50 Worthy of the best
Word Soap: As The World Keeps Turning
Author: SYLnl
Title: #50 Worthy of the best
Rating: PG
Summary: Luke’s lessons in life
Big Thanks To: ltklo, for brushing up my grammar
Previously on As The World Keeps Turning:
#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10 #11 #12 #13 #14 #15 #16 #17 #18 #19 #20
#21 #22 #23 #24 #25 #26 #27 #28 #29 #30 #31 #32 #33 #34 #35 #36 #37 #38 #39 #40 #41 #42 #43 #44 #45 #46 #47 #48 #49
It hadn’t happened before, but it felt very familiar and very natural nevertheless. After waking up together, showering together and having breakfast together, Reid and Luke walked, holding hands, into the hospital.
“This is my version of the perfect start of the day,” Reid declared and Luke grinned.
“That’s where we differ,” Luke checked his watch, “My perfect start of the day would be a few hours from now.”
They both chuckled.
“The uniqueness of it makes this day even more special,” Reid concluded and pointed at the coffee machine. “Can I get you one?”
Luke’s nod was hesitant. “In the absence of a more tasteful alternative...” he sighed. Java wasn’t even open yet!
Reid’s grin was teasing. “Your impression of the spoiled rich brat who needs his beauty sleep is very convincing, I must admit.”
Luke made a face at Reid and, after taking a sip of his coffee, made one at the cup in his hand.
“Explain to me again why I’m here this early?” He moaned and Reid rolled his eyes.
“Enough already. Go annoy your dad now. He will be prepped for surgery in about an hour, so make use of every available minute,” Reid saw the worry in Luke’s eyes and he knew his harsh tone had caused it, so he pulled him in for a kiss.
“Don’t worry, I also love this grumpy Luke,” he winked, “but I start this early for a reason… so I need to go to work.”
Luke’s smile was relieved. “I’ll keep you posted.”
Reid pulled a blond strain of hair. “I’m sure we will run into each other, from time to time…” he gave Luke a last kiss, “Let me rephrase that… I’ll make sure we will…”
Luke watched Reid enter his office and then turned the corner to make his way to Damian’s room. Reid’s remark had finally woken him up. He would be close to Reid all day! Grumpy Luke made way for Happy Luke.
“Hey,” Luke was still not ready to call Damian ‘dad’ again, “How do you feel today?”
“Better, seeing you,” Damian’s familiar charm hadn’t diminished after being hospitalized for well over two weeks. “I didn’t expect to see you before surgery. I know you’re not an early bird.”
Luke gave him a telling grin. “That’s an understatement. But I wanted to be here for you.”
Damian was visibly moved by that. “I appreciate that, Luciano. Thank you…”
Luke gave a quick nod.
“So, are you nervous?”
“A little,” Damian admitted, to Luke’s surprise. “Reid assured me that my surgeon is one of the best…”
“I’m not surprised. Reid wouldn’t accept anything less,” Luke saw something flicker in Damian’s eyes and continued: “And not to be cruel, but don’t read anything into that. That’s Reid’s standard for all his patients.”
Damian smiled. “He’s a great doctor and he’ll be an awesome Chief of Staff.”
Luke nodded. “True. He’s very committed.”
“To you too,” Damian grinned.
Luke gave him a questioning look and Damian explained: “Over the last two weeks we’ve played some chess and sometimes he’s willing to share something about himself, but it’s never about you. And that tells me a lot.”
It obviously didn’t tell Luke anything, because he watched his father with confusion.
“What do you mean?”
“Reid isn’t sharing any information about you, out of respect for you. I’m not sure if it’s because you and I are… estranged at the moment or if this is just him, but I like that. He lets you decide what you want me to know and not to know.”
Luke smiled. “Yeah, that’s who he is,” he nodded. “He is very private and also very respectful about the privacy of others. In any case, respect is a big deal to Reid. He really respects and loves me for who I am. I never have to earn his approval or acceptance. That’s always there. As a given.”
“That must be…” Damian was trying to find the right word, “…comforting.”
Luke gave a nod. That’s a good word. “Yes, it is. At least, when I’m able to trust it.” Luke lowered his head. “I’m not used to that kind of…support.”
Damian paled. He knew he was also guilty of trying to mold Luke into someone he wasn’t. “I’m grateful you found this support,” he said sincerely, “because God knows, you deserve it.”
“We all deserve it,” Luke shrugged, “and I’m starting to learn that it starts with ourselves. How we allow others to treat us. And Reid is my teacher in this, although I don’t think he’s aware of it. But by watching him, how he handles certain situations, I’m getting it.”
