134 Feeling safe
Word Soap: As The World Keeps Turning
Author: SYLnl
Title: #134 Feeling safe
Rating: PG
Summary: “Do you want to be safe and good, or do you want to take a chance and be great?” - Jimmy Johnson
Big Thanks To: ltklo, for brushing up my grammar
Previously on As The World Keeps Turning: click here for chapters 1 - 133
“Danny, I have another choice for you to make.”
Luke sat across from his son, both enjoying their breakfast, and Danny looked up. Curiously.
“I need to go to the hospital today. I have an appointment with Dr. Michaels. Remember the nice lady we talked with?”
Danny nodded.
“And after that I want to visit my mom for a while. So here’s the choice. You can come with me or you can stay here with Uncle Will, Miss Lydia and Hallie.”
The boy frowned. “Are you meeting Daddy too?”
“Nope. He is meeting the doctors today. But if there are no emergencies, Daddy will be home for dinner.”
“How long will you be gone?”
“A few hours. Three, maybe four.”
“And Uncle Will will be here all the time…”
“Yes, I already asked him.”
Danny took a deep sigh. This was a big moment. They both felt it.
“Okay, Daddy. I’d like to stay home.”
Wow. Luke swallowed the emotion down.
“Okay, buddy. Let me call Dr. Michaels to confirm my appointment.”
With a quick nod Danny returned to his bowl of cereal and after Luke made the call, his fingers flew over the keyboard for a quick text.
- D lets me leave him today
The reply took longer than normal and Luke started to feel a little embarrassed. Obviously Reid was busy. The reply eased his mind, though.
- Big step! xxx Enjoy!
With a smile he put the phone in his pocket, watching Danny eat. Yeah, this was a big step. It filled him with hope.
When the intercom started bleeping, he saw the boy’s joy and Luke’s hope grew. Danny really started to enjoy company. Another thing he had been worried about.
“Okay…guess…” Luke teased, as they both walked towards the hallway.
“Hmmm…Miss Lydia.” Danny grinned. His tutor was always the first one to arrive and sure enough the boy won their ‘bet’ again.
“Good morning, Miss Lydia!” he called out through the speaker and as usual the teacher laughed. It was a sparkling sound, like little bells.
“Good morning, Danny.”
After he pushed the button, his eyes stayed on the screen and he frowned.
“Who is that, Daddy?”
Luke watched the screen too and noticed the man Danny pointed out.
“I don’t know. Hold on.”
Luke pushed another button.
“Leroy?”
“Yes, Mr. Snyder?” The low voice of the guard sounded immediately.
“Who was that guy who just walked in?”
“That’s Robert, Mr. Snyder. He works here. Has a pass and I’ve seen him from day one.”
“Okay. Thanks, Leroy.”
“My pleasure, sir.”
Danny smiled at Luke. “Thank you for asking.”
“No problem. You know our deal. Whenever you feel something is off, we’ll check it out.” Whatever makes you feel safe.
“Does Uncle Will know that too?”
“He does. And so does Miss Lydia. They will keep you safe, buddy.”
Danny didn’t take the time to answer. He gave a quick nod and then hurried to the door, ready to welcome his teacher. Yeah, their boy was turning into a regular six year old. Luke couldn’t be happier.
Will and Hallie arrived too and Luke’s heart warmed when he saw Will’s smile.
“I’m glad he feels safe enough to let you go,” Will softly tapped Luke on his shoulder. “That’s a good sign.”
“I told you he trusts you…” Luke put his hand on Will’s back.
“Yeah, you did. And I kinda knew you were right. But this is telling it all,” Will’s grin was content.
“I understand. My appointment is in two hours. Did you find some more info on the crash victims?”
Will nodded, opening his laptop, and after watching their kids in some sort of game with their teacher, the men turned to work.
The minute he stepped into the room, surprise was all over his face and after a quick hand movement to the others present, all his attention was fixated at the blond who rose to his feet to meet him with his trademark smile.
“I didn’t know you’d be here, Looker…” Reid grabbed the hair on Luke’s neck and leaned in for a soft kiss. Again he was surprised, this time by Luke’s tongue, playfully seeking entrance. So young Mr. Snyder was provoking him, huh?
Without any hesitation or reluctance Reid deepened the kiss in front of their audience and it was Luke who pulled back before he could take it up a level. Flushed, but looking extremely pleased with himself.
