2013 Yule LuRe Challenge - Wide Awake (2/3)
Title: Wide Awake
Author: sleeper6
Characters: Luke, Reid, a comatose Noah, the Snyders, and a few OCs
Rating: PG-13
Summary: A loose interpretation of the Sandra Bullock film, While You Were Sleeping: Reid pretends to be involved with a guy in a coma to get close to him. But then his family arrives . . .
Disclaimer: All belongs to the As the World Turns, not me.
Previous: I
Reid is lost.
The houses in the suburb of Oakdale all look the same, not too big, not too small. It’s exactly the type of neighborhood that a guy like Noah Mayer would have lived in before he moved to the city. Now if only Reid could find the exact house that Noah lived in . . .
He’s about to give up, thinking that this was a bad idea. Who is he kidding? He doesn’t do family gatherings. He doesn’t celebrate Christmas. He doesn’t-
“Hey, you!”
Reid looks around.
“You on the sidewalk, a little help here.”
Reid sees no one except a large Christmas tree swaying by a car parked beside the curb. He walks over to it, and the tree shakes, causing Reid to jump back.
A blond head emerges from behind the tree. “Can you help me carry this tree?”
“I can’t scratch my hands.”
The blond man snorts. “What are you, a hand model? Or a masseuse?”
Reid doesn’t move. “You’re asking me for a favor. You might want to cut back on the snarkiness.”
“Okay, sorry,” the blond says, not very sincerely. “But can you at least tell me where to step so I don’t trip?”
“If you knew it was too big and heavy to carry on your own, why’d you buy this tree?”
“My brother and sister want a big tree.”
Reid crouches to lift the tree. “Grab the top and I’ll carry the bottom,” Reid says begrudgingly. “Where are you taking it?”
The blond nods toward the modest two-story brick house in front of them. He and Reid carry it to the front door. The blond rings the doorbell, and Reid instantly recognizes the small numbers posted beside the door. He looks curiously at the guy in front of him. “How do you know this house? I was looking for this address.”
The blond wrinkles his brows. “How do you know this house? I live here.”
“Who are you?”
“I’m Luke Snyder. Who are you?”
The door opens, and Lily beams at them. “Luke, you’re home! Dr. Oliver, I’m so glad you came! Come on in, you two.”
As soon as Reid and Luke set the tree down, Ethan and Natalie run into the living room and squeal.
“The Christmas tree is here, the Christmas tree is here!” Ethan shouts, running around the room.
“Santa Claus is coming to town,” Natalie begins singing, swaying back and forth.
Lily and Luke laugh while Reid looks at the front door, seriously considering running out of the house.
“Oh, honey, it’s beautiful,” Lily says as she kisses Luke’s cheek. “Isn’t it, Dr. Oliver?”
Luke looks confused. “Doctor? You’re a doctor?” He glances at Lily. “What’s going on, Mom? Is it Grandma again? Is that why he’s here?”
“No, no, it’s nothing like that, sweetie,” Lily quickly says. “This is Dr. Reid Oliver. He’s Noah’s doctor.”
“And he’s here because . . .?”
Lily holds onto Luke’s arm. “Listen, we didn’t call you because we didn’t want to disturb you. You said you were going to be busy all day but then we were notified that Noah was in an accident and-”
Luke pulls away from Lily’s grasp. “What?”
“It’s not too bad, hopefully. Dr. Oliver is treating him and we know he’s going to make him better. Noah could wake up from his coma at any time.”
Luke’s eyes widen. “Noah is in a coma? Are you serious? What the hell happened, Mom?”
“He fell but he’s going to be all right, Luke.”
“Except he’s in a coma!” Luke shouts.
Ethan and Natalie continue shouting and running. Reid wonders if loud vocal cords are a prerequisite for being a Snyder. He’s thankful that Noah is a Snyder in name only.
“You should’ve called me. I should’ve been there,” Luke says as he runs a hand through his hair. “I need to go see him. I need to make sure he’s okay.” He rushes to the door but is stopped by Reid blocking the door.
“Visiting hours are over, Mr. Snyder,” Reid states.
Luke glares at him. “I don’t care. I have to see Noah.”
“I care,” Reid says firmly, putting a hand on Luke’s chest. “I’m his doctor and I don’t want anyone disturbing him when they shouldn’t be.”
Luke pushes Reid’s hand away. “How am I disturbing him? I have a right to be there. I’m his-” Luke abruptly stops talking.
