The Journey---Chapter Fifteen
banner by theSICKOChapter 15
While Reid and Luke were sharing their moment, Holden approached Cal with a request of his own.
“Can you make those arrangements for four, Cal? Is it too much to ask?”
“It’s not too much to ask but who are the other two?”
“The twins… Please don’t say anything to Luke but I’m barely keeping my head above water and have my hands full with two grieving adolescents, not to mention my own grief. The twins…they’re very attached to Luke and they’ve been instrumental in how quickly his mental health has improved. It doesn’t hurt that Reid dotes on them too, though I’m sure he’d deny it if you brought it to his attention.”
“What will you tell Luke?”
“I’ll just say that I feel they’d be safer if they weren’t in Oakdale.”
“Do you think he’ll by it?”
“I think he’ll be secretly relieved he’s not being separated from them.”
“OK, I’ll take care of it. You break the news to the happy couple.”
“They are, aren’t they? It’s good to see.”
Holden walked up to the boys who were still wrapped in each other’s arms. He hated breaking the spell but, besides asking this huge favor of them, there was packing that needed to be done.
“Luke? Reid? Can I have moment of your time?”
“Sure Dad, what’s up?”
“I was hoping you’d be willing to take Seth and Sierra with you. I really would feel better if they weren’t anywhere near Oakdale while Nick is still on the loose.”
“Dad, you’ve lost so much already. I can’t take the twins away from you too.”
“I won’t be alone, Luke. I have Natalie and Ethan to look after and Mama and Lucinda won’t give me a moment’s peace, I’m sure. Then there’s my watchdog, Jack…”
“If it’s what you want and if Reid’s in agreement, I’d be honored to have them with me…with us. Reid?”
“Anything you want or need Luke. I love you.”
“I love you too,” Luke whispered.
“Good, now that that’s settled, I believe we all have some packing to do. We’ll all drive out to the airport with you to say goodbye.”
“And we’ll escort you,” Hal interjected, “but we’ll need you back here for trial.”
“Don’t you have to catch him first to have a trial?”
“Reid!” Luke admonished.
“What? It’s a legitimate question.”
“Yes, unfortunately, as a matter of due process, the defendant has to be present in order for a trial to be held. But I’m confident we’ll catch him.”
“I’m sure you are.”
Before boarding the plane, Luke was saying his last goodbyes to his family while Reid stood back with a twin on each arm trying unsuccessfully to keep their grubby little fingers out of his nose and mouth. Six months ago, he never would have imagined his life would have taken this turn. He was a surgeon and was damn good at it…the best. Now he was in love and temporary guardian to two beautiful, yet disgustingly moist slobber monsters. He barely knew how to take care of himself, let alone two 10-month old babies but he was about to get a crash course.
Reid looked up and noticed that Luke had suddenly become quite clingy. Having made the choice to go stay with his cousin in Texas, he was now, apparently, having second thoughts. Reid could just make out what was being said and could also tell Luke was crying.
“I don’t want to leave you, Daddy.”
“But I need you to go.”
“Don’t you want me here? Don’t you love me?”
“Luke, you have had my heart from the moment you were born and I couldn’t love you more if you were my own flesh and blood. And, yes, I want you here but more than that, I want you and the twins safe.” Holden was crying now. He lowered his voice. “Your mother would be so proud of you. She always was but I think she’d be especially so now. You’re such a strong young man and I know that you know this is what you have to do.”
Slowly, Luke’s death grip on his father began to lessen until he was able to pull himself away completely.
“I love you.”
“I love you too, son.”
Chapter Sixteen: http://amydambly.livejournal.com/6356.html#cutid1