85 “Love can never be wrong”
Word Soap: As The World Keeps Turning
Author: SYLnl
Title: #85 “Love can never be wrong”
Rating: PG
Summary: “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” - Lao Tzu
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 #75 #76 #77 #78 #79 #80 #81 #82 #83 #84
Reid didn’t make it to dinner, but when he stepped into the house and heard Luke’s voice upstairs, he smiled. At least he made it home before Danny was asleep. His smile grew when he made his way to the stairs and saw Luke coming down.
“Hey you,” Luke made no attempt to disguise his joy to see him, walked back up the stairs and when Reid reached him, he threw himself into his doctor’s arms. For a moment Reid deepened the kiss, but then pulled back and softly pinched Luke’s nose. His eyes were one big blue promise. Later.
“Hey you two. How are my guys doing?”
Danny’s smile was telling and Reid took a seat on the bed.
“According to that grin, this was a good day,” he softly said, running his hand through the boy’s hair and internally cheering that the child didn’t cringe.
“It was,” Danny nodded, looking at Luke for a moment. Their connection was obvious and it made Reid’s chest glow. Luke made an awesome father.
Luke sat himself down on the bed next to Reid, leaned against his shoulder and smiled at Danny.
“This guy is inexhaustible when it comes to watching cartoons,” Luke informed his man, “his nose was almost in the TV.”
Danny giggled. “But that panda was so funny…”
“I got him the movie Kung Fu Panda, inspired by that guy over there.” Luke explained, pointing at the stuffed animal in Danny’s arms, “And let’s say it was a hit.”
The nod coming from the bed confirmed that.
“It was awesome,” Danny sighed, actually looking happy.
There was something in Luke’s eyes that warned Reid not everything had been blissful and this time the brown eyes sent out the message. Later.
“I’m glad to hear you had fun,” Reid smiled at Danny and turned to Luke, “Did you already put the ointment on?”
Luke nodded. “Yep, but he’s entitled to one more painkiller today and Danny wanted to save that one for now, so I’ll get it.”
After Luke left, Danny looked Reid in the eyes.
“I’m glad you’re home,” he whispered and Reid squeezed the boy’s chin.
“Thank you. I’m glad to be home. So you’re liking it here, huh?”
Danny gave him a quick grin. “What’s not to like?”
“True,” Reid nodded, “We’re pretty awesome.”
The boy chuckled, but didn’t disagree. Smart kid, Reid thought with a grin.
“Can I please stay?”
The panic in Danny’s voice startled Reid and he tilted the boy’s head so he had to look at the doctor.
“Of course you can stay. Why would you think you couldn’t?”
“Mrs. Smith…” Danny lowered his head, “I heard her talk on the phone in the hospital…” The boy flinched a little. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, I really didn’t…”
“That’s okay…” Reid softly caressed the blond locks, “tell me what you heard.”
“She said that you were thinking about taking me in, but that she was sure it wouldn’t be a permanent solution.”
Reid was pretty convinced that Danny was quoting the words he had heard. This wasn’t a six year old talking.
“She was wrong,” Reid stated calmly. “Did she say anything else?”
Danny shrugged. “Something about fags with attitudes, but I don’t know what that means.”
“She said fags?” Luke whispered, coming back in.
Alarmed by Luke’s facial expression, Danny looked horrified. “Is that a bad word?”
“It is to me, but it’s okay, sweetie,” Luke ruffled the boy’s hair and smiled as reassuringly as he could. “You didn’t know.”
Danny shook his head to confirm that and looked up at Reid. The doctor wasn’t smiling anymore.
“I’m sorry,” the boy whispered and Reid shook his head, squeezing Danny’s chin again.
“No need. I’m glad you told us.” Reid looked to Luke, “And it’s not about us. This is about her. Her way of looking at us.”
Luke nodded half-heartedly. “I still hate that word, though.”
Reid chuckled. “Me too,” he admitted.
“What does it mean?”
The boy looked shy and Luke took a deep breath.
“It’s just a word some people use to describe two men in love with each other.”
“The people who think two men shouldn’t love each other.” Reid completed.
Danny frowned. “Why would they think that?”
Reid grinned. “You’re a smart boy. That’s a excellent question.”
“Some people feel it’s not normal for two men to love each other. Or two women, for that matter. That that’s wrong,” Luke explained and the boy was clearly thinking about it. Then he shrugged.
“Love can never be wrong.”
For a moment both adults stared at the little boy in front of them and then they both smiled. Big smiles.
“Exactly,” Reid agreed, caressed the blond locks and stood up.
“So Mrs. Smith can think all she likes… you’re here to stay. No matter what we need to do to make that happen.”
Danny looked relieved. “Okay.”
“Yes, Danny, it’s all okay.” Luke kissed the boy on his forehead. “Now take your pill,” Luke handed him the painkiller and a glass of water, “and get some sleep.”
Again both men stood by the bed, watching their boy find his way to the clouds.
The minute they were downstairs again, Luke was on the phone with Tom Hughes. Furious. And by the sound of it, so was Tom.
“Yes, you’re right. At least we now know what we’re dealing with,” Reid heard Luke say. “I’ll check with him. Please hold on.”
Luke put the phone against his chest. “The judge has an opening, Friday at 2.”
Reid checked his schedule. “I’m in a meeting until 3, but I’ll leave early. I’ll be there.”
Luke passed on the information and after disconnecting, he threw his phone on the coffee table and dropped himself on the couch.
