75 The attitude of gratitude
Word Soap: As The World Keeps Turning
Author: SYLnl
Title: #75 The attitude of gratitude
Rating: PG13
Summary: “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” - John F. Kennedy
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 #50 #51 #52 #53 #54 #55 #56 #57 #58 #59 #60 #61 #62 #63 #64 #65 #66 #67 #68 #69 #70 #71 #72 #73 #74
Reid was pretty sure they made a perfect picture right now. But even more important, it also felt perfect. Both relaxing on opposite sites of the couch, with their legs entwined. Reid reading the latest Medical Journal and Luke focused on his laptop. At least, they were a few minutes ago. In spite of the interesting article in front of him, looking at Luke was even more important. Reid loved moments like this. He rested his head on the back of the couch and just watched Luke’s concentrated staring at the screen. Apparently inspiration had abandoned his beautiful blond, because Luke hadn’t been typing for a while.
Reid placed one foot on Luke’s crotch and his toes started a little game. Reid smiled when he could feel the immediate response under his sole.
Luke grabbed his toes and squeezed them softly. Without looking up from the screen, Luke smiled.
“He needs a rest. Leave him alone.”
It made Reid laugh out loud. “That’s not the impression he’s giving me,” he teased and it made Luke look up.
“That’s because you’re irresistible,” the blond gave Reid a intense look, “but I really want to finish this first…”
That made Reid curious. What was so important that Luke called in the Self-Control Army?
“Is your first chapter almost done?”
Luke smiled. “I’m not working on that.”
Oh?
Reid put his magazine on his chest to show Luke he was all ears. When he saw Luke becoming a little uncomfortable, Reid frowned. Now what?
“What’s up?”
Luke took a deep breath, squeezed Reid’s toes again and focused on the fabric of Reid’s sock when he shared.
“I feel the need to thank a few people and I’m looking for a special way to do that…”
“Sounds like a nice gesture,” Reid said. “So why are you so insecure about that?”
Luke looked up. Surprised for a minute, a little thrown after that. He sighed.
“I guess I expected ridicule or outrage for being a show-off, trying to buy people’s approval.”
Reid sat up a little, some anger in his blue eyes.
“I guess we have Mr. Mayer to thank for that nonsense?”
Luke shrugged. “I guess,” he sighed again and looked shy. “So you don’t feel those things?”
“Actually I don’t, but it shouldn’t matter what I think, Luke. Is it your intention to buy people off?”
“No!” Luke looked a little shocked. “Of course not! I want to say ‘thank you’, that’s all.”
“So who cares if someone turns it into something else. It’s your intention that counts. You can’t control what someone else makes of it. ”
Luke slowly nodded. “You’re right.”
“Duh,” Reid teased and his foot stroked Luke’s upper leg. “You’re a very giving person, Luke. That’s one of the many things I’m in awe of. If someone isn’t able to accept that for what it is, that’s his loss.”
Luke caressed Reid’s leg. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. So tell me… who do you want to send something?”
“It’s a whole list, I’m afraid.” Luke smiled.
“No need to be afraid. Unless I’m not on that list. Then you should be scared. Very scared.”
They both laughed.
“You’re on top of the list,” Luke teased and Reid rolled his eyes.
“And yet you’re not on top of me…”
Reid’s toes received another loving squeeze and Luke let his own feet find their way to Reid.
“Let me guess,” Luke teased, “patience isn’t your best event.”
Reid groaned, mainly because Luke’s toes hit the spot.
“Finally he gets me,” the doctor murmured and Luke laughed.
“I thought I had you on the second time you looked at me.”
“It might have been the third,” Reid grinned.
Luke softly slapped Reid’s leg.
“Whatever…what’s in a number?” Luke laughed at Reid’s expression. “But let me finish this and we’ll discuss some math.”
Reid faked reluctance. “Okay then. Start by telling me who’s on the list.”
Luke looked at the screen. “Margo, for handling the whole Damian thing and helping us through the whole mother and Noah drama.”
“And for saving my life,” Reid added. “Small detail, but still…”
Luke grinned. “Okay, if you think that was important…I did buy her a Big O for that, remember?”
Reid pulled a face. “A sandwich for the life of this genius doctor. Yeah, that sounds balanced enough.”
“That’s what I thought,” Luke teased and watched the screen again. “Both my grandmothers. Emma, for her advice, support and food for my man. Lucinda for helping us find the greatest housekeeper and best masseuse.”
Reid just nodded.
“Mrs. Graves,” Luke continued and when he saw the confused look on Reid’s face, he explained: “The housekeeper.”
Reid gave another nod.
“Will and Gwen, for being such good friends.”
