Luke stood in front of Reid's door. He glanced down at his hands, noticing the moisture collecting in his palms. He sighed as he hurriedly wiped them down the leg of his jeans, before taking a slow deep breath. He casually combed his fingers through his bangs, which fell back into his eyes. He peeked through the fallen strands blowing them out of the way before knocking on the door.
Knock…Knock…
Reid was pulling his belt through the last loop on his khakis when he heard Luke knocking.
"Be right there…" He called out as he closed and zipped his suitcase. He took one last glance in the mirror that hung over the antique oak dresser. He fingered his short curly tresses making sure it looked perfect. He adjusted the collar on his teal colored polo shirt and walked briskly over to the door.
"Hey…" He smiled.
"Hey…are you ready to hit the town." Luke asked as he shoved his hands in the pocket of his relaxed faded Levis 501 jeans. Reid gave a short nod of approval giving Luke the once over. He couldn't get over how handsome he was, wearing only a red and black plaid button down, over a black tee shirt and jeans, he thought he looked hot; just like he did when he first laid eyes on him at the airport this morning.
"Town…you guys actually have a town." He joked, smiling slyly.
"Yes…yes, silly we have a town…It's a tiny one." Luke grinned holding up his index finger and thumb inches apart.
"Awww…but a town nonetheless… eh?" Reid replied through laughter...
"Yeah, you could say that…We like it, and you will too." Luke smiled confidently. "Come on lets go." He said gesturing with his hands for Reid to go first. "After you."
"Thank you…"
Luke smiled as he watched Reid walk ahead of him. He was surprised at how comfortable he felt around this total stranger. Even though they had just met that morning, there was something about him. He felt as if he had known the handsome doctor for years.
As he headed down the steps the sounds of idle chatter, laughter and dishes could be heard coming from the kitchen. Reid glanced back anxiously over his shoulders with uncertainly.
Luke nodded and placed a reassuring hand on Reid's shoulder nudging him to keep going. Reid's eyes widened as he reached the bottom of the stairs. Luke smiled proudly, stepping back, crossing his arms over his chest to watch Reid's reaction to his family.
Reid noticed an older man standing by the stove, with a tall glass in his hand talking to Luke's grandmother. There were two young girls, one looked a little older, in her mid teens, he would guess. She was carrying a platter of smothered pork chops to the table. The younger one followed close being her with a large bowl of mashed potatoes in her hands.
"What did he say Faith…you've got to tell." She giggled.
"Not right now, Nat, I'll tell you later." The one named Faith said glancing over her shoulder as she carefully sat the pork chops down on the table.
"Yes…Nat, she'll tell you later when the old folks are not around." The older man laughed taking a sip of his drink.
"Grandma…Grandma." Another little one called out, this one was a little boy. He was tugging on her apron. "I wanna help…I wanna help." He said eagerly.
"Oakdale's version of the Brady Bunch." Reid said under his breath as he looked around the kitchen. "Oh boy…" He clasped his hands together.
"Ethan, honey, wait a minute. I have a few more rolls to put in the basket, and you can set them on the table."
"Okay…" He said bouncing up and down on his toes impatiently.
"Here Faith, came and get the green beans." Emma said with a kind voice.
"Hey guys…." Luke spoke up.
"Hey son…" The older man greeted.
"Hey Luke…" Faith and Natalie said as they continued setting the table.
"LUKE…Luke," Ethan said excitedly as he ran over to his big brother…
"Hey dude…." Luke laughed bending down to give him a high five.
"So, who do we have here?" Holden asked walking over to Luke and Reid. Luke stood back and motioned to Reid.
"This is Dr. Reid Oliver; he's going to be the head of the Neurological wing at Memorial.
"I'm actually here to tour the hospital. I haven't decided if I'm going to take the position." Reid clarified.
"Oh…." Holden nodded extending his hand to greet Reid. "Nice to meet you, Dr. Oliver. I'm Luke's father, Holden Snyder."
"Call me Reid…" He said returning the greeting.
"And those lovely young ladies, are Luke's sisters, Natalie and Faith." Holden gestured.
"Hi, Dr. Oliver." They both said in unison, as they busily set the table. Reid smiled giving them a short wave. He leaned over and whispered in Luke's ear, "So where's Carol?"
