THANKSGIVING

Chapter 10

“I thought you might like to know I’m discharging my star patient today.”

“Alright!” Ethan nearly jumped, but wisely enough just raised his arms as if signaling a successful touchdown.

Placing his stethoscope in his ears, Mark looked from Luke to Reid. “Would you two mind stepping out so I can give him the once over before he leaves? My boss gets pretty picky about his staff making sure all their reports are in order from beginning to end.”

Smirking, Reid stood up first. “I hear the man’s a genius. You should pay close attention to his every word. There’s no one better.”

As he warmed the circular end of the stethoscope, Mark laughed. “You heard that did you? Hmmm, I wonder where you’ve been getting your information?”

Shaking his head, Luke grabbed Reid’s arm. “Come on, genius. Let’s let Mark do what the hospital pays him for.”

“Coming dear.” Reid’s sarcasm was in gleeful overdrive with the news of Ethan’s imminent discharge.

Turning back to Ethan, Mark began his examination as Reid and Luke left the room, closing the door behind them.

“Reid, you haven’t told me much about your conversation with Chris, other than you actually did meet up with him at Java.”

Reid shrugged. “We talked. I told him how I felt, as you and Katie strong-armed me into doing, and made sure he knew, when it comes to Ethan, I’m not going to be as forgiving as I was when he nearly killed himself. This time someone else far more important was at risk.” He knew Luke would probably scold him for his attitude, but Reid wasn’t going to lie or gloss over the truth and let Chris get off scot free. Dr. Hughes, Junior needed to start taking responsibility for his actions, even if in this instance, he was emotionally motivated for the right reasons -- although that was still up for debate as far as Reid was concerned.

“You’re right.”

“Huh?” That was completely unexpected.

Luke huffed. “I thought about it, and you’re right.”

“Well, that’s always a sentiment I heartily support, but what changed your mind? I sensed you were in the forgive-Chris-anything camp.”

Taking Reid’s hand, Luke guided him to a nearby sitting area, currently empty. “I remembered the day you got into that helicopter. You wouldn’t let me go with you because you didn’t trust you’d make it there and back in one piece. The fear on your face -- it wasn’t just the tight space -- you were afraid we wouldn’t see each other again.” Luke’s voice hitched. “I would have died inside if that had happened. But you took off in that thing because you’re a caring doctor and a loyal friend.” Brushing his fingers tenderly over Reid’s cheek, Luke leaned in, pressing their lips together. “This time, Chris was careless. He didn’t think about the possible results of his actions, and it almost... well, I don’t want to think about what could have happened.” Kissing Reid again, this time deeper, hungrier, needier. Reid laced his fingers in Luke’s hair, loving the taste of his amazing partner.

Reid couldn’t believe Luke supported his viewpoint unquestioningly. Now it was time to tell him the complete truth, even though he knew it would hurt Luke more. “He wasn’t just careless, Luke.”

“What are you talking about?” Luke’s eyes narrowed and he sat up straighter, holding Reid’s hands.

“Chris knew about the risky equipment, but he’d been working on forming a better relationship with Jacob and he didn’t want to rock the boat unnecessarily.”

Shooting up from his chair, Luke combed his hand through his hair. “You’ve got to be kidding me!” Reid could see the pain in his spouse’s eyes. “He knew that fucking skateboard could fall apart!”

Eyes wide, Reid knew Luke was about to boil over. He rarely cursed, and now he was cursing and pacing -- not a good sign.

“Chris wanted to suck up to Jacob so he didn’t remove a dangerous skateboard from his access.” Luke glared at Reid. “Please tell me I’m misunderstanding this -- please!”

“In Chris’ defense, he intended to remove it after speaking with Jacob about the reasons why, but he hadn’t gotten around to it.”

Luke spun around, his lips a thin, angry line. “There is no defense. I’m surprised you can be in the same room with him.”

This wasn’t the reaction Reid had expected. “Luke, whatever foolish decisions Chris made, he certainly didn’t expect anyone to get hurt -- least of all Ethan.”

“I don’t give a damn about his intentions. I don’t give a damn if he and Katie get divorced and he flies back to whatever third world country needs his help most. What I do give a damn about is you and my little brother. He’s now put both of you at risk, for his own selfish purposes, whether they seem selfish or not, they’re all about him.”

Reid held onto the sides of his chair and watched as Luke’s years of peaceful, non-confrontational behavior fell by the wayside.

“Chris is lucky he’s not here right now or I might--”

That was enough. Reid had no intention of letting Luke go against everything he believed in because his emotions were raw from the previous week and a half’s trauma. He stood up and wrapped his arms around Luke from behind. “Hold it right there. Ethan is okay. I’m okay, and here to torture you for years to come. Don’t let Chris ruin it for us. I gave him some very good advice and he’s going to take it. In fact, to fix his marriage and develop a better relationship with his family, he’s stepping down temporarily from his position as Co-Chief of Staff.”