“His what?” Reid asks, quirking an eyebrow. He just can’t see how this guy and Noah were ever together. Noah is quiet and calm and Luke is . . . not.
Luke shakes his head and looks down.
“I can assure you that Noah will be alive tomorrow. You can visit him then. I’ll be there and I can update you on his status,” Reid says.
Luke looks back up at Reid. “If his condition isn’t that serious, then what are you doing here?”
Lily stands behind Luke and says softly, “Dr. Oliver-Reid-is Noah’s boyfriend.”
There’s no mistaking the look of surprise on Luke’s face as he stares at Reid. Reid stares back, thinking he should say something but unsure as to what. The room-now cleared of Ethan and Natalie-is completely silent until a few seconds later when Holden walks in.
“Luke, did you get the tree?”
“So how’d you and Noah meet? Did he track you down in the city and it was love at first sight? For you, I mean, obviously?” Faith asks. She giggles as she looks expectantly at Reid across the table.
Reid glances at Luke, who’s sitting next to Faith. He knows Luke hearing his ex’s new boyfriend talk about their relationship can’t be easy or comfortable. However, since everyone around the table is waiting eagerly for Reid, Reid eats the last piece of Luke’s grandmother’s heavenly pie and hopes he can concoct a somewhat realistic-and romantic-story for his audience.
Lily pats Luke’s hand. She wouldn’t have invited Reid if she knew that Luke would be upset or uneasy having Noah’s new beau in the house. But Luke has been adamant the past few months-especially in the recent weeks as the holidays approached-that he is over Noah, that he and Noah are never getting back together, and that Noah isn’t any of his business. Only a while ago, before they all sat down for dinner, she asked Luke if he was okay with Reid joining them just to be sure.
“Because if it’s not, I’ll tell him to leave right now.”
Luke kissed her cheek and smiled. “He can stay. It’s your house too.”
“Can you please get to the story sometime before I die?” Lucinda says.
“Mother.”
Reid laughs. “He got off at the wrong stop and came into my hospital looking for Dr. Wright. He’s a neurosurgeon too. I don’t tell him that the doctor he’s looking for is at Rush Medical, about fifteen blocks from us. So I ask him what he needs and he tells me his situation and then I say I can exam him if he doesn’t mind. So I do and tell him what I can do for him. He’s pleased, of course, ‘cause I’m the best.”
Luke rolls his eyes.
“So I started treating him. I tell Noah that he should be relieved that he made a mistake that day because Ross Wright is an idiot and Noah would be blinder today if that butcher had cut him open.”
“You’re not an idiot, so you say, but Noah is still blind. Why is that?” Luke asks, a small smirk on his face.
Here we go. “It’s still too early operate. He needs therapy first before I can perform the surgery.”
“And when was this, when you two met?” Luke asks.
That’s an easy one for Reid. He remembers the first time Noah smiled at him in the train. “July.”
Lily nods. “That’s the month he moved to the city.”
“July, huh?” Luke says. “Noah mentioned in an email that he met someone but he said it was in mid-September.”
“Well, yes, that’s right. We met in July but didn’t start dating until September because, you know, it was a conflict of interest,” Reid says.
“Still is, isn’t it?” Luke says, drinking water from his wine glass.
“Is it, Doctor?” Lucinda asks.
“That’s why we don’t publicize our relationship and why you all don’t know about me. Noah didn’t want to get me into trouble.” Reid has to mentally congratulate himself for thinking that. Reid doesn’t know for sure if a doctor-patient relationship is unethical but the Snyders think it is and that works well in his favor.
“And you don’t care that what you two are doing is possibly, probably wrong?” Luke asks.
“I’m don’t think it’s illegal, Luke,” Holden steps in.
“And it’s not like this family is honest and pure,” Lucinda says, a grin on her face.
“Oh, right, the adoption thing,” Luke says, a slight blush forming on his face.
“What adoption thing?” Reid asks.
“Noah never mentioned us?” Lily asks.
“He said he had a family but that’s it. You know Noah, he doesn’t talk much.”
“That does sound like Noah,” Luke mutters.
What is that about? Reid wonders.
Lily forces a laugh. “It’s nothing bad, really. When Noah had the accident that caused his blindness, there weren’t any relatives available to make a decision regarding his medical treatment, with his mother being dead and his father in prison, so my ex-husband and I adopted him to ensure that we could have a say in things and help save his life. Luke couldn’t because they weren’t married or anything but even if they were, well, you know.”
