?” Reid replies, sounding defeated.
“Reid…I…” Luke hesitates and Reid flinches away.
“That’s what I thought. Now if you’ll excuse me, Mr. Snyder, I have rounds to complete.” Dr. Oliver successfully walks out of the room. At the sound of the door closing, Luke feels as if he’s just lost something he didn’t realize how much he needed.
NEXT
“Dr. Oliver, do you have a moment?”
“What’s up Dr. Hughes? I don’t remember doing anything today to make the nurses cry, so who is complaining now?”
“No complaints today…yet. I was wondering, you’ve been here for two weeks now, how are you liking our fair city?”
“Look at you, calling this pit-stop a city. You do have a sense of humor.”
“I understand Noah Mayer’s surgery is coming up?” Bob was learning how to ignore the majority of Dr. Oliver’s rude comments.
“His operation is scheduled for tomorrow. I got the reports back from his latest tests and am quite happy with the progress he’s made. I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to restore his sight.”
“Good. Also, Reid have you given any thought to my proposal?”
“Oh what? About the neuro wing you want to build? Dr. Hughes, I’ve told you, I already have an awesome facility and competent staff in Dallas. Why would I want to start over in this little backwoods village?”
“Dr. Oliver, you would be able to build it to all your specifications. You’d have complete autonomy and the authority to hire every staff member. We want it to be the best neurosurgical facility in the country and I believe that with you at the helm, we could do just that.”
“I don’t come cheap and neither would the staff I’d want. Cutting edge equipment is expensive.” Why am I even contemplating this? I don’t want to live here. To see Luke get back together with Noah time and again? No.
“Good thing we have a donor with deep pockets who wants to see this wing built.”
“Donor?” I really don’t want to know the answer, do I?
“Luke Snyder. The board wanted to expand the hospital. We had narrowed the decision to a few specialties to choose from but it was Luke’s idea for a new neurosurgical unit. His foundation is covering the majority of the costs. He’s been quite hands-on with this project, raising more funds and getting extra backers.”
“When did he decide to do this? Did he think that if he had a custom-built neuro facility, he’d find a competent doctor to fix his boyfriend?”
“Actually, he presented his idea to the rest of the board last August.”
“Oh. Did he ever give a reason for wanting to build a neuro unit?”
“No he didn’t. I thought that he would have been all for the peds unit, considering his past, but no, he insisted that the new wing specialize in neurosurgery. He basically told the rest of the board that if they wanted his money, they would build what he wanted or he’d take his funds elsewhere.”
*******
Reid hadn’t seen Luke since his first day in town. He’d had two appointments with Noah and thankfully Luke’s name never came up. So imagine his surprise upon walking into his temporary office to find Luke sitting in front of the desk.
Luke is wearing a black blazer that emphasized his blonde hair. The top couple of buttons of his white dress shirt were undone, revealing a hint of chest hair. Reid took a deep breath to steady himself.
“Mr. Snyder. What brings you by? You know I can’t talk about your boyfriend’s case.” Hands clenched in the pockets of his white lab coat, Reid leans against the front of the desk.
“Dr. Oliver, I’m not here about Noah. Bob asked me to stop by and speak with you about the new wing we’re building.”
“Ahh yes the new neurosurgical unit. Every time I see that man he brings it up. I’m beginning to wonder if it’s his only topic of conversation.”
“He really wants to hire you to run it.”
“That’s what he tells me.”
“So, are you going to take the position?” Luke asked hesitantly.
“I haven’t decided yet. Does it matter to you?” Reid responded coolly.
“No. You can do whatever you want. You always do.” Luke stands to leave. “This is a waste of time.”
“Mr. Snyder, why are you here?”
“Why do you do that? I have a name and I know that you know it.”
“Maybe I just don’t want to use it.”
“God, do you always have to be such an ass?”
“That’s just who I am.”
“You’re lying. I know you. Yeah you can be a jerk but you’ve never been this cold and cruel before. Do you really hate me so much?”
