Once again, your kind reviews are lovely to read, and I've come to the conclusion that you're all awesome (Obviously. You like Luke and Reid, you must be awesome by default)

Sorry for the long wait, life seemed to get in the way :)

Enjoy!

xxxxxx

Luke's warm hands still held Reid's face close, and both men had now broken into smiles.

Luke couldn't hide his relief; finally, they'd got there. They had overcome every obstacle possible in such a small space of time.

Noah.

Lily.

All of Oakdale?

But Luke didn't care what others thought, not anymore.

His new mantra?

Screw what everybody else thinks I should do; why do it if it doesn't make you incandescently happy?

"I thought, I'd... I thought I'd lost you forever"

Reid laughed lightly, and took Luke's face in his hands.

"You clearly underestimate the effect you have on me, Mr Snyder. I couldn't keep away, even if you wanted me to"

Reid winked, and Luke's heart felt as though it would burst. His cheeks burned with happiness, as the largest smile he had ever given anyone conquered his features.

I'm the luckiest man in the world.

The older man leaned forward slightly; his eyes were closed, and he placed a tentative kiss on Luke's lips. It was short, but ever-so-sweet.

And then, Luke couldn't hold back.

He was done with holding back.

"I love you so much"

Reid opened his eyes, and he gazed at Luke in wonder.

"You... you love me?"

Luke absolutely adored the look on Reid's face; it was of the most beautiful kind of surprise.

It was amazing to think that a man like him could have that effect on a man like Reid.

"I thought they said you were a genius? I would've thought my feelings for you were pretty clear by now"

Reid chuckled at that, but his strong gaze didn't waver.

The words he spoke next knocked Luke for six.

"Luke Snyder, I fell in love with you the moment I laid eyes on you"

And there was me thinking I couldn't love him anymore.

Oh how wrong I was.

"Do you want to stay here tonight?"

"Yes"

Luke's response was instantaneous, and Reid couldn't help but smile.

Luke Snyder, the smart, sweet and gorgeous CEO of Grimaldi Shipping and the Chair of a Foundation wanted to be with him?

"Well, that's settled then. But don't expect to be fed...unless you want some cookie dough ice cream"

Luke laughed.

"No, I'm good thanks"

Reid was returning his smile, and before either was fully aware of what was happening, they were caught together in the most sensational kiss. Reid's lips were soft and precise, knowing exactly what to do to elicit sighs of pleasure. Reid kissed the corner of Luke's mouth, and then the surrounding flesh of Luke's curved jaw, before placing butterfly pecks on Luke's cheeks.

"I think I've found something a lot sweeter than ice cream"

Reid smiled into the kisses, pressing their cheeks together.

"Luke Snyder, that was just shockingly cheesy. Get the hell out of my apartment"

Both men laughed heartily at that, but neither shifted enough for their cheeks to separate.

Hours later, Reid and Luke lay tangled together between the sheets of the Doctor's bed. Reid had his eyes closed, and was drifting off to sleep.

But Luke was watching him intently.

He observed carefully as the older man's chest rose gently, and he grinned to himself as his eyes travelled over Reid's face.

Luke traced his fingers over Reid's defined torso, ghosting over the solid muscles, before finding their way to his strong arms.

He was so perfect, so beautiful.

And he's all mine.

"Stop staring, Luke. I'm trying to sleep"

Luke chuckled.

"You know, Reid Oliver, I've always found you very attractive. You cannot expect me to stop staring at you, especially when you've just proven to me what I've always suspected"

"What's that, then?"

"That you're good at absolutely everything"

It was Reid's turn to chuckle; and without opening his eyes, he replied.

"Touché"

A pause.

"I mean it Reid- I've always found you attractive"

Reid opened his eyes, and smiled. He reached out and stroked Luke's cheek with his right hand, lingering on his lips. He leaned forward, and kissed the blonde man passionately; Luke tilted his head to allow Reid more access, before they pulled away simultaneously, and the Doctor tucked Luke's head between his shoulder and chin.

"When I first saw you Reid, well... let's just say it's an experience I will always remember. The way you strolled in the hospital, so confidently, wearing that gorgeous black jacket, with your hair, your eyes... I had to actively try not to stare"

Reid continued to listen, but didn't say anything. His head was swimming; he was ecstatic to discover that Luke felt the sudden, electric, and instantaneous attraction that he did upon their first meeting.

"And every day since then, Reid, I learnt more and more about you... you became more attractive, and not just physically attractive, but emotionally too. The way you didn't take anyone's crap, including mine, and the way I watched you treat your patients"

Luke kissed Reid's shoulder, and the older man felt his heart melt.

"You are so passionate... and I'd often imagined what it would be like to have someone like you passionate about me"

Reid kissed the top of Luke's head, and ran his delicate hand through the blonde's hair.

"You didn't exactly make it easy for me, either, Mr Snyder, with your tight short-sleeved tops and persistent nature. Not only were you supremely beautiful, you were also everywhere. I had to exercise some serious restraint"

Luke smiled into Reid's shoulder, kissing the smooth skin it found there once again.

"I love you more than I thought I ever would, Reid Oliver"

Reid smiled back.

"I never thought I'd fall in love with the demanding idiot responsible for uprooting my entire life in Dallas, Mr Snyder, but it seems that way. Night, Luke"

"Sleep well, Reid"

Luke woke to the feel of one slim arm encasing his waist. He smiled as Reid pulled him closer, kissed the nape of his neck tenderly, and whispered into his ear.

"Good morning, gorgeous"

Luke's speech was muffled with sleep, and he yawned loudly before beginning.

"Mornin' sexy Doctor of mine... what time is it?"

Reid chuckled at Luke's greeting, kissed his neck once again, and revealed the time.

8:37.

"Do you want some breakfast, Snyder? I know you normally get it brought to you on a silver tray by a highly-trained animal, but I can make you some scrambled eggs or something"

"Aw, so sweet... but don't you have surgery this morning?"

"I do, at 12. How do you know that?"

Luke was suddenly very awake.

It wasn't because he had asked Bob yesterday as to Reid's weekly timetable so he could plan this talk with the lovely Dr with enough time in the morning, just in case.

Of course not... he was just hungry.

"I, erm... just guessed"

Reid paused, and pondered questioning the issue.

Instead, he decided to settle on the notion that Luke Snyder could certainly find out anything if he needed to enough.

It was in his Grimaldi/Snyder blood.

And didn't Reid love that.

"Ok... you can borrow a t-shirt of mine if you like; I don't think you came prepared with anything"

Reid winked.

Luke was fully awake now, and decided it was an appropriate time to use sarcasm. After all, his gorgeous Dr seemed to speak that particular language fluently.

"Aww, cheers babes"

Luke winked at Reid's disgusted expression, and laughed as Reid threw a shirt at him and sauntered out of the room. Reid called back as Luke was changing.

"Don't ever use that word with me again, Snyder!"

Luke chuckled, and pulled the worn t-shirt towards himself- it was nothing special, just a navy-blue pullover, but Reid had worn it before.

Which made it special.

Luke draped it over his messy hair and tired eyes, before inhaling the caramel and white-orchard scent that lingered amongst the soft cotton.

Reid.

And then Luke realised where he was... in Reid's bedroom, wearing Reid's shirt, about to have a home-cooked breakfast made by his gorgeous boyfriend.

BOYFRIEND.

It took Luke all the self-restraint he had left not to squeal.