Reid doesn’t hear Lily’s confession because he’s still stuck on ”his mother being dead and his father in prison.”
“And then we found out Noah didn’t have health insurance so we kept him as our son so his bills would be covered. But don’t worry, he was okay with it. And Luke encouraged it. We only wanted, and still want, Noah to get all the help he can to get better.”
Fathers in prison and insurance fraud? Reid gulps the last of his wine, longs for a beer, and wishes someone else had smiled at him in the train. He knew this was too good to be true. He came tonight to have a nice dinner with a normal family and instead was blindsided by a crazy criminal clan.
Reid looks at his watch. “I have surgery in the morning, I should go.” He stands.
“But we haven’t decorated the tree,” Faith says.
“The tree! The tree!” Ethan and Natalie chant as they stand and rush out of the dining room.
“Do you really have to go?” Lily says. “We’re all very happy you’re here and we’d like if you could help us decorate the tree.”
“All of you?” Reid says, glancing at Luke.
Luke forces a smile. “You helped me carry the tree.”
The Snyders might not be the perfect family-in-a-Hallmark-Channel-Christmas-movie but they fed him delicious food and they’re part of Noah’s life and Reid still wants to get to know Noah when he wakes up so Reid nods and agrees to stay.
They all gather in the living room while Holden and Luke stand the tree in the corner.
“Dr. Oliver can’t help,” Luke says, smirking at Reid. “He has to protect his hands.”
Lily passes out sweaters to every member of the family. Reid is grateful that there isn’t one for him once he sees the hideous white snowman and reindeer printed on each red sweater. The Snyders, on the other hand, aren’t horrified as they all quickly put the sweaters over their tops. Reid can’t stop the laugh and remark that escape his lips. “Whoa, did Santa throw up in here?”
“Yes, I know they’re dorky, as Luke and Faith keep reminding me, but it’s a tradition and it’s only once a year,” Lily says.
“Just for you, Mom,” Luke says, kissing Lily on her cheek.
Lily points at Reid. “Don’t laugh. We’re getting one for you next year.”
Holden and Luke start the decorating by stringing the lights around the tree. Reid briefly wonders if Kalyna’s fluffy tree is anywhere near this large and impressive. Faith then hangs the tinsel, followed by Lily, Ethan and Natalie filling the tree with shiny, colorful ornaments. Lucinda doesn’t do any actual decorating, just sits in the armchair and directs everyone else (“a little to the left, a few inches to the right, more lights!”). All the while, there is eggnog and warm apple cider and gingerbread men for them to drink and snack on.
Finally, Luke opens a small green plastic bin and hands a specific ornament to each Snyder. “We all have one special ornament to show that we’re part of this fabulous family,” Lucinda explains before hanging her miniature queen’s crown on the tree.
“This is Noah’s,” Luke says, holding up a small, shiny movie slate. Everyone stares at it in silence. “Um, Dr. Oliver, do you want to hang it?”
Reid shakes his head. “I think you should do it. You’re his brother,” he says, grinning widely at Luke.
Luke rolls his eyes and hangs the ornament.
“Ethan, do you want to give Reid his gift?” Holden says, handing Ethan an ornament.
“Merry Christmas, Dr. Oliver,” Ethan says, putting a small stethoscope ornament in Reid’s hand.
Reid stares at it. A gift for him. Besides his boss’s annual gift and the occasional tin of cookies he gets from a grateful patient, Reid doesn’t receive Christmas presents. Not since he was a kid . . .
Lucinda, who now stands next to him, pats his back. “You can put it anywhere you want on the tree.”
Reid looks around at the faces of his instant family. They’re smiling. Luke isn’t, but he’s not shooting death glares at him either.
“We bought it earlier in case you showed up tonight,” Lily says.
Reid feels he should tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but. If he does, though, they’ll surely want the ornament back. Reid decides to forgo the truth for now-there is always that possibility that Noah might want to start something with him when he wakes up-and hangs the ornament.
Two hours later, Reid says goodbye to his pretend-boyfriend’s family, getting wet kisses from Lily and Lucinda and hugs from each and every Snyder.
Except Luke. Reid doesn’t even get a handshake from the guy.
Reid felt things get better between him and Luke as the night went on but maybe hugging your ex-boyfriend’s new man is a bit too much for Luke.
