Chapter 36

With one more glance back at the house Robbie slipped into the driver's seat and closed the door. "Are you ready?" James asked from the passenger seat.

"I think so," Robbie said buckling his seatbelt. He placed his hands on the steering will and glanced over at his brother. This was it, the moment he had been waiting for all summer. He was leaving the nest so to speak…and he was glad James was going with him. It seemed only fitting that they were taking this journey together. He never would have guessed when he found his brother five years ago that he would be on his way back to Chicago. He was on his own again, only this time he knew he had a home to come back to. He had a family who would miss him while he was gone, yet embrace him when he was ready to return. It was a nice feeling.

"Dad and Lucinda are here," James' voice cut through his thoughts and he glanced over his shoulder just as a dark red Jaguar pulled up behind them. The driver's side door opened and George McPherson stepped out, and seconds later he was standing by Robbie's door. Robbie rolled down the pane of glass and soon warm brown eyes were peering through the window.

"How are you doing this morning son?" George asked kindly.

"Do you mean me or Jimmy?"

"Both of you," James' dad said, his smile reaching his eyes. "Are we all set for the ride to Chicago?"

"Yes sir."

"Are you and Lucinda ready for the ride, Dad?" James asked.

"We're ready to follow you, James. Are the kids with Luke today?"

"Yes, they were still sleeping when I dropped them off. Thanks for coming with us."

"I wouldn't miss this for the world, and Lucinda is determined to make sure Robbie has everything he needs."

"Well then," James said clapping his hands together. "Let's get this kid to college."

"You never answered the question."

James looked over at his brother who looked tall and confident behind the wheel as they followed behind the red Jaguar. "What question?" he asked curiously.

"How are you feeling this morning," Robbie asked sneaking a glance at his brother before focusing on the road ahead.

"Honestly I feel good," James smiled. "A little tired maybe, but I don't have a fever and my voice is back to normal. I feel good."

"You aren't saying that just so I won't worry are you?"

"You're too perceptive for that. I wouldn't try to insult your intelligence…it would be like trying to fool Luke."

Robbie beamed as he always did when he was compared to his fair-haired brother.

"I'm scared," James admitted a moment later. "I'm feeling good today, but I don't know what that means for how I will feel tomorrow. Or the next day for that matter. On Tuesday I go in for the biopsy, and then there will be more waiting…and suddenly I'm that five year old kid who knew that he was the reason his daddy was sad, and the reason his mommy was so unhappy."

"That kid grew up to be an amazing man, Jimmy. An amazing big brother and an even better father. And I know you're scared, but there are at least three people on the road right now who are proud of your strength and your perseverance. I know you and your dad had to go through this alone last time, but that's not the case now, Jimmy. You have Lucinda, and me, and Luke…and you have Krystl too."

"Don't forget Reid and Laurie."

"As if I could," Robbie smiled fondly. "Our family's getting pretty big isn't it?"

"I'm glad," James nodded, his arm resting on the window as he looked at his brother. "I want Lucas and Georgie to grow up around people who are going to look out for them. Even before Mom left I felt like it was just me and Dad against the world, you know?"

"I felt that way too before I moved here," Robbie's tone was thoughtful as he chanced another glance at James. "Have I ever thanked you for taking me in back then? I mean you could have very easily just sent me back to Mom and made me suck it up."

"The thought never crossed my mind," James smiled back at him. "You could have been an angry kid who resented my existence and I still would have taken you in."

"That's good to know," Robbie said, touched by his brother's words. They were silent for a few minutes, each of them getting lost in their thoughts as they followed James' dad onto the highway. "Hey, did Krystl like her birthday gift." Thursday was Krystl's birthday and despite how bad he was feeling James had taken her out for dinner to celebrate the occasion as well as the fact that they had been officially dating for a month.

"Yes she liked the bracelet," James said shifting in his seat to face his brother.

"Which one did you end up getting her?" Robbie asked curiously.

