Word Soap: As The World Keeps Turning

Author: SYLnl

Title: #158 Getting acquainted

Rating: PG

Summary: "One of the greatest moments in anybody's developing experience is when he no longer tries to hide from himself, but determines to get acquainted with himself as he really is." - Norman Vincent Peale

Big Thanks To: ltklo, for brushing up my grammar

Everybody was moved. Well, everybody except Zoë. She was focused on Danny, but didn't show any emotion.

"Danny loves horses a lot and he didn't know he would get one today," Reid explained, but the girl didn't seem too interested. She gave a quick nod and that was that.

Socially challenged much?

His thought made Reid smile. Not too long ago that was his profile. It still was, in a way. So he gave himself the same advice he had given to others: don't make it personal.

"Are you okay? No pain?"

This time Zoë did make eye contact as she shook her head.

Okay, she mouthed and almost smiled.

"Good," Reid winked, "Shall we move a little closer?"

The small hands on his neck grabbed his hair in a painful response and Reid groaned a little.

"I guess that's a no," he muttered and the amusement in her eyes warmed him. "Shaking your head would have been sufficient too, you know."

Again she mouthed 'Okay' and for a moment Reid felt a wave of emotion through his body. He could feel it in his bones. For a moment they were connected. He quickly planted a kiss on her temple to seal the deal and then focused on his other child. The minute he did, he looked into the big brown eyes and the boy started beaming.

"Look Daddy, this is Dawn!"

"She is beautiful!" Reid said in all honesty and nodded at the grandparents who couldn't look more proud and happy.

"We also bought you a saddle and everything you need to ride, but first you and Dawn need to become acquainted," Holden calmly explained. "So you visit her every day and I'll be back in a few weeks to check on you two. And when it feels right, we can start the lessons."

"Really?" Danny was still trapped inside the disbelief and Holden ruffled the boy's hair on an impulse. When he felt the boy flinch, he could kick himself, but before he could utter an apology, Danny looked up to him and gave him a small and insecure smile.

"I didn't mean to startle you," Holden softly said and Danny's smile grew.

"I know, Grandpa. It's okay. I'm safe."

The adults realized Danny's message was more to himself than to Holden, but his grandfather responded anyway.

"Yes you are. We will never hurt you."

Not consciously, at least. Holden looked at his son and felt regret. It was remarkable how Luke's relationship with Reid had shown Holden how much his boy had been hurt by his parents. All three of them. Every time he witnessed Luke, he looked more secure, more happy and more powerful and Holden knew that was Reid's influence. The stability of their love, Reid's evident lack of sugarcoating and their deep mutual respect had managed to build Luke's confidence from the inside out and Holden had realized more than once that he had failed Luke in that area. He had failed himself too. Living with Molly had shown him that. He would always love Lily – he smiled when he saw her taking pictures – but somehow he'd always felt the stable boy with her. All these years he had wanted to prove her and himself that he was worthy. As if a stable boy was less important. Less interesting. He finally felt good about who he was.

A small hand in his pulled him back to the present.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, Danny. I'm glad you like her."

"Like?" the boy beamed, his hand still on the pony, "I love her."

Looking very vulnerable, he looked at Damian and Lily and both adults just smiled at him. Luke felt proud. They really seemed committed to taking it slow. After a deep breath Danny stepped forward, reluctantly letting go of Dawn, and extended his small hand to Damian.

Luke could see his father's emotion as he crouched down, accepted the hand and shook it.

"Thank you…Grandpa."

"I'm happy you love her," Damian softly said and for a moment they looked each other in the eyes, holding hands. Grandfather and grandson. Strangers. Building a bridge. When Danny pulled back his hand, Damian let go immediately and the boy smiled.

"You have a nice smile," Danny said shyly. "Just like Daddy."

"I'm happy to hear that," Damian treated him to another one.

Then the boy made his way to Lily and focused on her wheelchair.

"Zoë has one of those," he said.