He’s at the end of the driveway when he hears his name. “Dr. Oliver?” He turns around and sees Luke, his arms crossed together in an effort to keep warm in the cold night, slowly walking towards him.
“I-I want to thank you for coming even though I’m sure this whole night has been kind of awkward for you,” Luke says, his breath visible in the cold.
“No, it wasn’t. Why, was it awkward for you?”
“You know, you don’t have to pretend to have a good time with my family just to keep Noah happy.”
“I never met your family before tonight and I’m with Noah,” Reid says smugly. “Trust me, I have other ways of keeping Noah happy.”
“Are you sure? Because like I said earlier, Noah hardly mentioned you,” Luke says.
Reid doesn’t want to fight. He had a good time with Luke’s family and he’s supposed to be returning later in the week for a turkey dinner. But he just can’t stop himself. “And like I said, I didn’t really know about any of you so what does that tell you?” Reid clicks his tongue. “Hell, I didn’t even know your name. Before today, you were simply a past mistake.” Reid has often heard the nurses say things like that when they’re lamenting the end of their relationships.
“Are you always this much of a jerk?” Luke asks, his voice rising.
You started it, Reid wants to say. Instead, he laughs. “I’m the jerk? Didn’t you see me in there? I was the perfect guest. And let’s not forget who came out here to accuse me of having an ulterior motive for being here tonight.”
Luke walks closer to Reid. “Look, Dr. Oliver, they’re my family and I have to protect them. Noah, too, he’s my-”
“Ex, past, while I’m the boyfriend, present,” Reid interrupts. “And just because you were together a year doesn’t give you some kind of permanent claim over him.”
“Noah and I were together two-and-a-half years.”
Reid mentally saves that in his Noah Mayer file. “Aww, puppy love.”
“Noah loved me and I loved him and that is not a joke. What we shared was special.”
“The wound still tender, huh?”
Luke looks down and stuffs his hands in his jacket pockets. “No, it-it’s over between me and him.”
“Really? Because you’re projecting the jealous-boyfriend vibe right now and it contradicts what you just said,” Reid says, thinking that he just might be willing to fight for the guy in the coma.
Luke shakes his head and looks back up at Reid. “I’m not but . . . he’s still part of the family and a part of my life. I’m looking out for him.”
Reid relaxes and is relieved that the turkey dinner still seems possible. He clears his throat. “So, uh, are we done here because I want to get home and reheat this?” He holds up the leftovers that Lily packed for him.
A small, genuine laugh emanates from Luke’s lips, surprising Luke as much as Reid. “You just ate half of the food in there and you’re still hungry?”
Reid momentarily blocks out Luke’s voice, too distracted by Luke’s lips.
“Dr. Oliver?”
Reid looks at the plate in his hands to divert his attention away from Luke. “Um, yeah, what can I say? I’m a growing boy.”
They stand in silence until Luke points behind him. “I’m gonna go inside so . . .”
Reid’s hand starts to twitch. “Listen, even though you aren’t together anymore, I’m sure when Noah wakes up, he’ll appreciate what you’re doing, you know, looking out for him.”
Luke looks surprised again. “That’s nice of you to say.”
“I’m not always a jerk,” Reid says, grinning.
“I knew there had to be something that Noah sees in you,” Luke says.
“What, you don’t think my good looks are enough?”
“Maybe, if Noah could see.”
“Right.” Reid feels embarrassed for temporarily forgetting about Noah’s blindness. "Hope he's not disappointed."
"He won't be," Luke says too quickly. “Well, I’ll see you tomorrow then."
“Tomorrow?”
“To visit Noah. You said you’d give me any updates on his condition.”
“Oh, right. Sure. Tomorrow, then.”
Luke walks off.
Well, that was interesting, Reid thinks as he walks to the train station.
In the train, he sneaks a peek at the plate of food, his mouth watering as he remembers how delicious it is. He’s anxious to get home and eat the rest of it.
A phone buzzing in his pocket distracts him from cooked ham and mashed potatoes. It’s Noah’s phone, which, along with Noah’s wallet, he still carries in the pocket of his jacket.
Missed call - Richard the screen reads.
Reid puts the phone back in his pocket. It’s locked so he can’t access any useful information on Noah and it certainly can't tell him who “Richard” is.
The train stops, and Reid jumps from his seat. It’s been a good night, one of the better evenings Reid has had in a while, and he finds himself looking forward to more just like this.
