THE WRITER
Chapter 5
The nights following Luke’s attack were erratic but Reid helped Luke find his footing again. Being chronically cynical, Reid had the advantage over Luke. He never assumed anyone to have truly good motives unless proven wrong, such as in the case of his husband and a few of their closest friends and family. Unfortunately Luke always assumed the best and when he was disappointed he needed to take a step back and evaluate his thought process. The incident with Dan had taken a frightening, devastating, and extreme direction, one Luke hadn’t needed to deal with since his much younger years with his crazy kidnapping cousin.
Reid allowed Luke to lead the way both in their day to day life and in the bedroom. If Luke wanted to spend the day playing Mr. Mom with Miri and Bobby, Reid didn’t argue, and if he wanted to be cared for and loved in bed or be the one completely in charge, Reid didn’t argue there either.
After five days, Reid was surprised to see Luke up and dressed to go out with the twins, jackets placed on the sofa in preparation for an outing.
Ethan arrived in the kitchen with Reid. “So, are you going to drop me off at school or should I call Natalie? She loves any excuse to borrow the car from Grandma.”
Ethan had taken what happened to Luke in stride and was particularly calm and agreeable, helping without getting overprotective or cloyingly obvious about his concern for his older brother. Reid couldn’t have been prouder of his oldest son.
“I’ll be taking you today. We’ll pick up Andy and Natalie on the way.” Luke continued breakfast preparations for the twins. After handing them their cups and bowls of dry Cheerios, Luke turned to face Reid. “I thought I’d make a big batch of scrambled eggs for all of us. Not only can we three enjoy it, but the twins can even eat those without too much trouble.”
Reid looked at Ethan who simply shrugged. “Are you up to it?”
Luke stopped what he was doing and stepped directly in front of Reid, looking him straight in the eye. “You’ve been so patient with me. You let me cry, you let me boss you around, you let me deal with all this crap in any way I needed to. I love you and I really do feel better.” Luke returned to his breakfast preparations. “I actually feel like going through my normal routine.” Luke looked at Ethan and Reid. “There will be one difference.”
Nodding, Reid and Ethan remained silent waiting for Luke to continue.
“I’ll be going to the station to talk with Noah and then the two of us will be having lunch with Casey. If Noah apologizes one more time for bringing Dan into our lives, I’ll have to slug him. Instead I made it quite clear to him I wanted to finish the project with him as co-writer and move forward.”
“Why have lunch with Casey?”
“He’s going to fill us in on how the preliminary hearing for that asshole plays out.”
“That’s right. It’s this morning.” Reid squeezed Luke’s shoulder. “Are you okay? Do you want me to clear my calendar and spend the morning with you?”
“No. I don’t have to go to court for this part so I’ll be fine. If he doesn’t plead guilty and we have to go to court in the future, then you’ll definitely be needed in more than one way.” Reid was glad to hear Luke sounding like himself -- sensible and strong.
Less than two hours later Reid found himself pulling into the parking lot at WOAK. He had been surprised to find Mark waiting for him outside his office when he arrived at the hospital.
“Listen, Reid. I know we both have a lot to do today.”
“We always have a lot to do. That’s the nature of the jobs we hold, although that asshole initially made it seem like you were the only one who worked at Memorial.”
Mark lowered his head for a moment then looked Reid in the eyes. “I thought we got past that ridiculous article.”
Reid pinched the bridge of his nose and then nodded. “We have. This week has certainly brought a great deal of anger back to the surface.”
“I know. That’s why Noah and I would like you to join us at WOAK. There’s something we want to discuss with you and Luke. I’d imagine Luke is arriving at the station right about now, but we can get there in less than ten minutes if we leave now.” Mark didn’t break eye contact with Reid. Reid appreciated his friend’s honest approach. Despite all that could have sidelined their friendship, it still remained intact.
Checking his morning schedule with his assistant, Reid was able to instruct the assistant to restructure the day and clear his morning appointments.
Entering WOAK, Reid wasn’t completely sure what new revelations he might hear since Noah and Mark had already apologized profusely for bringing Dan to town, but he was curious. Besides, it didn’t hurt that he would get the chance to see how Luke was doing now that he was returning to a normal routine.
The receptionist recognized both Mark and Reid immediately. “Good morning, doctors. Mr. Mayer, Mr. Oliver-Snyder, and Mrs. Hughes are waiting for you in Mrs. Hughes’s office.” The receptionist unnecessarily pointed toward Katie’s office. “You can go right in. I’ll let them know you’re here.”
Reid was surprised that Katie was involved in whatever was about to be revealed, although glancing at Mark, he realized his friend wasn’t surprised at all. “You obviously know what this is all about, why don’t you give me a clue?”
“Why don’t we wait until we’re in the office.”
