106 Time Capsule
Word Soap: As The World Keeps Turning
Author: SYLnl
Title: #106 Time Capsule
Rating: PG
Summary: “If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?” - John Wooden
Big Thanks To: ltklo, for brushing up my grammar
Previously on As The World Keeps Turning: click here for chapters 1 - 105
Luke was in his element. Their living room was filled with friends, there was talking, there was some laughing and his arm was around the shoulder of the man he loved. From the armrest he was sitting on, with Reid’s head leaning against him, he summed up everything at a glance. The sleeping boy on Reid’s lap, the sleeping girl on Will’s lap, Katie and Chris in some soft - and relaxed looking - conversation, Kim listening to Bob’s witty banter with his grandson and Ali and Gwen checking something out on the laptop.
He couldn’t believe they’d all come. Every time the phone had rung, Luke had been sure it would be a cancellation, but it never was. Bob had called to let them know that Chris had bought a brand new SUV that smirked at a snow storm, so they would not only be there, but they would also pick up Katie and Jacob.
When they had arrived, about an hour ago, Reid had been the one at the door and he had giving Chris a telling sneer.
“That’s quite a large beast you got there. Compensating much Doogie?”
Obviously determined to make this evening work, Chris had smiled.
After his talk with his new Chief, a few weeks ago, he had asked his father for advice on how to handle Reid and the old man had been very clear.
‘Provoke him. Badger him. But whatever he says, don’t bite.’
And it had reminded Chris of earlier raillery. Reid asking him if he would like to observe a surgery so he might learn something and Chris’ reply that he was meeting some friends and was wondering if Reid would like to observe that so he might learn something. He had seen a flicker in the doctor’s eyes back then. Respect? Approval?
So he had smiled at Reid’s remark.
“Nasty thinkers are nasty speakers, Oliver. Absolutely no need for any compensating, believe me.” He had calmly stated, tapping Reid on the shoulder and walking into the house. “Thanks for having me.”
“That’s okay. Your parents didn’t want you home alone…” Reid had done an over-the-top Macaulay impersonation that had them both chuckling and that was the end of it. They had verbally pinched each other from time to time, but no real stabbing. And Mama Bear Kim couldn’t have looked any happier.
Luke softly caressed Reid’s neck and when his doctor looked up at him, with that vague smile and very apparent love in his eyes, he leaned in for a quick kiss.
“We all had some major changes this past year, but I’m guessing yours has been the most world-shattering, Reid.”
Bob smiled at his young successor.
“I didn’t even realize it was a competition, but again I win,” Reid snorted, rolling his eyes, and everybody laughed.
“But you’re absolute right, Bob-O… it’s been a crazy year.”
“May I ask…where were you, exactly one year ago?”
Reid gave Bob a smile. “At work,” he shrugged, “of course.” His long fingers played with Luke’s jeans.
“I was in surgery, actually. Some kid had tried to create his own firecracker and succeeded. The damn thing had cracked his skull,” Reid allowed himself to go back to that evening and shook his head, “So while everybody around me was wishing each other the best for 2010, I was the one dropping the ball. I had to tell a mother and a sister that their family entered the new year missing one member.”
“He didn’t make it?” Katie whispered and Reid looked up.
“No, he didn’t.” Reid took himself back to Dallas again. “So I went home, drank a few beers and went to bed. Alone,” he looked up at Luke for a moment, “and that was it.”
“That was not the best start of a new year,” Bob calmly concluded, “So I’m glad this year ends on a much happier note.”
“Me too,” Reid’s hand ruffled the blond locks of the boy on his lap and he smiled when he felt Luke’s fingers through his curls. “It’s quite a change.”
He saw Kim urging Bob on and Bob’s hesitation made Reid curious.
“What?”
