111 Unguided missile
Word Soap: As The World Keeps Turning
Author: SYLnl
Title: #111 Unguided missile
Rating: PG
Summary: “To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue.” - Buddha
Big Thanks To: ltklo, for brushing up my grammar
Previously on As The World Keeps Turning: click here for chapters 1 - 110
This time Luke had been upfront before they even reached Memorial.
“Whoever is desperate for your advice, I would like you to visit my mom this time. Things between you two will not improve if you never spend time together.”
“Okay,” Reid had nodded. “No problem.”
Ms. Walsh had become professionally speaking somewhat fascinating to him anyway. The bullet in the right parietal lobe of the brain could have several major effects on Luke’s mother and he was intrigued by the unpredictable aspect of it. Every case was unique and Reid was curious to find out how the damage would affect his mother-in-law.
Luke had given him a searching glance, but hadn’t questioned Reid’s easy acceptance out loud, because at that point they had reached the hospital.
Walking in, Luke smiled. Reid had Danny on his arm, but that didn’t discourage some people from moving in close. Very close.
“Happy new year, Doctor,” Nurse Lorraine planted a soft kiss on his cheek before he knew what happened, but Reid smiled when he noticed the defiant look in her eyes.
“So…what did that kiss just make you win?” he softly asked and the nurse laughed out loud. Dr. Reid Oliver was a lot of things, but crazy he was not.
“Free lunch,” she admitted.
“Good reward for such a brave act,” Reid snorted and Lorraine grinned.
“I thought so too.”
Her confidence shook when Reid quickly kissed her cheek too and ignoring her blush, he whispered “Maybe now you’ll get two free meals.”
After he winked at her and she quickly wished Danny and Luke a good year, the Oliver family made their way to the new wing. The minute they stepped into the room, they were the center of attention.
John, Lucinda and Damian rose to their feet, but this time Luke gave his mother priority.
“Hey Mom, happy new year.”
“You too, sweetie,” her smile was tender and she surprised everybody by reaching out to Reid.
Knowing he would do his guy a big favor, he handed Danny to Luke, leaned in and accepted and gave a soft kiss. Before Reid could come up, she touched his cheek. Her eyes were pleading with him. For what? Forgiveness? Sympathy?
“I’m glad you’re here,” she whispered and Reid managed a reasonably genuine smile.
“Thanks,” he slowly moved back, but kept the eye contact going, “I hope the new year brings you all the best.”
Lily nodded, looking at her son and his family. “I wish you the same, Reid. Although I guess you already have the best.”
“I have,” Reid nodded, his eyes warm when he glanced at his boys, “but some other areas are open for improvement.”
It was just a moment, but a very significant one nevertheless. They looked at each other and silently nodded. No promises were made, no old wounds were opened nor healed. But there was something new. And that was a lot.
After caressing Reid’s back, Luke turned to the others present and after all good wishes, he pulled up a chair and sat down. Danny still close to him.
“Danny, I brought you a little present…” Lucinda picked up a large bag and after a quick glance at Luke - who nodded - Danny let himself slide to the ground and approached his GG with a shy, but curious smile.
“Shall I lift you onto the bed, so you have some space?” Lucinda suggested, but Danny shook his head and made her day by pointing at her lap.
“You want to sit with me?”
“Yes please,” Danny said politely and Lucinda masked her emotion by smirking at Reid.
“I can tell Luke is in charge of the social skills,” she snorted, while she carefully lifted her great-grandson up.
“You’d be surprised,” Luke opposed, “Reid is very strict when it comes to good manners.”
The doctor shrugged when he noticed the wonderment around him. “Life is like playing the piano. First you must learn how to play by the rules, then you have to forget those rules and play from your heart.”
Damian winked at him, John smiled, Lily hawk-eyed him, Lucinda grinned and Luke just beamed.
Reid felt the urge to yell “Harvard, people. Harvard!” but then he noticed Danny still looking at the wrapped up present. He looked in a trance.
“Aren’t you gonna open it?”
Danny looked up at him and smiled. All of a sudden Reid understood. Danny had been waiting for permission. For guidance. Evil Foster probably hadn’t appreciated any initiative. So Reid gave the boy an encouraging nod and the little fingers started plucking at the paper, unveiling a pretty huge panda in shorts. According to Danny’s expression it was major cool. Or something along those terms.
“It’s Kung Fu Panda, Daddy!”
Danny held the box up to Luke and the blond grinned. “I see that! Your GG Lucinda did very well…” Luke winked at his grandmother and she looked very pleased with herself.
