107 New normal
Word Soap: As The World Keeps Turning
Author: SYLnl
Title: #107 New normal
Rating: PG
Summary: “The only normal people are the ones you don't know very well.” - Alfred Adler
Big Thanks To: ltklo,, for brushing up my grammar
Previously on As The World Keeps Turning: click here for chapters 1 - 106
After a little break full of food and refreshments, they all gathered on and around the couches again, looking forward to the next round.
“Dr. Hughes,” all Reid lacked was an actual microphone in his hand. He looked and sounded like a talk show host when he turned to Bob. “Please tell our audience… where were you this time last year?”
“At work,” Bob shrugged with a wicked grin, “of course.”
“You think you’re going to win points by repeating my words back to me?”
Bob laughed. “I’m telling the truth.”
“I can fully endorse that,” Kim’s face was telling, “We spent New Year’s Eve at Memorial last year. But it hadn’t been the first time and we made it special…”
Bob kissed his wife and the ‘Ah’s’ were back.
“What new insight in 2010 made the most impression?”
“That life has a way of finding its own balance,” Bob answered.
“Of course I understand what you mean,” Reid bluffed, “but please explain to our viewers what you mean.”
“Well, this year we had some surprises. Some good ones, some difficult ones. First we found out on our 25th anniversary that we hadn’t been legally married and that raised some painful issues. Then my mother died,” Bob swallowed, “and then Chris almost died. That was very hard to deal with. But at the same time life offered some light at the end of the tunnel. Finally finding a successor,” he smiled at Reid, “so I can retire and leave my hospital in very capable hands. My son Chris coming home to stay and also finding a role in running the hospital…it’s all balanced out.”
Everybody nodded, visibly impressed.
“Okay, while you have everybody in tears now, let’s move on,” Reid’s smile was teasing, “When did you feel most proud of yourself last year and why?”
“It’s hard to pick one, but honestly…the first one that comes to mind is the fact that I managed to keep you here, Dr. Oliver.” Bob winked at Reid.
“You have every reason to be proud of that,” Luke agreed and his telling smile made them all laugh.
“I had a feeling you wouldn’t fight me on that one,” Bob grinned. “But not only for your sake. Also for mine. Beside all the many demerits this genius brought to Oakdale, he has some merits too…”
“Some?” Reid rolled his eyes.
“Some,” Bob repeated calmly, “and it all worked out for the best…”
Reid looked like he wanted to add something, but changed his mind and asked the next question.
“When did you feel most grateful last year and why?”
“That’s easy. When Chris got a new heart and a second chance.” Bob looked at his son for a moment, love in his eyes. “The thought of losing him… it just broke me. I felt like dying too. So yes… I felt extremely grateful and I still do.”
“As you should,” Reid smiled. “And now one of my favorites.. what question do you want answered in 2011?”
“Well…you had a pretty good one,” Bob brought forward, “but I’d also like to find how it feels to be retired…”
“Yeah, that will be quite a challenge, being the workaholic that you are,” Casey grinned and his grandfather frowned.
“Workaholic? Me?”
But he chuckled along with everybody else.
“How do you hope to feel on December 31st 2011?”
“Uhm…healthy, amongst dear friends and family. Like tonight.”
Again, everybody applauded and this time Danny started to wake up a little. He looked around with drowsy eyes, smiled and nestled himself against Reid’s chest again.
Although loving every minute of it, nature was calling his name and Reid looked up at Luke.
“Could you take him? I need to stretch my legs…”
“Sure,” Luke lifted Danny up, gave Reid some room to get on his feet and then took his place on the couch.
“You’re hot, doctor…” Luke settled himself on the warm cushion.
“Thanks for sounding so surprised,” Reid smirked, gave Luke a quick kiss in passing and left the room. Giving the remaining crowd some time to speculate on the next ‘victim’.
“I’m glad you thought of this, Dad,” Chris gave his father a smile, “I forgot how great this Time Capsule is.”
“Yeah, especially in a larger group like this. It’s the perfect way to find out how everybody perceived their year.”
“Reid took me by surprise,” Katie admitted, giving Luke a smile. “I really didn’t think he would participate.”
“Me neither,” Luke replied, “But he obviously feels at ease. And I’m glad he does.”
“Me too,” Casey grinned. “Now I have plenty of stuff to blackmail him with…”
“You just give it your best shot, Hughes…” Reid had just walked in and gave the young man a telling grin. “My vicious reputation has been ruined already, so I don’t think you can add to that.”