Author: sleeper6
Characters: Luke, Reid, a comatose Noah, the Snyders, and a few OCs
Rating: PG-13
Summary: A loose interpretation of the Sandra Bullock film, While You Were Sleeping: Reid pretends to be involved with a guy in a coma to get close to him. But then his family arrives . . .
Disclaimer: All belongs to the As the World Turns, not me.
Previous: I
Reid is lost.
The houses in the suburb of Oakdale all look the same, not too big, not too small. It’s exactly the type of neighborhood that a guy like Noah Mayer would have lived in before he moved to the city. Now if only Reid could find the exact house that Noah lived in . . .
He’s about to give up, thinking that this was a bad idea. Who is he kidding? He doesn’t do family gatherings. He doesn’t celebrate Christmas. He doesn’t-
“Hey, you!”
Reid looks around.
“You on the sidewalk, a little help here.”
Reid sees no one except a large Christmas tree swaying by a car parked beside the curb. He walks over to it, and the tree shakes, causing Reid to jump back.
A blond head emerges from behind the tree. “Can you help me carry this tree?”
“I can’t scratch my hands.”
The blond man snorts. “What are you, a hand model? Or a masseuse?”
Reid doesn’t move. “You’re asking me for a favor. You might want to cut back on the snarkiness.”
“Okay, sorry,” the blond says, not very sincerely. “But can you at least tell me where to step so I don’t trip?”
“If you knew it was too big and heavy to carry on your own, why’d you buy this tree?”
“My brother and sister want a big tree.”
Reid crouches to lift the tree. “Grab the top and I’ll carry the bottom,” Reid says begrudgingly. “Where are you taking it?”
The blond nods toward the modest two-story brick house in front of them. He and Reid carry it to the front door. The blond rings the doorbell, and Reid instantly recognizes the small numbers posted beside the door. He looks curiously at the guy in front of him. “How do you know this house? I was looking for this address.”
The blond wrinkles his brows. “How do you know this house? I live here.”
“Who are you?”
“I’m Luke Snyder. Who are you?”
The door opens, and Lily beams at them. “Luke, you’re home! Dr. Oliver, I’m so glad you came! Come on in, you two.”
As soon as Reid and Luke set the tree down, Ethan and Natalie run into the living room and squeal.
“The Christmas tree is here, the Christmas tree is here!” Ethan shouts, running around the room.
“Santa Claus is coming to town,” Natalie begins singing, swaying back and forth.
Lily and Luke laugh while Reid looks at the front door, seriously considering running out of the house.
“Oh, honey, it’s beautiful,” Lily says as she kisses Luke’s cheek. “Isn’t it, Dr. Oliver?”
Luke looks confused. “Doctor? You’re a doctor?” He glances at Lily. “What’s going on, Mom? Is it Grandma again? Is that why he’s here?”
“No, no, it’s nothing like that, sweetie,” Lily quickly says. “This is Dr. Reid Oliver. He’s Noah’s doctor.”
“And he’s here because . . .?”
Lily holds onto Luke’s arm. “Listen, we didn’t call you because we didn’t want to disturb you. You said you were going to be busy all day but then we were notified that Noah was in an accident and-”
Luke pulls away from Lily’s grasp. “What?”
“It’s not too bad, hopefully. Dr. Oliver is treating him and we know he’s going to make him better. Noah could wake up from his coma at any time.”
Luke’s eyes widen. “Noah is in a coma? Are you serious? What the hell happened, Mom?”
“He fell but he’s going to be all right, Luke.”
“Except he’s in a coma!” Luke shouts.
Ethan and Natalie continue shouting and running. Reid wonders if loud vocal cords are a prerequisite for being a Snyder. He’s thankful that Noah is a Snyder in name only.
“You should’ve called me. I should’ve been there,” Luke says as he runs a hand through his hair. “I need to go see him. I need to make sure he’s okay.” He rushes to the door but is stopped by Reid blocking the door.
“Visiting hours are over, Mr. Snyder,” Reid states.
Luke glares at him. “I don’t care. I have to see Noah.”
“I care,” Reid says firmly, putting a hand on Luke’s chest. “I’m his doctor and I don’t want anyone disturbing him when they shouldn’t be.”
Luke pushes Reid’s hand away. “How am I disturbing him? I have a right to be there. I’m his-” Luke abruptly stops talking.
