143 Yes, you can
Word Soap: As The World Keeps Turning
Author: SYLnl
Title: #143 Yes, you can
Rating: PG
Summary: “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” - Barack Obama
Big Thanks To: ltklo, for brushing up my grammar
Previously on As The World Keeps Turning: click here for chapters 1 - 142
“I don’t understand your need to acknowledge my presence every time we run into each other, Professor Jarvis,” Luke looked absolutely indifferent and Reid’s heart filled with pride. He moved his chair back a little so he could watch the man even better and - oblivious of Luke’s warning look - he grinned.
“Ah, the evil professor…”
Mason Jarvis looked amused, as if Reid had paid him a compliment. His “I’m really not that bad, once you know me” sounded seductive and Reid was tempted to make gagging noises, but noticing Luke’s discomfort he decided on another journey. He raised his eyebrow, looked Mason over and gave him the coldest and most arrogant look he ever produced. Ever.
“You’re not worth my energy,” he concluded and returned to his plate. From the corner of his eye he could see the man’s hands clutching the empty chair in an obvious attempt to keep his cool.
“You didn’t pick a very social one this time, Luke,” Mason sneered, but Luke shrugged.
“Him not being social with you is perfectly fine by me.”
“Ah, afraid I will snatch this one away from you too, are you?”
Luke looked up, giving him a cold smile. “Nope.”
He then gave a quick glance at Danny, but that hadn’t the effect he hoped for. It didn’t make Mason Jarvis back down. On the contrary.
“A kid? Really? That’s your straitjacket of choice this time?”
Luke saw Reid all ready to come to his defense, so he quickly shook of his head.
I can do this.
Reid leaned back in his chair, smiling. I know you can. You go for it!
“Do you actually think I could care less what you think of me?”
“Well, according to Noah you’re…”
“Do you actually think I could care less what he thinks of me?”
That question threw Mason a little. “You used to…”
“Past tense,” Luke shrugged, “Pluperfect, I might add. You’re a professor, so I assume you know your grammar.”
“My my, look at you, all confident…” Mason was losing ground and he knew it, but refused to admit it.
To his surprise, Luke gave him an almost blinding smile. “Thank you.”
Damn. It wasn’t meant to be compliment.
Before he could think of a new attack, he felt a hand on his back.
“Please take a seat at one of our empty tables or leave, but stop badgering my valued guests.”
Even though the loud shirt was a joke, the tone of this guy was no laughing matter. But Mason had to try just one more time.
“And you think you have a right to interfere with this conversation, because…”
“…I own this joint. And you know what…you just forfeited your right to a great meal. I want you to leave and stay away. You outstayed your welcome.”
“You can not throw me out,” Mason snorted. He pondered his chances and decided he could take this clown out with one hand behind his back.
“But I can,” another voice meddled in and when Mason turned, he knew he was defeated. And it wasn’t even the body. It was the eyes. The eyes of a street fighter. Or maybe this guy tussled alligators. He had the accent for it.
“What a drama for no reason,” Mason Jarvis tried to save face, “I was just…”
“We don’t care. You’re done. If Henry wants you out of here, you’re out of here,” the man’s tone was calm and even friendly, but Mason wasn’t fooled. The eyes were icy.
Before he could walk away, Reid tapped him on the arm.
“Professor Jarvis, a word of the wise…the next time you see one of us…pretend you didn’t.”
Before Mason could answer, Reid had turned his focus on the boy next to him, literally giving him the cold shoulder. Without another word, Professor Jarvis left the building.
While walking back to the counter, Henry waved his arms like an overstating and over staging actor. “Okay people, show is over. Back to normal. Enjoy your meals.”
He then kissed a blond on her cheek and lifted a small child in the air.
“That was great timing, Bubbles,” he stated, while he bounced Jacob on his arm. “And divine providence that our Aussie was with you.”
“Hardly providence,” Katie smirked. “He’s everywhere I go…”
“And you’re loving every minute of it,” Simon teased, winking at Henry. “I just put your garbage out, mate. Now I need some food.”
“Food you will get,” Henry promised, nodding at the Snyder-Oliver party. “Do you want me to move a table to theirs?”
“I’m not sure they want…” Katie started, but then she saw Luke waving them in and she grinned. “I guess they want. Let’s do that.”
After the whole Jarvis intermezzo, the celebration really started to become festive. It inspired Luke to elaborate on even more festive plans.
“We should throw a party, Reid.”
“What?” The doctor had been silently listening to the friendly banter around him and the question caught him by surprise. “Why?”
“Hello,” Luke rolled his eyes, “The papers, Zoë, your little cab adventure…let’s celebrate life.”
“I thought we already did that,” Reid slurped his soda and chuckled when it made Danny giggle.
“Hey doc, are you gonna deprive us of a party now, mate?” Simon grinned. “I personally think it’s a brilliant idea.”
“You throw the party then,” Reid challenged and Katie laughed.
“He doesn’t even have a place to live…”
While Simon and Katie kept themselves busy with a game of tease, Reid saw his blond frown and he covered Luke’s hand with his own.
“If you want to throw a party, we’ll have one, Luke. Your remark came out of the blue for me, that’s all.”
Luke softly squeezed Reid fingers and smiled.
“I know we already had some big parties the last few weeks…If you think it’s too much…”
“It’s not. And you’re right… we have some very good reasons for a party.”
“Can I come too?” Danny asked and Reid ruffled his hair.
“It wouldn’t be a party without you, son.”
“I’ll drink to that, mate.” Simon raised his soda to Danny and the boy mirrored the gesture with a beaming smile.
“Already a date in mind?” Katie pulled out her phone and made her way to her schedule, when she noticed Reid watching her.
“What?”
“You’re invited?”
“Shut up,” she hit him on the arm, “Give a date.”
“Maybe we could combine it with Bob’s Farewell Party,” Luke suggested, “Just like we did with Christmas. We start at Memorial and continue at our place.”
“That’s in a few days,” Reid frowned, “Do we have enough time to arrange all that?”
“We?” Luke gave him a telling smile.
“Well, okay then…you,” Reid grinned.
“It’ll be okay. Just leave it all to me.”
“Gladly,” Reid nodded and then lifted Danny off his chair onto his lap. “This young man is notably quiet…are you tired, buddy?”
The way the boy nestled against Reid’s chest was telling and for a moment they all looked at him with tenderness.
“He’s a special little guy,” Simon sounded emotional, “I wish…”
He shook his head and Katie softly nudged him. “You wish what?”
“Never mind,” Simon gave her a quick smile, “And soon that little girl finds a home with you…you guys are making a difference. I admire that.”
“Thanks,” Reid held Danny close to him, “But it’s a two way street. He makes a difference in our life too.”
Both men looked each other in the eye and Simon nodded with a smile. “Give and take.”
“Exactly. Balance.” When Reid saw Luke standing up, he followed his lead and he softly tapped Simon’s shoulder in passing.
“Be clear,” he whispered and Simon gave him a nod. He knew Reid was on to him and although a little annoyed by it, he felt some relief too. He had someone in his corner. That didn’t happen very often. He watched the two dads and their boy leave Al’s and when Simon turned back to Katie, he smiled.
“What was that about?”
Simon shrugged. Be clear. Oh. Right.
“I guess Reid understands my current longing.”
“Longing?” Katie frowned. “Longing for what?” Adventure? Scandal? Swindle?
“A family of my own.”