"Carol?" Luke repeated, obviously confused. "Who's Carol?" Luke whispered back.
"Brady…." Reid replied with a smirk.
"Brady…." Luke thought for a moment, and then realized whom Reid was talking about. "Ohhh…, from the Brady Bunch." Luke shook his finger at Reid reprimanding him, "Reid…." Luke sighed, trying not to smile, "Don't be cute." He said turned his attention back to his sisters, then he leaned over and whispered, "Besides, her name is Lilly…, and that's a long story."
"Okaayy…" Reid laughed to himself.
"Don't forget me, daddy." Ethan laughed.
"Okay…okay." Holden laughed picking up his son. "And this is Ethan."
"Luke's my brother." He said as he stuck out his hand to shake Reid's. Reid, smiled, finding it interesting that everyone was tagged to Luke in his or her introduction. He figured they must be very proud of him.
"Luke's, brother eh? Well, it's nice to meet you Ethan." Reid laughed, taking Ethan's small hand into his.
"Oh, and this is Luke's grandmother." Holden said pointing to Emma.
"Yes….We've meet." He smiled, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. He'd hoped she wouldn't mention…
"Yes, we did." Emma eyed him. "I caught him eating my cookies."
And she went there… He sighed to himself forcing a smile. "They were great ma'am."
"Grandmother bakes the best chocolate chip cookies in the county." Luke chimed in.
"Thank you Luke." She said wiping her hands on her apron. "You guys staying for dinner?" She asked. "We have plenty."
"Actually, we are heading into town. I was going to take; Reid to Al's, and show him around."
"And we are going to Al's, because?" Reid asked quizzically, while briskly rubbing his hands together. His mouth watering as he eyed the smorgasbord of home cooked food sitting on the table.
"I don't know, I thought we could just have a burger." Luke replied with a casual shrug of the shoulder.
"Well, you did mention home cooked meals as a selling pitch." Reid reminded with an arched brow, licking his lips hungrily.
"I did…didn't I?" Luke laughed.
"Sit down, boys…." Emma gestured.
"Don't mind if I do." Reid said with a huge smile looking around for an empty chair. He couldn't remember the last time he had a home cooked meal.
"You can sit next to me." Natalie said patting the empty seat beside her.
"Thank you, Nat." Reid said, giving her a warm smile, causing her to blush as he took his seat.. Luke sat next to his younger brother and Faith. He smiled fondly as he glanced around the table watching everyone interacting with one another and passing around plates of food. He wondered what Reid whispered in Natalie's ear as she passed him the green beans that caused her to bubble forth with laugher. Emma made sure everyone's glass was filled with iced tea, before taking her seat beside Holden.
Reid quickly started eating and had just filled his mouth with Emma's flavorful green beans, savoring the flavor when he heard the sound of someone clearing their throat. He looked up quickly while slowly chewing his food. He glanced around the table and noticed he was the only one eating.
"Daddy has to bless the food first." Ethan volunteered with a smile. Reid nodded understandingly and sat his fork down.
"Oh…." He cleared his throat before swallowing. "I'm sorry…" Reid said feeling slightly embarrassed as he lowered his head.
"It's quite alright." Holden smiled kindly. Everyone lowered his or her heads respectfully. Luke and Reid shared a warm glance and a smile before bowing theirs.
"So, Reid…." Holden said striking up a conversation. It wasn't long before the kitchen was filled with laughter and the sounds of forks clinking against the plates. Holden and Reid hit it off right away, both talking about their loves, Holden talked about his love for horses, while Reid talked about his love and fascination with the function of the human brain. Luke spent most of the meal just listening two the two men talk. It warmed his heart to see that the two of them got along so well.
"So, did you enjoy dinner?" Luke asked as he and Reid made their way through Old Town.
"Yep…" Reid answered with a satisfied smile on his face. "That woman knows how to cook."
"Yeah, she does." Luke agreed. "You should taste her apple tarts…To die for." He laughed as he rubbed his tummy.
Luke decided he would take, Reid into Old Town anyway and show him around. They decided to hit Al's for malts.
"So…." Reid looked around skeptically, "Where is this 'Old Town,' anyway?"
"This is Old Town." Luke informed him.
"This… is Old Town?" Reid asked rhetorically, with a hint of sarcasm lacing his voice.
