The next two weeks dragged on though they were much more bearable than the previous two. This time Luke and Reid were constantly in contact, either texting throughout the day or sitting on the phone for hours at night. Luke finally came clean to his mother about Reid. She wasn't sure how she felt at first, but just like with Holden, she couldn't resist the sight of her son happy. While Lily still held Noah dear to her heart, and made sure Luke knew that he would always be welcome in their home and in their lives, she also understood that Luke needed to move on and openly supported him. Reid was a regular topic of conversation at the farm. While no one had met the mystery doctor pretty everyone had heard his name on Luke's lips multiple times and had come to accept him as an almost ghost-like part of Luke's life. They would ask how he was, shout hellos in the background when Luke was on the phone, and Emma had even expressed mailed Reid some of her famous meatloaf, made just for him. Reid had called Luke the night he got it, talking with his mouth full and telling Luke he was leaving him for Emma.
It was finally Saturday and Luke was almost embarrassed to leave his room. He could smell breakfast downstairs and knew the Emma, Holden, and possibly a few other Snyders and almost-Snyders would be waiting for him. Sure enough he came down to find his grandmother, father, as well as Jack and Carly sitting at the table drinking coffee and chatting idly. When Luke cautiously staggered down the stairs and into the room, avoiding eye contact, he could feel everyone start smiling.
"I hear you've got yourself a hot doctor, Luke," Carly teased. Luke let his head fall back, trying not to laugh. He looked over to see Jack and Holden were biting their lips to keep from cackling. Carly was grinning that wicked smile of hers, and Luke narrowed his eyes playfully at her.
"Yeah, well, we can't all marry cops," he shrugged. She smiled appreciatively, sipping her coffee. Holden laughed and Jack shook his head.
"When does your flight leave, sweetie?" asked Emma. Luke was pouring himself some orange juice.
"Five-ish," he answered.
"Why so late?" she asked.
"Well, it's a two hour flight, and Reid doesn't get off til six," he explained, shrugging. Emma nodded in understanding. The other three adults were grinning again. "I can see you, you know," Luke smirked, glancing up.
"Oh, give us a break, we need someone to make fun of besides ourselves," teased Jack.
"Why? Because it's so easy to make fun of you guys?" Luke asked casually. Jack shook his head
"Something like that," he grinned.
"We better get going, Emma," said Carly, standing and coming over to kiss Emma on the cheek. Luke looked up. "We were just here to pick up Faith, we're taking her, Liberty and Parker to Chicago for the day," Carly explained. Luke nodded. She and Jack shared their goodbyes, Carly leaving Luke with a final witty remark and a wink. Jack shooed her out, laughing and shaking his head apologetically. Luke came over to sit with his father and grandmother, smiling.
"So are they actually back together?" he asked almost doubtfully.
Holden chuckled. "Seems that way," he said, drinking his coffee.
"Oh, I do hope so. No ones makes that cousin of yours light up the way Carly does," said Emma sweetly. Luke smiled at her.
"So what are you up to until your flight?" asked Holden.
Luke shrugged. "Not entirely sure."
"Well, I'm taking Ethan to a movie a little later. Want to come? It can be our own little⦠Snyder Men Getaway Day," Holden laughed, as did Luke.
"Sure, that sounds great," he smiled.
They took Ethan to see 'Where The Wild Things Are', which Luke had to admit was pretty good. They grabbed lunch at Yo's afterward and by the time they returned to the farm it was going of four o'clock.
Luke finished packing and said his goodbyes. Ethan wasn't happy with Luke going away, not after the fun day they had, and Luke promised he'd see him tomorrow night and that he'd bring him back a surprise. This seemed to satisfy the young boy enough to let go of his brother's pant leg and allowing him to leave. He said goodbye to Holden and Emma before stopping at Lily's to say goodbye to her and Natalie. He made sure to text Faith on his way to the airport as well.
Some bad weather in Oklahoma gave their flight a bit of a delay but by 7:30 he was landing. He decided to rent a car this time since he wasn't on business and drove with the help of his GPS the route he was slowly but surely getting to know by heart to Reid's. He pulled up about eight, bag in hand and beaming when Reid opened the door before he'd even came up the walk. He stepped inside and dropped his bag immediately, reaching for Reid and pulling him into a tight hug. He wasn't sure what the other man would think of this at first, but as Reid's arms wrapped securely around his back, a hand lovingly over his neck, he was pretty sure Reid was just as happy to see him.
The embrace lasted a good many moments before they finally let go and stepped back. Reid took no time to take a hold of Luke's face, kissing him eagerly. A month apart had been torture on both of them and they weren't afraid to let that show.