“Like…” Damian urged him.
“Like the way he aims for the best,” Luke didn’t have to think about that one. “He has a very clear motto: second best will not do. He wants the best or he can do without. But it’s not just words. He really lives it. And not because he thinks he deserves the best, but because he’s worthy of the best. And that’s the key.”
Damian laughed. “Yes, his self-confidence is legendary.”
“True, but to a lot of people it’s a character flaw. To me too, at first. I’m not gonna lie about that. But now I realize I had trouble with it, because it triggered my own lack of self-confidence. His attitude made me feel inferior and I blamed him for that. And I can name a few who do too.”
Luke rolled his eyes and Damian didn’t need an explanation.
“But you changed your perception, Luke, and so can we all. Just give it time. You know I changed my tune after one conversation with Reid and I’m sure your mother will come around too. That whole therapy thing is very good. She already had some important insights.”
“I hope so,” Luke shrugged, “I haven’t talked to her lately.”
He expected some sort of sermon from Damian, but it didn’t come and when he looked at his father, the man just smiled.
“That’s between you and her. I’m not gonna interfere.” Damian laughed when he saw Luke’s that-would-be-a-first expression.
“As I said, we can all change our perception. And I’ve had some profound talks with a few people around here, so who knows… maybe I’ll leave this hospital a changed man.”
“Talks? With who?”
“Well, you know Reid drops by, now and then. And Bob and John have been around. And Dr. Stewart. And Margo. She visits a lot, actually. I think she’s up to something, but I’m not sure what. But the questions she’s asking…”
“We’re exploring ways to keep you out of jail,” Luke explained and his own revelation made him startle. “I wasn’t planning on telling you this, because I don’t want to get your hopes up and then maybe have to crush them, but things are starting to look positive…”
“We’re exploring…?”
“Yeah,” Luke looked uncomfortable, “Margo and me.”
Damian just looked at him. Perplexed. Touched.
Luke took Damian's hand and his father squeezed it.
“I know I don’t deserve…” Damian started, but Luke shook his head, with his finger over his mouth.
“No more talk about deserving. You’re my father and although I’m still not sure I want you in my life, I do have to acknowledge that fact. When Margo pointed out to me that some new developments put your actions in a different light, I knew I couldn’t walk away from it. It wouldn’t be fair. And in spite of everything that happened, I do want to be fair.”
“It’s amazing how you've managed to grow into this extraordinary honourable young man in the face of all injustice we put you through.”
“Hear hear.”
The voice in the doorway made them both look up and Damian watched Luke’s face light up, when he saw Reid come in. After a quick kiss for Luke, Reid focused on Damian. “I don’t have much time, but I wanted to drop by to wish you a successful surgery.”
“I appreciate that,” Damian smiled, “a lot.”
“Good,” Reid gave him a nod and looked at the blond son. “Are you okay?”
Luke gave him a radiant smile. “I am. It’s a good talk.”
Reid ruffled Luke’s hair and pinched his neck softly. “I’m glad to hear that. I need to go now, but I’m planning a break when Damian is going in, so we can have coffee. Date?”
Luke couldn’t look happier. “Date.”
After Reid left, Damian shook his head. “He’s so in love with you…”
“I know…” Luke was still beaming. “Isn’t it amazing?”
“No, it’s not.” Damian replied calmly. “You’re worthy of his love.”
Ah, someone had been paying attention. Luke smiled.
“Thanks for saying that. And I do know it’s true, but it doesn’t always feel true. But I’m working on that.”
“I’m glad,” Damian smiled. He glanced on the clock and Luke bit his lip.
“I’ll stick around and hope to be there when you wake up,” he softly said and Damian held Luke’s hand again.
“That’s a comfort to know. You do realize it can take several hours?”
“I do. Reid explained. But I planned some stuff, so it’s not a problem. I’ll keep myself busy.”
When the door opened and an unknown doctor and two nurses stepped in, Luke squeezed his father’s hand in silent support and after a little hesitation, he kissed Damian on his forehead.
“Hang in there.”
Damian nodded, mouthing a ‘thank you’ and with mixed feelings, Luke left him. When he stepped outside, he saw Reid across the hall and without a word Reid came up to him and put his arm around Luke’s shoulder.
When Reid noticed some nurses watching, he narrowed his eyes.
“Go find something to do,” he strongly suggested and the young women cleared off in a hurry. Reid led Luke to his office, closed the door and pushed the red button. Two hot coffees from Java were waiting for them on his desk.