Oakdale and its citizens are owned by P&G, I'm just borrowing them for my own amusement.

Chapter 10

Snyder Farm

Luke settled Ethan and Natalie in front of the living room television at the farm. They were both in their dress clothes for the funeral that would be held by the pond later that morning. He kissed both of their foreheads before heading to the kitchen.

The kitchen was packed with Snyder family members. His grandmother was bustling about with his Aunts Angel and Iva at her side. Their husbands were sitting at one end of the kitchen table with Iva's son MJ and Julie's son Pete. At the other end were his Aunts Ellie and Meg talking quietly with Cal Strickland and his son Josh. Luke's own father seeing that he had entered the kitchen excused himself from his conversation with Caleb, Julie and her daughter Jenny to approach him.

"How are the kids?" Holden asked.

"Fine, they're fine. They're watching a 'Gook Luck, Charlie' marathon." Luke responded.

"In case I haven't mentioned it, thank you for taking such good care of them the last few days. I'm so very proud of you." Holden gave him a hug.

"Dad, you don't have to say anything." Luke shrugged off the thanks.

"No, I do. I know that the last few days haven't been easy on you at all. He was your brother, not your step-brother; you were brothers, just like he was with Ethan and Pete. You lost him, too. You saw exactly what happened to him. But you've been taking care of your siblings, your cousins, your mother and me. We appreciate it." Holden said.

"I didn't do it alone." Luke said.

"No, you didn't, did you." Holden said with a genuine smile on his face. "Reid's a good man."

Luke smiled at his father's obvious approval.

"Where is Reid? He left before breakfast this morning." His grandmother asked.

"He went in early to Memorial for rounds so he could have the whole day free for me, and even though he wouldn't admit it out loud, but also to be here for Ethan and Natalie." Luke responded then grinned at his grandmother. "Don't worry; I can assure you that Reid did eat breakfast. Reid only misses meals when he is in the OR."

Memorial Hospital

"Dr. Oliver!" Reid heard Faith yell from her room as he passed by. "You have to help me!" She insisted as soon as he entered the room.

"Faith, sweetheart." Lily seemed to be trying to reason with her daughter.

"He's my brother, too. I want to be there." Faith insisted.

"What's going on?" Reid asked. "You should be staying calmed and settled. You don't want to ruin Dr. Hughes's handiwork."

"Abigail and I came to retrieve Lily to head to the funeral, and Faith is insisting on going as well." Adam explained.

"I was released this morning. Dr. Stewart pushed my paperwork through at lightning speed." Abigail added.

Reid picked up Faith's chart and flipped through it. Then he looked at the occupants in the room starting with Adam and ending with Faith. Looking directly at Faith he spoke, "I will make a couple of calls, but before I do this, you have to agree to some request. Believe me; you won't like the consequences if you don't follow through with your end of the deal."

"Anything." Faith said. "I'll follow all the rules."

"First, you are to be sitting the whole time, whether it is in a chair or a wheelchair. No walking unless assisted by your mother, father, Adam, Luke or myself, and that will only occur if it is absolutely necessary."

"Okay."

"Second, you will be back in this bed at 7:00pm, no later. That doesn't mean you are heading back here at seven, it doesn't mean you are in this hospital at seven; you are to be in this bed at seven. I will be having someone check at that exact time." Reid ordered.

"I agree; can you call now?" Fait asked.

"You are to follow all your parents' rules, and if they have a question on an issue concerning you, they will check with me before you will be allowed to do whatever it is." Reid added.

"I will, and they will."

"Yes, we will." Lily assured him.

"Let me see what I can do." Reid said stepping out of the room.

Snyder Pond

Luke was moving among the mourners that had gathered at Snyder Pond with Natalie at his side. Together they would politely accept the condolences offered and listen with smiles on their faces as some shared favorite memories of Aaron.

"Luke, Natalie, how are you doing?" Noah asked as he approached them.

"We're doing okay." Luke responded accepting the hug Noah offered. He quickly stepped back so Natalie could hug Noah as well.

"There are a lot of people here." Noah commented.

"Yeah, the whole family came home for Dad, Uncle Caleb and Aunt Julie. Dad even arranged for Meg to be released for the day." Luke said nodding to where his Aunt was standing with some of her siblings and their spouses.

Luke with some assistance from Natalie pointed out the various members of their families present that Noah had heard about, but never met.

"Are they all staying at the farm?" Noah asked.

"No, Aunt Ellie and Aunt Meg are only here for the day. Ellie is taking Meg back then flying out from there. Aunt Iva's family stayed at the Lakeveiw last night. They are staying a couple more days, but probably here at the farm as Dad is planning on us moving home tonight. He wants Mom to stay at home tonight while he stays with Faith at the hospital." Luke said.

"I think Pete and Jenny are flying out tomorrow." Natalie added.

"I think you are right. I believe the rest are going to be here the rest of the week at least. Uncle Caleb and Aunt Julie may stay longer." Luke said, "Aunt Julie seems to want to stick close to Grandma."

Luke saw movement to his side and reached out to grab Ethan before he could run by him. "Whoa, you're going to knock someone over."

"Faith!" Ethan said pointing to a group of arriving people.

"Mom and Reid brought Faith." Natalie said seeing what Ethan had seen.

"Go see." Ethan said still in Luke's arms.

"One minute." Luke replied. "Sorry about this. They haven't seen Faith since the accident." Luke explained to Noah.

"That's fine. I will follow you over to say 'hi.'" Noah said and allowed Luke and his siblings lead the way.

"Faith, you're here." Natalie said watching Reid and Adam settle her into a wheelchair.

"Of course I am." Faith said.

"Thanks to Reid." Lily reminded her.

"Just remember the rules." Reid said.

"What rules?" Holden asked as he joined the group around Faith.

"I'm not allowed to walk around and I have to head back…um…I mean…be back in my hospital bed by seven tonight." Faith correct at the warning look from Reid.

"And follow your parents rules today, and if you don't." Lily prompted.

"He will extend my hospital stay and restrictions accordingly to the extent I break the rules. And he is the only judge, and there are no appeals." Faith said.

"Thank you, Reid. It means a lot having the whole family here." Holden said offering his hand.

"You're welcome." Reid said slightly uncomfortable by the praise. Luke was beaming at him.

"Holden, they're about ready to start the service." Seth said as he approached the group.

"We're ready." Holden said taking the handles of Faith's wheelchair.

Noah excused himself to h=go and stand with Casey and Allison. Lily took Ethan's hand and with Abigail and Adam followed Holden and Faith to where the rest of the family stood.

Reid started to move to join Katie and Jacob, but Luke placed a hand on his arm to stop him. Silently, Luke laced his fingers with Reid's and with his other hand holding Natalie's hand, Luke guided them to join the rest of the family. Reid relaxed when Katie with Jacob in her arms moved to stand on his other side as the service began.

TBC