“Many years ago Bob came up with the Time Capsule. A couple of questions we ask each other on New Year’s Eve about the year we were leaving and the year we were entering,” Kim explained, “And the question Bob just asked…where you were, one year ago, was always the first one. So I was trying to persuade Bob to go on, but as you can see, he’s a little reluctant.”
“It sounds intriguing,” Luke encouraged Bob, “And who doesn’t want to participate just doesn’t, right?” He gave Reid a quick glance and again his doctor seemed to be able to read his mind.
“You’re expecting me to back out, don’t you, Snyder?”
Luke chuckled.
“Actually I was. I know this talking about feelings stuff isn’t your hobby.”
“True,” Reid admitted, “but I agree with your earlier observation. It sounds intriguing.”
“Alright then, why don’t I start this Time Capsule with you, then?” Bob dared Reid and when a telling hand movement Reid challenged Bob ‘to bring it on’. And he did.
“What new insight in 2010 made the most impression?”
Reid groaned. When would he ever learn to keep his big mouth shut? But he wasn’t backing out now. He looked at all the glances of expectation that came his way and he cleared his throat. He was going to play this game. And then some.
“And I can name only one?” he rolled his eyes and softly slapped Luke’s upper leg.
“Yes, you will have to pick one.”
“Hmmm...And I’m also guessing I can’t get too… specific…”
This time Luke did the slapping. Not so soft, though. Reid discovered all their friends had an obvious mean streak, because they laughed at this display of abuse and he shook his head.
“At least now you all witness what I have to endure...”
“Yeah yeah, we all feel sorry for you…” Ali sneered. “Let’s hear that new insight now.”
Reid grinned.
“What insight made the most impression…Well, I guess it’s the insight that loving someone, really loving someone, is even more scary than I already thought, but that it’s also the best thing that ever happened to me…”
He could tell his honest answer came as a surprise and he smiled at the soft ‘Ah’s’ in the room. His mentor gave him a fatherly nod. With a mix of approval, respect and love.
“Good one. When did you feel most proud of yourself last year and why?”
“God…and again I can name only one?” Reid made his question sound desperate and again the room filled with laughter.
“I’m afraid so,” Bob stayed calm, “So give it your best shot.”
“Most proud…” Reid caressed Danny’s hair again and then pointed silently at the sleeping boy and then to Luke.
“I feel most proud of myself when I’m around these two guys. I give them my all. And for someone like me that’s quite a leap of faith.”
Luke kissed him on the curls and Reid started to like this game.
“When did you feel most grateful last year and why?” Bob continued and Reid moaned.
“These last few months…I can’t select one moment. I’m sorry, it wouldn’t be fair to all the other moments…I’m just grateful for my life and everybody in it…”
Reid sounded a little brusque. He could tell his audience was soaking his answers in, but he started to feel sappy.
“Are we done yet?”
Bob smiled. “Almost. What question do you want answered in 2011?”
“Hmmm,” this was actually a question he had to think about, “I’m not sure I have any questions …” he looked down, kissed Danny on the head and continued on a soft tone, “Yes I do…How we can stop the horror. I’d like an answer to that.”
Everybody nodded.
Bob swallowed, visibly touched by Reid’s answer.
“Okay son, last one. How do you hope to feel on December 31st 2011?”
“Pfff,” Reid grinned. “That’s a no-brainer. Like I feel now.”
“And how’s that?” Bob teased and Reid rolled his eyes.
“Annoyed. Sappy. Thirsty…” after a soft push from Luke, Reid continued, “blessed, loved, grateful, whole.”
To his surprise everybody started clapping and Gwen got up, left and came back with a cold beer.
“There Chief, you deserve it.”
“Thanks,” Reid held the bottle up, “So now what? Who’s next?”
“You can decide,” Bob explained. “It’s now your turn to select someone.”
“Ah, that’s easy,” the young doctor took a large draught and then pointed the bottle to the gray haired man in front of him. “You, Dr. Bob. I pick you.”
A/N If you want to create your own Time Capsule, look HERE for the ten questions.