“His what?” Reid asks, quirking an eyebrow. He just can’t see how this guy and Noah were ever together. Noah is quiet and calm and Luke is . . . not.
Luke shakes his head and looks down.
“I can assure you that Noah will be alive tomorrow. You can visit him then. I’ll be there and I can update you on his status,” Reid says.
Luke looks back up at Reid. “If his condition isn’t that serious, then what are you doing here?”
Lily stands behind Luke and says softly, “Dr. Oliver-Reid-is Noah’s boyfriend.”
There’s no mistaking the look of surprise on Luke’s face as he stares at Reid. Reid stares back, thinking he should say something but unsure as to what. The room-now cleared of Ethan and Natalie-is completely silent until a few seconds later when Holden walks in.
“Luke, did you get the tree?”
“So how’d you and Noah meet? Did he track you down in the city and it was love at first sight? For you, I mean, obviously?” Faith asks. She giggles as she looks expectantly at Reid across the table.
Reid glances at Luke, who’s sitting next to Faith. He knows Luke hearing his ex’s new boyfriend talk about their relationship can’t be easy or comfortable. However, since everyone around the table is waiting eagerly for Reid, Reid eats the last piece of Luke’s grandmother’s heavenly pie and hopes he can concoct a somewhat realistic-and romantic-story for his audience.
Lily pats Luke’s hand. She wouldn’t have invited Reid if she knew that Luke would be upset or uneasy having Noah’s new beau in the house. But Luke has been adamant the past few months-especially in the recent weeks as the holidays approached-that he is over Noah, that he and Noah are never getting back together, and that Noah isn’t any of his business. Only a while ago, before they all sat down for dinner, she asked Luke if he was okay with Reid joining them just to be sure.
“Because if it’s not, I’ll tell him to leave right now.”
Luke kissed her cheek and smiled. “He can stay. It’s your house too.”
“Can you please get to the story sometime before I die?” Lucinda says.
“Mother.”
Reid laughs. “He got off at the wrong stop and came into my hospital looking for Dr. Wright. He’s a neurosurgeon too. I don’t tell him that the doctor he’s looking for is at Rush Medical, about fifteen blocks from us. So I ask him what he needs and he tells me his situation and then I say I can exam him if he doesn’t mind. So I do and tell him what I can do for him. He’s pleased, of course, ‘cause I’m the best.”
Luke rolls his eyes.
“So I started treating him. I tell Noah that he should be relieved that he made a mistake that day because Ross Wright is an idiot and Noah would be blinder today if that butcher had cut him open.”
“You’re not an idiot, so you say, but Noah is still blind. Why is that?” Luke asks, a small smirk on his face.
Here we go. “It’s still too early operate. He needs therapy first before I can perform the surgery.”
“And when was this, when you two met?” Luke asks.
That’s an easy one for Reid. He remembers the first time Noah smiled at him in the train. “July.”
Lily nods. “That’s the month he moved to the city.”
“July, huh?” Luke says. “Noah mentioned in an email that he met someone but he said it was in mid-September.”
“Well, yes, that’s right. We met in July but didn’t start dating until September because, you know, it was a conflict of interest,” Reid says.
“Still is, isn’t it?” Luke says, drinking water from his wine glass.
“Is it, Doctor?” Lucinda asks.
“That’s why we don’t publicize our relationship and why you all don’t know about me. Noah didn’t want to get me into trouble.” Reid has to mentally congratulate himself for thinking that. Reid doesn’t know for sure if a doctor-patient relationship is unethical but the Snyders think it is and that works well in his favor.
“And you don’t care that what you two are doing is possibly, probably wrong?” Luke asks.
“I’m don’t think it’s illegal, Luke,” Holden steps in.
“And it’s not like this family is honest and pure,” Lucinda says, a grin on her face.
“Oh, right, the adoption thing,” Luke says, a slight blush forming on his face.
“What adoption thing?” Reid asks.
“Noah never mentioned us?” Lily asks.
“He said he had a family but that’s it. You know Noah, he doesn’t talk much.”
“That does sound like Noah,” Luke mutters.
What is that about? Reid wonders.
Lily forces a laugh. “It’s nothing bad, really. When Noah had the accident that caused his blindness, there weren’t any relatives available to make a decision regarding his medical treatment, with his mother being dead and his father in prison, so my ex-husband and I adopted him to ensure that we could have a say in things and help save his life. Luke couldn’t because they weren’t married or anything but even if they were, well, you know.”
