157 Dawn is breaking
Word Soap: As The World Keeps Turning
Author: SYLnl
Title: #157 Dawn is breaking
Rating: PG
Summary: “Change, like sunshine, can be a friend or a foe, a blessing or a curse, a dawn or a dusk.” - William Arthur Ward
Big Thanks To: ltklo, for brushing up my grammar
Previously on As The World Keeps Turning: click here for chapters 1 - 156
“…and I was hoping you’d go with me…” Luke tried hard not to sound too desperate, but he kinda was. He needed Danny to leave the house, so Holden and Damian could set up the surprise, but knowing that his grandfather was coming to talk about horses - or so Danny still thought - made it nearly impossible to get the boy away from the premise.
“But Daddy…” the boy looked absolutely outraged right now, “Grandpa Holden is coming!”
“I know, sweetie. I’ll make sure we’ll be back in time…”
“But Daddy is staying home with Zoë. Why can’t I stay…”
“Daddy is on call, Danny. You know what that means. And when the hospital calls, he will drop Zoë off at Uncle Seth’s. I assumed you wouldn’t like to stay there without me…” it was a dangerous gamble, Luke realized, but it did pay off. Danny frowned and shook his head.
“I don’t want that.”
“And that’s perfectly fine. But coming with me is the only option.”
Danny’s pout would have been adorable if it hadn’t reminded Luke of himself so much. He just ruffled the boys hair and tossed him his jacket.
“Come on, let’s go. We’ll be back soon…”
Luke walked over to the couch where Reid was watching cartoons with Zoë and their kiss was soft, quick, but loving. They both smiled at each other and Luke pinched Reid’s chin.
“I hope you’ll still be home when we come back,” he whispered and Reid tapped Luke’s leg.
“I hope so too.” And he wasn’t even lying. He could do without the horses, but he was looking forward to Danny’s face when he would see the pony.
“Bye Daddy,” Danny kissed Reid on his cheek and then waved at Zoë. “Bye. I wish I could…”
“Danny,” Reid sounded firm, “That’s enough of the drama. Just help your daddy buy some nice pie. Make sure it’s a lot.”
“Yes Daddy,” the boy was a little startled by Reid’s tone, but the pie remark made him smile again and he was even hopping to the door. Luke watched it with a shaking head. Danny was turning into a normal six year old alright.
**
“Grandpa Holden isn’t even here yet,” after Luke helped Danny out of his seat, the boy put his hands in his pockets and looked relieved.
“I told you we’d be back in time,” Luke smiled, handing Danny a bag. “Can you hold that for me?”
The boy nodded, carrying the bag as a trophy. “I’m sure Daddy is gonna love the pie.”
“I’m sure too,” Luke agreed, “You picked a very good one.”
While Luke grabbed all the groceries from the car, an unfamiliar sound - at least for their part of the world - reached their ears and Danny’s head went up.
“A horse…”
“Yeah, I heard,” Luke smiled as he walked to the house and opened the door. “Come, let’s put this away and find out where that sound is coming from…”
Danny wasn’t wasting any time. He rushed inside, put the pie on the counter and started dancing around Luke. Suddenly he stood still.
“Daddy and Zoë are not here,” all excitement was gone. He understood the message. Reid had been called to work.
“Come,” Luke grabbed the boy’s hand and together they walked to the end of the grounds. Loud neighs welcomed them and Danny was back to the skipping.
“It sounds close, Daddy.”
“It is close,” Luke pointed at the stables and the young boy next to him looked startled at seeing the trailers.
“What…”
“Grandpa Damian and Grandpa Holden will explain…” Luke started, watched the company in front of him and then made a surprised sound. “…and Grandma Lily is here too!”
“And Daddy!” Danny made a run for it and even with Zoë in his arms, Reid managed to give his son the welcome he deserved and then focused on the larger blond, leaning in for a kiss.
“Hey,” Luke softly slapped Reid’s cheek and then smiled at Zoë. “Hey sweetie, did you have fun with the cartoons?”
The trademark shrug was all he got and the girl didn’t even smile at Danny. It was obvious. Zoë was not happy and she wasn’t hiding it either.
“I think we can safely conclude that our Zoë is not a horse person…” Reid softly explained and the way the girl pinched her nose was emphasizing his words.
“You can keep each other company then,” Luke concluded and decided to focus on Danny. This was his big moment and he didn’t want anyone - not even their newest member of the family - spoil that for him.
“Hey guys, good to see you all,” Luke greeted his parents and gave his mother a soft kiss on the cheek. “I didn’t expect you to be here.”
“I didn’t expect it either,” Lily smiled, “And it’s just for today. Damian will bring me back to the hospital after we deliver our surprise for Danny.”
Hearing his name made the boy step forward. “Surprise for me?”
“Yes sweetie. You thought Grandpa Holden was coming over to talk about horses, but he already found you the perfect pony.”
“You did?” All initial reserve melted as Danny looked up to Holden and tugged the man’s trouser. “A pony? For me?”
“A pony for you,” Holden nodded. “A surprise from your grandparents.”
“For me?” Danny repeated and they all chuckled. His disbelief was priceless.
“Let me get her for you…” Holden stepped into the barn and when he came out with the beautiful pony, Danny started crying.
“This can’t be for me,” he whispered and Luke pulled him close, kissing the blond hair.
“But it really is, sweetie.”
Danny was still shaking his head when Holden reached him.
“This is Dawn, Danny.”
Still visibly confused, the boy softly touched the yellowish neck and then the pony looked up at the human next to her. Her lips vibrated and let out a mixture of whinnying and snorting. It was an awkward sound, almost like she talked.