“Friday…that’s the day after tomorrow…” Reid suddenly realized and Luke nodded.
“Apparently this judge is in a hurry. But Tom called it a hearing. I’m not sure this judge will decide if we can have custody.”
“I hate all that bureaucracy,” Reid murmured, leaned over to kiss Luke and made his way to the kitchen. “Coffee?”
“Yeah,” Luke sighed. “Please.”
Silently sipping their coffee, Luke leaned his head against Reid’s shoulder. He had loved his day with Danny, but sitting here alone with his guy had its charm too. When Reid put his arm around him, he crawled closer.
“Tired?”
Luke nodded. “Yeah. It’s a lot of work.”
“I can imagine,” Reid smiled. “I’d love to hear, but I understand if you’re too tired…”
Luke smiled, put down his empty mug and nestled himself next to Reid.
“I’d love to share,” he assured him, “but first I need to know something. Today he fell asleep a couple of times…should we be worried about that?”
“Not immediately,” Reid replied calmly. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t allow himself to fall asleep in his previous…surroundings. Simply because he wasn’t safe. So if anything, it could be a sign that he feels safe enough to sleep with you.”
He looked at Luke for a moment, moving his eyebrows. “Just like me.”
They both chuckled, Luke softly slapping Reid on his stomach.
“Okay, so I should just let him sleep, right?”
“For now I would. If he starts sleeping bad at night, we might need to cut down on the naps.”
Luke nodded. “That makes sense, doctor.”
“Of course it does,” Reid murmured, finishing his coffee.
“I also talked to Danny about school. He’s really a lot like you,” Luke gave Reid a huge smile.
“Because he’s super smart, you mean?” Reid snorted.
“That too, but I was referring to his preference for solitude. His eyes began to shine when I talked about the option of homeschooling.”
Reid slowly nodded. “You’re right, I never liked interacting with kids my age either. And it’s not like I’ve learned social skills going to school.”
Luke chuckled. “Those skills are there. You just refuse to use them most of the time.”
Reid rolled his eyes. “Maybe. You could also be a good teacher.”
They both laughed.
“So I’ll find him a home tutor then?”
“You do that,” Reid nodded, “at least for this school year. Maybe next year he’ll be more comfortable.”
“Good point. We’ll take it one year at a time. Do you want any input on the tutor?”
“Nope,” Reid kissed Luke’s temple. “I trust you completely. I know you’ll find the best.”
“No pressure,” Luke grumbled and Reid rewarded him with a soft, but intense kiss.
Before their bodies got the chance to do all the talking, Luke leaned back and caressed Reid’s chest.
“There’s something else I need to ask.”
“Shoot,” Reid moved his body a little, so he was now laying on the couch with Luke leaning half over him.
“Christmas.”
Reid came up a little.
“What about it?”
“We were walking outside, to get some fresh air, and we saw a car driving by with a huge tree in its trunk. You should have seen the look on Danny’s face.”
“I think it would be something like the look on your face whenever you talk about Christmas,” Reid snorted and Luke chuckled.
“Probably. But I didn’t want to promise him anything, before I knew how you felt about it.”
“Thank you for that,” Reid’s hand caressed the blond hair. “But I’m perfectly fine with a tree. Maybe we could get one after the appointment with the judge, this Friday.”
“Are you that sure we’ll be allowed to keep Danny?”
“You’re not?” Reid sat up straight again, tilting Luke’s head, so he could watch his face.
Luke shrugged. “I’m scared,” he whispered. “I know he’s only been here for a few days, but the thought of losing him…”
“I know,” Reid pulled a face, “I don’t even wanna go there. But as I said to Danny…I don’t care what it takes, that boy is gonna live with us. How could anyone think it’s a better idea to place him somewhere else?”
“Anyone who calls us fags with attitudes, you mean?”
“That’s her personal opinion. It’s not necessarily the whole organization thinking like that.”
“True. But she was voicing it to somebody within that organization. So she’s not the only one.”
“Maybe not. But don’t forget your own speech. We are very well-connected in this town. Well-respected, too. At least you are. And Tom’s pretty confident about this.”
Luke nodded. “You’re right. We’re gonna do this. We have to. That kid is so hurt.” Luke took a deep breath thinking about Danny’s breakdowns during the day. “One minute he’s fine and the next minute he is crying his eyes out. It’s so sad.”
Reid pulled Luke close. “I know. But you’re an awesome father, Luke. The way he looked at you earlier… He’s in awe of you.”
“Thanks for saying that,” Luke whispered, kissing Reid softly. “I see the same when he looks at you.”
Reid smiled. “So if the judge has any eyes in his or her head, he or she will see that too.”
Luke nodded, straddling Reid’s lap and putting his hands behind Reid’s head. He didn’t move in for a kiss, though. His eyes were locked with Reid’s and he just smiled, while he softly stroked Reid’s cheek.
“You’re so beautiful…in every thinkable way…I still can’t believe you chose me.”
“I had no choice,” Reid whispered, lost in the brown eyes. “You have bewitched me.”
Luke smiled, noticing that Reid wasn’t consciously quoting one of Luke favorite movie lines ever, so his whispered: “…body and soul and I love...I love...I love you.”
The light in Reid’s eyes told Luke his man had made the connection and while Reid nodded, Luke came closer and their lips met in a deep content sigh. When they parted for some air, Reid ran his fingers through Luke’s hair and smiled.
“I love you too. And love can never be wrong.”