Reid doesn’t hear Lily’s confession because he’s still stuck on ”his mother being dead and his father in prison.”
“And then we found out Noah didn’t have health insurance so we kept him as our son so his bills would be covered. But don’t worry, he was okay with it. And Luke encouraged it. We only wanted, and still want, Noah to get all the help he can to get better.”
Fathers in prison and insurance fraud? Reid gulps the last of his wine, longs for a beer, and wishes someone else had smiled at him in the train. He knew this was too good to be true. He came tonight to have a nice dinner with a normal family and instead was blindsided by a crazy criminal clan.
Reid looks at his watch. “I have surgery in the morning, I should go.” He stands.
“But we haven’t decorated the tree,” Faith says.
“The tree! The tree!” Ethan and Natalie chant as they stand and rush out of the dining room.
“Do you really have to go?” Lily says. “We’re all very happy you’re here and we’d like if you could help us decorate the tree.”
“All of you?” Reid says, glancing at Luke.
Luke forces a smile. “You helped me carry the tree.”
The Snyders might not be the perfect family-in-a-Hallmark-Channel-Christmas-movie but they fed him delicious food and they’re part of Noah’s life and Reid still wants to get to know Noah when he wakes up so Reid nods and agrees to stay.
They all gather in the living room while Holden and Luke stand the tree in the corner.
“Dr. Oliver can’t help,” Luke says, smirking at Reid. “He has to protect his hands.”
Lily passes out sweaters to every member of the family. Reid is grateful that there isn’t one for him once he sees the hideous white snowman and reindeer printed on each red sweater. The Snyders, on the other hand, aren’t horrified as they all quickly put the sweaters over their tops. Reid can’t stop the laugh and remark that escape his lips. “Whoa, did Santa throw up in here?”
“Yes, I know they’re dorky, as Luke and Faith keep reminding me, but it’s a tradition and it’s only once a year,” Lily says.
“Just for you, Mom,” Luke says, kissing Lily on her cheek.
Lily points at Reid. “Don’t laugh. We’re getting one for you next year.”
Holden and Luke start the decorating by stringing the lights around the tree. Reid briefly wonders if Kalyna’s fluffy tree is anywhere near this large and impressive. Faith then hangs the tinsel, followed by Lily, Ethan and Natalie filling the tree with shiny, colorful ornaments. Lucinda doesn’t do any actual decorating, just sits in the armchair and directs everyone else (“a little to the left, a few inches to the right, more lights!”). All the while, there is eggnog and warm apple cider and gingerbread men for them to drink and snack on.
Finally, Luke opens a small green plastic bin and hands a specific ornament to each Snyder. “We all have one special ornament to show that we’re part of this fabulous family,” Lucinda explains before hanging her miniature queen’s crown on the tree.
“This is Noah’s,” Luke says, holding up a small, shiny movie slate. Everyone stares at it in silence. “Um, Dr. Oliver, do you want to hang it?”
Reid shakes his head. “I think you should do it. You’re his brother,” he says, grinning widely at Luke.
Luke rolls his eyes and hangs the ornament.
“Ethan, do you want to give Reid his gift?” Holden says, handing Ethan an ornament.
“Merry Christmas, Dr. Oliver,” Ethan says, putting a small stethoscope ornament in Reid’s hand.
Reid stares at it. A gift for him. Besides his boss’s annual gift and the occasional tin of cookies he gets from a grateful patient, Reid doesn’t receive Christmas presents. Not since he was a kid . . .
Lucinda, who now stands next to him, pats his back. “You can put it anywhere you want on the tree.”
Reid looks around at the faces of his instant family. They’re smiling. Luke isn’t, but he’s not shooting death glares at him either.
“We bought it earlier in case you showed up tonight,” Lily says.
Reid feels he should tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but. If he does, though, they’ll surely want the ornament back. Reid decides to forgo the truth for now-there is always that possibility that Noah might want to start something with him when he wakes up-and hangs the ornament.
Two hours later, Reid says goodbye to his pretend-boyfriend’s family, getting wet kisses from Lily and Lucinda and hugs from each and every Snyder.
Except Luke. Reid doesn’t even get a handshake from the guy.
Reid felt things get better between him and Luke as the night went on but maybe hugging your ex-boyfriend’s new man is a bit too much for Luke.