Luke turned in Reid’s arms and looked into his eyes. “He is? This means you’ll finally get the position you deserved from day one?”

“I didn’t realize you felt that way.” Reid’s eyes widened.

“I wasn’t allowed to sit in on that discussion with the board. It was a conflict of interest.”

Nodding Reid drew Luke in, holding him close. The two embraced for several moments in silence, no words were necessary. Finally, Reid broke into the quiet surrounding them, pulled back, and winked at Luke. “Chris had better take this time to work on his people skills.”

Chuckling, Luke kissed Reid on the cheek. “Now that’s a sentence I never thought I’d hear you say about another human being.”

“Hey, if the goddamn advice fits, then it doesn’t matter who’s giving, or getting, it. Chris has to focus on his relationships and how they impact everyone around him.”

“What about his pediatrics duties?”

“He’ll still work with his patients, but that will be his sole duty at Memorial. The overseeing tasks will be all mine.”

“It’s about time.”

“For Katie and Jacob’s sakes we’ll have to continue to have Chris in our lives.”

Luke nodded. “I can handle that, as long as he actually has learned something, because if he ever puts anyone I love in danger again, whether intentionally or not, I’ll have him killed.”

“You’re not a Grimaldi anymore, Luciano.”

“But I had years of training -- there are some things that a change in blood line can’t take away.”

“I’ll remember never to cross you.” Reid smirked.

“Good.”

Before the two could continue, Mark left Ethan’s room. “He’s one lucky kid. He must have nine lives like his older brother.”

Luke snorted. “Which one?”

“Very funny. Considering you practically have a hospital room reserved for you here, I wouldn’t think you could joke about this.”

“Better to laugh than to cry.”

“You seem to be a bit flushed. Are you okay?”

“I just had some great news.”

Reid smiled at Luke. It was amazing how his partner could take anger and betrayal and turn them around to create a positive in such a short time.

“What’s the news? Do I get to hear?”

“You’re going to have one less boss.”

Brow furrowed, Mark stared at Reid. “You’re not leaving, are you?”

“No, but you’re the first to know that I’ll be taking over the Chief of Staff position as a solo.”

“I see.”

“Do you?” Luke tilted his head.

“Don’t forget, I live with someone who’s known Reid since he arrived in Oakdale. He’s told me quite a bit... from his point of view. He also knew about Chris’ self-diagnosis story that took place shortly before Noah left for LA.”

“I’m sure your roomie has told you more about me and my first year in this town than I’d like you to know.”

Mark nodded. “He also told me a lot about how he grew up and could look back -- see things clearly.”

Reid looked directly into Mark’s eyes. “Should I be relieved?”

“You should be thankful that Noah is smart enough to move forward and leave the past where it belongs... and that he learned to own his responsibility for the childish behavior he demonstrated in his youth.”

Lowering his head briefly, Reid remembered some of his less-than-stellar interactions with Mr. Mayer over seven and a half years earlier. So much had changed for the better.

Luke chimed in. “Speaking of thankful, before we head back into Ethan’s room and help him pack up his things, I want to remind you Thanksgiving is coming up. I invited you both through Noah. Did he tell you?”

“He did mention something about Thanksgiving with the Snyder family, a strange squash ritual, and the best food in Illinois.”

“So you’ll be there?” Luke was smiling.

Reid found it charming how talk of family could always put a smile on Luke’s face. Luke had even taken the liberty of inviting Miriam to join them before Reid had a chance to make the offer himself.

“Noah and I plan to be there. We already called Emma and Faith and told them.”

Grabbing Reid’s hand, Luke started to drag him toward Ethan’s room. “Wait a minute, Mr. Snyder. I believe Dr. Jenkins has to complete his job before we get out of here.”

“What job?”

Grinning at Reid, Mark handed him two documents. “Dr. Oliver, these are your son’s discharge orders and his follow-up instructions. He needs an appointment in a couple of weeks. My assistant will call to get him scheduled. The instructions should be quite clear. Do you have any questions?”

Reid smiled. “I can take it from here, doctor. You’ve done your job admirably.”

“Admirably? I excelled, and you know it.”

“As I expect you to do, or I wouldn’t have recruited you for my hospital.” My hospital -- Reid liked the sound of that.

He knew Chris, Katie, and Jacob would be with them for Thanksgiving too, and he’d have to continue to work with Chris, but somehow Reid felt more in charge of himself and his life than he had before. With Ethan healthy, Reid could focus on the future once again, and enjoy his life with his son and his spouse.

“Hey, what are you thinking about?”

“How soon we can get Ethan to bed so I can get you in our bed to celebrate his return.”

“Shouldn’t we be celebrating his return home with Ethan?”

“Only the first half.” Reid raised an eyebrow and Luke laughed that laugh -- the one that won him over so many years earlier.

[TBC]

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