Kinship (14/15)
If Luke had been asleep, the buzzing phone would not have woken him up. But he wasn’t asleep. Luke was pretty sure he wasn’t going to sleep at all that night. He rolled over, fumbling until he found his phone.
Is it bad luck if we text each other the night before?
Luke smiled. I don’t think so. How was your night?
Katie’s idea of best bachelor party ever and my idea are two very different things. That’s all I’m going to say about that.
Did you drink?
A little. I’m not drunk.
Were there strippers?
HA! I wish. How was your night?
There were strippers.
…Really?
Luke laughed out loud, then quickly put a hand to his mouth. He listened carefully for any sounds, but it appeared as if he hadn’t woken up his grandma.
I can’t tell if you’re jealous because of me watching men getting naked or because you didn’t get to do the same.
It’s a little of both.
Will spilled his drink over Casey, who had to change his shirt. That’s it.
Oooh, now I’m really jealous.
Luke narrowed his eyes. You like Casey?
I like him without his shirt on.
You realize you’re saying this to me the night before our wedding?
I like you without your shirt on too.
Luke snickered. You’re not so bad yourself.
Ben’s with Lily and Holden, right?
Yep, they’re on kid duty so I can get ready tomorrow without many distractions.
And you’re at the farm, just you and Emma who can sleep through anything?
What exactly are you fishing for here, Reid?
I think kids these days call it sexting.
Luke covered his mouth as he laughed silently. Actually, I don’t think they do, but you’re old so you can’t keep up with the latest slang.
What’s it called then, smartass?
…um…
Now who’s old?
If this is our dirty text talk, we’re kind of bad at it.
Tell me about it.
Besides, I don’t think we should. I think we should hold off for one night. To make tomorrow special.
There was a long pause. Yeah, OK. Fine.
You’re OK waiting?
I’ll live.
Luke stared at his phone for a few minutes, running his thumb over the picture of Reid on the screen. A small smile came to his lips. Just as he was about to text Reid, a message came through.
We’re getting married tomorrow.
Luke grinned. I was just thinking the same thing.
Cold feet?
Nowhere near. You?
My toes are nice and toasty.
I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you, Luke confessed.
After a short pause, Reid replied. XOXO Go to sleep, sap.
**
It had been a hard-fought battle, but Luke and Reid had eventually won. They conceded the dinner and reception to Lucinda and were kind of afraid of how overboard she may have gone. But they kept the actual ceremony how they wanted it. They stood in the corner of the judge’s office, waiting for everything to begin. Ben stood between them, wrapped around Luke’s legs. Lily, Holden, Emma, Lucinda, Casey and all of Luke’s siblings were there. So were Bob, Kim, Katie, Chris and Jacob. And that was it. Not that many people, although it seemed like a lot more when they were all crowded into the small chambers.
“Everyone ready?” the judge asked as she walked into the room.
Luke looked over at her, then back at Reid, who gave him a small smile.
“Yes. Yeah,” Luke said, exhaling sharply.
Reid had thought Luke might want to write their own vows, considering his obsession with writing and his romantic nature. But Luke had declined; he said he wouldn’t be able to find the words to describe how he really felt, and he wouldn’t be able to write anything that meant more than the official vows they could finally, legally say. And besides, Luke had said, he knew Reid would die if he had to reveal his personal feelings in his own words in front of people. Reid had kissed him stupid after that - it was the nicest wedding gift he could hope for.
And so they stood in the center of the room, and they repeated the words the judge read. They put rings on each other’s fingers, and they smirked at the sound of quiet sniffles coming from around the room. When it was time, Reid cupped Luke’s face in his palms, much like he did during their very first kiss, and he pressed his lips to Luke’s mouth. People clapped and cheered; they fell away from each other, turning to the others in the room. Casey and Katie followed the judge to the desk to sign the license. And amidst all the talking and celebrating, Ben tugged on Luke’s pants.
Luke bent down, listening to the little boy as he whispered in his ear. A grin came to Luke’s face as he was brought back to the real world. He stood up and took Ben’s hand. Turning to Reid, he laughed lightly.
“We’ll be right back. Ben has to go potty.”
**
Luke collapsed into the chair next to Maddie, sprawling out across the surface of the table.
“Having fun?” Maddie asked with a smile.
“Ugh, I’m exhausted. Want me to take over?” Luke asked, nodding at Ben who was camped out in Maddie’s lap and sound asleep.
“No, I got him. It’s a nice excuse to get out of dancing for a while. These heels are killing me.”
Luke bent around the table and Maddie lifted her foot to show off her shoes.
“That’s a good two-and-a-half inches, Maddie.”
“It hurts to be beautiful.”
Luke shook his head. The two old friends were quiet for a few minutes as they looked around the room. Casey and Chris were having what could only be a ridiculous debate in the corner by the bar. Katie was chasing after Jacob, who was hyped up on sugar. And Reid and Lucinda were dancing, with Reid bending down as Lucinda talked in his ear. Luke couldn’t tell if his grandmother was threatening his husband (his husband) or if they were plotting something that Luke didn’t want to know about.
“I’ve been wondering,” Maddie said, breaking the silence, “what…he would have had to say about all this.”
Luke smiled sadly, shrugging.
“Probably ‘are you insane?!’” Maddie continued.