As soon as they crossed the threshold into Katie’s office Reid was wrapped in a big bear hug. “Reid! It’s been weeks since we got together. Jacob misses you and so do I!”
“I notice you didn’t include your husband amongst those who miss me.” Reid raised an eyebrow and grinned.
“He sees you at work almost daily. Even if he was inclined to miss you, he couldn’t.” Katie laughed and Luke chuckled from his seat on Katie’s sofa.
“Do you know what this is about?” Reid looked directly at Luke.
“Not a clue, but I’m told we’ll like it.” Luke patted the space next to him and Reid sat down, immediately wrapping an arm around Luke’s shoulders.
“Okay, you three. You’ve got us here and we’re brimming with anticipation,” Reid deadpanned. “I rescheduled several morning appointments for this. Care to enlighten us?”
Noah stood from his chair, adjacent to the sofa, and stood next to an easel. The large, poster size placard resting on the easel was covered by a cloth. “Katie and I have discussed everything that’s happened in the past few weeks. We also read the script and its associated detailed filming outline for the documentary.” Noah looked directly at Luke. “In addition, I spoke with Katie about the novel you’re proofreading, Luke. I know your agent already has it promised to a good publishing house.”
Reid noticed Katie’s smile broadening with every word Noah uttered. Knowing Katie, it took every ounce of what little restraint she had not to spill the beans, but seeing her face light up reassured Reid in a way no words could manage, whatever the surprise may be.
“You see, Luke. Katie, the station’s board of directors, and I would all like to go ahead with the documentary and we’d also like to make an offer on your book.”
As Reid suspected, Katie couldn’t stay quiet. “We want to produce your story. It’s light-hearted and funny and people will love that it’s based on a true family with two gay dads.” Katie kneeled in front of Luke and took his hands in hers. “Please say you’d like to sell us the rights. If you’re behind it, your publisher and agent will go for it too.” Katie looked at Reid. “And I hope you’ll support both these projects too. After all, the documentary is about Memorial, and you’re its chief.”
“Glad someone noticed my position at the hospital. I was beginning to think I was in some parallel universe where I didn’t exist.”
Katie continued. “And it’ll be your story we’re trying to produce as a TV movie.”
“As long as I don’t have to be involved with the second, I’m fine with the first... that’s if Luke gives the go ahead.” Reid turned to look directly at Luke. “Both of these are your projects. One of them nearly cost you more than I even want to think about. If you want this to happen with WOAK you have my full support.”
Luke turned away from Katie and gazed into Reid’s eyes. “I love you. We’re a team.” He looked to each person in the room. When his eyes rested on Noah, Reid wondered if he felt Noah was doing this as penance for bringing Dan to Oakdale. Reid was pretty sure neither Noah, and certainly not Katie, would invest this much time and money in the projects out of some sense of remorse.
Standing from his spot on the sofa, Luke walked toward Noah and stood directly in front of him. “Will you be directing both projects?”
Noah nodded, and with a serious expression. “Yes. I wouldn’t trust them to anyone else on the team.”
“Then it’s a go. I’ll call my agent and publisher later today.” Luke returned to his place on the sofa next to Reid. “I couldn’t do any of this without you.” Reid started to interrupt, not wanting Luke to undervalue his own talent, but Luke held up a hand. “Not because I’m not capable, but because with you by my side, I always feel stronger and more self-assured.” Luke pressed his lips to Reid’s. “I love you and we’re a team that’s incapable of defeat.”
“I love you too, and I couldn’t agree more. No matter what happens, we will always have each other’s back.”
“Especially when times get tough.”
“I couldn’t agree more, Mr. Oliver-Snyder.”
“Glad you think so, Dr. Oliver-Snyder.”
“How about we go home and enjoy some time alone before we become the famous gay family from the TV movie based on the novel by that talented Luke Oliver-Snyder? We may never get to have private time again.” Reid grinned as he stood, taking Luke’s hand and leading him toward the door without giving a backward glance at the rest of those in the room.
“I’ll make sure we don’t lose any of our precious private time, but I definitely think it’s worth taking advantage of our time now, especially since your calendar is clear for the rest of the morning.” Luke smiled and winked flirtatiously at Reid. It still amazed Reid how young Luke looked. He never seemed to age in all the years they’d been together.
“Let’s get out of here.” Reid turned and glanced around the room. “I assume we’re done here.”
Katie smiled broadly as Noah nodded while answering, “Yes, Reid, we’re done. Luke and I can finish up the documentary’s specifics another day.”
Mark chuckled. “I’ll let your assistant know you’ll be back after lunch. It’s the least I can do.”
Reid grinned. “The very least.”
Without another thought of anyone but Luke, Reid wrapped his arm around Luke’s waist and the two left to enjoy their home sans children for the remainder of their morning.
Looking at Luke, Reid couldn’t be prouder of the man his husband had become, and the man he had become because of Luke.
[The End - for now]