Lots of fluff, just for Vallie, who keeps me entertained with a wonderful fic! -Time Will Tell -Thank you Vallie, hope you enjoy.
Chapter 26 – The Honeymoon
Reid followed Luke as they walked around to the section of beach that Luke wanted to go to. "I still don't understand why we had to come all the way over here. There was a perfectly good beach right in front of the hotel, and they served drinks!"
"Reid, would you just stop complaining for once?"
They'd been in Maui for 2 days now and had barely ventured out of the hotel. They'd gone snorkeling once but in 2 days that had been their one and only outing. They'd had dinner at the hotel restaurant last night but every other meal had been delivered to their room.
"If we'd stayed there it would be too easy to end up back in the hotel. We'd be the couple who loses their tan in Hawaii and think of the ribbing we'll get back home."
Reid smirked, "I can take it."
"Reid? Would you just come on." Luke was hiding a grin and trying not to look Reid in the eye.
While waiting for their trip they'd been visiting tanning salons. It had actually become a contest as to who could get the best tan. It was something about not wanting to show up in Hawaii as the pale boys from Illinois. Reid remembered that first day when Luke had come home with his pink sensitive skin. Reid hadn't been able to resist smacking him on the back.
Later Reid had realized that Luke bright pink flesh was everywhere. The grin that split Reid's face was filled with humor. "My god, you went in completely buff?"
"Don't you?" Luke had asked completely serious. "otherwise you get tan lines."
"Some parts don't need sun, besides, the tan line give me a point of reference." Reid shrugged.
Still, the image of Luke naked in the tanning bed was a turn on for Reid and they'd made the most of it, even if Luke did have to endure several swats to his tender ass.
The tanning had continued until they'd left for New York. They'd looked a bit out of place for this time of year with their deep tans. Once in New York Reid had been so focused on the conference that he hadn't had much of a chance to think or get nervous about the wedding. Luke had shopped and done every touristy thing under the sun while there. And finally the morning had arrived. This was the day.
As they entered the lobby to check out of their hotel they saw Casey and Katie sitting there talking. Reid and Luke looked at each other quizzically then walked up to their honorable bests. "What are you doing here Case?" was simultaneous with Reid's "Katie?".
"Well we couldn't have just anyone witnessing your legal vows now could we? You need to have the signatures of your "Honorable Bests" on your marriage certificate." Katie declared.
Honorable bests was the term they'd decided to use. Reid was damned if he was going to have a maid of honor while Luke had a best man. No freakin way!
"Yeah dude, this is part of the job right?"
"Is Bree here?" Reid couldn't help but ask hopefully.
"No man, she's too busy making sure everything's perfect once you two get there. My mom and dad are watching the kids while Katie and I are up here, and your sister is flitting around like a humming bird overseeing everything."
Reid was a little disappointed but was comforted by the fact that Brianna would make sure that things didn't get to frilly back home.
The civil ceremony had gone by in a blur. It was just kind of plain and they'd been in and out in less than a half hour. The only thing either man could remember was the looks in each other's eyes, the huge smiles once it was over and Katie sniffling alongside Reid.
All the butterflies were over for Reid. Now there was just the motions to go through at home for Luke's sake. The plane ride back to Oakdale was quiet and uneventful. Luke and Reid just held hands and relaxed giving each other moony looks while Katie and Casey shared knowing smiles.
Their home had been invaded by aliens, it was disturbing to Reid to have all these strangers around but at least Brianna seemed to have it all under control. And there were plates of food everywhere. It couldn't be all bad.
They were in their room getting ready and Reid was looking incredulously at what he was supposed to wear. "Are you kidding me?"
"What? It's not a tux."
"No, but why's it all white?"
"It's traditional!"
"Traditional for virgins. I hate to break it to you, but we're not virgins Luke, this is ridiculous."
Luke smirked this time. "You got me there Dr. Oliver, but this is our wedding and I want us to wear white. Look, you've got jeans and sneakers, be happy."