He’s at the end of the driveway when he hears his name. “Dr. Oliver?” He turns around and sees Luke, his arms crossed together in an effort to keep warm in the cold night, slowly walking towards him.
“I-I want to thank you for coming even though I’m sure this whole night has been kind of awkward for you,” Luke says, his breath visible in the cold.
“No, it wasn’t. Why, was it awkward for you?”
“You know, you don’t have to pretend to have a good time with my family just to keep Noah happy.”
“I never met your family before tonight and I’m with Noah,” Reid says smugly. “Trust me, I have other ways of keeping Noah happy.”
“Are you sure? Because like I said earlier, Noah hardly mentioned you,” Luke says.
Reid doesn’t want to fight. He had a good time with Luke’s family and he’s supposed to be returning later in the week for a turkey dinner. But he just can’t stop himself. “And like I said, I didn’t really know about any of you so what does that tell you?” Reid clicks his tongue. “Hell, I didn’t even know your name. Before today, you were simply a past mistake.” Reid has often heard the nurses say things like that when they’re lamenting the end of their relationships.
“Are you always this much of a jerk?” Luke asks, his voice rising.
You started it, Reid wants to say. Instead, he laughs. “I’m the jerk? Didn’t you see me in there? I was the perfect guest. And let’s not forget who came out here to accuse me of having an ulterior motive for being here tonight.”
Luke walks closer to Reid. “Look, Dr. Oliver, they’re my family and I have to protect them. Noah, too, he’s my-”
“Ex, past, while I’m the boyfriend, present,” Reid interrupts. “And just because you were together a year doesn’t give you some kind of permanent claim over him.”
“Noah and I were together two-and-a-half years.”
Reid mentally saves that in his Noah Mayer file. “Aww, puppy love.”
“Noah loved me and I loved him and that is not a joke. What we shared was special.”
“The wound still tender, huh?”
Luke looks down and stuffs his hands in his jacket pockets. “No, it-it’s over between me and him.”
“Really? Because you’re projecting the jealous-boyfriend vibe right now and it contradicts what you just said,” Reid says, thinking that he just might be willing to fight for the guy in the coma.
Luke shakes his head and looks back up at Reid. “I’m not but . . . he’s still part of the family and a part of my life. I’m looking out for him.”
Reid relaxes and is relieved that the turkey dinner still seems possible. He clears his throat. “So, uh, are we done here because I want to get home and reheat this?” He holds up the leftovers that Lily packed for him.
A small, genuine laugh emanates from Luke’s lips, surprising Luke as much as Reid. “You just ate half of the food in there and you’re still hungry?”
Reid momentarily blocks out Luke’s voice, too distracted by Luke’s lips.
“Dr. Oliver?”
Reid looks at the plate in his hands to divert his attention away from Luke. “Um, yeah, what can I say? I’m a growing boy.”
They stand in silence until Luke points behind him. “I’m gonna go inside so . . .”
Reid’s hand starts to twitch. “Listen, even though you aren’t together anymore, I’m sure when Noah wakes up, he’ll appreciate what you’re doing, you know, looking out for him.”
Luke looks surprised again. “That’s nice of you to say.”
“I’m not always a jerk,” Reid says, grinning.
“I knew there had to be something that Noah sees in you,” Luke says.
“What, you don’t think my good looks are enough?”
“Maybe, if Noah could see.”
“Right.” Reid feels embarrassed for temporarily forgetting about Noah’s blindness. "Hope he's not disappointed."
"He won't be," Luke says too quickly. “Well, I’ll see you tomorrow then."
“Tomorrow?”
“To visit Noah. You said you’d give me any updates on his condition.”
“Oh, right. Sure. Tomorrow, then.”
Luke walks off.
Well, that was interesting, Reid thinks as he walks to the train station.
In the train, he sneaks a peek at the plate of food, his mouth watering as he remembers how delicious it is. He’s anxious to get home and eat the rest of it.
A phone buzzing in his pocket distracts him from cooked ham and mashed potatoes. It’s Noah’s phone, which, along with Noah’s wallet, he still carries in the pocket of his jacket.
Missed call - Richard the screen reads.
Reid puts the phone back in his pocket. It’s locked so he can’t access any useful information on Noah and it certainly can't tell him who “Richard” is.
The train stops, and Reid jumps from his seat. It’s been a good night, one of the better evenings Reid has had in a while, and he finds himself looking forward to more just like this.