"The silver double bangled one."

"Oh the interlocking one?"

"Yep. She loves it. Only takes it off when she's in surgery."

"That's cool, Jimmy. I liked that one best myself. I just didn't want to influence your choice either way."

"I think her favorite gift was the card from Lucas though."

"Awww, that's great. He worked hard on that," Robbie shook his hand as he thought of his nephew coloring in the birthday cake and candles he had made for "Doc Krys," As he called her.

"You don't think it's a bad idea to expose them to her so soon do you?" James asked a frown crossing his features. "I mean, I guess when I think about it she's been around them a lot since May."

"I think its fine, though I understand your concern," Robbie assured him. "I mean you only started dating a month ago…and before that you were friends. And even now, you don't do anything that would confuse them. Georgie's young enough that if things get serious between you two he will know Krystl as mom. Just like Landon calls Reid Dad. And Lucas, I think he just likes having a girl around again. He knows she's your friend and that's okay with him."

"I'm going to miss having you around the house," James sighed. "Are you sure you want to do this."

"Jimmy," Robbie laughed. "You're putting out big bucks for me to go to school. I want to make you proud…and Luke too. You guys believed in me, and that means a lot to me. And if not for you guys suggesting I move up a grade I never would have met Laurie."

"Funny how that worked out," James surmised. "Laurie became part of our family, and ultimately that led to Reid coming into our family too."

"Yeah, and he and Luke are perfect for each other. It just seems effortless for them."

James nodded his agreement as he thought about his best friend's new relationship. They were both trying something different from what they were used to…what they had experienced before. This wasn't about replacing; it was about embracing.

He felt something wet and hard hit his face, and his hand immediately moved to swat at it. His fingers came in contact with slobber but nothing more, and he shifted in his sleep. He felt something wet hit his face and swatted once more without opening his eyes. Something heavy was on his body and he could feel it moving. It felt like a bottle nipple covered in slobber.

"DADA," the wet plastic hit him again and he opened his eyes in time to receive a knee in the mouth as his son attempted to crawl over him. "Baba," Landon said when he realized he had the man's attention. He continued to crawl as if his sole purpose was to escape the confines of the bed.

"Hold it you little monster," Reid said as he attempted to keep Landon from going any further. Lively blue eyes met tired ones. The hint of sweet baby breath hung in the air as Landon squirmed in his grasp, his feet landing on the face of the man sleeping beside Reid.

Luke stirred in the bed and opened his eyes to find a blue foot stuck in his face. He chuckled as he sat up and watched the baby attempting to climb over Reid despite the other man's efforts to keep him at bay. "Come here you little rascal," he said grabbling a hold of the baby's ankle and gently tugging him towards him. Landon gurgled as Luke wiped his mouth and gave him the pacifier to suck on. Once he was laying on his back, kicking his legs in the air Luke propped himself on his elbow and looked over at Reid. "Hi."

"Hi," Reid smiled as he watched Luke glance around the room. He wondered what the younger man was thinking about, and was about to ask him when Luke spoke up again.

"We have to figure out where to put the crib," Luke's eyes were already roaming the room again as he attempted to find the right spot for Landon's bed to go.

"You and him planning on moving in?" Reid's voice met his ears

"Yes…if that's okay with you," Luke said a slight blush staining his cheeks as he realized he may have spoken too soon.

"I want what you want, Luke," Reid assured him, his voice soft as he turned cupping his face with his hand.

"This is what I want," Luke said nuzzling into Reid's touch. "I want you and me…I want us, here together." With great reluctance he pulled out of Reid's embrace and sat up, his eyes falling on his son who was sucking happily on his pacifier, his blue eyes flitting around as he watched his fathers talk. Reid sat up in bed, turning slightly to face Luke.

"We are together," Reid said stating the obvious. "A room isn't going to change that," he prodded gently.