“Ahhhh….” Kim looked wicked, “My heart goes out to you. I give you permission to yell at me at the hospital. Maybe that will bring back some fear.”
Everybody laughed, including Reid.
“Don’t be surprised if I hold you to that.”
“Oh, I won’t. I will be disappointed if you didn’t.”
“So Bob…your turn to choose. Who’s the next candidate?”
After a quick glance, Bob’s eyes focused on Katie. He saw her pale a little and smiled encouragingly.
“You can say no…”
Katie shook her head. “It’s okay…It’s emotional thinking about past year, though.”
“We all understand,” Casey plumped himself down next to her and took her hand. She squeezed it and nodded to Bob.
“Okay, where I was a year ago. Well…sprawled on my couch, I guess. I stayed home. The power breakdown fitted my mood, which was dark. Henry came over, he lured me to Al’s where Simon was… well…let’s just say it was a strange night.”
“What new insight in 2010 made the most impression?”
“It was actually something Reid said to me,” Katie smiled at her former roommate, who looked surprised and cocky at the same time.
“He told me that being honest was a choice, not a talent. And that I shouldn’t settle for anything else, because it will give you peace of mind and heart. And I know I haven’t been honest, this last year. Not to myself and not to others. But that insight does make me choose honesty more than I ever did.”
Reid gave her a wink and Katie’s smile grew.
“When did you feel most proud of yourself last year and why?”
“Uhm…” Katie blushed, “I was proud of myself when Barbara had her accident and I stood by Henry. I was a good friend to him and I was proud of that.”
Casey was still holding her hand and squeezed it softly.
“And you’re a great mom,” he softly reminded her.
Katie teared up. “Thanks for saying that. I keep doubting myself though.”
“That’s a shame,” Chris said on her other side.
Bob changed the subject with the next question.
“When did you feel most grateful last year and why?”
“Ah, every moment I look at Jacob,” Katie sniffed. “That little boy…I’m so grateful for him.”
“What question do you want answered in 2011?”
“I have lots of questions,” Katie shook her head. “But the most current one is ‘what makes my heart sing?’. I would like an answer to that one. Getting back to the core of who I am. I guess I lost myself along the way.”
“Join the club,” Chris murmured and Katie gave him a quick glance, but then focused on Bob again.
“How do you hope to feel on December 31st 2011?”
“Well…Unlike you and Reid, I hope I don’t feel like today,” Katie’s smile was apologetic. “Although I do hope that we will be together again on that date. But I hope I feel more balanced, more secure, less guilty and more…happy.”
She took the applause with a lowering of her head.
“Thanks for being so honest, Katie.” Bob’s smile was loving. “You had a rough year. I know you loved Nancy too. And the whole thing with Chris. It’s not so incomprehensible why you feel so lost. You need to find a new normal.”
Katie looked up.
“A new normal. That sounds exactly right.”
“Yeah, I like that,” Luke agreed, looking at the sleeping boy on his lap. “That’s what we need to find too. I don’t want Danny to feel different, because of his past.”
They all nodded.
“Do you feel different…being gay, I mean,” Chris looked startled by his own question, but Luke’s smile was friendly.
“Sometimes,” he admitted. “A few weeks ago we were at this Christmas fair and a man had made some awesome ornaments, but the ones I saw were all images of traditional families. Father, mother, child. And that made me feel the odd one out. Because my own little family wasn’t portrayed as normal, you know? Well, it turned out the man had also carved some beautiful stuff with two men and two women, so that made my day.”
“So it’s more like society makes you feel different,” Casey suggested.
“Not really. My own insecurity is making me vulnerable for it. Society can’t make me feel anything if I don’t allow it.”
Luke smiled when he felt Reid’s fingers in his hair and when he looked up, he was struck by the respect in his lover’s eyes. For a moment Reid’s hand grabbed a few locks and softly pulled. I could eat you right here and now.
When Gwen cleared her throat and asked “Do you want us to leave?” Luke blushed and Reid grinned.
“Nah, you can stay till the clock strikes twelve…”
“I’m so glad about that,” Gwen teased and their friendship showed in the smile they exchanged.
“This evening is passing like a flash,” Ali checked her watch, “Only two more hours to go!”
“Time to select a new candidate,” Casey nudged Katie.
The blond scanned the group and her eyes stopped at Will.
“I don’t really know much about you, Will. I know you’re one of Luke’s best friends and Henry thinks highly of you, but that’s about it. So I’d like to ask you. Is that okay?”
Will gave her his calm and warm smile.
“Ask away.”