“I’ve never hated you Luke.” Reid spoke softly and took a single step towards Luke. Staring into Luke’s sad eyes, there was a longing in those brown depths that Reid could not deny, he reached out to caress his cheek.
“Reid.” Luke whispered, almost a plea. His lips trembled. He walked into Reid’s arms, wrapping his own around Reid’s waist. Their lips met slowly, tentatively, neither wanting to scare the other away. One of Reid’s hands made it’s way into Luke’s hair, pulling on the soft strands, urging him closer. Luke hugged him tighter, needing more contact. Reid gently nipped at Luke’s lower lip asking for entrance. Their tongues slowly rediscovered each other. Holding and kissing each other felt right, natural, like this was exactly where they belonged. Lost in each other. They could have continued for hours.
Surprisingly, they heard knocking and were able to separate before the door opened.
“Hey Reid.” Katie spoke as she entered the room. “Oh, Luke?”
“Hi Katie.”
“How are you? I didn’t know you knew Reid.”
“Uh yeah…we were just discussing the new neuro wing my foundation is helping build.” Luke ran his hand through his hair, not daring to look at Reid.
“Great! Kim told me that Bob is trying to get Reid to stay and run the thing.”
‘Uh, how do you know each other?”
“We’re friends. Reid is living with me while he’s in town.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, it’s nice having a man around the house again. Makes me feel a little safer knowing I’m not all alone.”
“That’s good.” Luke hesitated. “Well, I should be going. Let you two…yeah.”
“I didn’t mean to interrupt, if you need to continue, I can come back.”
“No that’s ok, I need to go.”
Katie hugged Luke. “Okay, well don’t be a stranger. You should come over for a visit.”
“Goodbye Katie.” He said before finally looking at Reid and nodding. “Dr. Oliver.”
“Mr. Snyder.”
Reid watched as Luke walked out of the office. He turned to see Katie staring at him.
“What?”
“You have a thing for Luke.” She just grinned at him.
“Wha-? No I don’t,
“What were the two of you doing in here before I walked in?”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh yeah? You couldn’t stop staring at him from the moment I walked in. You even stared as he left. You think I didn’t notice that he was too nervous to look at you? And I also noticed that his hair was messed up, as if someone, I wonder who, had been running his hands through it.”
“His hair is always messy.”
“Oh? You’ve noticed his hair?”
“That proves nothing. What are you doing here anyway?” Reid attempted to change the subject.
“Oh, don’t think I’m going to forget this. I stopped by to see if you wanted to have lunch with me. We could take a walk over to Al’s if you’re free.”
“Yeah, lunch sounds good.”
“Good. It will give us time to talk about you and Luke.”
“Katie.” Reid glared at her. “Let it go. There is no me and Luke.”
“But you want there to be.”
“Forget it, I’m not hungry.” Reid walked out of his own office, leaving Katie grinning.
*******
Reid made his way to the hospital roof. He walked to the edge and stared out at the small town, not seeing any of it. He kept thinking about the embarrassment on Luke’s face as he had stepped out of Reid’s arms.
Reid can’t believe that he kissed Luke. God, it felt so good. Nothing had changed. All those feelings for Luke were still there. Damn. Luke had a boyfriend. Reid had never been one to cheat on a partner nor had he ever been the other man before. He hated it. He could just imagine how guilty Luke would feel for having kissed Reid while in a relationship with Noah. Reid never wanted Luke to feel guilt about anything they did together. He would just have to avoid Luke from here on out.
He would operate on Noah tomorrow. Noah will be in a medically induced coma for a few days to help his brain heal from the surgery. When he wakes and hopefully can see again, see Luke again, Reid will speak with Bob about letting him leave Oakdale. Yeah, he needed to leave immediately. No brand-new-state-of-the-art neurosurgical dream for him. No Luke. Luke made his choice when he didn’t call Reid and returned to Noah. He couldn’t stay here and watch Luke and Noah together. It hurt losing Luke before, he just couldn’t put himself through that kind of pain again.
