Disclaimer: I own nothing of As the Worlds Turns and make absolutely no profit from this.
Chapter Three: Anniversary
The morning sun streamed through the half-closed blinds of Luke's hospital room, the shine of it hitting me directly in the eyes. Groggily, I shook myself awake, then glanced at my watch. Seven-thirty a.m.
Luke's body was still cradled snugly against mine, my right arm having gone numb in my sleep hours ago. Luke's soft blonde locks brushed my shirt, his head tilted against my chest. His breathing was even, his body still. He could have easily been mistaken for being asleep.
I rested my face against the top of his head, breathing in his sweet scent. I missed my husband, my partner. I wanted to hear his voice again, see that thousand-watt smile of his light up his face, feel his gentle hands wandering over my torso in loving patterns. I sighed deeply and closed my eyes against my worrisome thoughts, determined not to let the pain creep in. All of these things I desired would come back to me, if just let them.
The door to Luke's room opened then, not in that quiet way his family often used in order to not disturb him, but in that professional, business-like manner. I opened my eyes quickly and found myself staring at a nurse in maroon scrubs, who was standing in front of the door. It slowly clicked shut behind her as we took each other in.
She stood with a small round tray of some sort in her hands, halted in her tracks by the sight of my six-foot frame crammed into the tiny hospital bed with my unconscious husband. I was pretty sure I had been breaking a number of hospital rules by taking up residence in the small space that was left on Luke's bed, but last night, I hadn't thought to care. Now, face to face with hospital staff, I was caught red-handed.
But she surprised me. After a moment, she chuckled to herself and moved to the side of the bed, where she placed the beige container in her hands on the small table next to me. She then crossed over to the other side of the bed, grabbing Luke's chart from its holder at the foot of the frame on the way, and checked the various machines that were lined up next to one another. She scribbled something briefly on Luke's sheet, replaced his chart in its holder, and then made for the door, with barely a second glance in my direction.
"That's breakfast," she called over her shoulder, pointing back towards the tray she had placed on the stand.
"W-wait!" I called, sitting up too fast and immediately regretting it. My numb arm startled to tingle painfully. "Luke's not awake yet. I mean, he's not sleeping, but he's not—"
The nurse stopped in the doorway and turned back to me, one hand holding the door open behind her. She smiled pleasantly at me.
"It's not for Mr. Snyder," she said, her eyes sparkling. "That breakfast is for you, Mr. Mayer." Then she swiveled on her heel and passed through the door, allowing it to shut.
I glanced over at the container on my left in apprehension. Steam was drifting through a small vent at the top of the container's lid. The aroma that passed as hospital breakfast food wafted towards me, slowly filling the room.
I kissed the top of Luke's head, then guided his slender neck carefully back against his pillow, making sure he looked comfortable. I slid out of bed, shaking my half-dead arm, and reached for the container.
"What was the name of that place again?"
Luke's voice was hushed, tinged with contentment. He lifted his chin and looked up at me from where we sat together in the back of the cab, our bodies nestled comfortably into the thick black leather seats. Our fingers slowly tangled, his smooth skin sliding comfortingly against my own.
I hugged him closer, savoring the way his smaller frame fit so nicely into my tall, lanky one. I caught a whiff of his aftershave as I replied, "Vincent's." I brushed the tip of my nose across his forehead, breathing in more of his scent, then pulled back and smiled at him. "Corner of Hester and Mott."
Luke smiled back, those heavenly brown eyes emanating from within the sockets. "I really liked that place," he whispered. He dropped my hand and slid his palm over my chest, up to my neck, where he rested it at the nape. His fingertips tugged gently at my hair, and I knew what he wanted.
I lowered my mouth to his, taking it gently with my own. Luke kissed back amorously, his lips falling open against our loving rhythm, as we shifted into the familiar affectionate dance. His hand gripped my neck harder, and I pulled him tighter to me, my right hand resting on his waist. I reveled in the feel of him against me, the sensation of his warm mouth leaving a damp trail over mine, his steady breathing sweeping past my ears. We broke apart almost unwillingly and embraced even closer, Luke sighing softly into my clavicle.
The cab driver spoke over the seat at us, her eyes fixed on her rear-view mirror. "How long you two been together?" she asked, sounding like she was honestly interested, but trying not to scrutinize too hard.
Luke laughed quietly into my lap, and I knew what he was thinking. Only in New York would someone question so blatantly and open-mindedly about us.
"Five years today," I answered her. I rubbed Luke's arm and smiled down at him.
"Five years married," Luke clarified proudly, shifting his vision from me to the cab driver's reflection in the mirror. "We've been together much longer than that." He took my left hand from over his shoulder and placed it in his lap, his fingers twisting the platinum band that kept my third digit permanent company.
"Good for you," the cab driver responded, breaking out into a grin. She made a sharp right at the corner of the approaching street, not registering any of the angry honking that sounded around her. She pulled to a quick stop in front of the Marriott Marquis, and turned to face us as best she could through the plastic divider between the front and back seats of the taxicab. "Good to see a happy couple here in Manhattan."
Luke laughed quietly again, his face turned away from her. He was completely enjoying her attention. No one in Oakdale ever applauded us for being a happy, stable couple anywhere.
I thanked her sincerely and paid for our ride, then led Luke out of the cab and into the hotel. We crossed over the glistening gold tile of the lobby floor towards the escalators, the magnificent overhead lighting glowing above us, and then rode one flight up to the elevator bay. We entered the elevator together, Luke's arms wrapped around my waist. The numbered floor buttons began to light up as the elevator swiftly ascended above lobby level.
"Noah?" Luke spoke into my chest.
"Hmm?" I rubbed his back soothingly.
"Can we come back here again, sometime?"
I chuckled. "You really liked the homemade lasagna at Vincent's, didn't you?"
Luke laughed with me. "I liked being there with you," he answered. "It was…romantic."
I squeezed him to me as the elevator bell signaled our floor. "Happy anniversary," I whispered, planting a kiss on his forehead. He grinned back up at me, those perfectly round cheeks book-ending his contented expression.
Later that night, after the customary check-in phone calls had been made to Lily and Holden to make sure the kids (and Luke's parents themselves, who had willingly volunteered to baby-sit for the weekend) were okay, Luke and I gathered each other in our arms and made love as if it had been that first time in his bedroom those many years ago. Watching this stunning man of mine glide effortlessly through the past years of his life only made him more desirable to me, more cherished, and that night, I relished his company more than any other night I could remember to this day.
In the afterglow, Luke lay next to me in bed, our naked bodies touching the cool darkness of our hotel room, and we gazed at one another without uttering a single syllable. Luke's fingertips trailed lightly over my cheek, down over my chin, as those honey-brown eyes memorized every curve of my face. I couldn't remember falling asleep that night, couldn't pinpoint the moment when my brain told my eyes they were too tired to remain open, but when I awoke the next morning, Luke's smiling face was the first image that came into view.
Happy anniversary, indeed. Happiest, even.