"I know…it's just that room, that bed…it all reminds me of Noah, and I don't want to be reminded of him. I mean...not to be mean or anything but I have my memories of him where they need to be. And if I am going to move on then I need to do it. Does that make me heartless?"

"IT makes you human." Reid reached out for Luke again taking his hand and giving it a squeeze. "You're doing the best you can in a difficult situation, and I must say I admire you."

"You do? Why?"

"Well, Look at you," Reid said a smile alighting his lips. "You took on the responsibility of raising Landon all by yourself. You've managed to run this household; very smoothly I might add, and I'm sure there were times when you wanted to just cry yourself to sleep at night but you didn't. You survived and you continue to do so every day. You never take the easy way out and you aren't wallowing in your grief. You're living and that's not always an easy choice to make."

"Wow," Luke said at a loss for words. "I don't know what to say to that."

"You don't have to say anything…though I do have a question for you."

"Okay, what is it?"

"When are you two moving in?" Reid teased playfully.

The smell of bacon and freshly brewed coffee lured Laurie into the kitchen an hour later. He immediately went to the cupboard to pull down a glass. "Thank you," he said accepting the orange juice carton Luke held out to him. He filled his glass halfway and placed the carton on the counter before popping a pill in his mouth and taking a drink.

"How are you feeling?" Reid asked while Luke scrambled eggs in a pan. Landon was in his high chair waiting for Reid to feed him another spoonful of his breakfast. His little fists were beating on the table of the chair in his bid for his daddy's attention.

"I'm hungry," Laurie replied draining his juice glass before reaching for the carton again.

"Well have a seat," Luke said even as he served up a plate of eggs. "Would you like some coffee?"

Laurie nodded as he settled down in his chair. Luke placed a plate in front of him, and immediately set about pouring a fresh cup of coffee.

"Uncle Luke," a small voice called from the dining room. "Georgie needs a diaper change."

"Coming Lucas," Luke called back. "Here's your coffee," he said placing the piping hot cup on the table before disappearing from the kitchen.

"Does he ever stop?" Laurie asked taking a bite of his eggs as he watched his uncle feed Landon.

"I'm wondering if he knows how to stop," Reid commented. "Open up Lan," he said holding the spoon of cereal in front of the baby. Landon reached for the spoon with his hand, allowing his fingers to touch the scoop of mush which he promptly threw at Reid's nose.

"Landon," Laurie laughed despite himself. That's a nono."

Landon blew a raspberry in his brother's face before reaching for the cereal in the bowl and stuffing it into his own mouth. Reid who had grabbed a napkin to clean off his face just sighed and shook his head. "I think you were this fussy at his age," he said raising an eyebrow at Laurie. "Always wanting to sling your food everywhere, yet at the same time determined to feed yourself. When your parents fed you your food ended up on the floor or their faces…Matthew's hair was a popular place for you to throw. "But you ate for me more often than not."

"I like it when you tell stories about when I was younger," Laurie smiled reflectively.

"OH no, was he throwing food again?" Luke suddenly appeared in the doorway with Georgie in his arms and Lucas by his side. Lucky was close behind the toddler, sniffing at his bare feet, before sticking out his tongue to lick them.

Lucas knelt down to pet the puppy while Luke placed Georgie in a high chair and grabbed a napkin to wipe Landon's face and fingers.

"Again?" Reid asked curiously. "So this isn't a first time offense?"

"Oh no," Luke said shaking his head ruefully. "He's only doing it now because it's you too. He knows I don't play that game, right Lan?"

"Should we pop him if he does it again," Laurie inquired. "Is that what my parents did?"

As if he felt the need to be defiant Landon dipped his hands in the cereal again, but quickly pulled his hand away when he felt his daddy's stern hand pop his. He looked up at Luke and pouted, his lip quivering as he fell back in his chair and burst in to tears while Laurie and Reid watched in wonder.

