Saturday morning, Luke was the first to wake. He stirred a little, snuggling closer to Reid's chest and pulling a bit at the light blanket that covered them. Reid was still asleep, his chest rising and falling easily beneath Luke's head. He watched Reid sleep for a little while, smiling and gently brushing slender fingers through his thick curly hair. Quietly, oh so quietly, he peeled himself out of bed and pulled on some clothes before slipping through the door.
Sitting in the kitchen with a cup of coffee in his hands, Luke glanced around the room and smiled. This felt right. They'd started unpacking some of his things the night before only to discover that Luke didn't have as much to add to the house as they might have anticipated; but only because there was so much of him already there. His tooth brush and toothpaste, the orange citrus kind that Reid absolutely hated, had been in the bathroom for months now, ready for use whenever he came down. There were books, clothes even, and Luke had forced Reid to buy some art for the bar walls months ago. They still had to go out and buy a second dresser and a desk for Luke's side of the office, but other than that, Luke already felt at home.
Home. It was a comforting though that brought a smile to his lips. He heard Reid stir in the other room and looked up anxiously. It was hard for him to imagine that two weeks ago he didn't even know if he would ever see Reid again, and now here he was, sitting in Reid's kitchen and waiting for him to wake up and join him for breakfast. Two weeks ago this was simply a fantasy, but today it was real, and all thanks to the manipulations of Lucinda Walsh, their own willingness to talk things out, and a decision made a week ago that would ultimately change their lives forever.
Flashback to Last Saturday Morning
"So are you actually considering it? Working at Memorial?" asked Holden.
"Yes, I am considering working at Memorial."
Holden's eyes narrowed and he smiled again. "But?"
Reid laughed nervously. "But," he began, "I wouldn't be coming here for at least nine months. I have procedures scheduled during that time, for one, and I talked to Dr. Hughes last night; the doctor heading the project now, Channing, is not expected to stay on. He's simply there to make sure everything goes right. I can give my input from Dallas, and in about a year's time the wing should be complete and Channing should be back in Chicago,"
"Leaving the position open for you," Holden smiled as it all sunk in. Reid nodded.
"Exactly. I haven't finalized anything with Dr. Hughes yet, but he's suppose to call this afternoon and right now we're thinking this might be the way to go. It allows me to wrap things up in Dallas and gives me time to make a smooth transition."
"It sounds like you have everything planned out," said Holden. "So you're going to remain in Dallas for a year?" His voice changed, a mix of pleasure and concern clinging to his words, and Luke noticed it instantly.
"I know what you're thinking, Dad," said Luke. "But you don't have to worry this time."
Luke bit back his smile and Holden knew he was hiding something, especially as Luke reached for Reid's hand on the table, fingers wrapping around his palm and holding tight. Reid smirked back, rolling his eyes at how sentimental Luke was being, but looking generally pleased.
"Neither of us particularly likes the distance," said Luke, and the look on Reid's face was obviously of agreement. "And even though Reid is going to be moving here permanently, the idea of keeping up this back and forth for a year, well, it's kind of ridiculous."
Holden looked suspicious. Luke took a deep breath, eyes falling on Reid for support. Reid simply squeezed his hands and nodded. Luke smiled, confidence filling him again.
"So we've decided that I am going to move to Dallas with Reid."
There. He said it.
Pause.
"You want to move to Dallas?" Holden repeated, sounding understandably shocked.
"Yes," Luke nodded. "It would only be for a year and then both of us would be moving back to Oakdale. I can work just as easily from Dallas as I can from here. I'm sure I can find an office to rent out for the time being and I can manage both the foundation and Grimaldi Shipping from there. Grandmother will be able to help from this end."
"A year is a long time, Luke."
"I'll visit every few weeks, to see you guys and to check on the docks, and we'll both come up for the major holidays. And a year isn't that long, especially compared to what Reid is willing to give," replied Luke. Holden couldn't fight his logic. He rubbed the back of his head, staring at the food he still hadn't touched.
"Wow," was all he said, though he was smiling. Luke wasn't quite as tense anymore.
"Nothing is set in stone," added Reid. "I still have to talk to Dr. Hughes as well as my own supervisors. We won't know anything for certain for a few more weeks."
"And what about in the mean time?" Holden asked simply.
Luke smiled confidently. "I'm still moving down, dad. I'll stay with Reid until we know something for sure. If he is going to transfer to Memorial, I'll stay with him until that time. If not… well, we'll figure something out." Luke squeezed Reid's hand, who seemed to lean a bit closer. "Reid leaves tonight and I'll take everything I need with me when I fly down next weekend."
This seemed to trouble Holden, but as he looked up at Luke, who was only half-smiling and yet still managed to glow brighter than Holden could ever remember seeing him, he couldn't bring himself to do anything but smile back.
"I'm happy for you both," he said softly, the expected mix of joy and parental concern still lingering in his words. "Really. I hope all of this works out for you guys, though. I think it would be great to have you both closer to home," Holden laughed.
"Well lucky for you, that's the plan," Luke laughed along.
"Alright, enough chatting. I spent time and energy to make this lousy breakfast and it's starting to get cold."
Luke just looked at Reid and shook his head. Reid looked back at him from the corner of his eye and grinned, squeezing Luke's hand one last time before letting go so he could finally eat his breakfast.