Reid just rolled his eyes. He looked at Luke who was wearing white dress pants, white shirt and was tying a white tie. Reid started to laugh. Luke looked at Reid completely stricken. "What?" Luke asked.
"I don't know, you look like a pimp or something." The smile on Reid was full of humor and snark but tears were welling in Luke's big brown eyes. Reid pulled him down on the bed next to him. He wrapped his arms around him. "look, I know you want this to be special, but honestly, as long as we're here together it will be special. Right?"
Luke nodded but buried his head in the side of Reid's neck. Reid kissed the top of his blond head.
"Besides," Reid continued, "its' like 45 degrees out there."
"I have an idea." Luke jumped up wiping tears from his eyes. He went across to the closet and pulled out a couple of white hoodies. He'd purchased those for the honeymoon thinking of a cruise to Alaska before finally deciding on a warmer climate.
Reid couldn't suppress a smile. Luke stared at him, "What, this is no good either?"
"It's great." Luke beamed a smile and Reid felt he'd walk out there in his boxers if Luke kept that smile for the rest of the day.
Of course Luke had a pair of white jeans stashed too, Reid had just rolled his eyes. One of them was going to have to change before they left for the honeymoon. He'd be damned if he was going to start out their trip dressed like bopsy twins.
Luke went in search of his parents and when Reid turned from the mirror examining his youthful attire his big-little sister was staring at him. "So, married now huh? I always thought I would be married by now, I never really expected it of you, hoped… but never expected."
Reid held out his arms and hugged Brianna to his chest. "You think this is really me Bree? I almost feel like I'm someone else. Like the real Reid is going to sneak back in and ruin this life somehow."
"This is the real you Reid, it's always been the real you. Oh you'll always be annoyingly sarcastic but most of us have learned to laugh at that. But the defensive you, it goes away a little at a time. You're learning to trust again and to let other people love you and know you. It's what I've always wanted for you"
"God this is a sappy conversation, we can be done with this now. What kind of food is out there?"
Brianna started to laugh but understood as Reid continued to hold her close that he just needed to stop talking about feelings.
"Oh I think you'll be happy with the food. Most of it is catered. But the desert is.."
"Cake I know."
"No you don't know, Emma has something special in mind for her grandson-in-law. I think she enjoys cooking for you more than Luke or even Holden." They both laughed at that.
"So you think I should stop enjoying her cooking so much? Because I'm not sure that's possible."
"No I'm saying that you seemed to have stolen the heart of both of Luke's grandmothers. Emma has been here with me most of the day, making sure everything was in order. She's got a lovely surprise planned for you. And Lucinda thinks that you're sexiness on legs and have finally transformed little Luke into a man, if you weren't gay I think she'd have made a play for you herself."
"Yeah well, she'll change her mind after seeing me in this getup."
They laughed again, "Oh you look great," she assured him, "you always do."
"I know," he sighed.
A wedding outside in November was a chilly venture, but at least it was a clear beautiful day. The cover for the pool had been opened and there were flower things floating in it, but since it was early in the day they'd been able to forgo the candle bit. It was actually pretty simple, there were silver punch bowls and a chocolate fountain, but the flowers were kept to a minimum and no white decorations hanging around. Some people were dressed up but some weren't. Everyone was pretty comfortable. They stood out in front of their favorite tree to recite vows. In front of their family and friends they repeated the same vows that had made them legal that morning, but this time they were met by ooh's and awe's. When it was time to seal the deal with a kiss Reid leaned in for a chaste kiss in front of their friends and family but to his surprise Luke pulled him close, dipped him and kissed him. Reid gripped tight just to make sure he didn't fall, and all the guests roared with laughter, especially Casey and Chris. Reid grabbed the hood of Luke's sweatshirt and spoke into his ear as Luke was bringing him up to his feet again, "You'll pay for that Snyder!"
"One can only hope, and the name is Oliver in case you've forgotten." Luke had a devious grin on his face. Much like the one Reid liked to wear.