That made Reid sit up a little. “I already wanted to do something special for Gwen…”
Luke’s eyes started to glimmer. “We could do this together…”
“We should,” Reid agreed. “And I have a list of my own.”
Luke moaned softly and it made Reid grin. “You inspire me, Snyder, what can I say? And it’s great timing, with the upcoming Thanksgiving.”
“Hey, I hadn’t thought about that, but you’re right! Maybe this could be the way to give that holiday that little extra you were looking for.”
Reid nodded, getting enthusiastic. “Sounds great. So the gift should reflect that thought.”
Luke agreed. “But first make a list and worry about the gift later.”
“Okay, I’d like Bob on the list. I owe him a lot.”
Luke’s fingers danced over the keyboard and a little nod made clear he had added Reid’s mentor.
“Katie should be on there, too. She was there for me from the start.”
Luke nodded, typing in Katie’s name.
“And Hank. His money got the ball rolling. If it wasn’t for him, I may have left for Dallas…”
In a reflex Luke pushed his foot firmly against Reid and it make the doctor gasp.
“Hello…”
“Sorry,” Luke chuckled. “I was startled for a moment.”
“I could feel that,” Reid grinned. “But it’s bizarre, looking back. So many times I was ready to leave, but couldn’t.”
“I guess Annie was working overtime,” Luke laughed softly, stroking Reid’s leg. “And I’m glad she did.”
“Me too…” Reid sent Luke an intense look that made them both shiver.
“Okay,” Luke took a deep breath. He needed this project to be over, so he could focus on more physical entertainment. “So that’s the list?”
To Luke’s surprise Reid shook his head.
“I think your parents should be on there too. All three of them.”
“What?” Luke almost made the laptop fall off of him, “Why?”
Reid smiled. “For the simple fact that they gave you life, Luke. Lily and Damian did some really disturbing things, but they did one thing very right. They made you and personally I’m very grateful for that.”
Luke swallowed and his typing fingers emphasized he agreed with Reid’s explanation.
“And Holden?” Luke was curious.
“Holden has been very kind to me. I felt accepted by him from that first dinner on the farm.”
Luke nodded, added Holden’s name to the list and looked at Reid again.
“Did you two have a talk when I was in the hospital?”
Reid smiled. “We did. Why?”
“I had a feeling…he stepped out and when he came back, he was looking very worried. Somehow I knew he had been talking to you…”
Reid nodded. “What touched me the most was his genuine care for me. He told me his family would be devastated if we split up, but he also emphasized that my personal happiness was very important too,” Reid thought back and remembered Holden’s words. “But if staying together would destroy who you are, we will all lose. That’s what he said.”
Luke said nothing, just looked at Reid and felt that cold fear in his chest again. They came close. It wasn’t the first time he realized that, but somehow it hit him all over again. Reid’s toes on his zipper made him look up and he had to smile when Reid shook his head. Don’t go there.
“Okay,” Luke took a deep breath to return himself into the now and gave Reid a soft slap on his foot.
“That’s the list. Now the gift.”
Reid frowned. He wasn’t very good at this stuff.
Luke was working his keyboard, so Reid leaned back and let Luke do his magic. When he saw his partner smile, he sat up a little.
“Found anything?”
Luke blushed. “You may think it’s sappy…”
Reid rolled his eyes. Knowing Luke it probably was sappy. Very sappy…
“Try me…”
“Remember the Proud Diary? The exercise Dr. Michaels gave me? Turns out there’s something out there called a Gratitude Journal. Same concept, except this time you have to list at least five things you’re grateful for each day. Look.”
Luke turned his laptop and showed Reid a picture of two different Journals. To Luke’s surprise and relief, Reid smiled.
“Honestly, I think that’s a perfect gift,” his voice was warm. “That totally embodies my point of view. Focus on what you have, not on what you think you miss. Maybe we could give one to your siblings too, when we go to the farm at Thanksgiving.”
Luke beamed. For some reason they hadn’t discussed their plans yet, but apparently it wasn’t an issue.
“So we’re going to the farm on Thanksgiving?”
Reid smiled. “Where else would we be, Luke? This is your family and they’re starting to feel like my family too…” he saw Luke choke up and continued, while he softly massaged Luke’s foot, “So I’ll dive in and have the full Snyder experience.”
Luke put his laptop on the coffee table, crawled over to Reid and covered the slim body with his own.
“Do you have any idea how much I love you?”
“I do think I have a clue, but I’m always willing to accept any verification you need to give me…”
They both laughed, looking each other in the eyes, getting lost in blue and brown pools of love. With a last thread of self-discipline Luke brought his fingers to Reid’s face and gave his eyes some time to absorb the vulnerability, the love and the hunger in the blue eyes.
“Thank you,” Luke whispered, “for being you.”