Is That Him?

[trevygirl]

CHAPTER : FOURTEEN

Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 2145

Beta:
valenti1965
Artwork : seajellybaby

Disclaimer: ATWT characters property of Telenext. No copyright infringement intended.
Summary: Luke and Reid are happily married for years. But when Reid put his eyes on Noah.
Everything's changing.



“Come with me…”

These words kept echoing into Reid's mind. . He couldn't even babble an answer. He couldn't believe he had let Noah go without a fight.

"Why did Noah tell me that?  And Noah telling me I should stop thinking about Luke as a victim.
That Casey and Luke are mating for ages?" Reid wondered.
"Did he lie just so I was as hurt as he was? No Noah isn't like that at all."

Reid sat on the ground, resting his back on the wishing tree. Feelings of Noah's skin on his. Thick warmth burried inside of him reminiscing in his mind.

"Why Noah could have made up something like that?"

He wanted to call Noah so bad. Thinking of never seeing him again broke his heart. What was he supposed to do? Follow the brunette? Abandon his life and bail on his patients?
He could not do it. Quitting wasn't his thing. But what was left of his life? Of his marriage? Only lies and loneliness?

Luke and he had been so blind about the way they were driving on this road. They were going right to a brick wall. Crashing and burning the perfect life they were used to have. Or at least the perfect one they thought they were living.
Reid knew Luke wouldn't appreciate it but they had to put the cards on the table. And face the truth. Their marriage and love had long slipped away like sand through their fingers. He knew he was not an angel, but he couldn't help feeling betrayed by both Luke and Casey.

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“Luke, have I been clear about the risks. Giving away an organ is not a thing that a human body easily adjusts to.”
“Yes Bob. Remember I rule that hospital. I know all about transplant procedures and risks.”
“Knowing it and going through it is two different things.”
“I guess so. But I’m gonna do it anyway.”

Bob smiled. He didn't want to scare Luke away. The blonde was the only chance to save his great grandson’s life.

“Who’s your son?” Steven asked slowly awakening.

He could hardly articulate words. The poor kid was so weak.

“How do you feel?” Casey interrogated him.
“Sleepy. I keep sleeping. I’d rather play with the twins.”
“I know sweetie. Soon.”

Luke sat on a chair next to the bed in which the kid was laying down. Then he fatherly caressed Steven’s cheek. Before holding one of his hands.

“I AM your father Steven.” He tenderly answered.

The kid’s eyes wide-opened.

“You can’t be my dad.” The child genuinely believed.
“Why that lil boy? You had the color of my hair and eyes.”
“Mommy.” Steven called out his mom. “He’s called Luke. You told me my daddy was called Luciano. These are two different names."

Everyone smiled. This little boy was so adorable. Even when he was sick. Though he was not getting why everyone was staring at him.

“Did I say something wrong Uncle Casey?”
“No absolutely not Stevie.”

Louisa hold Steven’s free hand.

“Baby, Luke is your father. He had to be away for a long time. But now he’s staying with you.”
“Forever?”
“Yes FOREVER.” Luke responded.
“That’s cool… All my friends have dads too.” Steven uttered.

Aww, he’s so adorable.

“Luke, can I call you daddy?”
“Of course you can…”

I’m a lucky dad. Oh my god I’m a dad… I’m… a father.

Luke could not help shedding a tear.

“Why are you crying?” Asked a sleepy kid.
“For nothing son. I’m just happy.”
“Kids never cry when they’re happy. Am I right mommy?”
“Yes you are baby.”

Steven stared at his father for a while. Thoughtful.

“So is Luciano your super hero’s name?” He finally said.
“Super hero?”
“Yes you have two names and you are going to cure me. And grandpa Bob will stitch me up.”
“I’m not a hero Steven. Just a dad. But yes you are going to be stitched up and have a long life.”
“Ok.”

The six years old boy seemed to still be intrigued by Luke’s two names. So Luke confided in him.

“You were right.” He whispered into his son’s ears. "I’m a super hero. I’m Luciano the brave…”

Steven’s face illuminated itself. His dad was like batman!!!!!

“Shush… It’s a secret…”

The kid shook his head. His hand on his chest, he accepted the hard task of keeping the secret of his heroic father.

“Luke?” Bob interrupted.

Luke got up on his feet and joined the old man in the hallway.

“Yes Bob?”
“We’ll do the surgery tomorrow. It’s getting more than urgent…”
“Ok. I’ll go talk to Reid and my family. Then pack some things.”
“Ok then. Thanks again Luke.”

Bob let himself getting emotional.

“I love this kid. Couldn't stand to lose him… Not like we lost Casey’s and Louisa’s older brother.”
“How did he die?”

Bob looked away. Saddened.

“I’m sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I’m just… Casey never been able to talk about it.”
“Alexander died in a car accident… Casey’s mother…"

Bob paused.

"Elisabeth fell asleep while driving…”
“I’m sorry for your lost Bob. I won’t let this tragedy repeated itself.”

Bob cleared his throat.

“Hmm… I have to go. This hospital isn't going to rule itself.”

Luke let Bob go as he saw Reid walking towards him.

“Hey.”
“Hey Reid.”
“Where have you been?”
“At Lucinda’s guest house. When I went back home you weren't around...”
“Yes I wasn't…”
“So…”
“So?”

Both of them felt uncomfortable around the other. It was a weird feeling for husbands and long-time friends.
After minutes of silence as heavy as concrete, Reid was the first to talk.