"This is it…live and in color." Luke, laughed, giving Reid two short pats on the back.
Reid drew his brows together and sighed. "What is there to do in this 'One horse town?" He laughed sarcastically.
"There's a lot to do here. We have Al's right here." He stated as they walked up to the door. He stopped and pointed over to his left. "And over there is the movie theater."
"Okay…." Reid nodded.
"Oh, over there, to the right is Yo's. They have a bar, music and you can play pool." He said proudly, before opening the door allowing Reid to enter first. "Oh, yeah, we also have Metro for the older crowd…like yourself." He said jokingly.
"Watch it Snyder…" Reid teased back. "There's something to be said for that 'Older crowd.'" Reid countered. The two of them shared a laugh as they entered Al's.
"Hey, Luke." The bubbly, red head, standing behind the counter smiled.
"Hey, Melanie, how's it going?" He asked as he and Reid approached the counter.
"It's going." She giggled. Reid stood back glancing around the diner, absorbing his surroundings, noticing the nostalgic feel of the place. The walls were dressed with silver and gold wallpaper. There were high metal, old fashioned bar stools at the counter, with booths and tables scattered about the quaint little eatery, and in the corner was an old-fashioned jukebox.
Behind the counter was the menu, which listed every kind of burger you could imagine, along with fresh cut fries, onion rings and fried mushrooms. There was also chicken fried steak, and the best chili and cornbread in town.
"So, what's it gonna be fellas?" She asked, tapping her pencil against the order pad.
"Reid…"
"Well, how about the double, double chocolate fudge malted, with extra whip cream." He said bouncing his eyebrows teasingly.
"That sounds good, make it two."
"Oh and I think I want to try the warm brownie cake." Reid nodded, excitedly.
"Okay…" Luke laughed. "That's a lot of chocolate, Reid…" he said with concern.
"Death by chocolate." Reid smiled
I'll pass on the brownie, Melanie." Luke smiled kindly.
"Cool…I'll get your orders; you two find a seat and make yourselves at home." Melanie smiled.
" You heard the lady, come on, let's find a seat." Luke laughed.
"Oh…okay." Reid followed Luke to the booth by the window.
"This, okay?"
"Yeah, it's fine." Reid said as he slid into the booth.
Luke sat down across from Reid, getting comfortable. As they waited for their order, Luke proceeded to fill Reid in on the happenings in Oakdale; who's zooming who… and what couples were back together for the umpteenth time. He also gave the stats on the new wing and how much money had been donated.
Reid nodded and smiled as he listened with enthusiasm. They both sat back as Melanie set their orders in front of them.
"Enjoy…" She smiled before heading back to the register.
"Thank you." They both said as they dug into their malts. Reid took a fork full of his brownie cake and moaned as if he was having sex.
"This, " He chuckled, "Is almost better then sex."
"Really?" Luke questioned with an arched brow.
"I said almost." Reid winked as he took another bite.
Noah was content as he strolled down the sidewalk, hands in the pockets of his jacket. The leaves were beginning to change color as fall was settling in, and his feet crunched against the ones that had blown onto the sidewalk. He had just got off early from his shift at Java, and was thinking about what to take home for dinner.
He smiled kindly as he greeted people who passed him and he glanced into the windows of shops as he walked by. He paused when he came to Al's and looked into the window, his smile slowly disappearing as he did so. He leaned in closer, cupping his hands around his eyes as he pressed his forehead against the glass. He squinted his eyes before he leaned up and quickly made his way to the door, pulling it open and stepping inside.
He was curious as he slowly approached the table, tilting his head to the side questionably as he wondered what was going on. As he reached the table, he could hear the conversation more clearly as they chatted and laughed over chocolate malts.
"May I just say that this is the best malt I have ever tasted. Actually, it is the only malt I've ever tasted."
"Seriously?" Luke asked with shock. "Well if you like this place, you should definitely try Izzy's. Best pizza place ever."
"Yea-uh... I'm not really a pizza kind of guy."
"How can you not like pizza? That's, like, America's favorite food. The delivery guy would get to your house quicker than the ambulance would." He laughed.
"Only in America..." Reid chuckled.
Noah was now standing over them, but they did not seem to take notice. He stood there for a while, just listening to them talk before clearing his throat. Both men looked up at him; one with a smile and the other with no expression at all.