Emma's surprised turned out to be a wedding pie rather than a wedding cake. There were some kind of stands that made it look like a tiered cake but it was Emma's caramel apple pie. Reid was in heaven. It was even warmed up prior to serving it out and piled high with ice cream. As much as Reid hated family gatherings he was pretty sure he could do them as long as Emma was cooking.
The crowd had all moved inside due to the cool temperature. Reid walked over to Katie and Chris. "Thanks for being there for me today, Katie."
Chris was grinning at Reid, dimples prominent in his cheeks. "I liked that kiss up there Reid, you just looked so cute."
Reid looked at Katie with the 'are you serious' look and said, "Did he just say I looked cute?"
Katie smiled, "I believe he did."
Reid pinched his eye closed, turned and walked away. He was gone only for a moment and returned. "By the way Chris, just a word about the hospital while I'm away…"
Chris turned to look at Reid, Reid's arms snaked out and grabbed Chris. He dipped him much as Luke had dipped him for the kiss. Chris wore the most astonished look anyone had ever seen on him and 'flash' went the camera with Reid grinning. Reid righted Chris and went to give the photographer a pat on the back. He turned again to face Chris, "Call me cute again sometime." And Chris had been speechless for the rest of the afternoon.
Noah and Allison were there for the ceremony. They had just settled in New York a month before. But there was no way either of them would miss Luke's wedding. Luke still wasn't sure what he thought of them. But they both seemed happy. Allison was happy at a bigger hospital where she had no history with the staff. Noah was happy at school. Luke hugged them both and accepted their congratulations as Reid found a few moments to spend with Bree and little Reid.
Not wanting Reid out of his sight for long Luke joined him and his new sister-in-law. Luke bend down and whispered in here ear. "Where is it?"
"It's in his study."
Reid looked quizzically at them both. "Let's go have a look shall we?" Luke said.
Reid transferred his nephew to his hip as he followed his sister and husband down the hall. As they entered the study there was a large framed portrait propped up against the sofa. It had a big bow around it which hid the object of the painting.
Luke walked around behind Reid and wrapped his arms around his middle. Brianna stepped forward removing the bow. It was a painting of Holden standing behind a young Luke, and Oliver Danly standing behind an adolescent Reid. "It's a wedding present for us both." Luke purred into Reid's ear. Do you like it?"
Reid said nothing, just shook his head affirmatively. His eyes shot up to Brianna standing next to the portrait. "You painted this?"
"Luke came to me with the idea months ago. He wanted something that would mean a great deal to you both. Something that would warm your home and belong to both of you."
He looked at Luke, "I can't believe you thought of this. I never would have."
Lucinda came looking for them, "There you are darlings, have you looked at the time? If you don't leave soon my pilot will have to file another flight plan and you won't leave until tomorrow. The driver is waiting outside, now scoot."
"I have to change first." Reid protested.
"The only thing you're doing is looking at your gifts from me on the way to the limo, change on the plane if you have to but GO now."
They were ushered out toward the door with Lucinda right behind them. It was a planned scene as all their loved ones were gathered and waving to them. They stepped out and were given only a few minute to view the BMW convertible and the pearly white Escalade in the driveway. Lucinda thought the chief of staff needed a car that reflected his stature in life (pretentious Reid thought, but who's complaining) and Luke needed something luxurious but rugged. She hugged them both and herded them into the waiting Limo.
Now here they were a little less 2 days later trekking through an overgrown path to Luke's perfect stretch of beach. Reid was pulling at the neck of his t-shirt. "Are all my shirts going to be this freakin tight?"
Luke grinned even bigger. "Yeah, but some of them are polo shirts so you can unbutton them a bit."
"Can you not think of comfort when you buy me clothes?"
"I did, I thought about how comfortable it is looking at your fantastic body in shirt that clings." He said it so matter of factly that Reid could only shake his head. The tight t-shirt and sand in his shoes served to distract Reid as they settled in a spot on the beach and laid out their blanket.
Reid finally looked at Luke and shook his head in astonishment. He pulled the dark Oakley's down the bridge of nose and looked around. "Damn Luke, have you lost your freakin mind?"