It didn't take long for the cries to fade off into sniffles as Landon used his small fist to wipe at his nose. "We can't let him do that," Luke explained to Reid and Laurie. "If we teach him now he won't start eating with his fingers like the gremlin over there," Luke jokingly gestured at Lucas who was still playing with the puppy.

"Well it seems to have worked," Laurie pointed out, taking a sip of his coffee. "He's letting Uncle Reid feed him now."

Luke nodded as he called Lucas over to the table and made sure Lucky had food and water in his bowl. Once Lucas and Georgie were secure he walked over and picked up his cup, leaning against the counter as he took a sip. He glanced over the rim of his coffee mug, a contented smile crossing his lips as he noticed his godsons eating their breakfast quietly, while his son sat with his ankles crossed, his hands in front of him, like a perfect little angel, allowing Reid fed him, and Laurie seemed to be getting his appetite back. Everything was good…very good.

"This is it," Robbie said as they pulled up to a gray stone building surrounded by trees and shrubbery. "East Fairchild, my new home."

"How many students live in here," James asked glancing up at the residential hall which was bigger than anything back in Oakdale.

"It houses 109 students," Robbie replied, and its home to the communications residential college. They even have an editing room in here."

"You sound excited James chuckled as Robbie found a place to park.

"I am," Robbie admitted. "It's like the moment I have been waiting for…though I am certain that when you guys leave I will feel a moment of sadness."

They stepped out of the vehicle and looked up at the sprawling building. They heard rather than saw Lucinda and George come up beside them, and it was Lucinda's voice that broke the quiet.

"Such a charming place. It appears cold on the outside yet I do detect a bit of warmth. I think you will like it here, Robert. We will make sure of it."

Robbie smiled at her before turning his attention to the building. He wanted to commit every bit of his surroundings to memory so he could describe it to Laurie later when they talked. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see James smiling at him.

"Come on, little brother, let's get you moved in."

"That's the last of it," George said as he placed a box inside the room of the dorm. Lucinda was over by the windows inspecting the drapes while James was helping Robbie set up his computer on the desk in the corner. Robbie's roommate wouldn't be arriving until the next day. "Looks like you have a good view, son," George remarked as he surveyed the room.

"I hope my roommate doesn't mind that I took the spot by the window," Robbie replied as he handed James a CD.

"First come first serve, Darling," Lucinda said matter-of-factly.

The room had two beds with night tables separating them, two desks and two closets. There was an ironing board hanging on one of the closet doors and thanks to Lucinda a small refrigerator now sat in the corner. There was a kitchen in the residence hall which she was already set to stock with everything Robbie would need, even though he told her it wouldn't be necessary. George and James just shook their heads, letting him know that he should just let her fuss. She didn't get to do it as much when Luke was in school and it made her happy.

"I'm going to go move the car," James said glancing at his watch. "We've used up the forty five minutes allotted for unloading things."

"Are you coming back?" Robbie asked hopefully.

"Don't worry little brother; I'm not leaving you just yet."

Robbie looked relieved as he watched James leave the room after grabbing the keys off the table. "I shouldn't be this nervous," he sighed as he came to sit on the bed. George settled down beside him, and Lucinda flanked him on the other side, wrapping an arm around him.

"It's natural to be nervous, honey," Lucinda said giving his shoulders a squeeze. "Very natural. But you're going to be fine."

"Lucinda's right," George said patting his knee. It's never easy leaving home. We're all very proud of you though, and I think you're ready for this."

"I don't know…"

"You're still that eleven year old boy who was determined to find James," George reminded him. "Just a little older and with a lot more knowledge up here," he tapped Robbie's temple to make a point.

Robbie smiled and shook his head as he ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sure I'll be fine. I just wish Laurie could have been here too. We were supposed to do all of this together.

"And you will, Darling. You'll just have a head start, and Laurie will catch up when he gets here."

"Hey Robbie you left this in the car," James said as he reentered the room. "You're going to need it for all the events coming up this week." He handed him the purple handbook he had received in the mail over the summer.