"Oh, hey Noah!" Luke greeted happily. "What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same question." Noah countered, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm showing Reid around town. We just stopped to have malts before we headed back." Luke answered gesturing to their table.
"Yeah, I figured that much..." Noah said and glanced at Reid, giving him a curt nod. "And you're...Reese, right?" He asked, even though he clearly remembered his name.
"Actually, it's Reid, and you're the boyfriend, correct?" Reid replied with the same tone.
"Exactly." Noah stated, glaring at him. Luke looked at the exchange before he quickly jumped in.
"Uh, Noah, I thought you were working late." He asked, getting Noah's attention.
"I was, but they let me off early. It was a little slow today."
"And you didn't call me?" Luke asked feeling slighted. Reid leaned back in his chair and prepared to watch what may turn out to be more entertaining than cable television.
"I forgot," Noah said quietly, indicating that he was lying.
Luke: 1, Noah: 0. Reid thought with a smirk and placed his hands behind his head.
"Y-you forgot." Luke repeated, doubtfully. It was more of a statement than a question. "And so you're here because... what? You wanted a malt too?" he asked sarcastically.
"Actually, I wasn't planning on stopping in here until I saw my boyfriend and the doctor chatting it up like they are lifelong pals." Noah fired back.
"You can't be serious." Luke shook his head with a scoff. "Really, Noah? That's why you're here? To stake your claim and then leave?"
Two points for Luke with Noah still trailing with zip, zilch, nada. Reid thought as he looked between the two.
"You make it sound like I'm some cave man." Noah hissed, trying not to draw attention from everyone else.
Well… Reid countered to himself.
"Well you're acting like one, and quite frankly, it's embarrassing." Luke hissed back, gesturing to Reid with his eyes. Reid noticed and stood up from the table.
"Excuse me, Mother Nature is calling." He said before retreating to the restroom.
"Good he's gone." Noah said, relieved as he watched him go. "What are you doing with him?" He rounded on Luke.
"Exactly what it looks like; talking." Luke charged.
"Really? If I didn't know any better, I would say you were getting pretty comfortable." Noah shot.
"Noah, this is ridiculous and a waste of time." Luke sighed, shaking his head.
"So now I'm wasting your time." Noah stated dejectedly.
"That is not what I meant…and you know it." Luke nearly yelled.
"You could have at least called me to let me know what you would be up too." Noah said.
"I did. Twice. And I left a voicemail each time." Luke shot back. "Did you check your phone at all?" He wanted to add 'moron' at the end of that, but thought better of it.
Noah looked away, guiltily, before he glared at Luke. "Well, I was busy."
"You said it was a slow day." Luke challenged.
"Well, I'm not the one sneaking off with some guy. Nor am I letting him stay at my house."
"No, you're just the guy living with your ex-girlfriend."
"That's different. You know that I don't have feelings for her."
"You think I have feelings for Reid?" Luke asked incredulously. He couldn't believe he was having this discussion. We just met, Noah."
"Well excuse me for feeling a little concerned." Noah retorted.
"What? You don't trust me?" Luke asked.
"I trust you; it's him I don't trust."
"Why? He hasn't done anything wrong." Luke defended.
"He's breathing." Noah said spitefully without thinking. Luke looked at Noah with disgust and disbelief as he shook his head.
"Noah, that's a terrible thing to say, and you know it." Luke was seething as he stood causing Noah to back up from the intensity of his glare. "And you know what else? This conversation is over." He snatched his jacket off the back of his chair and left a tip on the table for Melanie.
"Wait a second, I'm not finished here." Noah tried to stop him, but Luke sidestepped him.
"Well, I am." He said just as Reid returned from the restroom. He looked between them curiously, knowing that it didn't end well.
"Do I want to know?" he asked, glancing at Luke and then Noah before his eyes focused solely on Luke. Luke shook his head with a sigh.
"Come on Reid, we need to get back home so you can get ready for your meeting in the morning." With that he headed towards the door, without a second glance at Noah. Reid stood there for a moment before following Luke out of the diner. Noah just stood there and watched them leave, his expression a mixture of disbelief and disappointment.
"Great, Mayer, you just pissed off the only guy you care about." he sighed running his fingers through his hair as he Reid and Luke disappeared down the street.