"I know. We saw you all leave the hospital, yesterday."

Danny frowned. "I didn't see you."

"We were on the second floor, behind the window." Lily explained.

"Zoë was very sad last night," Danny shared. "But then my… our daddies came up and she hugged Daddy Luke. That was special."

Lily just smiled, lost for words. It was so hard to realize that her Luke, her boy, was a father now. And a very good one. She looked up and watched Reid interact with Zoë. The cranky, arrogant doctor. Who knew he could be this loving? Well, apparently Luke had known. Her eyes wandered to her son. He looked so strong. So manly.

"You are all special," she said, looking back at Danny and smiling.

"We all are," Danny agreed, reaching out his hand. "Thank you for Dawn."

"I know you'll take good care of her. I've made some nice pictures of her. I will send them to your daddy."

After a quick nod and a big smile Danny returned to his newfound treasure and when he softly caressed Dawn's nose, she 'talked' again. This time the answer came from the barn and Luke put his hand before his mouth, looking embarrassed.

"I totally forgot!" He hugged Holden and then looked at Reid.

"I forgot he's here too!"

"I guess he figured that out and made his presence known," Reid grinned, not moving an inch.

"You don't want to go in and say 'hi' too?" Luke teased and Reid rolled his eyes.

"Tempting…but no. You go ahead. I'll stay with Zoë."

"Wuss," Luke muttered under his breath. He gave Reid a telling look and made his way to the barn. The minute he stepped inside, he stopped in this tracks though. Mainly to give his eyes the opportunity to adjust to the half-light in the barn, but also to fully take in the smell. Luke smiled. He loved that smell of hay, leather, straw and horses. He breathed in deeply and then walked to the stable where Handsome was already waiting for him. Impatiently.

"Hello gorgeous," Luke softly caressed the soft nose of the animal, "I've missed you."

Handsome's snort made Luke chuckle.

"I know, I haven't been around much, but from now one we'll see each other every day."

As if he was listening closely, Handsome made a quick move with his head and when Luke kissed his nose, Handsome stepped forward, making himself more available for the hug. He stepped back when there was some movement in the barn.

"Hallo Handsome!" Danny's voice made the horse step forward again and the little snort felt like a greeting. To all of them. Danny giggled.

"Have you met Dawn?" the boy asked the horse.

"He has," the grandfather answered. "They are good friends already."

"Good," Danny beamed.

"How about we put them out for a few hours?" Luke chuckled when Handsome started 'nodding' again.

"I saw your horse arena is completely snow free," Holden's approval was evident, "so I think that's a good idea."

"Yeah, there's something installed in the ground that will keep it dry and warm," Luke explained. "Some kind of under floor heating."

"I can tell you chose some new techniques…" Holden nodded, "It looks great."

"Thanks Dad," Luke looked proud and pointed at a little control panel next to the stable door. "This will open the other end of the stables, so they can walk in and out as they please."

Luke smiled when he saw Danny having some silent conversation with his pony.

"How about it, sweetie? Are you ready to let Dawn stretch her legs a little in the arena?"

Danny nodded. "She'd like that."

"Good. Just lead her into her own barn and close the door."

When Holden stepped forward to help, Luke put his hand on his father's arm and quickly shook his head. Danny could do this. And he did. He oozed pride when he joined Luke and Holden again. After Luke showed him where to hang the halter, Danny looked up to the control panel.

"Can I push, Daddy?"

"Of course," Luke lifted the boy up so he could reach the buttons, "it's the green one."

After the push, a soft rattle indicated that the sliding doors were opening and for a moment both horses just looked alert, but didn't move. Then their curiosity took over and after a few careful steps, they walked outside and started to run around.

"Come, let's watch them outside," when Luke extended his hand, Danny grabbed it immediately.

"That was awesome," he sighed and Luke smiled. He'd always treasured the moments he could share his love for horses with Holden and now he could share it with his own son. When he looked up to Holden, they exchanged a telling smile.

It was awesome alright.