He had been skipping and talking the whole way from the car to the diner. He loved his classes with Miss Lydia and he also loved telling his daddy all about it, so he’d shared one story after another. But the moment they walked into Al’s, Danny was overcome by the huge crowd and instinctively grabbed Reid’s leg. With a sigh of relief he felt himself being lifted up. He watched how his dad put some napkins on a stool at the counter and then there he was. With the best view in the house. Standing tall on the stool, with his hand in his daddy’s curls and his dad’s hand firmly around his legs. Safe.
“My, you have grown, young man,” the man behind the counter gave him a friendly grin and then shook hands with Daddy Reid.
“Hey doc, good to see you.”
“Hi Hank. Business is still booming, I see?”
Henry smiled. “It is. And the Snyder clan is doing their part, tonight. They’re in the corner over there.”
“Grandpa Holden is here!” Danny started waving and his genuine enthusiasm made Reid smile. Not too long ago Danny had been suspicious and scared around other men, but his grandpa Holden had his full trust by now.
“Let’s order first, so the cook can do his magic, and then we’ll go over and say hi,” Reid suggested and after Danny nodded, Henry focused on the boy again.
“So what would you like, young man? A thousand fries, again?” *
As a reward for remembering, Danny gave Henry a bright smile.
“Zoë and I like the nuggets.”
“Good choice,” Henry nodded as his fingers moved over a computer screen.
“Wow Hank, that actually looks complicated. Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
The tease was evident and Henry shrugged.
“It’s no brain surgery,” he rolled his eyes at Reid, “but it’s pretty efficient. I place the order in this computer and it immediately appears on the screen in the kitchen. I love technology.”
“It’s good to see you move with the times. I assumed you were more focused on the…older pleasures in life.”
“You’re so lucky my Barbara isn’t here, right now…” Henry shook his head, his eyes gleaming with amusement, “she’d mop the floor with your face.”
“I’m pretty sure you’re right about that,” Reid agreed and pointed at the computer. “Just jot down two normal chilies and one for me.”
Henry grinned as he made a quick head movement towards the kitchen.
“Watch what happens after I press enter.”
He hit a button and a few seconds later the cook showed his face. The moment he recognized Reid, he grinned his biggest grin and after Reid gave him the thumbs up, the cook couldn’t look more happy.
“I’m not sure, but he could be in love with you,” Henry shook his head.
“Who can blame him,” Reid shrugged and handed Henry some bills. The man made a quick bow in gratitude for the generous tip the doctor had given and then watched how Reid lifted Danny off the stool, holding him against his chest.
“Just a small warning…young Mister Mayer is on your right, feeling extremely sorry for himself. He invited himself to the Snyder table, but was denied.”
“Thanks for the heads up,” Reid gave him a calm smile, “but let’s presume he’s intelligent enough to ignore me.”
“I seriously doubt that,” Henry stated, quickly looking at the table by the window, “he’s been watching you like a hawk.”
“That’s okay. I’m glad he’s using the eye sight I restored.”
After a wink at Henry, Reid made his way to the ‘Snyder corner’ without giving Noah the time of day and returned all greetings with a smile and a wave of his hand.
“Emma on strike tonight?”
“She’s at a friend’s house, helping out,” Holden grinned, “and none of us felt like cooking…”
“Obviously,” Reid nodded.
“Luke on strike tonight?” Molly teased and Reid rolled his eyes.
“Hope not…” his suggestive answer made the adults chuckle, “but we all had a busy day and we have a guest…and none of us felt like cooking…”
“How are the puppies, BB?”
“I’m doing very well, Ethan. Thanks for asking,” Reid teased, giving the boy a wink and getting a stuck out tongue as reply. “But the puppies are okay too, I guess.”
“They’re still blind and deaf,” Danny informed the group, “and they need a lot of sleep. But they’re beautiful.”
Ethan glowed. “I can’t wait to see them…Luke sent us pictures and promised he’d call if we can come.”
“I’m sure he will,” Reid nodded and then turned when he heard Henry’s voice.
“Oliver order is ready.”
“That’s us,” Danny pointed out unnecessarily and Reid patted his back.
“That’s us,” he nodded, “so let’s get going.”
After a quick goodbye Reid walked back to the counter. Was it coincidence that Noah decided at that very moment to stand up, almost bumping into the doctor?
Reid honestly didn’t care. He ignored the tall person in front of him, stepped aside and took over the bag Henry handed to him.
“Thanks, Hank.”
“My pleasure,” Henry made a face, “and watch your step. There’s an obstacle right behind you.”
It made Reid take a deep breath and when he turned, Noah was blocking the direct path to the door.
“What?” Reid snapped and instinctively Noah stepped back, leaving just enough space to reach the door, but when Reid moved, Noah grabbed Reid’s upper arm. Before Reid could react, Danny turned to the man next to them.
“Leave. Us. Alone.”
Noah was so dumbfounded by the look in the brown eyes – wow, this kid really looked like Luke – that he pulled back his hand and watched them leave. Then he remembered his mission and went after them.
“Is Luke okay?”
That question made Reid stop and turn his head.
“Of course he is. He’s with me.”
Noah tried to smile, but failed and produced some hideous grimace.
“I was worried. He didn’t look so good on TV…”
“We were about to lose our daughter. Of course he didn’t look good.”
The way Noah lowered his head, suddenly triggered a thought.
“Was it you who informed Zoë’s uncle about her two dads?”
Noah didn’t confirm, nor deny. Without looking at Reid, he turned around.
“I’m glad he’s okay,” he muttered and then walked away.
‘I have serious doubts about that,’ Reid thought, but didn’t bother to utter them. He just lifted the bag in front of Danny and gave his best smile.
“Let’s go home.”
Danny had been watching Noah leave, but switched his focus immediately.
“Yeah Daddy, let’s go home.”