“I know you fuck Casey!” Reid abruptly declared.

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Luke felt ashamed and humiliated. He grabbed Reid arms and forced him to enter his office.

“What’s gotten into you?”
“Don’t lie to me Luke!”
“Why are you telling me that? And in the middle of the hallway?!”
“What?! Everybody but me seemed to know about you two sucking each other's cock behind my back.”
“No not everyone knows about it…”
“So you ADMIT it.”
“Yes I DO! Happy now!” Luke yelled exasperated.

Reid fell on the couch.

“How could you do this to me Luke?”
“How could I do this to you? Are you serious Reid? You fucked my best friend!”
“You asked me to Luke!”

Luke was hysterically pacing on the parquet. Reid had not seen him that agitated in years.

“I had what I thought was a dream. Now I know it was not a dream.. And I started following my intuition. I could feel the heavy atmosphere when you two were in the same room. Sometimes it was like I was not there at all. Some other times I was the only one being there. And I feel like… I don’t know. Invisible. I was lost. I was feeling guilty about Casey and I….”

Luke looked at Reid waiting for a reaction from his husbands. But none came.

“I wanted it over. Didn't want to hurt you. But I didn't want to hurt Casey either. And at the same time I saw the way your eyes lighted up when you looked into Noah deep blue eyes. I’m not blind.”

Reid still looked completely absent.

“Reid, talk to me.”

Reid stayed quiet for a few minutes then started talking again.

“I guess I was the blind guy of the story. I do brain surgery but can’t figure out you nor see the details. Those which could have showed me what was going between you and Casey.”
“Reid I wanted you to be free of these sexual urges. Like I did try to free myself… I foolishly thought that afterwards, you and I could work it out.”

Reid looked down.

“How do you think we could have worked it out? You fled the day after. Being MIA. Ignoring my calls…”
“I realized it was too late. That Noah had stolen you away from me. I wanted to be alone, because I felt as if I was a living emotional mess.”

The brain surgeon looked right into Luke’s hazel eyes.

“Do you love Casey?”
“Do you love Noah?”
“I asked first Luke?”
“I know. But I need you to go first.”

Reid stared at his husband. Still amazed at his incredible beauty. How could their path had been able to part so far away after so many years.

“Do you love him Reid?” The blonde insisted.
“Yes I do.”
“Last time I heard you saying “Yes I do”, was when the mayor asked if you wanted to marry me… Since then, a great deal of water has flowed under the bridge.”
“I guess. What about you Luke. Why did you have an affair with Casey? Why him? He’s been my friend as long as I’d been yours.”

Luke looked sad and confused.

“I… I don’t know why him. I guess he made me feel good. I was so lonely. You were getting more and more obsessed by your work. Never home. So first I started to do the same. Burying my loneliness and frustration into charities parties, hospital meetings… And Casey was there. So passionate. So caring with me. Like you used to be before.”
“Casey gave you what I couldn't give. What I hate the most is that you didn't tell me before you and I became strangers!”
“I should have. I know it’s on me. I pushed you into Noah’s arms. I was never there and I guess your obsession about him flourish into love. Now I know you two knew each other when you were lonely kids, meant that you were meant to be together. I couldn't win.”

The blonde wiped a tear off his face.

“Luke, it’s on me too. I still had suppressed feelings for my first love. I know we all always love our first love, but before I knew who Noah was… I felt for him. I was attracted by him like the moon is to earth. I should have told you. I might have controlled it. If we had communicated none of this messy emotional square would have happened.”
“Reid, you’re right. We should have been there for each other and talk. But babe I doubt none of us could have win over these feelings. We know each other. We’re romantic folks. None of us could have cheated over fake feelings or out of lust.”

Reid put his head in hands. He looked put out.

“I don’t know what to do.”
“Maybe us four should have a talk and see what’s best for all of us.”
“It’s impossible.”
“Why? I’m the one who stupidly used his fist…”

Luke’s husband looked at him shocked.

“You... You hurt Noah?” Reid questioned Luke.

The blonde looked at the floor. Shameful.

“Yes. I lost my temper and blamed everything on him. He surprised me by reading in me like in an open book.”
“Noah’s very insightful.”
“Yeah… And I exploded.”
“Luke… I’m sorry I broke your precious friendship.”
“Don’t be. Have you seen him today?”
“Yes. An hour ago.”
“How was he feeling…“
“He’s leaving town.”

Luke stopped pacing.

“What the fuck?!”
“Yeah you heard it right the first time.”
“God what did I do?”
“It’s his decision… It’s on me though. I was his surgeon I shouldn't have fallen for him.”
“The heart has its reasons that the reason ignores Reid. We both know it too well.”
“Anyway. For now would you tell me why your husband is the last to know that you are now a father?”
"Reid i'm such a mess."

Luke sat next to Reid and related what happened. How Louisa had betrayed him, blackmailed him. How hard it had been for him to accept this forced paternity. Then what he had to do to save his son’s life. And most of it how sorry he was to have been such a bad husband and friend. The two young men hugged for a while. True love between each other was long gone but tenderness and affection will always bind them.

“Don’t let Noah go Reid. Never. Love you.”

Then off Luke was gone. Reid watched him go. He felt relieved. Weight off his shoulders. Luke will still be in his life. Just in a different way.

Knock knock!

Casey Hughes was standing right in front of him. Looking determined.

"What now?" Reid thought.
"You wanted us to talk. There I am.”

Damn!

CHAPTER 14