"Thanks, Jimmy," Robbie said as he leafed through the book. "Looks like the first event is in thirty minutes. You guys want to come with me?"

"We'd be delighted to," Lucinda said answering for all of them. "Let's finish getting this room in order first."

Robbie nodded his agreement and stood, placing the book on the bed as they all set about unpacking his things.

"Watch it, Landon's behind you."

Luke stopped and dropped his end of the furniture to the floor. He looked over his shoulder just as his son latched on to his leg and pulled himself up before wrapping his arms around it to glance up at him.

"I guess that's his way of saying it's time to take a breath," Reid remarked placing the crib back on the floor.

"Do you want some help?" Laurie asked from the doorway of his room. He was leaning against the frame with his arms crossed as he watched the scene before him.

"You can't help with the lifting," Reid reminded him. "You're supposed to be taking it easy."

"Okay," Laurie said moving over to scoop Landon into his arms. "Would this be considered strenuous he teased as he held his little brother.

"I think that's okay," Luke laughed easily. Landon squirmed in his brother's arms before settling down, taking a hold of Laurie's shirt as he looked around. Lucas and Georgie's laughter drifted through the air as the boys played with the puppy.

"What are you guys doing?" Laurie asked curiously.

"Trying to move Landon's crib in there," Luke said point to Reid's room.

"You guys are moving in together?" Laurie asked with raised eyebrows.

"Yep. It was Luke's idea."

"Oh really," Laurie laughed. "I guess he twisted your arm huh?"

"It didn't take much," Luke said joining in the teasing. "Are you okay with this?" he asked directing his question to Laurie.

"How could I not be?" Laurie asked bouncing Landon up and down in his arms. "You guys are two of my favorite people, and I can't think of a better pairing then the two of you. I think it's great…so of course you have my blessing, not that you need it."

"Perhaps not," Reid agreed thoughtfully. "But never doubt your importance in this family Laurence. We'll always want your opinion. Right, Luke?"

Luke opened his mouth to speak but settled for shaking his head as he looked at his three favorite guys. He was sure Reid had no idea how much his words had touched him, and at the moment there were no words to define what he was feeling. To try would be insulting.

"I miss you," he said snuggling down into his bed, his phone pressed to his ear. "How was your day?"

"It was good. Nothing to strenuous. How about you?"

"I kept a low profile for the most part."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah…it was a nice day though."

"I miss you too you know. Are you sure you're okay? You sound sad."

"Just a little lonely…I'll be okay. I wish you were here. We were supposed to do this together, you know."

"We still will, RJ. IT just won't be exactly how we planned it."

"I know…it's just this isn't how I expected things to go."

"I think we've been through enough in the past year to know that best laid plans don't always pan out."

"True," Robbie laughed as he rolled on his side. "I'm going to wait until you get here to explore the campus. I went to orientation, and I have a general idea of where my classes will be, but the first time I get lost I want it to be with you."

"I think we can manage that," Laurie smiled softly. "I have some news for you too."

"You do?"

"Yeah. It would seem that Luke being in Uncle Reid's room last night was not a onetime thing."

"Really?"

"When I came out of my room earlier they were moving Landon's crib in there."

"Wow," Robbie chuckled.

"I know right? They even asked me if I was okay with it."

"That must make you feel really good."

"It does," Laurie admitted. "I mean I knew these two would always be a part of my life, but I never expected this. They both deserve to be happy."

"Jimmy and I were just discussing them this morning. We said the same thing

"I saw James when he came to pick up the kids. He stayed to talk to Luke for a few minutes."

"Did he seem sad?"

"A little bit. I can tell he misses you already."

"Yeah, it was kind of a hard goodbye. My roommate will be here tomorrow though."

"That's good…I don't want you to be alone."

"Don't worry about me. Just concentrate on getting better okay?"

"I will RJ. You get some rest as well. I love you."

"Love you too," Robbie smiled into the phone. "Good night."

"Good night."