*******
Luke sat on his sofa, hugging a pillow to his chest. He wished that he were hugging Reid. They had kissed and Luke hadn’t wanted to stop. If Katie hadn’t walked in, who knows how long they would have continued kissing. Would they have stopped before things went further? Doubtful. Luke knew he wouldn’t have said no to anything Reid may have wanted. There was just something about Reid that drew him in, he was unable to resist him. He didn’t want to resist, he wanted to experience everything with Reid.
Reid who was going to operate on Noah. Noah- Luke hadn’t thought about him in days. Luke had tried to fight for their relationship. It’s hard when you’re the only one willing to fight to save something that you both should want. Luke had to let go. Yes, it had hurt to walk away, but not as much as he had expected. Finally accepting that he and Noah were over, was almost a relief. He would miss Noah, but he couldn’t live his life waiting for Noah to decide that he wanted him back. He needed to live his own life.
Luke had once again immersed himself in work this last week. He hadn’t allowed himself to think about Reid. The only reason he went to see him today, was that Bob had called, asking him to speak with Reid. Bob hoped that Luke would be able to help convince Reid to take the position and help them build the neuro wing. He hoped that Reid would accept the job offer. He wanted Reid to stay in town. He wanted the chance to work side by side with Reid to build the new wing. Fate had brought Reid back into his life, this time Luke wanted to keep him.
*******
“Hello?”
“Luke…um hi.”
“Noah. What’s up?”
“Um I don’t know if you knew but my surgery is tomorrow. Ally said that she would be there but…I know I have no right to ask…but…could you…”
“Noah, it’s okay, I’ll be there.”
“Thanks Luke. It’s just that Ally, you and your family are the only people I have.”
“Don’t worry about it Noah. We may not be together, but I hope we’re still friends.”
“Yeah, of course. Thanks Luke.”
*******
Reid walked into Noah’s room. Noah was chatting with a nurse, Reid couldn’t remember her name. Luke was sitting, silently, on the bed near Noah’s feet.
“Hello Noah. Mr. Snyder.”
“Hey Dr. Oliver.” Noah was the only one to reply.
“How are you feeling? Nervous?”
“Not at all. I’m ready to see again.”
“Any last minute questions about the surgery?”
“Can’t think of any.”
“Good. Soon someone will be coming to get you ready. Next time I see you, we’ll be in the operating room.”
“Excellent. Oh…Dr. Oliver, I heard a rumor that you might be staying in town and running the new neuro wing.” Noah asked.
Luke looked at Reid, biting his lip. He appeared nervous about Reid’s answer.
“You shouldn’t believe everything you hear. I have a job in Dallas.” Reid said before he walked out of the room.
Luke felt as if he’d been slapped. Reid wasn’t taking the job. He was leaving. Again. He didn’t want Luke.
*******
Three days later, Luke is sitting by Noah’s bedside when Dr. Oliver enters the room.
“Sorry to interrupt, I need to check my patient.” Dr. Oliver reads the chart in his hands, proceeds to take Noah’s pulse. He then watches the monitors and makes some notations on the paperwork.
“How is he?”
“Good. We’ll be bringing him out of the coma slowly overnight. By this time tomorrow he should be awake and able to see.”
“That’s good.” Luke said distractedly. It was hard to concentrate on anything else when Reid was around.
“I’ll be out of your way now.”
“Reid…wait.“ Luke grasps his arm as he’s about to open the door.
“What do you want from me Luke?” Reid replies, sounding defeated.
“Reid…I…” Luke hesitates and Reid flinches away.
“That’s what I thought. Now if you’ll excuse me, Mr. Snyder, I have rounds to complete.” Dr. Oliver successfully walks out of the room. At the sound of the door closing, Luke feels as if he’s just lost something he didn’t realize how much he needed.
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