“No,” Luke said, shaking his head with a fond chuckle. “No, I don’t think so. I think he would have said ‘it’s about damn time.’ And then he and Reid would have done their little macho bullshit for a while, trying to trick everyone into believing they still hated each other.”
Maddie tilted her head back as she laughed. “Yeah, you’re right. You always knew him better than anyone else, and I think you’re right. He would have been really happy for you.” Maddie made a small, choked sound as she looked down at the boy in her lap. She ran a hand through his brown hair. “I miss him. We weren’t even all that close anymore when he…”
Luke nodded. “I know. I know. Something great happens, or something crazy-weird, and my mental plan is still call Reid, then call Noah. I’ve been thinking a lot about him lately, as we planned this thing. Remembering that for the longest time, the only person I could ever imagine marrying was him. It all worked out for the best, obviously, and we all knew it. But…I do miss him. And as Ben gets older, I see these things in him - these movements and mannerisms that are so, so Noah, and - ”
Luke broke off, shaking his head as he stared at his clasped hands.
“God, listen to us,” Maddie said, forcing a smile to her face. “This is supposed to be a celebration. I’m sorry.”
Luke smiled at her. He reached a hand out, placing his warm palm over the backs of her fingers. Just as he was about to reply, someone came up behind him.
“Wanna dance?” Reid growled in his ear. Luke shivered.
He glanced over his shoulder at his husband (his husband) and then back at Maddie.
“Go, go already,” she said.
Luke allowed Reid to pull him out of the chair and out to the center of the dance floor. He wrapped his arms around Reid, one hand at the nape of his neck and the other squeezing Reid’s upper arm. Reid pulled him close, and Luke sighed, bending his head so their foreheads were touching. They didn’t talk for several beats, and when Reid did say something, it wasn’t what Luke was expecting.
“I’m sorry about the trip,” Reid said softly.
“We’ve been over this,” Luke said, for what felt like the hundredth time. “It’s not a good time right now. You and Chris have to deal with the lawsuit against the hospital, and Ben’s got pre-school. It can wait - it’s about a marriage, not a wedding. Remember?”
“Maddie OK?” Reid asked, clearly deciding to change the subject rather than acknowledge the nagging feeling that he was disappointing Luke despite his protests to the contrary.
Luke let him, although the new topic would be equally awkward. “Mm-hmm. We were just…we were talking about…”
“Noah.”
“Yeah.”
Reid remained quiet for a beat, barely nodding his head. “I actually wish he were here,” Reid observed with a wry chuckle. “If for no other reason than to rub it in his face.”
Luke rolled his eyes, grinning knowingly.
“And at the same time, if he were…” Reid continued, his mood suddenly changed.
After a pause, Luke finished his sentence for him, “Who says we would have been here, if these last few years had been different? We probably wouldn’t have our lives as we know them. We wouldn’t - wouldn’t have Ben.”
“Yeah. Yeah, God. That sounds awful.”
“It is what it is. For all the times I wish him back, both of them back, safe and healthy and happy, there are times when I - I look at Ben and…”
Reid nodded. He looked up, suddenly realizing they were still dancing slowly in each other’s arms even though the song had changed to something more upbeat. Reid stepped back from Luke, smiling as he spun him away. Luke’s resulting grin transformed into a laugh as he turned around underneath Reid’s arm and then felt himself pulled back to Reid’s chest. Reid sighed as he held Luke close again, ignoring the music. He dipped his head so they were dancing cheek-to-cheek.
“I love our lives,” he said. “I love our family. And I love you.”
“I love you more,” Luke murmured.
“Wanna bet?”
**
A few months later, Reid came home to a packed suitcase sitting by the front door. He closed the door softly behind him and stared apprehensively at the luggage. Luke walked into the room, thanking someone on the phone. He hung up and focused on Reid.
“Oh good, you’re home.”
“Are you leaving me?” Reid asked, suddenly incredibly nervous.
“What?!” Luke stared at him. “No! Why would you ask that?”
Reid nodded in the direction of the suitcase, and Luke burst into laughter.
“Only you would immediately assume that a suitcase means a break-up.”
“Then what’s going on?”
“I realized today that the most exciting thing to happen to me in the last two weeks was Ben learning the alphabet song. And while obviously that’s fantastic and our son is a genius, I need…grown-up time. You promised me a honeymoon; we’re going on a honeymoon.”
Reid looked apologetic. “I can’t go right now.”
Luke shook his head. “Yes, you can. I cleared it with Katie.”
Reid laughed, stepping further into the room. “OK, but my co-chief of staff is actually Chris. Luke, I’m sorry, but I can’t drop everything just like that.”
“Much like I’m really the boss of you,” Luke countered, ignoring Reid’s look of shock at the claim, “Katie is really the boss of Chris. He’s already confirmed you have no scheduled surgeries and that your hand-picked top-rate neurology staff can handle anything that may arise. Your vacation time is approved, it will only be a long weekend, and I promise it will be worth your while.”
Reid wavered. “Ben?”
“Anna’s coming in for the weekend, and she’s staying with my parents. It’s gonna be nonstop grandparent time for him. He won’t even notice we’re gone.”
Reid started to smile, his eyes narrowing slightly as he fought against giving in. Luke pulled out the big guns. “I can’t believe it’s taking so much effort to convince you to go away with me for a weekend of sex.”
“I’m in,” Reid said immediately.
Concluded