“I overheard you two talking about that movie and a couple of days later I ran into this…it’s a robot and apparently it kicks and talks and who knows what.”
“It does?” Danny looked up at her, all joy, and she gave him a warm smile.
“Let’s find out. Because your GG Lucinda also thought about bringing the batteries…”
Small hands and old hands worked together and after a few minutes the panda was actually kicking a leg and moving its arm. Danny was in complete awe and Reid gave Lucinda the thumbs up. She smiled.
“You’re not the only genius in town, my sweet.”
While Danny was fully occupied by the moving Panda, the adults used their time to share. Lily was very quiet, but still awake and after being asked about it, she told Reid that she still ‘dropped off’, but not as often as she used to.
“Any problems with movements?” Reid slipped into his doctor mode without even noticing.
“Not as far as I know. I haven’t tried to walk yet, but my physical therapist has planned that for this week. I do feel my legs, so I’m hoping that’s a good sign.”
Reid nodded. Basically it wasn’t any indication, but not feeling her legs would have been worse. So he kept quiet.
“And how about that dream state you talked about last time?”
Lily turned to Luke. “That’s getting a little better, but it’s still weird. I remember everything, but some parts of my life feel like a dream. I just can’t understand I did those things. Or why. But Dr. Michaels comes in for a short session every day and she’s a big help to get some grip.”
“I’m glad,” Luke smiled.
“Yeah…”
Damian stood up and lowered the bed. He obviously had a trained ear by now. Lily dropped off again.
“So how are you doing?” Luke asked, when Damian sat down again.
“I’m okay. Lucinda and John are gracious enough to let me stay with them and New Year’s Eve was very pleasant.”
“He can be quite entertaining, if he puts his mind to it,” Lucinda snorted, giving Damian a quick wink.
“Did you enjoyed yourself too?” Luke asked John and the man chuckled.
“You know your grandmother, Luke. She’s in Happyville if she can growl at someone. So with the fresh meat in the house,” he nodded at Damian, “I’m off the hook for a while. So yes, I enjoyed myself immensely!”
After sharing some of their personal New Year’s Eve memories, Luke noticed that Danny stopped playing.
“Tired, buddy?”
Daddy nodded, clutching the panda to his chest.
“Don’t worry, nobody is taking that away from you, sweetie. It’s yours,” Lucinda whispered and Danny smiled, leaning to her chest.
“I’m gonna take my men home,” Luke stood up and moved to Reid who was on his feet too. The minute he reached him, he felt Reid’s arm around him and Luke pulled himself a little closer. Looking outstandingly happy. Probably because that’s how he felt. They had spent some time with his mother without any awkward moments, Damian had kept his distance… were they finally respecting him?
The man next to him did. No question about that. It was in his eyes, it was in his words, it was in his actions.
“I love you, Dr. Reid Oliver.”
“Well, that’s a nice coincidence. I happen to love you too, Mr. Luciano Eduardo Grimaldi Snyder.”
“Maybe you should get together then,” Lucinda suggested.
“My grandmother,” Luke shook his head, “Always the matchmaker.”
“And who loves you, Mr. Danny Snyder Oliver?” Reid lifted Danny from Lucinda’s lap and held him above his head. The boy radiated, putting his arms around Reid’s neck.
“You do, Daddy!”
“You got that right!” He hopped the boy on his arm, accepting the panda from Lucinda. “And GG Lucinda does…”
Danny blew her a kiss and she returned the favor with a huge smile.
“And grandmother Lily does…but she’s sleeping right now…”
Danny blew a kiss to her anyway.
“And granddaddy Damian does…”
Danny hesitated. He didn’t know Damian very well and he was male. Still a difficult combination for the boy. But when Damian smiled at him, he did smile back.
“And I’m pretty sure Dr. John does too…”
“I do,” John agreed with a little wicked grin, “No titles for me then?”
“Excuse me?” Reid rolled his eyes, “What better title than Doctor?”
“I could live with something like great-grandpa, or something like that.”
“Ah, you’ll have to make an honest woman out of GG Lucinda first to get on that list…”
John laughed. “Don’t make her get any ideas now…”
“Too late,” Lucinda chuckled and with a joyful “Have fun with the can of worms I just opened!” Reid made his way to the corridor, still bouncing Danny on his arm.
Luke came right behind him, shaking his head and laughing out loud. He put his arm around Reid’s waist.
“You’re such an unguided missile…”
“Just admit it, Looker. You love my missile…”
Their laughter filled the cold January air. Making life a little warmer. Not noticing the hateful eyes that watched them.