“I didn’t expect to see you either,” Luke panted a little, his eyes all shiny, “but it’s obviously a good surprise.”
“Obviously,” Reid and Damian simultaneously replied, making everybody laugh. After shaking the hands of both fathers, Reid accepted Lily extended hand and suddenly realized Luke’s wicked charm wasn’t all Grimaldi. With a telling tap on her cheek, Lily dared him and after raising his eyebrow Reid leaned over and kissed her softly on the cheek.
When he came up and saw Luke beam, he could hardly suppress a smile. He still wasn’t sure what kind of game Lily was playing - was it a game? - but as long as it made his lover this happy, he would play along.
“Are you done with the meetings?” Luke had made his way next to him again and Reid put his arm around him.
“I am. It went very smoothly, I must admit. It took some time and effort to put this team together, but now it pays off. They’re all very professional and responsible.”
“Let me guess…” Holden teased, “You like that.”
Reid grinned. “Good guess. I do. Being a doctor should be about saving lives. Not about politics, money, egos...”
“…or pleasant bedside manners,” Lily giggled and Reid’s look was gentle.
“Exactly. Waste of time.” In spite of the doctor’s grin, Luke knew Reid was very serious, so when his man gave him a wink, Luke mirrored that gesture.
“How about you…did you just arrive, or…”
“We’ve already had a long talk,” Luke pulled himself a little closer to Reid, “and I think we came to some solid agreements about the pony.”
“That’s good,” Reid gave a quick smile in general and then accepted Holden’s cell phone. It showed a picture of a yellowish horse with long brown mane.
“He’s pretty,” Reid handed back the phone and shrugged when Luke corrected him.
“She. Her name is Dawn.”
“I’m sure Danny will love her,” Reid stated and everybody smiled.
“Me too. And my dad Holden had another surprise for me,” Luke looked at the kind face of his adoptive father and smiled at him. “He’s giving me Handsome.”
“Really?” For some reason the mere mentioning of the horse’s name stirred something inside. To cover this response, Reid kissed Luke’s temple.
“I know how much you love that horse, so I’m happy for you.”
“Just say the word and we’ll give you a horse too, Reid…” Damian sounded a little teasing and it took all Reid’s self-control to keep him from sticking out his tongue.
“A very kind offer, Damian…” the doctor rolled his eyes, “But for now the only horse that brings me joy is standing on a chess board.”
“So all you need now is a finished barn,” Reid ruffled Luke’s hair, enjoying his guy’s obvious happiness.
“Yeah. They’re getting there. Maybe we can move in the horses a week from now.”
“Danny will go insane,” Reid predicted and everybody nodded.
“He will. My parents also provided for all necessary riding gear, but we need to ease him into it. Dawn and Handsome will need some time to get acclimatized.”
“They do, although I’ve put them together and they feel very comfortable with each other.”
“That’s very thoughtful,” Reid murmured and Holden smiled.
“Horses are very sensitive. If you treat them with respect and love, they’ll allow you to connect and let me assure you, Reid…that’s an amazing experience.”
“I’ll take your word for it,” Reid grinned, looking at Luke when he felt his hand on his back.
“How about going home?” His blond asked, but his eyes held a whole different question and Reid softly squeezed Luke’s chin.
“Sounds good. I do need to go to my office and let Gwen know…”
“No problem…I’ll join you.”
Reid wasn’t surprised. He could see a red button moment in his immediate future.
The goodbyes were superficial, but relaxed and friendly and when they left the room, Luke was all contentment.
“Good visit?”
“Yeah, it was. First I had a good talk with Dr. Michaels and when I entered my mom’s room, Damian and Holden were there. So it was just perfect timing. And then you walk in. As the finishing touch…”
Reid kissed Luke’s temple again and when they arrived in his office, he swept Luke around, closing the door with his foot and hitting the red button in one smooth movement. Their lips met, but then the clearing of a throat startled them.
The stranger on the couch rose to his feet, extending his hand and grinning a little mischievously.
“I’m sorry to interrupt…”
For some reason Reid and Luke didn’t believe that for a second and while Luke shook the man’s hand, Reid narrowed his eyes.
“Who are you?”
“I’m Bill. Bill Chimberlane. I’m with Child Services and I need to talk to you.”